Character Animation Intern - Summer 2026

Apply Now Apply Later Job ID R-04069 Location Emeryville, California, United States Business Pixar Animation Studios Date posted Dec. 05, 2025

Job Summary:

Pixar offers an exciting 12-week, classroom-based animation internship designed to provide students with hands-on experience, mentorship, and exposure to a professional animation production environment. This program is an excellent opportunity to learn directly from working animators and experience what a “day in the life of a Pixar Animator” is truly like. Throughout the 12-week internship, animation interns will collaborate closely with mentors and will: • Use Pixar’s proprietary animation software to complete a series of acting and animation assignments that challenge and develop your skills. • Gain a working understanding of the animation production pipeline. • Participate in animation dailies and receive feedback from professionals.

Qualifications:

Strong understanding of traditional animation principles, demonstrated through a demo reel showcasing clear, compelling, and entertaining character acting
Educational foundation that demonstrates knowledge of physical motion, weight, balance, texture, and form
Aesthetic sensibility demonstrated through an online demo reel or portfolio
Storytelling skills preferred
Computer animation experience is helpful but not required
Organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable working quickly in a collaborative environment
Positive attitude, strong work ethic, and team-oriented mindset
You already possess the legal right to work in the United States
This is a full-time position. You must be available to work on-site Mon 6.1.26 - Fri 8.21.26

Eligibility:

Traditional Academic Paths:

Minimally a junior in college working towards a degree or certificate in animation, illustration, film or a related field
Recent graduates who are within the first year after graduation are eligible to apply

Less Traditional Professional Paths:

Career Transition: Those with a minimum of 5 years post-college graduation and whose professional experiences in a work/academic environment differ vastly from animation, VFX, gaming, and other computer graphics-focused industries
Armed Forces: Those who have served in the armed forces and are in a retraining program
Home Schooled: Those who are self-taught via an alternative educational path

Visa Sponsorship:

Unfortunately, we are not able to sponsor student / intern visas at this time

Submission Process and Application Materials (Please Read Carefully):

Attach a single PDF file containing your cover letter and resume.
Provide a link to your online demo reel in the "Demo Reel” section of the application; without this, you are not eligible for the internship. If it has a password, please be sure to include an accurate password.
Please note: social media pages are not an acceptable format for a demo reel
In submitting your application, you are agreeing to the terms of our Submission Release Form. Without this, we are unable to consider your application.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Sunday, February 1, 2026

The pay rate for this internship in Emeryville is $22.50 per hour.

Character Animation Intern - Summer 2026

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