Systems and methods may provide for identifying one or more facial expressions of a subject in a video signal and generating avatar animation data based on the one or more facial expressions. Additionally, the avatar animation data may be incorporated into an audio file associated with the video signal. In one example, the audio file is sent to a remote client device via a messaging application. Systems and methods may also facilitate the generation of avatar icons and doll animations that mimic the actual facial features and/or expressions of specific individuals.