In 1937, Walt Disney forever changed the course of cinema with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the first full-length animated feature entirely hand-drawn.
This pioneering work introduced the world to cel animation, a meticulous process involving transparent sheets, each capturing a single frame of motion. As digital techniques took over, this art form gradually faded.
Now, in 2025, that classic magic finds a new voice and master in Walton Zed.

An accomplished painter, academic, and expert in movement anatomy and visual storytelling, Walton Zed is breathing new life into a forgotten art form: handcrafted animation, meticulously created frame by frame with precision and passion.
He is the creative force behind The Pink Triangle, a fully hand-drawn animated feature that delves into one of the most overlooked chapters of 20th-century history, the persecution of homosexuals during the Holocaust.
Being chosen as lead animator for this project by Cel Animation Motions is a profound honor. Bringing such a delicate subject to light using a technique that demands time, dedication, and respect is the challenge of my career says Walton Zed.
The film is currently in production, backed by a $36 million budget and a team of over 700 professionals worldwide. Production began on September 18, 2024, and is set to span nearly three years, culminating in its premiere in Los Angeles 2027.
Each scene comprises over 108,000 unique, hand-painted drawings. Eschewing CGI entirely, every frame reflects an almost obsessive attention to detail. Walton leads an international team operating across multiple time zones, enabling a continuous 24-hour production cycle, a unique approach in the animation world.
“Working in cel animation today is like sculpting in the wind. But that’s its strength: every line, every movement, carries genuine expressive value. For a story like this, which speaks of memory and humanity, an equally authentic narrative form was necessary,” Walton explains.
Supporting him is a high-profile team. Among the co-producers is José Cura, a living legend of the musical industry, who not only composes the original score, but will also direct the film alongside Welcome Zed. Cura will personally design the entire Dolby Atmos sound experience, crafting a sonic architecture that matches the emotional intensity of the story.

He will lead an orchestra of over 200 musicians in the recording of a monumental composition destined to leave an indelible mark on the history of film music. This is not just a score, it’s a cinematic symphony of unprecedented ambition; Darko Peric, internationally beloved for his unforgettable portrayal of Helsinki in the global phenomenon Money Heist, brings his magnetic presence and emotional depth to the project. Known for his rare ability to balance raw strength with profound vulnerability, Peric adds both star power and dramatic gravitas, making him an essential pillar in a cast that aims to leave a lasting impact on audiences worldwide and Rubén Darío Salas, a multiple international award-winning music producer, will ensure not only the highest level of production quality, but also the film’s global impact. With a strategic focus on the Grammys, the Oscars, and major international film festivals, Salas is committed to guiding the project toward worldwide recognition and connecting it with an ever-expanding audience.
All under the strategic vision of producer David Guido Pietroni.
“David has assembled a team around me of such caliber that making mistakes is virtually impossible,” Walton admits with a smile.
But who is Walton Zed beyond his role in the film?
Graduating with top honors from the Academy of Fine Arts in Naples, he has taught animation for years between Naples and Los Angeles, mentoring entire generations of new artists.
Now, he is preparing to move to Lucca to work on the film alongside American and other international production teams.
This decision stems not only from artistic and logistical needs but also from a deep connection to the city, which Walton regards as a masterpiece of beauty and harmony, a place of immaculate architectural perfection, emblematic of Italian excellence.
Lucca Comics & Games Festival
Lucca has hosted the Lucca Comics & Games for nearly half a century, the world’s largest festival of animation and cosplay after Tokyo.
In 2024, Walton had the opportunity to visit Lucca Comics & Games, where he met President Nicola Lucchesi and personally congratulated him on the scale and international prestige of the event, which Walton had previously attended in 2018 where he presented a short film blending animation and green screen techniques, and took part in a book signing session, an experience that marked the beginning of a lasting bond with the city.

His cinematic ventures are not new: his animated short Selfiesh, a satirical take on the obsession with Botox, reached the finals of the Beverly Hills Film Festival.
The short features powerful performances by Amparo Roca and Ramiro Blas, with an original score composed, directed, and sound-designed by the legendary José Cura, who brings his signature artistic vision to every frame. The project is produced by David Guido Pietroni for Cel Animation Motions, uniting music, cinema, and emotion in a truly immersive experience.
When asked what The Pink Triangle represents for him, Walton responds without hesitation:
It’s a story that needs to be told. But not just told, experienced, drawn, shared. I want the audience to feel the weight and beauty of every stroke, every emotion. Just like with Walt, when a cartoon could make you cry, laugh, and think
From Walt to Walton, history repeats itself. But this time, it is art that guides memory.