Since the 1980s, La Jolla’s Museum of Contemporary Art has hosted a number of premieres, featuring then up-and-comers such as Tim Burton, Mike Judge and John Lassiter, who have since become big names in the cartoon industry. But those animation pioneers haven’t always been famous — they had to be discovered by producers like Craig “Spike” Decker. “With that pedigree and track record, we are now presenting new people who are just as talented, people who we think will be superstars,” said Decker, whose second year of “A New Generation of Spike & Mike Animation” opens at the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary art on Oct. 16. Spike and Mike Animation has gained worldwide notoriety for its “Sick & Twisted” festival, and “New Generation” came to fruition when Decker started compiling film submissions that were impressive, but didn’t fit into the “Sick & Twisted” category. This year’s production, which runs through Nov. 28, is a compilation of 21 films chosen from more than 500 submissions. The 90-minute production features filmmakers from all over the world, and Decker said it’s a bigger hit — and “more sophisticated — than “Sick & Twisted.” “I’ve done this all my life and this is truly a masterpiece,” he said. “To see it at the museum with their big high-resolution projection and acoustics — it’s just superb.” The first show begins at 7:15 p.m. on Oct. 16, and the first 100 guests through the door will get a free cupcake from Burger Lounge. The promotion, Decker said, is in observance of National Dessert Day. “A New Generation of Spike & Mike Animation” Museum of Contemporary Art, 700 Prospect Street Tickets at (858) 459-8707 or [email protected] Oct. 16 and 23 — 7:15 and 9:15 p.m. Oct. 30 — 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7 — 4 and 6 p.m. Nov. 19, 26 and 27 — 7:15 and 9:15 p.m.