Finding The Light
When an anglerfish—one of the ocean’s most mysterious creatures—was discovered unexpectedly surfacing from the deep, it sparked the idea for Surface. Inspired by this rare phenomenon, filmmaker William Sikora III set out to craft an emotional, visually stunning animated short that blends technology, artistry, and storytelling. In this interview, he shares the creative journey behind Surface, the challenges of bringing Lumi’s world to life, and his thoughts on the evolving role of AI in filmmaking. https://youtu.be/IoMbSrKaAZE What inspired you to tell this story about an anglerfish? Is there a real-life connection or something symbolic about this creature? When the world heard the news of this fish that lives on the bottom of the ocean in complete darkness 24/7 traveled to the surface for whatever reason it immediately sparked ideas in my head. Why did the anglerfish swim up? Sources stated different reasons but I wanted to go with something that
The Feeling of Christmas
In a world where creativity and technology are constantly intertwining, the emergence of AI-generated music is a phenomenon that’s turning heads—and sparking conversations. Enter Aires, a groundbreaking new artist brought to life by Sikora, blending artistry and artificial intelligence in ways that redefine the boundaries of music. “I wrote the song based on my feelings towards Christmas and how we get older; it becomes less and less magical feeling. Putting those words into the AI instrumental system, brought it to life, it brought an emotional feeling over me. Technology can be cold and stiff but it can also be wondrous and I really want to empower my creations in new ways instead of just ignoring technology entirely. I tell everyone, it will leave you in the dust whether you like it or not.” Sikora said. This holiday season, Aires has arrived with a captivating Christmas song that is as innovative
Gobble Gobble Goes 4K
Today marks the 14th anniversary of Gobble Gobble, a short and funny Thanksgiving-themed film that has delighted audiences since its original release. The idea for the film came to director William Sikora the night before Thanksgiving in 2010. Inspired by the holiday spirit and a burst of creative energy, he worked tirelessly for 12 hours straight—writing, animating, and editing from start to finish—to ensure the film was ready to share on Thanksgiving Day. The original short has since surpassed 315,000 views on YouTube. Now, 14 years later, Gobble Gobble has been remastered in stunning 4K to celebrate the milestone, complete with a new musical score that enhances its charm. At the heart of the film is its star turkey, Pluck, whose hilarious dancing skills steal the show and bring the laughs. The 4K upgrade sharpens every detail, while the updated soundtrack adds a fresh layer of energy and polish, breathing
The Disease of AI
AI is often seen as a “disease” in the creative world, raising fears that it could one day replace human-driven art. But at Sikora Entertainment, we see AI as a tool to enhance our creativity rather than a threat. We use it for fast visualizations, background textures, and even rough concept designs, which helps us build ideas and experiment with different possibilities quickly. Human art will always be. Instead of taking over, AI frees us from repetitive, technical tasks, allowing the focus to be on the human-centered storytelling and emotional impact that bring our work to life. This approach creates a balance where AI takes on supportive tasks, while our team injects the vision and originality that make each project unique. It’s about using AI to expand what’s possible in filmmaking, not to replace our roles. By treating AI as a collaborator, not a competitor, we’re able to push creative
Muni Long Is Ruined
When it comes to bringing music to life on stage, the visuals are just as important as the performance itself. For Grammy-winning Muni Long’s unforgettable rendition of “Ruined Me” on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, we had the incredible opportunity to create the stage visuals that amplified the emotional impact of her performance. It was a project that demanded precision, creativity, and seamless collaboration, and we were honored to work alongside the legendary Frank Gatson Jr., a creative director known for his visionary work with some of the biggest names in entertainment. The song “Ruined Me” is haunting, raw, and deeply emotional, so it was crucial that the visuals complemented its tone without overshadowing the performance. Our goal was to craft a visual environment that enhanced Muni Long’s storytelling, drawing viewers into the mood and message of the song. Using carefully crafted animations, lighting effects, and stage design elements, the visuals shifted
On The Set Raiding Tombs
https://youtu.be/gKkOLQPQ0oM Go behind the scenes on the set of TOMB RAIDER: BORN OF GOLD and see how it was made. Director and star William Sikora III takes it to the next level in this dirty, sweaty, exhausting adventure. You can watch the full film here.
