Disney, DreamWorks, Pixar Go Linux
robinsrowe writes "Most of the major studios use Linux -- such as DreamWorks with more than 1,500 Linux desktops and 3,500 Linux servers. The MovieEditor Conference is an all-day event on computer-based filmmaking in downtown Los Angeles on August 3rd. Studio technology chiefs and other experts discuss ongoing work using Linux in feature animation and visual effects. Presented in collaboration with LinuxMovies.org."
For an overview of which distros various studios are using (or are migrating to), along with various hardware solutions: http://www.studio-linux.org
Here's a good wiki writeup about the available film editing software available on linux:
Movie Making Manual-Linux in film production
- shazow
On one hand, renderfarms of ~5k machines get pretty expensive already, and adding another $500k for windows liscences is no small change.
The choice wasn't Windows vs Linux, it was Linux vs IRIX. This is why SGI's stock is in the toilet.