Calabash Animation

Based in Chicago, Illinois, CALABASH is an animation studio with a reputation for delighting clients and audiences alike with its unique brand of artistry. With a dynamic, ever-evolving roster of directors and creative talent spanning the globe, our versatile offerings include all styles of animation from CG VFX to motion design to traditional cel animation. CALABASH artists bring diversity and creativity to our projects with a deep commitment to time-honored principles of design and animation, and a love for great storytelling.

Throughout its storied history, CALABASH has animated such beloved Brand Icons as Lucky the Leprechaun, Charlie the Tuna, the Trix Rabbit, Sonny the Cuckoo, Hamburger Helper, Green Giant, Little Caesar, Mr. Clean and the Keebler Elves (to name a few), garnishing numerous awards and accolades along the way. Whether developing new characters or breathing new life into a classic, CALABASH has been a trusted creative partner for many of the world’s most iconic brands.

Besides commercials, CALABASH also creates our own original short films including the 2002 Academy Award-nominated short, “Stubble Trouble”, and we have created animation for independent feature films and major theatrical releases such as “Space Jam”, Big Idea’s “Jonah”, and Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s “On the Shoulders of Giants”. Today, CALABASH is looking beyond traditional media into areas such as gaming, social media, AI-generated animation, and immersive entertainment.