In 2003-04, Casey Safron was hosting animation screenings in downtown Manhattan. These pre-YouTube era events quickly grew in popularity. Safron’s college roommate owned a coffee shop in East Williamsburg called The Archive that had access to a screen down the block. The first official Animation Block Party took place on Sept. 9, 2004.

In 2005, Animation Block Party (ABP) received corporate sponsorship and began working with the Brooklyn Academy of Music. ABP partnered with Rooftop Films in 2006 and evolved into a four day festival as attendance grew by thousands each July. Over the past 15 years, ABP has presented holiday events for Valentine’s, Halloween, etc., and hosted showcases in cities ranging from Stockholm to London, New Orleans and Los Angeles.

Animation Block Party’s 15th annual summerfest is July 26-29, 2018