Animation Magazine

Author: Mercedes Milligan

  • Venice-Selected VR Short ‘Pepitos: The Beak Saga’ Arrives on Meta Quest

    Venice-Selected VR Short ‘Pepitos: The Beak Saga’ Arrives on Meta Quest

    Meta Quest users can step into an immersive, animated storybook for a unique take on a tale of love and friendship in Pepitos: The Beak Saga, a new VR project from Ruxandra Gabriela Popescu (a.k.a. Ruxandra GP). The story follows a little creature called Pepitos, who is confronted with a difficult decision when two strangers arrive on his planet to claim his magical beak for themselves. Audiences can now enjoy the Venice Immersive-selected work through their own headsets.

    The director & creator says her goal for the experience was to “bring a fresh perspective to immersive storytelling through a harmonious blend of humor, drama and unique visuals” in “a magical world where we could explore complex themes and emotions without overwhelming [viewers],” anchored in themes of cross-cultural collaboration, acceptance and the shared human experience.

    Popescu, who was born in Romania and is now based in Belfast, where she worked for award-winning animation & children’s television studio Sixteen South before venturing into XR media, directed the 15-minute adventure from a screenplay by Eleanor Thibeaux (Mahal, Rebels). Popescu also served as a producer alongside Ryan Genji Thomas and Goro Fujita for Meta, both of whom are DreamWorks Animation alums. Pepitos features music by Ethan Schreiber, with voice overs performed by Will Jennings, Emma Ballantine, David Elliott, Kate Arneil and Adianez Buch.

    Pepitos: The Beak Saga is now available for Meta Quest through the Oculus store. See more of Popescu’s work at ruxandragp.com.

  • Animaj Unveils AI-Assisted Animation Production Workflow

    Animaj Unveils AI-Assisted Animation Production Workflow

    Sixte De Vauplane
    Sixte De Vauplane

    Paris-based tech outfit Animaj has introduced a new artificial intelligence tool aiming to pave the way for a new era in digital and premium children’s animation. The AI-assisted production workflow’s goals are in line with Jeffrey Katzenberg’s prediction that this emerging technology will cut animation labor by 90% in the next five years.

    Animaj’s model is specifically tailored to the requirements of children’s animation — such as addressing non-human body proportions for characters and unique styles of movement with sophisticated Motion-to-Motion retransfer and character adaption models — and trained on a proprietary database, circumventing rights issues.

    “Our AI Workflow is not just a technological advancement; it’s a strategic reshaping of the whole animation process, tailored for high-quality stories and iconic characters that captivate kids’ imaginations,” said Animaj Co-Founder & CEO Sixte De Vauplane.

    These specially honed features include:

    • Text-to-3D Motion: Simply type a scene and watch your characters come to life in a fully editable 3D environment. This tool bridges the gap between scripts, storyboards and high-quality animation, offering animators the freedom to modify scenes in real time, enhancing creativity and control.
    • Motion-to-Motion Retransfer: This transformative feature automatically adapts motions, rigs and meshes from humanoid figures to characters of any shape, slashing production time by up to 60%.
    • Text or Animatic to Motion Retrieval: This time-saving feature accelerates the animation workflow by allowing animators to quickly re-use library assets from text or animatics, maintaining the unique visual style and identity of each character.

    Learn more at animaj.com.

  • Stop-Motion Elf Joseph Wallace Crafts a Chilling Christmas Promo for BBC Podcast

    Stop-Motion Elf Joseph Wallace Crafts a Chilling Christmas Promo for BBC Podcast

    In the old wintry tradition of roaming ghosts and eerie firelit tales, a new promotional animation for the BBC podcast The Sleeping Forecast offers a stop-motion take on Charles Dickens’ classic novel A Christmas Carol.

    Director Joseph Wallace (Salvation Has No Name, The Sparks Brothers) was enlisted to capture this blend of seasonal chills and yuletide cheer, which is narrated by British actress Charlotte Ritchie (Ghosts, Fresh Meat, You).

    Wallace designed the Christmas short, which is crafted in his trademark textural, painterly stop-motion style, and features puppets by Adeena Grubb (The Marshalls, Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire, Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared) and cinematography by Daniel Morgan.

    BTS photography courtesy of Joseph Wallace Productions

    The promo brings to life the Dickensian scene in which miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the first of four ghosts — his old colleague, Jacob Marley. In the animated version, Scrooge is pictured sympathetically as a lonely and frightened old man.

    “Spooky Victorian houses are my happy place,” says Wallace. “I had a great time bringing this scene from A Christmas Carol to life, mixing ghostly apparitions with festive fun!”

    The spot was produced and creative directed by Yoav Segal at Atime Works and shot at Studio Linguini.

    “The BBC got in touch as they’d seen a spooky miniature set I’d made on my Insta,” noted Segal, “and witnessing it become this stunning animation that Joseph and the brilliant team have created, has been a real joy!”

    josephwallace.co.uk | atimeworks.org

  • Trailer: ‘Not Quite Narwhal’ S2 Is Ready to Make a Splash on Netflix

    Trailer: ‘Not Quite Narwhal’ S2 Is Ready to Make a Splash on Netflix

    DreamWorks Animation today surfaced with the Season 2 trailer for its magical self-acceptance story Not Quite Narwhal, based on the children’s book by Jessie Sima. The second season debuts January 22 on Netflix, following the first batch which debuted in June. The series centers on an adventurous youngster who is half narwhal and half unicorn, and follows his charming escapades on land and sea as he explores both sides of his unique heritage.

    Synopsis: With two magical worlds to explore, Kelp is busy embracing his new life as a narwhal and a unicorn! Whether discovering mysterious sea sculptures, playing an exciting game of Sparks Ball, or enjoying a special visit from the Great Great Grandicorn, Kelp and his friends always follow their curiosity. They’ll even get to meet a snow unicorn named Dambi and two-horned narwhal named Barb, embracing the magic of what makes everyone unique, on land and in the sea!

    Not Quite Narwhal features the voices of Nevin Kar as Kelp, Lucy Lowe as Scallop, Ryan Lopez as Cruz, Scarlett Kate Ferguson as Pixie, Sasha Knight as Ollie and Mixie Chen as Juniper. Guest stars for S2 include Matt Yang King as Dad Tuskington and Crabby, Weston Mangles as Theo, James Monroe Iglehart as Chef Jinglehooves, Kevin Dunn as Mr. Pearly, Sally Struthers as Mrs. Polydopoulos and Yvette Nicole Brown as Great Great Grandicorn.

    The series is co-executive produced by Brian K. Roberts, Naika Trower Shuman and Sarah Katin.

  • ‘Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood’ Rings in 2024 with Winter Special

    ‘Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood’ Rings in 2024 with Winter Special

    Nothing caps off a day of festive fun like snuggling up and enjoying a new animated tale featuring favorite characters! On New Year’s Day on PBS KIDS, youngsters and their families can tune in to a brand-new seasonal special episode of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.

    In “Juan Carlos Visits the Neighborhood/Daniel Shows Juan Carlos the Clock Factory,” Daniel has lots of activities he wants to do when Juan Carlos comes to visit, but Mom reminds him to ask his guest what he wants to do. And when Daniel can’t wait to show Juan Carlos the Clock Factory, he remembers to ask Juan Carlos what he wants to do first. His answer: play in the snow as Juan Carlos hasn’t seen snow before!

    Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood

    The special features a new strategy song, which will help instruct little viewers, “When your friend comes to visit you, ask what they want to do.”

    Premiering in 2012, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood marked the first original television show from Fred Rogers Productions since its source inspiration, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Each episode of the Daytime Emmy-winning series showcases two distinct stories starring four-year-old Daniel Tiger and his friends, who invite viewers to join them as they explore the colorful Neighborhood of Make-Believe. Musical strategies reinforce the unique theme of each show for preschoolers and parents.

    Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood

  • Disney+ Fetches 10 All-New ‘Bluey’ Episodes for January

    Disney+ Fetches 10 All-New ‘Bluey’ Episodes for January

    Bluey

    Fans of Australia’s beloved cartoon canines can enjoy 10 all-new episodes of the hit animated series Bluey next month, kicking off on January 12 in the U.S. and around the world on Disney+. This batch of stories will air on Disney Channel and Disney Junior in territories around the world later in 2024.

    The year’s #1 most-watched series for preschoolers and kids in the U.S. — which has also topped Nielsen streaming charts for overall viewing (Nielsen Media Research; weeks of 11/20/23, 11/6/23; live for streaming) — Bluey features the loveable and inexhaustible Blue Heeler dog Bluey, who lives with her Mum, Dad and little sister, Bingo.

    In these 10 new Disney+ episodes, Bluey showcases the joyful simplicity that can be found in families turning everyday events of family life — like making a cubby house (blanket fort) or a trip to the beach — into unique adventures that bring to life how children learn and grow through play. The episodes include:

    Bluey

    • “Cubby” – Bluey and Bingo build a very special cubby for their stuffed toy, Kimjim.
    • “Exercise” – Bingo pretends to be Boss Bluey’s new employee in the middle of Dad’s backyard workout.
    • “Relax” – Bluey and Bingo would rather explore their holiday hotel room than relax on the beach.
    • “Stickbird” – On a trip to the beach, Mum teaches Bluey how to throw, while Bingo and Dad get creative with a funny shaped stick.
    • “Show and Tell” – Bluey wants to know why Dad’s always bossing her around!
    • “Dragon” – Bluey asks Dad to help her draw a dragon for her story.
    • “Wild Girls” – Coco wants to play Wild Girls with Indy, but Chloe wants her to play another game.
    • “TV Shop” – At the pharmacy, Bluey and Bingo have fun playing with the CCTV screens.
    • “Slide” – Bingo and Lila are excited to play on their new waterslide.
    • “Cricket” – During a friendly game of neighborhood cricket, the dads struggle to bowl Rusty out.

    Bluey

    Later in 2024, Disney+ fans will have even more new Bluey to look forward to, when the previously announced first-ever Bluey special, “The Sign,” will premiere on ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) in Australia and globally on Disney+. The 28-minute special is penned by Bluey creator and writer Joe Brumm and directed by Richard Jeffery from Ludo Studio.

    Jointly commissioned by ABC Children’s and BBC Studios Kids & Family, Bluey is created and written by Brumm and produced by multi-Emmy Award-winning Ludo Studio in association with Screen Queensland and Screen Australia. The series streams to U.S. and global audiences (outside of Australia, New Zealand and China) across Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney+ through a global broadcasting deal between BBC Studios Kids & Family and Disney Branded Television.

    In addition to topping ratings charts, Bluey has garnered accolades including the International Kids Emmy Awards, a Critics Choice Award nomination, the Television Critics Association Award, BAFTA Children & Young People Awards, and many more.

    Bluey

     

  • Discover the Animated Shorts at Clermont-Ferrand 2024

    Discover the Animated Shorts at Clermont-Ferrand 2024

    Official competition selections for the 46th Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival have been announced. Organizers note that the record-high number of submissions this year forecasts a “return to normal” with production picking up after years of COVID challenges. More than 9,400 films were entered for consideration from around the world, including 2,000 French productions. The festival will take place February 2 to 10.

    Grand Prix winners of the Clermont-Ferrand International and National competitions qualify for the Academy Awards short film categories.

     

    In the International Competition, audiences can discover 66 films hailing from 52 countries — including the following animated projects:

    • Almost Forgotten | Miguel Lima, Dimitri Mihajlovic | Portugal
    • Beautiful Men | Nicolas Keppens | Belgium, Netherlands
    • A Crab in the Pool | Alexandra Myotte, Jean-Sébastien Hamel | Canada
    • Ghost of the Dark Path | Fish Wang | Taiwan
    • Matta and Matto | Bianca Caderas, Kerstin Zemp | Switzerland
    • Miisufy | Liisi Grünberg | Estonia
    • Wander to Wonder | Nina Gantz | Netherlands, France, Belgium
    • The Miracle | Nienke Deutz | Belgium, France, Netherlands
    • Nun or Never! | Heta Jäälinoja | Finland
    • Villa Madjo | Elen Sylla Grollimund | Belgium
    • The Waiting | Volker Schlecht | Germany

     

    Showcasing French creativity, this year’s National Competition received 1,957 entries, including far-flung co-productions with Colombia, Morocco,  Japan, Quebec, Belgium and others. Only 2.3% of the submissions made the cut of 45 films. Animated fiction and documentary competitors include:

    • 27 | Flóra Anna Buda | France, Hungary
    • Father’s Letters | Alexey Evstigneev | France, Russia
    • Margarethe 89 | Lucas Malbrun
    • Maurice’s Bar | Tom Prezman, Tzor Edery | France, Israel
    • On the 8th Day | Théo Duhautois, Alicia Massez, Elise Debruyne, Agathe Sénéchal, Flavie Carin
    • La Perra | Carla Melo Gampert | France, Colombia
    • The Purple Season | Clémence Bouchereau
    • Pushing Up Daisies | Chloé Farr
    • Summer 96 | Mathilde Bédouet

     

    Clermont-Ferrand also disclosed the films in the Lab competition section, which will spotlight the work of social and political activist filmmaker Chris Marker and the return of up-and-coming Taiwanese director Pang-chuan Huang to the festival. Animation in the spotlight of this section includes:

    • Alien0089 | Valeria Hofmann | Chile, Argentina
    • All Gucci My Broski | Harry Plowden | U.K.
    • The Choolers: Fish & Meat | Monsieur Pimpant | Belgium
    • Criss Cross | Tomáš Rybár, Nina Rybárová | Slovakia, Czech Republic
    • A Kind of Testament | Stephen Vuillermin | France
    • Miserable Miracle | Ryo Orikasa | Japan, France, Canada
    • Such Miracles Do Happen | Barbara Rupik | Poland
    • Via Dolorosa | Rachel Gutgarts | France
    • Wild Summon | Saul Freed, Karni Arieli | U.K.
    • World to Roam | Stephen Irwin | U.K.

     

    Visit clermont-filmfest.org for more information and to discover all the competition selections. 

  • Crunchyroll Bringing ‘GREAT PRETENDER razbliuto’ to U.S. Theaters

    Crunchyroll Bringing ‘GREAT PRETENDER razbliuto’ to U.S. Theaters

    Great Pretender razbliuto key artCrunchyroll announced today that it has acquired the theatrical rights for the new anime film GREAT PRETENDER razbliuto. Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment will bring the film to select theaters in the United States for a special two-day event on January 9 and 10.

    GREAT PRETENDER razbliuto marks the first feature film in the popular GREAT PRETENDER anime series, which debuted to critical acclaim in 2020. This film serves as a standalone story following Dorothy, the con artist who targets other con artists, as she masterfully maneuvers her way through Asia, all the while facing an unexpected threat.

    Synopsis:  It’s been three years since WIT Studio captivated the world with the dizzying tricks and ingenious scenarios that emerged from the GREAT PRETENDER series. Now, this all-new action-adventure film follows Dorothy, the self-proclaimed genius con artist who recruited the infamous Laurent Thierry to the life of crime. This time around, she has been defeated at her own game by the Shanghai Longu Bang and is thought to be dead, but she soon reemerges in a small seaside village. Pursued by the underworld of Taipei, she heads to Kyoto, but what will she find waiting for her there…?!

    This story is once again directed by Hiro Kaburagi, who is also responsible for the character design, with animation production from WIT Studio (Attack on Titan Seasons 1-3, Vinland Saga Season 1 ). The film is produced by Hitoshi Ito (MIRAI, Star Wars: Visions “The Ninth Jedi”) and script supervision by Ryota Kosawa (Always: Sunset on Third Street, Air Bound).

    Participating Theaters:
    Alphabetical by city.

    • Cinemark Pflugerville 20 and XD (Austin, TX)
    • Cinemark Egyptian 24 and XD (Baltimore, MD)
    • AMC Boston Common 19 (Boston, MA)
    • AMC River East 21 (Chicago, IL)
    • AMC Northpark 15 (Dallas, TX)
    • AMC Westminster Promenade 24 & IMAX (Denver, CO)
    • Consolidated Ward Theaters with TITAN LUXE (Honolulu, HI)
    • Regal Edwards Houston Marq’E (Houston, TX)
    • AMC Town Square 18 (Las Vegas, NV)
    • AMC Burbank 16 (Los Angeles, CA)
    • Regal LA Live (Los Angeles CA)
    • AMC Tysons Corner 16 (McLean, CA)
    • AMC Sunset Place 24 (Miami, FL)
    • AMC Garden State 16 (Newark, NJ)
    • AMC Empire 25 (New York, NY)
    • Harkins Theatres Arizona Mills 18 w/ IMAX (Phoenix, AZ)
    • AMC DINE-IN Ontario Mills 30 (Riverside, CA)
    • Cinemark Century Arden 14 and XD (Sacramento, CA)
    • Cinemark Jordan Landing 24 and XD (Salt Lake City, UT)
    • Santikos Entertainment Casa Blanca (San Antonio, TX)
    • AMC Mission Valley 20 (San Diego, CA)
    • Regal Stonestown Galleria (San Francisco, CA)
    • Cinemark Century Great Mall 20 XD and ScreenX (San Jose, CA)
    • AMC Orange 30 (Santa Ana, CA)
    • Regal Meridian (Seattle, WA)

    The GREAT PRETENDER series follows the story of pickpocket and scammer Makoto “Edamame” Edamura. After swindling a seemingly clueless tourist, Laurent Thierry, Makoto discovers that he was the one tricked — and the police are now after him. While making his escape, he runs into Thierry once again, happens to be a fellow con man, and the two flee to Los Angeles. Jumping from city to city, the anime follows Makoto, Laurent and his colorful associates in the world of international high-stakes fraud.

  • ‘Migration’ Flies to New Heights with Panoramic ScreenX Release

    ‘Migration’ Flies to New Heights with Panoramic ScreenX Release

    Premium film format producer / cinema tech outfit CJ 4DPLEX and animation studio Illumination (The Super Mario Bros. Movie; Minions, Despicable Me, Sing franchises) announced today that Illumination’s action-packed new original comedy, Migration, will be the first-ever major 3D animated feature to premiere worldwide in the 270-degree panoramic ScreenX format. The release marks ScreenX’s first global release for a major studio animated feature.

    Migration will open in North American territories on December 22.

    “We’re thrilled for Illumination fans to take flight in ScreenX’s panoramic theaters” stated Niels Swinkels, EVP & MD, Universal Pictures International. “The breathtaking visual scale and scope of Migration, with its epic action set pieces, made this the ideal film to share with audiences in ScreenX. We look forward to partnering again with CJ 4DPLEX on other movies that work within their cutting-edge premium formats.”

    In ScreenX, audiences are in for an elevated, multi-projection cinematic experience as they watch Migration’s Mallard family set out on a funny, feathered family vacation like no other. While dad Mack (Kumail Nanjiani) is content to keep his family safe paddling around their New England pond forever, mom Pam (Elizabeth Banks)is eager to shake things up and show their kids the whole wide world. After a migrating duck family alights on their pond with thrilling tales of far-flung places, Pam persuades Mack to embark on a family trip, via New York City, to tropical Jamaica. Their well-laid plans quickly go awry, and the experience will inspire them to expand their horizons, open themselves up to new friends and accomplish more than they ever thought possible, while teaching them more about each other — and themselves — than they ever imagined.

    Migration in ScreenX

    “Illumination has delivered a fun, action-packed film for the whole family, and we’re excited to have Migration mark the first major animated film to debut globally in ScreenX history,” said Jongryul Kim, CEO  of CJ 4DPLEX. “As our ScreenX network continues to grow, we’re delighted to expand our offerings to include animated films.”

    Directed by Oscar nominated filmmaker Benjamin Renner from a screenplay by Emmy winner Mike White, Migration is produced by Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri. CJ 4DPLEX collaborated closely with the Illumination creative team to design expanded film sequences exclusively in the ScreenX format, which extends these moments of the film onto the left-and-right-side walls of the theater.

    “CJ 4DPLEX worked with Illumination to develop specific, expanded sequences of Migration especially for ScreenX, and the final result is amazing,” said Don Savant, CEO, CJ 4DPLEX America. “In ScreenX, families from around the world will get to witness even more of the cinematic animated magic that Illumination and director Benjamin Renner crafted for Migration and we can’t wait to share this incredible journey with audiences.”

    Migration will be available across ScreenX auditoriums worldwide. Tickets are on sale now at participating theaters.

    cj4dx.com

  • Olan Rogers Launches ‘Godspeed’ Pilot with Surprise Star Tom Kenny

    Olan Rogers Launches ‘Godspeed’ Pilot with Surprise Star Tom Kenny

    Final Space creator Olan Rogers has premiered the pilot for his all-new animated series on YouTube: Godspeed. Within seven hours of posting the short last Friday, Rogers had already raised an impressive $100,000 on Kickstarter to make more episodes. The pilot release included the surprise reveal of voice acting legend, Tom Kenny.

    The series is produced by Lightfold, a new creator-led studio in Atlanta established by Rogers, Academy Award-nominated executive producer Rosa Tran (Anomalisa, Robot Chicken) and director Ben Bjelajac (Final Space). Their debut venture, Godspeed is a 24-minute sci-fi story about a young woman named Iris and Bowie, her karaoke-bot sidekick. Together they brave a planet ending storm to search for power in the abandoned homes of their crumbling world.

    The cast includes the voices of Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants, Adventure Time), Troy Baker (The Last of Us), Claudia Black (Farscape, The Nevers), Bryce Charles (Big Nate), Coty Galloway (Final Space) and the show’s creator, Rogers.

    Watch the pilot below, check out the previously released trailer here, and follow Olan Rogers on YouTube and the Godspeed Instagram for updates. More information can also be found at the studio’s website, lightfold.tv, and the project’s Kickstarter page.

  • First Look: ‘The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy’ Scrubs in for Prime Video Premiere

    First Look: ‘The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy’ Scrubs in for Prime Video Premiere

    The Second Best Hospital in The Galaxy

    Today, Prime Video announced the premiere date and revealed the series key art and first-look images for The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy (previously announced as The Hospital). All eight episodes of the adult animated sci-fi comedy from Emmy Award winning creator Cirocco Dunlap, and Maya Rudolph, Danielle Renfrew Behrens and Natasha Lyonne’s Animal Pictures, will debut on February 23, 2024.

    Produced by Amazon MGM Studios, with animation by Titmouse Studios, the series, which has a two-season order, will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

    Academy Award nominee Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All at Once) has joined the cast as series regular Dr. Sleech, alongside previously announced cast members Maya Rudolph, Natasha Lyonne, Keke Palmer, Kieran Culkin and Sam Smith.

    The Second Best Hospital in The Galaxy
    Maya Rudolph (Dr. Vlam), Stephanie Hsu (Dr. Sleech)

    Synopsis: The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy follows Dr. Sleech and Dr. Klak — aliens, best friends and intergalactically renowned surgeons — as they tackle anxiety-eating parasites, illegal time loops and deep-space STIs.

    In Season 1, doctors Sleech and Klak take on a highly dangerous and potentially groundbreaking case and, in doing so, put existence itself in jeopardy. Although considering their dismal personal lives, oblivion might be an improvement.

    Dunlap (Russian Doll, Birdgirl, Big Mouth) also serves as showrunner, writer and executive producer along with EPs Rudolph, Behrens and Lyonne for Animal Pictures. Shauna McGarry. Shannon Prynoski, Chris Prynoski, Antonio Canobbio and Ben Kalina from Titmouse will executive produce. Artist and animator Robin Eisenberg will co-produce and serve as production designer.

    The Second Best Hospital in The Galaxy

     

  • Satoshi Kon’s ‘Paprika’ Comes to LE 4K SteelBook Set in February

    Satoshi Kon’s ‘Paprika’ Comes to LE 4K SteelBook Set in February

    Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced the Satoshi Kon’s (1963-2010) acclaimed, Jungian anime adventure Paprika will be getting a fresh restoration release for the new year. The R-rated film’s Limited Edition 4K Ultra HD SteelBook set will be available February 20.

    Synopsis: Prepare to enter the realm of fantasy and imagination — where reality and dreams collide in a kaleidoscopic mindscape of sheer visual genius. The magical tale centers on a revolutionary machine that allows scientists to enter and record a subject’s dream. After being stolen, a fearless detective and brilliant therapist join forces to recover the device — before it falls into the hands of a “dream terrorist” in this gripping anime thriller from acclaimed director Satoshi Kon.

    The voice cast features Megumi Hayashibara as Dr. Atsuko Chiba, Toru Furuya as Dr. Kosaku Tokita, Katsunosuke Hori as Dr. Torataro Shima and Toru Emori as Dr. Seijiro Inui.

    In addition to directing, Kon co-wrote the screenplay with Seishi Minakami, based on the novel of the same name by Yasutaka Tsutsui. Executive producers were Jungo Maruta and Masao Takiyama, with Satoki Toyoda as co-producer. The animation was produced by Madhouse.

    Paprika 4K box

    Paprika premiered at the 63rd Venice International Film Festival before opening in Japan through Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan in November 2006. The film opened to enthusiastic critical reviews and remains a favorite with anime aficionados and film buffs around the world. Kon picked up accolades including best animated feature at Newport Beach Film Fetival, the Critics’ Choice Award from Fantasporto and the Public’s Choice Award from the Montreal Festival of New Cinema, in addition to competing for Golden Lion at Venice.

    Bonus Features

    4K UHD Disc

    • NEW FEATURETTE: Restoring Paprika

    Blu-ray Disc

    • Filmmaker Commentary
    • Tsutsui and Kon’s Paprika – Making-Of Documentary
    • A Conversation about the “Dream”
    • The Dream CG World
    • The Art of Fantasy
    • Storyboards and Original Drawings
    • Theatrical Trailers

  • German Indie Leonine Forms Animation Studio, Increases Stake in Toon2Tango

    German Indie Leonine Forms Animation Studio, Increases Stake in Toon2Tango

    Independent German media company Leonine Holding GmbH has announced the launch of Leonine Animation Studios GmbH, in partnership with Toon2Tango founders Hans Ulrich Stoef and Jo Daris. All parties will join forces to pool their animation activities in the future.

    The three partners will each contribute their shares in Toon2Tango GmbH & Co. KG to Leonine Animation Studios, effective January 1, 2024. Leonine Holding has held a 25.1% stake in Toon2Tango since October 2022. The studio now becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of the newly established group.

    Leonine Holding holds a stake of 50% in Leonine Animation Studios GmbH, with Stoef and Daris also jointly holding 50%. Leonine Holding GmbH also has the option to acquire a controlling majority in Leonine Animation Studios from 2025.

    The managing directors of Leonine Animation Studios are Bernhard zu Castell, who as Chief Distribution Officer is responsible for the distribution and licensing division of Leonine Holding GmbH, and the two Toon2Tango managing directors Stoef and Daris.

    “The expansion of our partnership with Ulli Stoef and Jo Daris is an important strategic step for our positioning in the animation sector. Since our investment in Toon2Tango in October 2022, we have completed hit series such as Agent 203 and Monster Loving Maniacs, among others, which have sold extremely well worldwide,” said zu Castlee. “The development, production and acquisition of major IPs is the perfect fit for our leading position in marketing and distribution, enabling us to create holistic brand worlds ranging from cinema and home entertainment to radio plays and podcasts.”

    Toon2Tango CEO & producer Stoef added, “We are very pleased to take the next step in the rapid development of Toon2Tango with our dream partner Leonine Studios and to now become part of the Leonine group. We have found the perfect match which offers us both the creative freedom and the necessary economic support to consistently expand in the areas of production, distribution and IP and brings us closer to our goal of becoming one of the leading European animation companies.”

    Leonine Animation Studios is a growth and investment platform for the development, production and acquisition of new IPs with international scope as well as other selective M&A activities in the animation sector. Initial projects include the production of the animated feature film Santa.com, which will be released in German cinemas in 2025 via Leonine Studios, and the TV series spin-off of the well-known cinema franchise Niko as well as the development of the series Littlest Robot, which was presented at the Cartoon Forum in Toulouse in September 2023, and the preschool series Hey Fuzzy Yellow, which is currently in production.

    “We want to consistently expand our successful children’s and family entertainment segment and this step will create the conditions for further growth in this exciting market,” said Fred Kogel, CEO of Leonine Studios. “We are delighted that we can now deepen our partnership with Toon2Tango, Ulli Stoef and Jo Daris after our first year of successful collaboration.”

    Toon2Tango was founded four years ago by Stoef and Daris, who in their successful careers have produced, among others, the international hit series Mia and Me, which has developed into a globally established brand comprising four seasons of the TV series (104 episodes) and a theatrical feature film. The team has also been involved in hit series and feature films such as Monster Loving Maniacs, Agent 203, Grisu, Wissper, Maya and the Bee: The Honey Games, Tip the Mouse, Sitting Ducks, Was Ist Was TV, Miffy, Frog & Friends and many more.

    Leonine Studios has been active in the field of children’s and family entertainment for many years and, as co- producer and distributor, has most recently brought the hit films The School of Magical Animals 1 & 2, Lassie – A New Adventure, The Ogglies – Welcome to Smellville, Rabbit Academy: Mission Eggpossible, Maya and the Bee and Raven the Little Rascal to theaters. In home entertainment, Leonine Studios complements its theatrical successes with the marketing of popular properties such as Heidi, The Gruffalo and Mia and Me. Leonine Studios has  also been expanding its market-leading position in moving image content for with the continuous development of a strong audio segment, extending successful IPs such as LEGO Ninjago, Tip the Mouse and Woodwalkers into radio plays, audio books and podcasts.

    With the acquisition of justbridge’s license catalog in April 2023 and the takeover of all marketing and distribution activities of The Walt Disney Company’s physical products in October 2023, Leonine  Studios has established itself as one of the largest and leading providers of kids and family entertainment in Germany.

  • Trailer: ‘Dragons of Wonderhatch’ Brings Hulu’s Anime Hybrid Isekai Original to Screens

    Trailer: ‘Dragons of Wonderhatch’ Brings Hulu’s Anime Hybrid Isekai Original to Screens

    Hulu has released the official trailer and key art for upcoming live-action/anime hybrid Japanese Hulu Original series Dragons of Wonderhatch. The series will stream simultaneously on Hulu and Disney+ beginning with a two-episode premiere on December 20.

    Synopsis: Born in our “real world” with sound-color synesthesia — a unique ability that allows her to see colors when she hears certain sounds — Nagi has spent her entire life feeling like she doesn’t belong. Dreaming of one day being able to fly, Nagi will soon come face to face with Thaim, another misfit from a different world. Born in Upananta, Thaim has long been treated like an outcast for his inability to hear the voices of the dragons that inhabit his land.

    With the floating islands of Upananta slowly beginning to fall from the sky, the two misfits will set off on an epic adventure spanning both live-action and animated worlds in Dragons of Wonderhatch.

    Dragons of Wonderhatch

    The cast roster features Sena Nakajima (Momo and the Seven Papagenos) as Nagi, Daiken Okudaira (Insomniacs After School) as Thaim, Mackenyu (Roronoa Zoro in the live-action One Piece) as Akuta, Rena Tanaka (Dear Etranger, Omotenashi), Masaki Miura (The Outsider), Riko Narumi (How to Become Myself), Sumire (The Shack) and Go Morita (Gokusen).

     

    Dragons of Wonderhatch is directed by live-action director Kentaro Hagiwara and animation director Takashi Otsuka (One Piece: Stampede, The Vision of Escaflowne), is produced by Production I.G (Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045) and features work from character designer and concept artist Posuka Demizu (The Promised Neverland).

  • New ‘The One Piece’ Anime Sets Sail for Netflix, Oda’s ‘Monsters 103’ Adaptation Underway

    New ‘The One Piece’ Anime Sets Sail for Netflix, Oda’s ‘Monsters 103’ Adaptation Underway

    During the weekend’s Jump Festa 2024, Netflix announced that the manga One Piece is getting a new anime adaptation starting from the “East Blue” saga. Titled The One Piece, the anime series will be produced by WIT Studio, recognized for their work on hit anime such as SPY x FAMILY and Attack on Titan (Season 1-3).

    Currently in production, The One Piece will be streamed worldwide exclusively on Netflix, marking a significant collaboration with The One Piece production committee, made up of representatives from Shueisha, Fuji Television Network and Toei Animation Co.

    In a joint statement, the committee expressed their enthusiasm for this project, which will be distinct from the TV anime series that has won fans around the world for over 25 years. With The One Piece, the committee aims to provide viewers with a fresh yet familiar experience, utilizing cutting-edge visual technology to reimagine Luffy’s adventures through the East Blue saga.

    Written by Eiichiro Oda, One Piece celebrated its 25th anniversary in July 2022, having sold over 510 million comics worldwide. The live-action One Piece series, streaming exclusively on Netflix, has garnered rave reviews, while the TV anime series produced by Toei Animation has been broadcast since 1999.

    Monsters 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation

    Another manga by Oda, created when he was only 19 years old, has also been adapted into anime for the first time. Premiering on Netflix in January, the action-packed Monsters 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation follows Ryuma, a samurai entangled in a world disrupted by an ominous force — a dragon capable of unleashing catastrophic destruction upon the land.

    This anime adaptation provides a unique opportunity for fans to discover Oda’s early work, brought to the screen by E&H Production, which is also working on two upcoming anime series due to premiere in 2024 Ninja Kamui for Adult Swim and Red Cat Ramen for TBS (Japan), which was also announced during Jump Festa (trailer here).

  • Watch: DreamWorks Celebrates ‘The Prince of Egypt’ 25th Anniversary with Video Reminiscences

    Watch: DreamWorks Celebrates ‘The Prince of Egypt’ 25th Anniversary with Video Reminiscences

    Monday, December 18 marks an historic date for DreamWorks Animation, as the 25th anniversary of the theatrical release of the studio’s 2D-animated Torah tale, The Prince of Egypt. Opening in 1998, the film was the studio’s first traditionally animated movie and second feature-length project, following the CG-animated Antz.

    To celebrate this milestone, DreamWorks has debuted a series of video reels in which the film’s directors Brenda Chapman (Brave), Simon Wells (Mars Needs Moms) and Steve Hickner (Bee Movie) reflect on the making of this ambitious musical-drama, which tells the story of Moses (watch them below). We also get a special international voice-over medley of the Academy Award-winning original song “When You Believe” by Stephen Schwartz, featuring performances in 25 languages.

    Written by Philip LaZebnik (Pocahontas, The Road to El Dorado), adapted from the first 14 chapters of the Book of Exodus,  The Prince of Egypt brings to life the story of two brothers — one born of royal blood, the other an orphan with a secret past — who grow up as the best of friends, until the truth ultimately sets them at odd as one becomes the ruler of the most powerful empire on earth, the other the chosen leader of his people.

    The film featured a stellar voice cast led by Val Kilmer as Moses (sung by Amick Byram), Ralph Fiennes as Rameses, Michelle Pfeiffer as Tzipporah, Sandra Bullock as Miriam  (Sally Dworsky singing), Jeff Goldbum as Aaron, Danny Glover as Jethro (Brian Stokes Mitchell singing), Patrick Stewart as Pharaoh Seti, Helen Mirren as Queen Tuya, Steve Martin and Martin Short as high priests Hotep and Huy, and “Madonna of the East” Ofra Haza as Yocheved — who sang her character’s signature tune “Deliver Us” in an additional, remarkable, 17 languages for the various dubbed versions.

    While it was released before the introduction of the animated feature Oscar, The Prince of Egypt won Best Original Song (“When You Believe”) and was nominated for Best Original Score (Schwartz’s music and lyrics complimented by orchestral by Hans Zimmer). The pic won Best Animated Feature from the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards as well as Best Song, was nominated for score and song at the Golden Globes and Grammys, and earned a flurry of Annie Award nominations.

    All images and videos courtesy of DreamWorks Animation.

     

     

     

  • Crunchyroll Opens the Door to Shinkai’s ‘Suzume’ on Blu-ray This March

    Crunchyroll Opens the Door to Shinkai’s ‘Suzume’ on Blu-ray This March

    Makoto Shinkai’s latest critically acclaimed, visually stunning animated fantasy Suzume will be ready to enchant home audiences anew when Crunchyroll releases a limited-edition Blu-ray set on March 12. The pack will include a 60-page art book, four art cards, a director’s commentary from Shinkai, and much more.

    Rolling out through theaters globally in April 2023, the interdimensional disaster tale earned a “Certified Fresh” 96% critics score and 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Suzume has also received nominations from the Golden Globes,  Saturn Awards and ASTRA Film Awards.

    Suzume Limited Edition Blu-ray

    Synopsis: On the other side of the door, was time in its entirety—

    Suzume is a coming-of-age story for the 17-year-old protagonist, Suzume, set in various disaster-stricken locations across Japan, where she must close the doors causing devastation.

    Suzume’s journey begins in a quiet town in Kyushu (located in southwestern Japan) when she encounters a young man who tells her, “I’m looking for a door.” What Suzume finds is a single weathered door standing upright in the midst of ruins as though it was shielded from whatever catastrophe struck. Seemingly drawn by its power, Suzume reaches for the knob… Doors begin to open one after another all across Japan, unleashing destruction upon any who are near. Suzume must close these portals to prevent further disaster.

    —The stars, then sunset, and the morning sky.

    Within that realm, it was as though all time had melted together in the sky…

    Never-before-seen scenery, encounters and farewells… A myriad of challenges await her on her journey. Despite all the obstacles in her way, Suzume’s adventure shines a ray of hope upon our own struggles against the toughest roads of anxiety and constraints that make up everyday life. This story of closing doors that connect our past to the present and future will leave a lasting impression upon all of our hearts.

    Drawn in by these mysterious doors, Suzume’s journey is about to begin.

    Suzume – Limited Edition Exclusives

    • 60-page art book
    • Four art cards

    Suzume – Limited Edition and Standard Edition Special Features

    • Director’s Commentary
    • Director’s Interview
    • Director’s Filmography Recap
    • RADWIMPS Interview
    • “The Making Of” Documentary
    • Ending Scene “Tadaima” Version
    • Special Commemoration Videos
    • Promo Video Collection
    • Teaser & Trailers
    • Roundtable Interview With Makoto Shinkai, Yojiro Noda & Kazuma Jinnouchi

    Crunchyroll’s March home video schedule also features RWBY: Ice Queendom – The Complete Series (Blu-ray,  March 5), One Piece Season 13 Voyage 6 (Blu-ray/DVD, March 12) and The Legendary Hero Is Dead! – The Complete Season (Blu-ray, March 12).

    All titles listed above will be available to pre-order through the Crunchyroll Store along with more home video offerings for purchase.

    Suzume is available to stream on Crunchyroll.

  • National Film Registry Inducts Animated Classics ‘Lady and the Tramp,’ ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’

    National Film Registry Inducts Animated Classics ‘Lady and the Tramp,’ ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’

    The Library of Congress has announced 25 influential films selected for the 2023 National Film Registry preservation list. Each year, a batch of films are nominated and chosen for their “cultural, historic or aesthetic importance to preserve the nation’s film heritage.”

    Included in this year’s class are the Disney animated classic Lady and the Tramp (1955), based on a story by American author Ward Greene. Directed by Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson and Hamilton Luske and produced by Walt Disney, the Silver Age 2D-animated feature is a musical romance about a pampered Cocker Spaniel (voiced by Disney regular Barbara Luddy) who falls in love with a street mutt (Larry Roberts).

    The voice cast also included radio personality Bill Thompson as Jock the Scottish Terrier, vaudevillian George Givot as the Italian restaurant owner, entertainer Stan Freberg as the zoo’s clever beaver, actor/singer Thurl Ravenscroft as Al the alligator and jazz star Peggy Lee as Lady’s owner Darling, the Siamese cats and Peg the stray Pekingese. as well as animation voice actors Verna Felton (Aunt Sarah), Alan Reed (Boris the Borzoi) and Dallas McKennon (Toughy the mutt) and a performance by popular quartet The Mellomen.

    A box-office success, Lady and the Tramp remains a favorite for fans and has grown on critics over the decades. It was also the first animated feature to be filmed using the CinemaScope widescreen process. It was nominated for the BAFTA for Best Animated Film  and earned Disney a David di Donatello Award for Best Foreign Producer.

    Another critically lauded and enduring animated fan favorite, The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), also made the cut. Directed by stop-motion master Henry Selick from a story and original poem by producer Tim Burton, the horror-tinged holiday musical tells the story of Jack Skellington the most popular scaremonger in Halloween Town, whose boogieman burnout leads him to discover cheery Christmas Town — unleashing a festive mix-up the likes of which neither world has ever seen.

    The cast was led by Chris Sarandon as Jack (singing voice provided by the film’s composer, Danny Elfman) and Catherine O’Hara as love interest Sally, a rag doll version of Frankenstein’s monster. The film also featured Oscar nominated actor William Hickey as Doctor Finkelstein, comedian Glenn Shadix as the Mayor of Halloween Town, Broadway actor-singer Ken Page as Oogie Boogie, animator Joe Ranft as Igor and Paul Reubens as trick-or-treating Oogie minion Lock.

    Released almost a decade before the animated feature Oscar was introduced, The Nightmare Before Christmas was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, and Elfman was nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Original Score. The film also won Saturn Awards for Best Fantasy Film and Best Music.

    The 2023 selections bring the number of films in the registry to 875. Some of these films are among the 2 million moving image collection items held in the Library. Others are preserved by the copyright holders or other film archives.

    “Films are an integral piece of America’s cultural heritage, reflecting stories of our nation for more than 125 years. We are proud to add 25 diverse films to the National Film Registry as we preserve our history through film,” said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. “We’re grateful to the film community for collaborating with the Library of Congress in our goal to preserve the heritage of cinema for generations to come.”

    The Library plans to screen two newly selected holiday films for audiences at Live! at the Library in December, including The Nightmare Before Christmas on December 21 at 6:30 p.m. and Home Alone on December 28 at 6:30 p.m. Free timed-entry passes are available at loc.gov/visit.  Select titles from 35 years of the National Film Registry are also freely available online in the National Screening Room.

    See the full roster of 2023 NFR selected films here.

    Animation in the National Film Registry

    Alphabetically by title

    Disney:

    • Bambi (1942 / inducted 2011)
    • Beauty and the Beast (1991 / 2002)
    • Cinderella (1950 / 2018)
    • Dumbo (1941 / 2017)
    •  Fantasia (1940 / 1990),
    • The Lion King (1994 / 2016)
    • The Little Mermaid (1989, 2022)
    • Mary Poppins (1964 / 2013)
    • Pinocchio (1940 / 1994)
    • Sleeping Beauty (1959 / 2019)
    • Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 / 1989)
    • Steamboat Willie (1928 / 1998) – short film
    • The Story of Menstruation (1946 / 2015) – health education short
    • The Three Little Pigs (1933 / 2007) – short film
    • WALL-E (2008 / 2021)

    Other Studios:

    • A Computer Animated Hand (1972 / 2011) – Ed Catmull & Fred Parke, short
    • Betty Boop in Snow White (1933 / 1994) – Max Fleischer, short
    • Duck Amuck (1953 / 1999) – Chuck Jones, short
    • Duck and Cover (1951 / 2004) – civil defense PSA
    • Gerald McBoing Boing (1951 / 1995) – Robert Cannon, short
    • Gertie the Dinosaur (1914 / 1991) – Winsor McCay, short
    • Little Nemo (1911 / 2009) – Winsor McCay, short
    • Luxo Jr. (1986 / 2014) – Pixar, short
    • One Froggy Evening (1956 / 2003) – Chuck Jones, short
    • Popeye the Sailor Meets Sinbad the Sailor (1936 / 2004) – Dave Fleischer, short
    • Porky in Wackyland (1938) – Bob Clampett, short
    • Shrek (2001 / 2020) – DreamWorks
    • Tin Toy (1988 / 2003) – Pixar, short
    • Toy Story (1995 / 2005) – Pixar
    • What’s Opera, Doc? (1957 / 1992) – Chuck Jones, short
    • Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988 / 2016) – Touchstone/Amblin, animation by ILM

     

  • Sony Pictures Imageworks Promotes VFX Supes to Creative Leadership Roles

    Sony Pictures Imageworks Promotes VFX Supes to Creative Leadership Roles

    Sony Pictures Imageworks, the Academy Award-winning visual effects and animation company, has elevated two of its industry veterans to key creative leadership positions:

    Michael Lasker will take on the role of Creative Director, CG Features. In addition to his VFX supervisor role, Lasker will collaborate with filmmakers as they engage on new CG feature projects at Imageowrks and help promote the company’s world-class look of picture team.

    Nicola Lavender will take on the role of Director, CG Supervision. In addition to her VFX supervisor role, Lavender will oversee the studios’ CG and DFX Supervisors, providing strong leadership to those in these vital roles.

    Lasker and Lavender will report to Michelle Grady, President of Sony Pictures Imageworks.

    “Delivering exceptional work to our clients and stunning visuals to global audiences is a team effort that requires strong creative leadership. We are thrilled that Michael and Nicola have agreed to these additional responsibilities, strengthening the creative voice within Imageworks,” said Grady.

    Lasker has over two decades of experience working on live-action and animated features. His recent credits include the visually innovative Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the Academy Award-nominated The Mitchells vs. The Machines and the Academy Award-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

    “Collaborating with filmmakers, artists and innovators to push the boundaries of artistry is at the core of what we do at Imageworks. I am excited for the creative journey that lies ahead,” said Lasker.

    Lavender is currently serving as VFX supervisor on the upcoming animated feature In Your Dreams for Netflix. With almost two decades of experience working on live-action and animated features, she most recently served as CG supervisor on the Academy Award-nominated The Mitchells vs. The Machines and Smallfoot.

    “I am thrilled to lead our talented CG and DFX supervisors. These groups are some of the most passionate, creative and innovative in the industry and I am excited to see what we can achieve in the future,” said Lavender.

    Sony Pictures Imageworks, headquartered in Vancouver, B.C., has created visuals for more than 100 live-action and animated productions over its 31-year history. Most recently, Imageworks completed work on Sony Pictures Animation’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Marvel Studios’ The Marvels, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, The Sea Beast for Netflix, Columbia Pictures & Marvel Studios’ Spider-Man: No Way Home, Netflix & Sony Pictures Animation’s The Mitchells vs. The Machines and Vivo, and the Academy Award-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

    The studio is currently in production on Sony Pictures Animation’s K-Pop: Demon Hunters, In Your Dreams for Netflix, and Columbia Pictures’ Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Sony Pictures Entertainment is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Group Corporation.

    ‘In Your Dreams’ is a comedy adventure about Stevie and her brother Elliot who magically travel into the world of dreams with the mission of finding The Sandman who will grant them their ultimate wish — saving their parents’ marriage. The kids are total opposites, making them an unlikely duo to navigate the absurdity of their own subconscious. Along their journey, they discover that as long as they have each other, they can face anything, even their worst nightmare. [c/o Netflix © 2023]
  • Watch: Studio Smokescreen Teams with CalHOPE for Mental Health Series (EXCLUSIVE)

    Watch: Studio Smokescreen Teams with CalHOPE for Mental Health Series (EXCLUSIVE)

    Animation director Kris Wimberly and his Los Angeles-based Studio Smokescreen have teamed up with non-profit CalHOPE Schools to create a series of animated shorts promoting mental health and wellness for students. Geared towards middle school-aged kids and their families, the shorts tackle subjects including managing stress, anxiety and normalizing the importance of asking for help and support.

    The series of six shorts, each 60-90 seconds in length, feature characters Drip, Poppy, Diablo and Juli as they tackle issues relatable to young viewers. The digital 2D animation style is designed to capture a robust, contemporary production quality, making them feel like snippets from a full-scale TV show. The shorts are slated to debut in early January on the CalHOPE Schools website (calhopeschools.org).

    Animation Magazine was given the exclusive opportunity to premiere the first short in the series, “Okay to Ask for Help,” which you can watch below.

    Wimberly served as executive producer on the project with Janice Rim as first-time episodic director, veteran Patrick O’Connor as art director, up-and-comers Laura Rivas and Rukshan Thenuwara as writers, and Tiara Little as first-time line producer.

    “We hope these vignettes will speak to all young people, especially those most in need from marginalized backgrounds and communities,” said Wimberly. “As a studio, our Smokescreen team was incredibly excited to work with CalHOPE on these shorts because they reflect the perfect intersection between the young audience they are intended to reach and our core mission of authentic storytelling told by diverse and underrepresented voices.”

    Studio Smokescreen (studiosmokescreen.com) is an independent, Black-owned animation studio dedicated to leading significant changes in diversity and inclusion across the animation industry. Led by co-founders, brothers Kris Wimberly and Chase Wimberly, the full-scale Los Angeles-based “bridge” studio, the first of its kind, is designed to elevate marginalized and underrepresented talent striving to break into roles on major studio projects.

    Part of the California Department of Health Care Services’ (DHCS), the CalHOPE Schools (calhopeschools.org) initiative provides no-cost resources for schools and educational agencies across California to further support mental health and wellness for students, educators and families.