Animator -VFX (All Levels) – ILM London

Job Position(s): Animator -VFX (All Levels) - ILM London

Disney’s Industrial Light and Magic is hiring VFX Animators at all levels for its London studio, with contract start dates ranging from August through December 2026. This role sits within ILM’s animation department, where the work is shot-based VFX animation for feature film and episodic projects, covering characters, creatures, and CG objects through the full production pipeline. It suits animators who have moved beyond generalist work and want their name on projects that set the benchmark for VFX animation in the industry.

About the Role

ILM London operates as a full-service VFX studio embedded within one of the most recognised visual effects houses in feature film production. Animators here own their shots from blocking through final, working within a structured CG production pipeline alongside lighters, compositors, and supervisors in a hybrid model that requires at least two days on-site per week. Daily attendance at rushes is part of the rhythm, keeping animation consistent with the broader creative direction of each project.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver polished animation across an assigned series of shots on a specific feature film or episodic production, meeting quality and deadline targets consistently.
• Attend dailies regularly and contribute feedback that supports the creative decisions of the wider animation team.
• Apply classical animation principles including weight, timing, and performance to drive believable character and creature work within the VFX pipeline.
• Work within Maya as the primary animation tool, using constraint techniques and a working knowledge of rigging to solve shot-level problems.
• Navigate a UNIX environment and apply shell scripting where needed to support efficient pipeline integration.
• Participate in aesthetic problem-solving at the shot and sequence level, contributing to solutions that serve both the director’s vision and production schedule.

What You Bring

• Demonstrable experience in cel, stop-motion, or computer animation, with credits on feature films or high-end episodic television.
• Expert-level command of traditional animation principles alongside strong skills in Maya and supporting software within a studio VFX pipeline.
• Working knowledge of UNIX and shell scripting in a production context.
• Familiarity with constraint systems and the fundamentals of character rigging.
• A demo reel, shot breakdown, or equivalent portfolio is required as part of your application, along with a current resume.

Why This Role

ILM has a production history that covers some of the most technically demanding VFX animation work in the business, and the London studio operates at that same level. Contract durations vary, with multiple start dates across the August to December 2026 window, making this a realistic option for animators coming off other projects. For animators looking to deepen their feature film production credits at a studio with genuine pipeline depth, this is a meaningful step.

Apply now for the Animator VFX role at Industrial Light and Magic London and submit your reel alongside your resume to be considered.