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” opened Oct. 16 at the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art. 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. 27, 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.” Notable for their amazing artistic value, brilliant humor and everything in between, the shorts had the crowd “oohing,” “ahhing” and laughing throughout the entirety of the 90-minute showing. The festival debuted in La Jolla earlier this year, with shows often selling out, Decker said. The festival is being shown exclusively at the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art. ‘A New Generation of Spike & Mike Animation’ Oct. 23 — 7:15 and 9:15 p.m. Oct. 30 — 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7 — 4 and 6 p.m. Nov. 19, 26, 27 — 7:15 and 9:15 p.m. Nov. 28 — 4 and 6 p.m. Museum of Contemporary Art, 700 Prospect St. Tickets: (858) 459-8707 or [email protected]