diff --git a/modules/blox/blox/logos/block.html b/modules/blox/blox/logos/block.html
index 71e2424c..c2363072 100644
--- a/modules/blox/blox/logos/block.html
+++ b/modules/blox/blox/logos/block.html
@@ -149,13 +149,13 @@
 
                 {{ $img := $image_resource }}
                 {{ if $img }}
-                  {{ $isSVG := eq $img.MediaType.SubType "svg" }}
-                  {{ if not $isSVG }}
+                  {{ $isProcessable := reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable $img }}
+                  {{ if $isProcessable }}
                     {{ $img = $img.Fit "280x140 webp" }}
                   {{ end }}
-                  <img src="{{ $img.RelPermalink }}" 
+                  <img src="{{ $img.RelPermalink }}"
                        alt="{{ $name | default "Partner logo" }}"
-                       {{ if not $isSVG }}width="{{ $img.Width }}" height="{{ $img.Height }}"{{ end }}
+                       {{ if $isProcessable }}width="{{ $img.Width }}" height="{{ $img.Height }}"{{ end }}
                        class="h-12 sm:h-14 lg:h-16 w-auto mx-auto object-contain filter grayscale opacity-60 group-hover:grayscale-0 group-hover:opacity-100 transition-all duration-300 group-hover:scale-110"
                        loading="lazy">
                 {{ else if $image_url }}
@@ -191,13 +191,13 @@
         <div class="group relative">
           <div class="block p-4 rounded-lg hover:bg-gray-50 dark:hover:bg-gray-800 transition-all duration-300">
             {{ $image := . }}
-            {{ $isSVG := eq $image.MediaType.SubType "svg" }}
-            {{ if not $isSVG }}
+            {{ $isProcessable := reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable $image }}
+            {{ if $isProcessable }}
               {{ $image = $image.Fit "280x140 webp" }}
             {{ end }}
-            <img src="{{ $image.RelPermalink }}" 
+            <img src="{{ $image.RelPermalink }}"
                  alt="Partner logo"
-                 {{ if not $isSVG }}width="{{ $image.Width }}" height="{{ $image.Height }}"{{ end }}
+                 {{ if $isProcessable }}width="{{ $image.Width }}" height="{{ $image.Height }}"{{ end }}
                  class="h-12 sm:h-14 lg:h-16 w-auto mx-auto object-contain filter grayscale opacity-60 hover:grayscale-0 hover:opacity-100 transition-all duration-300 hover:scale-110"
                  loading="lazy">
           </div>
@@ -234,13 +234,13 @@
           {{ if .image }}
             {{ $img := resources.Get (printf "media/%s" .image) }}
             {{ if $img }}
-              {{ $isSVG := eq $img.MediaType.SubType "svg" }}
-              {{ if not $isSVG }}
+              {{ $isProcessable := reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable $img }}
+              {{ if $isProcessable }}
                 {{ $img = $img.Fit "280x140 webp" }}
               {{ end }}
-              <img src="{{ $img.RelPermalink }}" 
+              <img src="{{ $img.RelPermalink }}"
                    alt="{{ .name | default "Partner logo" }}"
-                   {{ if not $isSVG }}width="{{ $img.Width }}" height="{{ $img.Height }}"{{ end }}
+                   {{ if $isProcessable }}width="{{ $img.Width }}" height="{{ $img.Height }}"{{ end }}
                    class="h-16 lg:h-20 w-auto object-contain opacity-70 hover:opacity-100 transition-opacity"
                    loading="lazy">
             {{ end }}
@@ -254,13 +254,13 @@
           {{ if .image }}
             {{ $img := resources.Get (printf "media/%s" .image) }}
             {{ if $img }}
-              {{ $isSVG := eq $img.MediaType.SubType "svg" }}
-              {{ if not $isSVG }}
+              {{ $isProcessable := reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable $img }}
+              {{ if $isProcessable }}
                 {{ $img = $img.Fit "280x140 webp" }}
               {{ end }}
-              <img src="{{ $img.RelPermalink }}" 
+              <img src="{{ $img.RelPermalink }}"
                    alt="{{ .name | default "Partner logo" }}"
-                   {{ if not $isSVG }}width="{{ $img.Width }}" height="{{ $img.Height }}"{{ end }}
+                   {{ if $isProcessable }}width="{{ $img.Width }}" height="{{ $img.Height }}"{{ end }}
                    class="h-16 lg:h-20 w-auto object-contain opacity-70 hover:opacity-100 transition-opacity"
                    loading="lazy">
             {{ end }}
@@ -286,13 +286,13 @@
               {{ if $image_name }}
                 {{ $img := resources.Get (printf "media/%s" $image_name) }}
                 {{ if $img }}
-                  {{ $isSVG := eq $img.MediaType.SubType "svg" }}
-                  {{ if not $isSVG }}
+                  {{ $isProcessable := reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable $img }}
+                  {{ if $isProcessable }}
                     {{ $img = $img.Fit "280x140 webp" }}
                   {{ end }}
-                  <img src="{{ $img.RelPermalink }}" 
+                  <img src="{{ $img.RelPermalink }}"
                        alt="{{ $name | default "Partner logo" }}"
-                       {{ if not $isSVG }}width="{{ $img.Width }}" height="{{ $img.Height }}"{{ end }}
+                       {{ if $isProcessable }}width="{{ $img.Width }}" height="{{ $img.Height }}"{{ end }}
                        class="h-14 lg:h-16 w-auto object-contain opacity-70"
                        loading="lazy">
                 {{ end }}
diff --git a/modules/blox/blox/portfolio/block.html b/modules/blox/blox/portfolio/block.html
index fc9f16ac..b4203c18 100644
--- a/modules/blox/blox/portfolio/block.html
+++ b/modules/blox/blox/portfolio/block.html
@@ -277,9 +277,9 @@
         <div class="relative h-48 overflow-hidden">
           {{ $image := $item.Resources.GetMatch "{featured,cover,thumbnail}*" }}
           {{ if $image }}
-            {{ if strings.Contains $image.MediaType.SubType "svg" }}
-              <img 
-                src="{{ $image.RelPermalink }}" 
+            {{ if not (reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable $image) }}
+              <img
+                src="{{ $image.RelPermalink }}"
                 alt="{{ $item.Title }}"
                 class="w-full h-full object-cover transition-transform duration-500 group-hover:scale-110"
               >
diff --git a/modules/blox/blox/research-areas/block.html b/modules/blox/blox/research-areas/block.html
index 6c9a6498..39fddae6 100644
--- a/modules/blox/blox/research-areas/block.html
+++ b/modules/blox/blox/research-areas/block.html
@@ -211,7 +211,9 @@
 
             {{ $img := $image_resource }}
             {{ if $img }}
-              {{ $img = $img.Fill "600x400 Center webp" }}
+              {{ if reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable $img }}
+                {{ $img = $img.Fill "600x400 Center webp" }}
+              {{ end }}
               {{ $alt := $name | plainify }}
               {{ $header_content = printf "<img src=\"%s\" alt=\"%s\" class=\"w-full h-full object-cover opacity-80 group-hover:opacity-100 group-hover:scale-110 transition-all duration-500\">" $img.RelPermalink $alt }}
             {{ else if $image_url }}
diff --git a/modules/blox/blox/resume-biography-3/block.html b/modules/blox/blox/resume-biography-3/block.html
index c24713df..a8fd6558 100644
--- a/modules/blox/blox/resume-biography-3/block.html
+++ b/modules/blox/blox/resume-biography-3/block.html
@@ -131,10 +131,10 @@
         {{ $img = $image_resource }}
 
         {{ if $img }}
-          {{ $isSVG := eq $img.MediaType.SubType "svg" }}
-          {{ $isGIF := eq $img.MediaType.SubType "gif" }}
+          {{/* reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable → false for SVG; GIF skipped to preserve animation */}}
+          {{ $canProcess := and (reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable $img) (ne $img.MediaType.SubType "gif") }}
           <div class="relative w-full h-64 rounded-2xl overflow-hidden shadow-xl mb-8">
-            {{ if not (or $isSVG $isGIF) }}
+            {{ if $canProcess }}
               {{ $responsive := partial "functions/process_responsive_image.html" (dict
                   "image" $img
                   "mode" "fill"
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@
                     src="{{ $responsive.fallback.RelPermalink }}"
                     alt="" />
             {{ else }}
-              {{ if not $isSVG }}{{ $img = $img.Process "webp" }}{{ end }}
+              {{/* SVG or GIF: pass through without responsive processing */}}
               <img class="absolute inset-0 w-full h-full object-cover"
                     src="{{$img.RelPermalink}}"
                     alt="" />
diff --git a/modules/blox/blox/resume-biography/block.html b/modules/blox/blox/resume-biography/block.html
index a90fa2d8..4a8b88ab 100644
--- a/modules/blox/blox/resume-biography/block.html
+++ b/modules/blox/blox/resume-biography/block.html
@@ -103,9 +103,9 @@
   {{ $img = $image_resource }}
   
   {{ if $img }}
-    {{ $isSVG := eq $img.MediaType.SubType "svg" }}
-    {{ $isGIF := eq $img.MediaType.SubType "gif" }}
-    {{ if not (or $isSVG $isGIF) }}
+    {{/* reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable → false for SVG; GIF skipped to preserve animation */}}
+    {{ $canProcess := and (reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable $img) (ne $img.MediaType.SubType "gif") }}
+    {{ if $canProcess }}
       {{ $responsive := partial "functions/process_responsive_image.html" (dict
           "image" $img
           "mode" "fill"
@@ -126,8 +126,7 @@
         </div>
       </div>
     {{ else }}
-      {{/* Handle SVG/GIF without processing */}}
-      {{ if not $isSVG }}{{ $img = $img.Process "webp" }}{{ end }}
+      {{/* SVG or GIF: pass through without responsive processing */}}
       <div class="w-full bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-900 flex flex-wrap items-center justify-center">
         <div class="w-full bg-white rounded dark:bg-gray-800">
           <div class="h-2/4 sm:h-64 overflow-hidden w-full">
diff --git a/modules/blox/layouts/_markup/render-image.html b/modules/blox/layouts/_markup/render-image.html
index 09e9b1f8..c0a2492f 100644
--- a/modules/blox/layouts/_markup/render-image.html
+++ b/modules/blox/layouts/_markup/render-image.html
@@ -27,9 +27,13 @@
   <div class="flex justify-center	">
     <div class="w-full" {{ with $max_width }}style="max-width: {{.}}"{{end}}>
       {{- if $img -}}
-        {{- $isSVG := eq $img.MediaType.SubType "svg" -}}
-        {{- $isGIF := eq $img.MediaType.SubType "gif" -}}
-        {{- if $isSVG | or $isGIF -}}
+        {{/*
+          Image processing gate:
+          - reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable → false for SVG (not processable by Hugo).
+          - GIF: processable by Hugo but we skip to preserve animation frames.
+        */}}
+        {{- $canProcess := and (reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable $img) (ne $img.MediaType.SubType "gif") -}}
+        {{- if not $canProcess -}}
           <img alt="{{ $alt }}"
            src="{{ $img.RelPermalink }}"
            loading="lazy"
diff --git a/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/blox/preact-wrapper.html b/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/blox/preact-wrapper.html
index bfb5443d..0fb41b4b 100644
--- a/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/blox/preact-wrapper.html
+++ b/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/blox/preact-wrapper.html
@@ -95,10 +95,14 @@
 
       {{ $img_data := dict }}
       {{ if $image_resource }}
-        {{ $isSVG := eq $image_resource.MediaType.SubType "svg" }}
-        {{ $isGIF := eq $image_resource.MediaType.SubType "gif" }}
-        {{ if or $isSVG $isGIF }}
-          {{/* SVG/GIF: no processing, just pass through */}}
+        {{/*
+          Image processing gate:
+          - reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable → false for SVG (not processable by Hugo).
+          - GIF: processable by Hugo but we skip to preserve animation frames.
+        */}}
+        {{ $canProcess := and (reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable $image_resource) (ne $image_resource.MediaType.SubType "gif") }}
+        {{ if not $canProcess }}
+          {{/* SVG or GIF: no processing, just pass through */}}
           {{ $img_data = dict "src" $image_resource.RelPermalink }}
         {{ else if eq $block_type "cta-image-paragraph" }}
           {{/* Responsive mode: generate srcset via process_responsive_image */}}
diff --git a/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/components/cover.html b/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/components/cover.html
index ca3fa6d8..ff2a16c0 100644
--- a/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/components/cover.html
+++ b/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/components/cover.html
@@ -70,10 +70,15 @@
   {{ $cover_height = 1080 }}
 {{ end }}
 
-{{/* Generate responsive images */}}
+{{/*
+  Generate responsive images.
+  - reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable → false for SVG (not processable by Hugo).
+  - GIF: processable by Hugo but we skip to preserve animation frames.
+*/}}
 {{ $processed_cover := $cover }}
 {{ $srcset := "" }}
-{{ if ne $cover.MediaType.SubType "gif" }}
+{{ $canProcess := and (reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable $cover) (ne $cover.MediaType.SubType "gif") }}
+{{ if $canProcess }}
   {{ $fill_spec := printf "%dx%d Center q85 webp" $cover_width $cover_height }}
   {{ $processed_cover = $cover.Fill $fill_spec }}
   
@@ -110,8 +115,8 @@
   <div class="absolute inset-0 overflow-hidden" style="{{ $mask_style | safeCSS }}">
     {{/* Cover Image */}}
     <div class="absolute inset-0">
-      {{ if ne $cover.MediaType.SubType "gif" }}
-        <img 
+      {{ if $canProcess }}
+        <img
           srcset="{{ $srcset }}"
           sizes="100vw"
           src="{{ $processed_cover.RelPermalink }}" 
diff --git a/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/functions/get_cover_image.html b/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/functions/get_cover_image.html
index 4d7c7038..b0945e55 100644
--- a/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/functions/get_cover_image.html
+++ b/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/functions/get_cover_image.html
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 
 {{/* Search for an image "*cover*" in page folder */}}
 {{ $resource := (.Resources.ByType "image").GetMatch "*cover*" }}
-{{ if eq $resource nil }}
+{{ if not (reflect.IsResource $resource) }}
   {{/* Otherwise fall back to the image file specified in front matter */}}
   {{ $filename := "" }}
   {{ if .Params.cover }}
@@ -25,15 +25,20 @@
   {{ if $filename }}
     {{/* Check if it's a remote URL */}}
     {{ if or (strings.HasPrefix $filename "http://") (strings.HasPrefix $filename "https://") }}
-      {{ $resource = resources.GetRemote $filename }}
-      {{ if eq $resource nil }}
+      {{ with resources.GetRemote $filename }}
+        {{ if reflect.IsResource . }}
+          {{ $resource = . }}
+        {{ else }}
+          {{ warnf "Remote cover image not found: %s" $filename }}
+        {{ end }}
+      {{ else }}
         {{ warnf "Remote cover image not found: %s" $filename }}
       {{ end }}
     {{ else }}
       {{/* Search in page folder */}}
       {{ $resource = (.Resources.ByType "image").GetMatch $filename }}
       {{/* Otherwise in `assets/media/` folder */}}
-      {{ if eq $resource nil }} {{ $resource = resources.GetMatch (path.Join "media" $filename) }} {{ end }}
+      {{ if not (reflect.IsResource $resource) }} {{ $resource = resources.GetMatch (path.Join "media" $filename) }} {{ end }}
     {{ end }}
   {{ end }}
 {{ end }}
diff --git a/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/functions/get_featured_image.html b/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/functions/get_featured_image.html
index 2eb3fbb0..11d71df9 100644
--- a/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/functions/get_featured_image.html
+++ b/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/functions/get_featured_image.html
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 
 {{/* Search for an image "*featured*" in page folder */}}
 {{ $resource := (.Resources.ByType "image").GetMatch "*featured*" }}
-{{ if eq $resource nil }}
+{{ if not (reflect.IsResource $resource) }}
   {{/* Otherwise fall back the image file specified in front matter */}}
   {{ $filename := "" }}
   {{ if and .Params.image (reflect.IsMap .Params.image) }}
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
   {{/* Search in page folder */}}
   {{ $resource = (.Resources.ByType "image").GetMatch $filename }}
   {{/* Otherwise in `assets/media/` folder */}}
-  {{ if eq $resource nil }} {{ $resource = resources.GetMatch (path.Join "media" $filename) }} {{ end }}
+  {{ if not (reflect.IsResource $resource) }} {{ $resource = resources.GetMatch (path.Join "media" $filename) }} {{ end }}
 {{ end }}
 
 {{ return $resource }}
diff --git a/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/functions/parse_block_v3.html b/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/functions/parse_block_v3.html
index 70b74728..d0c222c8 100644
--- a/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/functions/parse_block_v3.html
+++ b/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/functions/parse_block_v3.html
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@
 {{ if $bg.image.filename }}
   {{ $bg_img := resources.Get (printf "media/%s" $bg.image.filename) }}
   {{ if $bg_img }}
-    {{ if ne $bg_img.MediaType.SubType "svg" }}
+    {{ if reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable $bg_img }}
       {{ $bg_img = $bg_img.Fit "1920x1920 webp" }}
     {{ end }}
     {{ $image_layer := printf "url('%s')" $bg_img.RelPermalink }}
diff --git a/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/functions/process_responsive_image.html b/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/functions/process_responsive_image.html
index 0a72ac0e..e5e02ded 100644
--- a/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/functions/process_responsive_image.html
+++ b/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/functions/process_responsive_image.html
@@ -32,29 +32,21 @@ Returns: Map with processed images and srcset string
 {{ $srcset_parts := slice }}
 {{ $fallback_image := "" }}
 
-{{/* Check if image supports processing - only allow known processable formats */}}
-{{ $can_process := false }}
-{{ if $image.MediaType }}
-  {{ $format := $image.MediaType.SubType }}
-  {{ $isJPEG := eq $format "jpeg" }}
-  {{ $isPNG := eq $format "png" }}
-  {{ $isWebP := eq $format "webp" }}
-  {{ $can_process = or $isJPEG $isPNG $isWebP }}
-{{ else }}
-  {{/* Try detecting by file extension if MediaType not available */}}
-  {{ $ext := path.Ext $image.RelPermalink | lower }}
-  {{ $isJPEG := or (eq $ext ".jpg") (eq $ext ".jpeg") }}
-  {{ $isPNG := eq $ext ".png" }}
-  {{ $isWebP := eq $ext ".webp" }}
-  {{ $can_process = or $isJPEG $isPNG $isWebP }}
-{{ end }}
+{{/*
+  Processability check using Hugo's reflect API:
+  - reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable: true for JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF, TIFF, BMP — false for SVG.
+  - GIF exclusion: Hugo *can* process GIFs, but doing so strips animation frames.
+    We intentionally skip GIF processing to preserve user-optimized animated GIFs.
+*/}}
+{{ $isProcessable := reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable $image }}
+{{ $isGIF := and $isProcessable (eq $image.MediaType.SubType "gif") }}
 
-{{ if $can_process }}
+{{ if and $isProcessable (not $isGIF) }}
   {{/* Handle responsive mode - for already processed images */}}
   {{ if eq $mode "responsive" }}
     {{/* Convert to WebP if needed */}}
     {{ $base_image := $image }}
-    {{ if ne $image.MediaType.SubType "gif" }}{{ $base_image = $image.Process "webp" }}{{ end }}
+    {{ $base_image = $image.Process "webp" }}
     
     {{/* Create responsive variants by resizing down from the processed image */}}
     {{ range $width := $sizes }}
@@ -138,7 +130,7 @@ Returns: Map with processed images and srcset string
   {{- end -}}
   {{ end }}
 {{- else -}}
-  {{/* Handle unsupported formats (SVG, GIF) - skip srcset as width/height are unavailable for SVGs */}}
+  {{/* Non-processable (SVG) or intentionally skipped (GIF): pass through without srcset */}}
   {{- $fallback_image = $image -}}
   {{- $processed_images = $processed_images | append $image -}}
 {{- end -}}
diff --git a/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/page_author_card.html b/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/page_author_card.html
index 98b00066..292923d6 100644
--- a/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/page_author_card.html
+++ b/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/page_author_card.html
@@ -14,8 +14,7 @@
 
 <div class="flex pt-12 pb-4">
   {{ if $avatar }}
-    {{ $isSVG := eq $avatar.MediaType.SubType "svg" }}
-    {{ if $isSVG }}
+    {{ if not (reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable $avatar) }}
     <img
       class="mr-4 h-24 w-24 {{if ne $avatar_shape "square"}}rounded-full{{end}}"
       src="{{ $avatar.RelPermalink }}"
diff --git a/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/site_head.html b/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/site_head.html
index 1585d2ce..4c8cf29f 100644
--- a/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/site_head.html
+++ b/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/site_head.html
@@ -202,8 +202,7 @@
     {{/* See Hugo note on linking assets in styles: https://github.com/gohugoio/hugoThemes#common-permalink-issues */}}
     {{ $bg_img := resources.Get (printf "media/%s" .Params.design.background.image.filename) }}
     {{ if $bg_img }}
-      {{/* Exception for SVG as Hugo doesn't yet support image processing on SVG. */}}
-      {{ if ne $bg_img.MediaType.SubType "svg" }}
+      {{ if reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable $bg_img }}
         {{ $bg_img = $bg_img.Fit "1920x1920 webp" }}
       {{ end }}
       <style>
diff --git a/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/views/card.html b/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/views/card.html
index 51169347..46e8ac12 100644
--- a/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/views/card.html
+++ b/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/views/card.html
@@ -36,17 +36,23 @@
         {{ end }}
       {{ end }}
       {{ with $resource }}
-        {{ if strings.Contains .MediaType.SubType "svg" }}
+        {{/*
+          Image processing gate:
+          - reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable → false for SVG (not processable by Hugo).
+          - GIF: processable by Hugo but we skip to preserve animation frames.
+        */}}
+        {{ $canProcess := and (reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable .) (ne .MediaType.SubType "gif") }}
+        {{ if not $canProcess }}
           <a href="{{ $link }}" {{ $target | safeHTMLAttr }} class="block">
-            <img class="w-full h-full transition-transform duration-500 ease-out group-hover:scale-105 {{ if $fill_image }}object-fill{{ else }}object-contain{{ end }}" 
+            <img class="w-full h-full transition-transform duration-500 ease-out group-hover:scale-105 {{ if $fill_image }}object-fill{{ else }}object-contain{{ end }}"
                  src="{{ .RelPermalink }}"
-                 loading="lazy" 
+                 loading="lazy"
                  decoding="async"
                  {{ if eq $index 0 }}fetchpriority="high"{{ end }}
                  style="position: absolute; height: 100%; width: 100%; inset: 0px; color: transparent;"
                  alt="{{ $item.Title | plainify }} featured image">
           </a>
-        {{ else if ne .MediaType.SubType "gif" }}
+        {{ else }}
           {{ $original_image := "" }}
           {{ if $fill_image }}
             {{ $original_image = .Fill (printf "800x450 %s" $anchor) }}
@@ -72,17 +78,6 @@
                  style="position: absolute; height: 100%; width: 100%; inset: 0px; color: transparent;"
                  alt="{{ $item.Title | plainify }} featured image">
           </a>
-        {{ else }}
-          <a href="{{ $link }}" {{ $target | safeHTMLAttr }} class="block">
-            <img class="w-full h-full transition-transform duration-500 ease-out group-hover:scale-105 {{ if $fill_image }}object-fill{{ else }}object-contain{{ end }}"
-                 src="{{ .RelPermalink }}"
-                 width="{{ .Width }}"
-                 height="{{ .Height }}"
-                 loading="lazy"
-                 decoding="async"
-                 style="position: absolute; height: 100%; width: 100%; inset: 0px; color: transparent;"
-                 alt="{{ $item.Title | plainify }} featured image">
-          </a>
         {{ end }}
       {{ else }}
         <!-- Fallback gradient using theme colors - make clickable for consistency -->
diff --git a/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/views/slides-gallery.html b/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/views/slides-gallery.html
index 25dab71f..f84f3401 100644
--- a/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/views/slides-gallery.html
+++ b/modules/blox/layouts/_partials/views/slides-gallery.html
@@ -59,39 +59,34 @@
   {{/* Slide Preview Image - 16:9 aspect ratio */}}
   <a href="{{ $present_link }}" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="block relative aspect-video bg-gradient-to-br from-zinc-100 to-zinc-200 dark:from-zinc-800 dark:to-zinc-900 overflow-hidden" aria-label="{{ printf "%s %s" $present_fullscreen_label ($item.Title | plainify) }}">
     {{ with $resource }}
-      {{ if strings.Contains .MediaType.SubType "svg" }}
-        <img 
-          class="w-full h-full object-cover transition-transform duration-500 group-hover:scale-105" 
-          src="{{ .RelPermalink }}"
-          loading="lazy" 
-          decoding="async"
-          alt="{{ $item.Title | plainify }}">
-      {{ else if ne .MediaType.SubType "gif" }}
-        {{ $image := .Fill "800x450 Center" }}
-        {{ $responsive := partial "functions/process_responsive_image.html" (dict 
-            "image" $image 
-            "mode" "responsive"
-            "sizes" (slice 400 600 800)
-            "formats" (slice "avif" "webp" "jpg")
-        ) }}
-        <img 
-          class="w-full h-full object-cover transition-transform duration-500 group-hover:scale-105" 
-          srcset="{{ $responsive.srcset }}"
-          sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 50vw"
-          src="{{ $responsive.fallback.RelPermalink }}" 
-          width="{{ $image.Width }}" 
-          height="{{ $image.Height }}"
-          loading="lazy" 
-          decoding="async"
-          {{ if eq $index 0 }}fetchpriority="high"{{ end }}
-          alt="{{ $item.Title | plainify }}">
-      {{ else }}
-        <img 
+      {{/* reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable → false for SVG; GIF skipped to preserve animation */}}
+      {{ $canProcess := and (reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable .) (ne .MediaType.SubType "gif") }}
+      {{ if not $canProcess }}
+        <img
           class="w-full h-full object-cover transition-transform duration-500 group-hover:scale-105"
           src="{{ .RelPermalink }}"
           loading="lazy"
           decoding="async"
           alt="{{ $item.Title | plainify }}">
+      {{ else }}
+        {{ $image := .Fill "800x450 Center" }}
+        {{ $responsive := partial "functions/process_responsive_image.html" (dict
+            "image" $image
+            "mode" "responsive"
+            "sizes" (slice 400 600 800)
+            "formats" (slice "avif" "webp" "jpg")
+        ) }}
+        <img
+          class="w-full h-full object-cover transition-transform duration-500 group-hover:scale-105"
+          srcset="{{ $responsive.srcset }}"
+          sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 50vw"
+          src="{{ $responsive.fallback.RelPermalink }}"
+          width="{{ $image.Width }}"
+          height="{{ $image.Height }}"
+          loading="lazy"
+          decoding="async"
+          {{ if eq $index 0 }}fetchpriority="high"{{ end }}
+          alt="{{ $item.Title | plainify }}">
       {{ end }}
     {{ else }}
       {{/* Fallback: Decorative gradient with slide icon - smaller, cleaner */}}
diff --git a/modules/blox/layouts/authors/term.html b/modules/blox/layouts/authors/term.html
index 247a18fa..42ea452b 100644
--- a/modules/blox/layouts/authors/term.html
+++ b/modules/blox/layouts/authors/term.html
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@
   <div class="flex flex-col sm:flex-row sm:items-center gap-6">
     <div class="flex-shrink-0">
       {{ if $avatar }}
-        {{ $isSVG := eq $avatar.MediaType.SubType "svg" }}
-        {{ if $isSVG }}
+        {{ if not (reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable $avatar) }}
         <img
           class="h-32 w-32 sm:h-40 sm:w-40 {{ if ne $avatar_shape "square" }}rounded-full{{ end }}"
           src="{{ $avatar.RelPermalink }}"
diff --git a/modules/blox/layouts/events/page.html b/modules/blox/layouts/events/page.html
index d2975241..3c4fee7f 100644
--- a/modules/blox/layouts/events/page.html
+++ b/modules/blox/layouts/events/page.html
@@ -170,9 +170,14 @@
           {{ $sizes_attr = "(max-width: 480px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 90vw, (max-width: 720px) 80vw, 720px" }}
         {{end}}
         
-        {{/* Process featured image using utility with placement-specific constraints */}}
-        {{ if strings.Contains $featured.MediaType.SubType "svg" }}
-          {{/* SVGs cannot be processed by Hugo (Fit/Fill). Render directly. */}}
+        {{/*
+          Image processing gate:
+          - reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable → false for SVG (not processable by Hugo).
+          - GIF: processable by Hugo but we skip to preserve animation frames.
+        */}}
+        {{ $canProcess := and (reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable $featured) (ne $featured.MediaType.SubType "gif") }}
+        {{ if not $canProcess }}
+          {{/* SVG or GIF: render directly without responsive processing */}}
           <div class="article-header {{$image_container}} featured-image-wrapper mt-4 mb-16">
             <div style="position: relative">
               <img src="{{ $featured.RelPermalink }}"
@@ -184,7 +189,7 @@
               {{ with $image_params.caption }}<span class="article-header-caption">{{ . | markdownify | emojify }}</span>{{ end }}
             </div>
           </div>
-        {{ else if ne $featured.MediaType.SubType "gif" }}
+        {{ else }}
           {{/* Pre-fit image to placement constraints, then apply responsive processing */}}
           {{ $fitted_image := $featured }}
           {{ if eq $placement 2}}
@@ -215,27 +220,6 @@
               {{ with $image_params.caption }}<span class="article-header-caption">{{ . | markdownify | emojify }}</span>{{ end }}
             </div>
           </div>
-        {{ else }}
-          {{/* Handle GIF - apply same placement constraints without responsive processing */}}
-          {{ $image := $featured }}
-          {{ if eq $placement 2}}
-            {{ $image = $featured.Fit "1200x2500" }}
-          {{else if eq $placement 3}}
-            {{ $image = $featured.Fit "2560x2560" }}
-          {{else}}
-            {{ $image = $featured.Fit "720x2500" }}
-          {{end}}
-          <div class="article-header {{$image_container}} featured-image-wrapper mt-4 mb-16" style="max-width: {{$image.Width}}px; max-height: {{$image.Height}}px;">
-            <div style="position: relative">
-              <img src="{{ $image.RelPermalink }}" 
-                   width="{{ $image.Width }}" 
-                   height="{{ $image.Height }}" 
-                   alt="{{ with $image_params.alt_text }}{{.}}{{ end }}" 
-                   class="featured-image"
-                   fetchpriority="high">
-              {{ with $image_params.caption }}<span class="article-header-caption">{{ . | markdownify | emojify }}</span>{{ end }}
-            </div>
-          </div>
         {{ end }}
         {{end}}
       {{ end }}
diff --git a/modules/blox/layouts/single.html b/modules/blox/layouts/single.html
index ad1bbb8c..e5410d84 100644
--- a/modules/blox/layouts/single.html
+++ b/modules/blox/layouts/single.html
@@ -177,9 +177,14 @@
         {{ $sizes_attr = "(max-width: 480px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 90vw, (max-width: 720px) 80vw, 720px" }}
       {{end}}
       
-      {{/* Process featured image using utility with placement-specific constraints */}}
-      {{ if strings.Contains $featured.MediaType.SubType "svg" }}
-        {{/* SVGs cannot be processed by Hugo (Fit/Fill). Render directly. */}}
+      {{/*
+        Image processing gate:
+        - reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable → false for SVG (not processable by Hugo).
+        - GIF: processable by Hugo but we skip to preserve animation frames.
+      */}}
+      {{ $canProcess := and (reflect.IsImageResourceProcessable $featured) (ne $featured.MediaType.SubType "gif") }}
+      {{ if not $canProcess }}
+        {{/* SVG or GIF: render directly without responsive processing */}}
         <div class="article-header {{$image_container}} featured-image-wrapper mt-4 mb-16">
           <div style="position: relative">
             <img src="{{ $featured.RelPermalink }}"
@@ -190,7 +195,7 @@
             {{ with $image_params.caption }}<span class="article-header-caption">{{ . | markdownify | emojify }}</span>{{ end }}
           </div>
         </div>
-      {{ else if ne $featured.MediaType.SubType "gif" }}
+      {{ else }}
         {{/* Pre-fit image to placement constraints, then apply responsive processing */}}
         {{ $fitted_image := $featured }}
         {{ if eq $placement 2}}
@@ -222,28 +227,6 @@
             {{ with $image_params.caption }}<span class="article-header-caption">{{ . | markdownify | emojify }}</span>{{ end }}
           </div>
         </div>
-      {{ else }}
-        {{/* Handle GIF - apply same placement constraints without responsive processing */}}
-        {{ $image := $featured }}
-        {{ if eq $placement 2}}
-          {{ $image = $featured.Fit "1200x2500" }}
-        {{else if eq $placement 3}}
-          {{ $image = $featured.Fit "2560x2560" }}
-        {{else}}
-          {{ $image = $featured.Fit "720x2500" }}
-        {{end}}
-        <div class="article-header {{$image_container}} featured-image-wrapper mt-4 mb-16" style="max-width: {{$image.Width}}px; max-height: {{$image.Height}}px;">
-          <div style="position: relative">
-            <img src="{{ $image.RelPermalink }}" 
-                 data-pagefind-meta="image[src]"
-                 width="{{ $image.Width }}" 
-                 height="{{ $image.Height }}" 
-                 alt="{{ with $image_params.alt_text }}{{.}}{{ end }}" 
-                 class="featured-image"
-                 fetchpriority="high">
-            {{ with $image_params.caption }}<span class="article-header-caption">{{ . | markdownify | emojify }}</span>{{ end }}
-          </div>
-        </div>
       {{ end }}
       {{end}}