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We have tragic news to report from France today.
Luis de la Rosa, the acclaimed animator whose credits included Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Versedied Friday after he was hit by a train while attending the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
He was only 34 years old.
According to the local newspaper Le Dauphiné Libre (via TMZ), emergency crews responded after a man was hit by a locomotive near the train station in Annecy, a town close to the French-Swiss border.
Despite their efforts, the victim could not be saved.
Authorities initially did not publicly identify the victim. However, the Annecy International Animation Film Festival later confirmed that the man killed was de la Rosa.
Early reports suggest de la Rosa was killed while walking too close to the tracks, but that detail has yet to be confirmed by police.
Having built an impressive resume over the past decade, De la Rosa began her career in animation in 2016 working on Nickelodeon’s Pig Goat Banana Cricket.
He later contributed to several larger productions, e.g My Little Pony: The Movie, Animaniacs, Space Jam: A New Legacyand the Oscar-winning animated hit Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
He reportedly attended the Annecy Festival Industrial Market to showcase his original project, Ash Raider Worldwhile also meeting other artists and potential collaborators.
Festival organizers have announced that artistic director Marcel Jean will honor de la Rosa during Saturday’s closing ceremony, recognizing both his contribution to animation and the devastating loss felt throughout the industry.
News of de la Rosa’s death has sent shockwaves through the animation community, where many remember him not only for his talent, but also for the promising career that was tragically cut short.
Our thoughts go out to Luis de la Rosa’s family, friends and colleagues at this incredibly difficult time.
