Meet Alaa Eddin Afifeh | Senior Animator/Animation supervisor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alaa Eddin Afifeh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi ALAA EDDIN, what principle do you value most?
The value that matters most to me is commitment, both in life and as an animator. In animation, commitment means to me staying dedicated to the craft, pushing through the tedious and detailed work to bring a character or scene to life. Just like in relationships, it’s about giving consistent effort, whether it’s refining a walk cycle or perfecting body mechanics or acting..etc. Commitment ensures that the vision stays true, and the final result reflects the passion and care put into every frame. It’s what drives me to keep improving, and it’s the foundation of everything I do, both personally and professionally

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As an animator, my art revolves around bringing characters and stories to life through movement. What sets me apart is my dedication to mastering both cartoonish and realistic animation styles, allowing me to create a diverse range of characters and scenes—from exaggerated, humorous movements to complex, lifelike body mechanics. I take pride in the ability to breathe life into every character, whether it’s a quadruped like a horse or a two-legged hero in a dynamic run cycle.

My journey has been filled with challenges, and it certainly hasn’t been easy. There were long hours, countless revisions, and moments where I questioned if I was on the right path. But it was my commitment to the craft that helped me push through. I embraced each challenge as a learning opportunity, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come. The lessons I’ve learned along the way—perseverance, attention to detail, and patience—have shaped me into the animator I am today.

What I want the world to know about my story is that animation isn’t just a job for me—it’s a passion that drives me. My work reflects a deep love for the art form, and I’m constantly striving to improve and explore new techniques to keep my creativity fresh. My goal is to inspire others, just as I was inspired by the works of Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks, and Blue Sky, and to show that with commitment and resilience, you can bring your creative visions to life.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to visit Vancouver for a week, here’s how I’d plan it:

Day 1: Explore Gastown and walk the Seawall. Sushi at Miku and drinks in Yaletown.

Day 2: Spend the day at Stanley Park biking and visit English Bay Beach for sunset.

Day 3: Visit Granville Island for the market and have lunch. Check out local craft breweries in the evening.

Day 4: Hike or take the gondola up Grouse Mountain, followed by seafood at Blue Water Café.

Day 5: Visit the Museum of Anthropology and Science World, with dinner at Nuba.

Day 6: Day trip to Whistler via the Sea-to-Sky Highway.

Day 7: Relax at VanDusen Garden and end the trip at Kitsilano Beach.

It would be a mix of outdoor adventures, great food, and soaking in the city’s laid-back vibe.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
In my journey as an animator, I owe a great deal of credit to the incredible mentors, peers, and loved ones who’ve supported me along the way. First and foremost, a shoutout goes to my family for their unwavering belief in my passion, even when the road wasn’t easy. I also want to recognize my animation mentors, who pushed me to refine my skills and never settle for “good enough.” Their guidance has been invaluable in helping me grow.

Special recognition also goes to the animation community. Their shared knowledge, feedback, and encouragement and support have been crucial in shaping my craft and makes feel the value of my work it’s very satisfying when being surrounded by around me and online community who inspire and supports me

And of course, to all the incredible work done in the past by Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks, and Blue Sky. Their movies made me fall in love with animation!

Website: https://vimeo.com/user1041421

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alaaafifeh/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alaa-eddin-afifeh-1334b229/

Twitter: https://x.com/AlaaAfifeh

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alaa.afifah

Image Credits
Disney. paramount,20fox century,MGM, China Lion,HB Wink Animation, Cinesite,Weta,Sony imageworks, Altered