At an evening ceremony held November 23 in Hamburg, Minister of State and Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media Claudia Roth presented the German Short Film Awards (or Lola Awards). Five filmmakers were honored, winning out against 220 competitors for a share of the 260,000 euro s in prize money. Roth lauded the winning films as “unique and important for German cinematic art.”
The award for Best Animated Film was given to Xanh, directed by Thi Dang An Tran and produced by Sylvia Jorde, from the acclaimed Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg (FABW). The 2D film was created in FABW’s experimental filmmaking program before the filmmaking team transferred into the school’s Animationinstitut.
Xanh opens in the kitchen of an Asian fast food restaurant, where Duy Em and her father Ba are discussing a discriminatory incident. She asks her father why he does not defend himself against racist remarks. His answer takes the two of them back to his former life among the “boat people” in Vietnam. “Xanh” means both green and blue in Vietnamese — so, the film’s title reflects the different perspectives of the protagonists: the childlike, privileged view of the daughter clashes with the father’s lived experiences.
“We are grateful for the attention Xanh is receiving and are pleased to contribute to raise awareness of a very important topic,” the filmmakers commented upon receiving the award.
Prof. Thomas Schadt, Managing Director of the FABW, noted, “The German Short Film Award is one of the most important awards in the national film industry. To receive such an award this early on in your studies is truly a great achievement. Congratulations to the entire team of Xanh!”
The German Short Film Award is regarded as the most prestigious — and most highly endowed — award in the short film sector in Germany, established in 1956 to honor and support local filmmakers. In 2023, nominees received €15,000, while the federal government provided up to €30,000 for winning an award. With the Golden Lola in hand, Xanh is now also eligible for the Academy Awards.
This year’s German Short Film Award winners also included Marie Zrenner’s Alex in the Fields (Best Feature Film, under 30 Minutes), Thuy-Han Nguyen-Chi’s Into the Violet Belly (Best Experimental Film) and Killian Armando Freidrich & Tizian Stromp Zagari’s Nuclear Nomas (Best Medium-Length Film).
Screen Australia has announced 18 feature films, 10 television dramas, two online projects and one virtual reality project that will share in over $900,000 of story development funding. Included in this slate are 16 projects that have been supported through the Generate Fund, 13 through the Premium Fund and two through the Online Development Fund.
Among the funded projects are children’s animation series Wishes, following five-year-old girl Lucy and her young Guardian-creature Kino, and the second iteration of acclaimed virtual reality series, Lustration 2.0.
“This diverse slate of projects reflects a rich tapestry of creativity, from animated family adventures to thought-provoking dramas. It presents a wealth of opportunities to showcase and nurture the incredible talent we have here in Australia,” said Bobby Romia, Head of Development for Screen Australia. “We’re committed to continuing our drive to invest in ambitious, quality content for audiences far and wide and I’m excited to see these teams transform their visions into compelling narratives.”
Information on all of the projects selected for funding can be found here.
Wishes (Generate Fund) 26 x 7 mins. Karu-Karu
Family, Adventure, Fantasy Director: Ana Maria Mendez Salgado Producer: Carlos Manrique Clavijo Executive Producer: Colin South Synopsis:Wishes is an animated series about a five-year-old girl, Lucy, and her young Guardian-creature Kino. Whenever Lucy feels the struggles of others and wishes she could do something to help, Kino materialises into Lucy’s world of magical solutions, helping her shape them into selfless acts of kindness.
Lustration 2.0 (Online Development Fund) 6 x 15 mins. New Canvas Pty. Ltd.
Drama, Fantasy Director: Ryan Griffen Writers: Ryan Griffen, Hannah Belanszky Producers: Carolina Sorensen, Nathan Anderson Executive Producers: Nathan Anderson, Wadooah Wali, Ryan Griffen, Wolfgang Bylsma Synopsis: Life is hard. Life after death is harder. From First Nations creator Griffen, the second iteration of the critically acclaimed VR series follows Bardolph and Gallus — two protectors of ‘The Between,’ a realm where the dead go in order to cleanse or ‘lustrate’ themselves before crossing over to pure happiness. But when an evil target slips through their grasps, everyone and everything in ‘The Afterlife’ begins to unravel.
Recently launched U.K. content company DaddiLife Productions announced the launch of a brand new book and video series, Dadda Panda, including YouTube animated shorts and songs for kids ages three and up and and their parents/carers. Dadda Panda is a pioneering representation of a primary carer father in children’s media, who stays at home with his cubs while Mumma Panda goes to work.
The new company, book and series is helmed by the founder of the award winning website and community DaddiLife (now reaching more than 100,000 parents a month),Han-Son Lee, who has produced nine books, including four Amazon best sellers. AlongsideNick Withers(former head of development at NBCUniversal’s label Monkey and co-creator and producer ofRap Taleson Sky Kids) and registered children’s dietitianSarah Bushell. The illustration and animation is produced by King Bee Animation (Daisy Digs It, Cats vs. Pickles).
Written in a rhyming style, the book and complimentary YouTube content focuses on the relatable parenting challenge (or ‘mission’ as Dadda Panda calls it) of fussy eating. QR codes in the book lead readers to the animated shorts and sing-alongs that emphasize the lessons, like “Gobble Your Greens” and “Make Food Fun.”
Dadda Panda also contrasts with the longstanding cartoon dad character tropes of being lazy and incompetent around the house with a more modern view of today’s fathers — Millennial dads who are heavily involved in day-to-day parenting. Dadda Panda activates ‘super Dad’ mode by going into his ‘shed’ or ‘man cave’ to figure out how to complete each ‘mission.’ His AI powered ‘smart’ plant Bot-Zai gives disastrous (and comedic) ideas that spark Dadda Panda’s more credible solutions.
DaddiLife Productions conducted research which shows that, since the COVID-19 lockdowns, stay at home dads have risen significantly, and U.K. dads are doing 18 percent more childcare since pre-pandemic times. Two thirds of dads are involved in cooking for their children, with 40 percent in charge of the grocery shop.
“There is a huge dearth of positive and relatable dad role models in children’s media. We aim to address this imbalance and create a more modern interpretation of fatherhood,” says Lee. “Dadda Panda offers a much needed new positive father figure that kids will love and parents will be inspired by. He is memorable, distinct and represents Dads in a way that gets children to do something positive. We are offering a unifying figure with an entertaining entry point, providing guidance and support.”
Well timed to the food-focused winter holiday celebrations, Dadda Panda’s first mission to tackle is fussy eating and the challenge of getting kids to try new foods. The book provides inspiration and guidance to navigate this sometimes overwhelming meal — DaddiLife Prod. teamed up with Bushell to draft the top 10 tips on keeping a tantrum-free Christmas dinner. An animated holiday special has launched as well to further illustrate the book’s message.
“This book is all about helping parents think differently about how they feed their children, as often how they ‘food parent’ stems from how they were fed as kids,” says Bushell. “Being a positive food parent involves trusting your child to listen to their appetite, supporting them to grow confidence around unfamiliar foods by making mealtimes enjoyable and food fun, all so that their natural curiosity is piqued allowing them to explore and learn about how food looks, feels, smells and eventually tastes.”
DeAPlaneta Entertainment and South Korean media company Cocktail Media inked a distribution deal for kids’ animated series Bugsbot Ignition and its spin-off, the short-form animation series Bugsbot G, outside of Asia. The 2D/3D hybrid series (26 x 22′), co-produced by Cocktail Media and CJ ENM, is set in a world where humans and insect-shaped robots called “Bugsbots” co-exist peacefully until an unknown virus spreads among the ‘bots.
Aimed at young viewers ages six to nine years old, Bugsbot Ignition has already proven a favorite airing in China (Jinying Cartoon, Toonmax, Yooman Cartoon, among many others), Taiwan (YoYo TV), Hong Kong (Viu TV), Indonesia (RTV) and, of course, South Korea (Tooniverse, MBC, AniOne, Cartoon Network, others). In addition to this, 24 different Bugsbot Ignition toy lines released in South Korea reached the #2 toy sales rank in domestic sales.
Bugsbot G
“Bugsbot Ignition is exactly the kind of anime-style IP that DeAPlaneta Entertainment is currently betting on for Western territories: a local IP, with success in Asia, that has the potential to become a global brand,” commented Carlos Biern, Director of Distribution & Contents, DeAPlaneta Kids & Family. “The quality and dynamism of its animation, as well as its action-packed duels and adventurous stories address also hot topics such as environmental awareness and human-machine interaction, ideal for engaging new digital audiences. Bugsbot Ignition has also a natural licensing potential thanks to its almost unlimited number of transforming bugs-shaped robots, which have already become hugely successful toys in several countries in Asia.”
Steve Sangmin Lee, Chief Marketing Officer of Cocktail Media, said, “We are delighted by our partnership with DeAPlaneta Entertainment and the global distribution of Bugsbot Ignition and Bugsbot G. This collaboration reflects the success and universal appeal of our animation projects. We are confident that DeAPlaneta’s expertise will introduce Bugsbot’s captivating world to new audiences, and we look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead. This marks a significant milestone in our journey, and we’re eager to see Bugsbot’s reach expand on the global stage.”
Prime Video today announced that adult animation fans have a special post-holiday treat to look forward to, as Vivienne Medrano’s Hazbin Hotel has made a reservation to premiere on streaming January 19, 2024 in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Season 1 guest stars were also announced for the hellacious musical-comedy.
Based on the pilot released by Medrano on YouTube in 2019, which racked up ofer 92 million views, Hazbin Hotel follows Charlie, the princess of Hell, as she pursues her seemingly impossible goal of rehabilitating demons to peacefully reduce overpopulation in her kingdom. After a yearly extermination imposed by angels, she opens a hotel in the hopes that patrons will be “checking out” into Heaven. While most of Hell mocks her goal, her devoted partner Vaggie and their first test subject, adult-film star Angel Dust, stick by her side. When a powerful entity known as the “Radio Demon” reaches out to assist Charlie in her endeavors, her crazy dream is given a chance to become a reality.
Guest stars will include Broadway veterans Darren Criss as Saint Peter, Jeremy Jordan (Lucifer Morningstar), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Carmilla Carmine), Patina Miller (Sera) and Jessica Vosk (Lute). They join the previously announced main cast, including Erika Henningsen, Stephanie Beatriz, Alex Brightman, Keith David, Kimiko Glenn, Blake Roman, Amir Talai, Christian Borle and Joel Perez.
The series will feature original music and lyrics from platinum-certified artist Sam Haft and Emmy-nominated Andrew Underberg.
Medrano serves as executive producer and directed all episodes. Joel Kuwahara and Dana Tafoya-Cameron, and Scott Greenberg (S1) also serve as executive producers. Hazbin Hotel is produced by A24 and FOX Entertainment’s Emmy Award-winning animation studio, Bento Box Entertainment.
In true Broadway fashion, Prime Video will be announcing the new guest stars via the marquee at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood today (Monday, November 27) from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fans can continue to visit HazbinHotel.com to pre-order special packages that include exclusive Season 1 merchandise, digital access to the first two episodes before they release on Prime Video, and a virtual Q&A event with Medrano and special guests. Early access episodes will be available to stream for a limited time on the A24 App.
PGS Entertainment has partnered with Motion Pictures for the global distribution of the first two seasons of 2D animated preschool series Mya Go. The series is a co-production between Motion Pictures, Piranha Bar (Ireland) and Gloobinho (Brazil). The global distribution agreement excludes Spain, U.K. and Brazil.
Set in the lively town of Everyday, Mya Go centers on the adventurous and spirited Mya Go, her family and her pet dog, Doggy Go. Her zest for life transforms everyday activities, from sports to gardening, into exciting adventures. Accompanied by her friends, Mya Go tackles various challenges. The series, with its diverse characters, vibrant artwork, and a catchy theme tune, aims to captivate and educate preschoolers.
Mya Go has already aired in over 20 territories through top outlets including Milkshake! (U.K.), Clan, Amazon & TV3 (Spain), RTP (Portugal), Gloob (Brazil), SVT (Sweden), Televisa & Blim (Mexico), YLE (Finland), TVNZ (New Zealand), Hop (Israel), Discovery (MENA) and Megogo (Russia). The series has ranked in the Top 3 on Milkshake, Clan and Gloob.
“Mya Go is rapidly establishing itself as an essential preschool brand,” notes Philippe Soutter, Co-Founder of PGS Entertainment. “Its stellar performance with leading broadcasters is a testament to its wide appeal and potential. We are honored by the trust Motion Pictures, and its partners have shown in us to expand the series’ reach. Our team at PGS is committed to leveraging our expertise and global networks to enhance the show’s international presence and ensure Mya Go‘s continued success and brand expansion.”
Aikāne, the latest award-winning animated short from the team behind Kapaemahu, has been made available to watch online for free through queer news and culture outlet Them. Titled after the Hawaiian term for an intimate companion of the same sex, the 14-minute 2D piece is a supernatural romance about a brave warrior and his shape-shifting lover and advisor who make a stand against colonial forces.
A valiant island warrior, wounded in battle against foreign invaders, falls into a mysterious underwater world. When the octopus who rescued him transforms into a handsome young man, they become aikāne, intimate friends bound by love and trust, and an epic adventure begins.
Joe Wilson (left) and Dean Hamer
The short was conceived by Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson, a married couple who began their filmmaking careers with a documentary about the reaction to their own same-sex marriage in Wilson’s small hometown. While the film most prominently draws from Native Hawaiian mythology, it also takes inspiration from LGBTQ+ legends from around the world — including Celtic Europe, ancient Greece and the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea. The settings are based on the couple’s free-diving experiences.
Important guidance was provided by producer Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, a mahu (transgender) Native Hawaiian culture bearer. The team also included director and animator Daniel Sousa, who honed the look of the film’s imaginative settings; executive producers Judith Light and Daniel Karslake; and Dan Golden providing music and sound design. The film is a production of Qwaves and Kanaka Pakipaka.
Aikāne made its festival premiere at Animayo and the Seattle International Film Festival in May, and has since earned a flurry of awards — including Academy Awards qualifiers from the Hawai’i International Film Festival (Best Made in Hawai’i Short), New Hampshire Film Festival (Animated Shorts Jury Award).
In addition to the online screening on Them, festival goers can catch screenings of Aikāne at the current Native Cinema Showcase at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC (Nov. 17-24) and the upcoming Palermo International Film Festival (January 31) and AniMate (Sydney, March 3).
Crunchyroll once again hit a major fan gathering with a deluge of anime announcements, unveiling new acquisitions and series updates at Anime NYC and sneak peeking its otaku-pleasing Crunchyroll Store Black Friday deals.
Big news from the Anime NYC panel includes:
Tower of God Season 2: The epic climb resumes, covering pivotal WEBTOON webcomic arcs “The Return of the Prince” and “Workshop Battle,” coming to Crunchyroll in July 2024.
Synopsis: Reach the top, and everything will be yours. At the top of the tower exists everything in this world, and all of it can be yours. You can become a god. This is the story of the beginning and the end of Rachel, the girl who climbed the tower so she could see the stars, and Bam, the boy who needed nothing but her.
Solo Leveling: The weak but determined Jinwoo Sung faces deadly dungeons and emerges as a formidable hunter, with the English dub cast announced for the January 2024 release:
Dual blade wielding, shadow summoning, solo leveling guy Jinwoo Sung [성진우] will be played by Aleks Le
● Trusty rich sidekick extraordinaire Yoo Jinho [유진호] will be played by Justin Briner
● The hard working sister Sung Jinah [성진아] will be played by Rebecca Wang
● The lovely, deadly S-rank hunter Cha Hae-in [차해인] will be played by Michelle Rojas
● Flame wielding, glasses cool guy Choi Jong-in [최종인] will be played by Ian Sinclair
● The beast mode with sick sideburns Baek Yoonho [백윤호] will be played by Christopher R. Sabat
● The silver haired wise but strong chairman of the Korean hunter association, Go Gunhee [고건희] will be played by Kent Williams
● And finally, slicked-back-hair sporting chief inspector of the Korean hunters association Woo Jinchul [우진철] will be played by SungWon Cho
True Beauty: Based on the hit WEBTOON webcomic of the same name, True Beauty tells a compelling tale of Jugyeong, a girl who reinvents herself with makeup, navigating school life, rivalry, and romance, with a simulcast coming to Crunchyroll in 2024.
Synopsis: Jugyeong, who transformed herself with makeup, transfers to Saebom High School to leave her past of being bullied behind. The school is known for producing idols, actors and influencers, thanks to its unique tradition of anonymous voting for the school’s True Beauty goddess. The chosen student gets scouted by entertainment agencies.
Jugyeong quickly becomes the center of attention, gaining the title of the next goddess candidate and mingling with Sujin, the former two-time goddess. However, Sujin’s friendly facade hides a malicious intent. She aims to bring Jugyeong down using cunning tactics and traps. Determined not to be a victim again, Jugyeong confronts Sujin, vowing to become the next goddess. She engages in a fierce voting war while concealing her makeup-free face.
Things take unexpected turns when Suho Lee, the school’s heartthrob, accidentally sees her bare face, and Jugyeong crosses paths with the enigmatic SeoJun Han, who is determined to unveil her true identity. As Jugyeong’s life becomes more entangled with these two, a thrilling tale of beauty, intrigue, and self-discovery unfolds.
UA HEROES BATTLE: In these new, original episodes from My Hero Academia, class 1-A combats winter boredom with a new, intense U.A.-themed card game introduced by Mirio Togata, sparking a spirited competition among the students. Premieres in sub and dub on November 30.
Synopsis: Class 1-A are bored out of their minds! Stuck in their dorms during the winter season, they can’t go out or do anything fun. That is until third year Mirio Togata pays the students a visit with a new card game the support course developed that uses U.A. students as playable characters. Now to pass the time, they’ll play this game that’s just as tough as U.A. Who will win the card battle?!
Delusional Monthly Magazine: Explore bizarre and inexplicable phenomena with Delusional Monthly Magazine” an unusual science magazine bringing its outlandish stories to Crunchyroll in January 2024.
Synopsis: The story takes place in the town of Most City in a certain country. On the second floor of an old building is a publishing company that puts out a periodical called Delusional Monthly Magazine, a science magazine featuring articles about shocking, bizarre events and inexplicable phenomena that make even scientists throw up their hands in defeat. Its staff consists only of a beautiful editor-in-chief and her one editor, Taro J. Suzuki, who are joined by grade-school-aged assistant Jiro Tanaka and his dog, Saburo. The editorial department is always empty, and Taro, Jiro, and Saburo are usually hanging out in Rock, a coffee shop on the first floor. One day, the scientist Goro Sato visits them for a consultation, and therein lies the beginning of an outlandish new story.
Senpai Is an Otokonoko: Love and identity entangle in Senpai Is an Otokonoko, where unrequited love leads to surprising revelations and a complex love triangle, launching in 2024.
Synopsis: Can true love really overcome any obstacles? Saki, a high school student, confesses her feelings to Makoto. Taken aback, Makoto reveals his secret, but the sudden discovery doesn’t seem to bother Saki who is already head over heels for him. After being rejected, Saki asks Ryuji, Makoto’s childhood friend, for some advice on how to win his heart. A love triangle unfolds when Ryuji realizes that he might also have some feelings for his old friend.
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the anime and manga lover on your holiday list, don’t miss the Black Friday deals on the Crunchyroll Store this week. Score major discounts (up to 97% off!) on home video, publishing, plushies, home goods, figures and apparel — Crunchyroll’s Store features over 30,000 products, including 17,000 manga.
A few of the Black Friday deals available now include:
Young Animator of the Year UK (YAY UK) competition winners were announced on Sunday, November 12 and had their work premiered at a special screening session at this year’s Manchester Animation Festival.
Run by ACCESS:VFX (accessvfx.org), ScreenSkills (screenskills.com) Animation Skills Fund and 3Dami (3dami.org), the YAY UK initiative invites budding animators aged 11-18 to submit their creations to the initiative’s awards program each year. The program aims to provide aspiring animators from a range of backgrounds with access to and advice from professionals and studios in the animation, games and VFX industry.
The young animators entered their original work into one of six categories, separated by age range and animation medium. Not only have the six winners of this year’s awards had their work reviewed by professionals from across the industry, but they’ll also get the chance to tour ACCESS:VFX’s members’ studios, including Aardman, Blue Zoo and Axis.
Nuk Jansen
Pavlos Xenophontos
The winners of this year’s awards program are:
Best Stop-Motion Animator Aged 11-14; Nuk Jansen, Edinburgh, Age 14 — Mosquito’s Day Out
Best 2D Animator Aged 11-14; Pavlos Xenophontos, London, Age 14 — FlipaClip
Best 3D Animator Aged 11-14; Jeremiah Achene, Derby, Age 14
Best Stop-Motion Animator Aged 15-18; Ben Mullan, Bedford, Age 18 — The Deadline
Best 2D Animator Aged 15-18; Thomas Langridge, London, Age 17 — The Complete Cartoon History of Man
Best 3D Animator Aged 15-18; Euan Garbut, Glasgow, Age 16 — Street Food
Jeremiah Achene
Ben Mullan
“The quality of the films this year were phenomenal,” commented program judge Amy Backwell, Emerging Talent Specialist at ILM. “It’s brilliant to see a variety of short films executed to such a high quality with storytelling, technicality and the fundamentals of animation and form in mind. In visual effects, it’s imperative to demonstrate the ability to create realistic and believable content and that’s exactly what these shortlisted entries showcased. It’s exciting to see the level of talent improving every single year!”
Throughout the summer, the young animators on the program were set various mini challenges by industry experts from VFX and animation studios across the U.K., allowing them to hone their skills before producing their own original films. As part of the YAY UK program, animators were encouraged to use opensource software that’s available to anyone, many of which are standard tools for the VFX and animation industry. The skills learned and developed as part of the program are ones that are directly transferable to future careers.
Thomas Langridge
Euan Garbut
“This year’s showcase of entrants for the awards truly epitomized the jaw-dropping creativity and boundless potential of creative teenage animators from across the U.K.,” said Tom Box, co-organizer of YAY UK, board member of ACCESS:VFX, Chair of ScreenSkills Animation Skills Council and Managing Director of Blue Zoo Animation Studios. “Each year the quality gets better and better, and the industry judges had an almost impossible job of picking the winners. It was wonderful to be able to present the winners with their trophies at Manchester Animation Festival in person, giving a platform to the next generation of talent, and hopefully inspiring many more animated careers in the process.”
Machine Media Advisors LLC, led by industry veterans Jonathan Sheinberg, Susan Sheinberg and Matt Feige, announces their acquisition of the animated feature film FernGully: The Last Rainforest and all associated rights. Originally released in 1992, the film was directed by Bill Kroyer and starred Robin Williams, Tim Curry, Samantha Mathis and Cristian Slater, and quickly captivated audiences with its groundbreaking environmental message.
As the new owners of the FernGully intellectual property, Machine Media Advisors has been dedicated to reviving and reintroducing the film to a new generation of viewers. They have successfully re-released the film’s soundtrack, featuring music from acclaimed artists such as Elton John, Sheena Easton and Raffi. Additionally, they have brought back the 1998 sequel, FernGully 2: The Magical Rescue. In celebration of the film’s 30th anniversary, a special edition was released in August 2022, showcasing its enduring impact and resonance with fans. Historically, Disney/20th Century Fox managed the distribution of these releases. However, FernGully is now distributed by Shout Factory.
“It has been a pleasure to bring FernGully back to life in the modern digital era,” says Jonathan Sheinberg. “It’s a film that matters deeply to so many people, and we’re excited to continue the legacy of this beloved title.”
Machine Media Advisors plans to honor the nostalgic value of FernGully while introducing new iterations that will engage both existing fans and fresh audiences. The company is currently in talks with major studio partners for potential live-action remakes and animated movies. The team is actively pursuing strategic alliances in the realms of immersive experiences, encompassing gaming and the metaverse, as well as extending the FernGully reach to the world of Broadway, through collaborative partnerships.
Jon Sheinberg’s controlling interest in Machine Media Advisors and the FernGully IP is through his shingle SFO Entertainment, with the instrumental support of their minority partner Moonheart led by Moonli Singha and Rosa Gudmundsdottir. FernGully is represented by the Verve Agency.
The FernGully rebirth will introduce new worlds, characters and weave together compelling storylines crafted to spotlight pressing issues impacting our planet. Among the anticipated themes are the far-reaching consequences of deforestation, the effects of pollution on wildlife, biodiversity and community action.
Upon its original release, FernGully: The Last Rainforest generated over $250 million and becoming one of the best-selling movies in the ’90s. It holds the distinction of being the first film ever screened at the United Nations General Assembly and sparked increased awareness and advocacy for environmental issues among audiences. The film’s impact extended beyond the screen, with significant contributions to the World Wildlife Fund and a continued presence in popular culture. FernGully content has garnered over 110 million views on TikTok, 30 million views on YouTube, and trends on Twitter multiple times a year during environmental news cycles.
A festive tradition continues as The Animation Guild presents online and in-person holiday markets showcasing the talents of its Union members. Both markets will offer unique gifts that have been hand-crafted by animation pros behind popular TV shows and movies. Shoppers will find tufted rugs, unique jewelry, woodwork, stickers, clothing, plush toys, art and more, offering a great way to “shop local” and support artists.
The 2023 markets will feature works by more than 40 members of The Animation Guild. Some highlights of the selection include:
Senior lighting & compositing artist Chris Nabholz has worked on Encanto and Wish. He also works in a ceramic studio making elegant cups, bowls and pots out of various clays.
With credits including Sanjay and Craig, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Big Nate, Diana Grigorian makes one-of-a-kind steampunk jewelry using industrial metals and watch gears.
Daniel Khachatoorian is a design coordinator on Rick and Morty. On his off time, he makes short animation and converts frames into lenticular prints for art, keychains and more.
Most recently a staff writer on Zokie of Planet Ruby, Janae Hall creates playful hand-tufted rugs using original patterns and inspiration from pop culture.
A location designer on Big City Greens, Kate McMillan studied traditional boatbuilding in Norway. She works with knots and grain patterns to create unique wood products.
The in-person market will be held Thursday, December 7 (6-9 p.m. PST at The Animation Guild at 1105 N. Hollywood Way in Burbank. The online version runs November 22 to December 18, accessible at animationguild.org/2023HolidayMarket.
Magic Light Pictures’ animated film The Smeds and the Smoos won the award for Best Kids’ Animation at the 51st International Emmy Awards, presented at the gala ceremony Monday night in New York City. This is the fourth International Emmy for Magic Light Pictures, with previous wins for Room on the Broom, Revolting Rhymes and, most recently, Zog.
Based on the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, The Smeds and the Smooswas watched by nearly 8 million viewers on BBC One and has since been sold to 91 territories and will be shown by ZDF in Germany this Christmas. The story is set on a remote planet, where the red Smed family never mix with the blue Smoos. One day, a young Smed Janet befriends Bill, a young Smoo, and as they grow up they fall in love. Desperat to escape their feuding families, Janet and Bill sneak away to escape in a rocket. Realizing they’ve lost their children, Grandmother Smoo and Grandpa Smed are compelled to work together to try to find the young couple.
Collecting the award in New York, Martin Pope, Co-Founder & Joint CEO of Magic Light Pictures, said, “It’s a huge honor to have won a fourth International Emmy Award, which is a reflection of the brilliant work on The Smeds and the Smoos by our directors, cast and crew. Our commitment to delivering high quality films to children and families worldwide wouldn’t be possible without our wonderful broadcast partners around the world especially the BBC and ZDF, and we’re so grateful for their support.”
The Smeds and the Smoos was narrated by Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins and featured the voices of Adjoa Andoh, Bill Bailey, Daniel Ezra, Ashna Rabheru, Meera Syal and Rob Brydon. The film was directed by Daniel Snaddon and Samantha Cutler, screenplay by Julia Smuts Louw and produced by Martin Pope and Barney Goodland.
The U.K. production was nominated alongside Menino Maluquinho (The Nutty Boy) from Chatrone (Brazil), Moominvalley Season 3 from Gutsy Animations (Finland) and Rilakkuma’s Theme Park Adventure from dwarf studio and Field Management Expand (Japan).
See the full list of International Emmy Award winners at iemmys.tv.
Virtual reality films publisher Astrea has launched the official trailers for groundbreaking new content inspired by Aardman’s beloved plasticine duo: VR adventure Wallace & Gromit in The Grand Getaway and comical mixed-reality game Jamtastic!, both created in partnership with Atlas V. The projects were sneak peeked at The Future Games Show in September before The Grand Getaway made its grand premiere in the Venice Immersive competition.
The Grand Getaway is Wallace & Gromit’s first foray into virtual reality, but additionally the creators recently revealed that this new adventure will also include their first venture into the realm of mixed reality with Jamtastic!, a chaotic shooting gallery style game that would be included with the purchase of the VR romp, on the Meta Quest store.
Prepare to be transported into the charming and hilarious world of Wallace & Gromit like never before. The Grand Getaway VR experience promises an unforgettable journey filled with wit, humor, and the trademark inventiveness of these iconic characters. Astrea invites fans to join Wallace and his loyal canine companion Gromit as they navigate a series of delightful situations in a brand new chapter for the duo.
As they get ready for their golfing getaway with their new contraption Auto-Caddy and their assistant Beryl, they quickly realize that Wallace had his dates mixed up, and that the only way to make it to Bognor Regis golfing resort on time is by taking the Rocket. But ever the maker of his own misfortune, Wallace soon causes mayhem with a clumsy mishap which sends their Rocket flying off course to Mars, where their adventure begins.
The immersive experience unfolds across 12 distinct chapters, allowing users to play as AutoCaddy, Gromit and Wallace as they navigate a cinematic virtual reality experience full of the interactions that make VR so fun and unique.
Jamtastic! presents the chance for players themselves to be the star. With Wallace away on his Grand Getaway, he needs them (and their living room) to put his new ‘jam-to-toast delivery system’ through its paces, in an experience that is part shooting gallery and part joyful mess maker!
With the assistance of his ‘helping hands’ that takeover and transform their real-world space, and regular check-ins from Wallace as he beams into your home live from his Grand Getaway, players will be guided through 30 unique levels. The more they test, the more they unlock, taking delivery of new, wonderfully chaotic challenges testing jam-firing timing, accuracy and speed.
“The Jamtastic! team has put fun and replayability at the heart of the game. We want people to challenge themselves and each other to best their scores and compete with friends and family. We see this joyous mess of toast-based tests taking over your home as the perfect way to bring people together,” commented the creators.
Wallace & Gromit in The Grand Getaway and Jamtastic! are a co-production between Aardman, Atlas V, in association with No Ghost and Albyon, with the support of immersive distributor and publisher Astrea and the Meta Quest team, and for Jamtastic!, the German producer Reynard Films.
You can now wishlist Wallace & Gromit in The Grand Getaway (VR) + Jamtastic! (MR) on the Quest store. For more information, please visit wallacegromitvr.com.
Sony Pictures Television – Kids (SPT – Kids), today announced that the third and final season of its award-winning animated series, Hilda, will debut on Netflix from December 7. The first two episodes were premiered by SPT – Kids and partner studio Mercury Filmworks at the Ottawa International Animation Festival in September.
Having faced Trolls, Safety Patrols, Black Hounds and more, Hilda returns in season 3 with a brand-new appetite for adventure. Our intrepid, blue haired heroine (voiced by Bella Ramsey) will be lured into mystical worlds that will lead her to a deeper understanding of who she really is. While uncovering mysterious truths about herself, she will embark on train journey outside of Trolberg, face heroes of Old and endure an epic family journey with her Mum and friends by her side.
The 7 x 22′ minute season will be capped by a 70-minute finale.
“Over the course of three incredible seasons, Hilda has amassed a loyal and passionate community of fans that have embraced its unique visual style, emotional depth and gripping narratives rooted in Northern European mythology,” said Kurt Mueller, EVP Creative Content and Executive Producer of Hilda. “We’re so proud of everything the show has achieved, which is a tribute to the legion of brilliant creatives involved across every phase of this production, and we can’t wait to bring the final chapter to audiences at the end of the year.”
Based on the Eisner Award-nominated graphic novels by Luke Pearson and co-produced by SPT – Kids and Mercury Filmworks, Hilda is a 2D animated show aimed at kids aged seven to 11 years that is available in 130 countries on Netflix.
Hailed by Mashable as ‘as powerful as it is simple, as fierce as it is gentle-hearted, and as extraordinary as it is ordinary. It’s a quiet adventure. And it rings with all the more resonance for it,’ the show has won numerous accolades since it first debuted in September 2018 — including three Daytime Emmys, a Children’s BAFTA, Kidscreen Award, TAAFI and six Annie Awards.
TMS Entertainment today announced the English-language dub and subtitled digital release of Case Closed: The Scarlet Bullet, the 24th theatrical installment in the Detective Conan film series. The digital launch follows the film’s English Dub World Premiere and English Sub North America Premiere, which took place over the weekend at Anime NYC. Fans in Texas will also be able to catch an encore screening of the preceding film, The Fist of Blue Sapphire, at Anime Frontier next month.
The premiere at Anime NYC marks a promotional revitalization by TMS Entertainment for the popular franchise. Hundreds of fans welcomed Detective Conan back to the big screen on Saturday, November 18 and Sunday, November 19 to enjoy the film, which featured a gathering of the enigmatic Akai family and an array of physics-defying action scenes.
Case Closed: The Scarlet Bullet, which grossed $100 million globally, is available now for digital rental and purchase exclusively in the Apple TV, Prime Video and Google Play stores.
Synopsis: The prestigious international sporting event, World Sports Games (WSG), held every four years, is going to be hosted in Tokyo. The media are also focusing their attention on the Hyper Linear train that can reach 1,000 km/h and launch of its service on the opening day of the WSG.
However multiple incidents occur in which top executives of WSG’s sponsor companies are kidnapped but then are immediately released. No one seems to know who might be behind these incidents, but similar occurrences were observed during the WSG inauguration in U.S. 15 years ago.
When Conan learns of Alan McKenzie, former chief of FBI and now the head of WSG committee, is to get on the first run of the bullet train, he and Shuichi Akai make their move. Meanwhile, Akai’s sister Masumi Sera and his mother Mary are also in pursuit of the same case and have boarded the train. To make matters even more curious, Akai’s younger brother and professional Shogi player Shukichi Haneda too happens to be visiting Nagoya, where the train is scheduled to begin its run…!
In continuation of its promotions, TMS Entertainment will also hold a screening of Case Closed: The Fist of Blue Sapphire, the 23rd film in the Case Closed franchise, at this year’s Anime Frontier on December 9 from 6:45 p.m. The screening will mark Detective Conan’s first appearance at the Leftfield Media-run Fort Worth-based convention, and will feature a trivia contest and prize giveaway after the screening. The film premiered in Japan in 2019, earning $115 million at the global box office.
Synopsis: The world’s largest sapphire, “The Fist of Blue Sapphire” was alleged to have been lost at sea near Singapore along with a pirate vessel in the late 19th century.
When a local billionaire appears to the public with a plan to retrieve the sapphire, a murder occurs in Marina Bay Sands. At the scene, a bloodied notice card from Kid the Phantom Thief is found.
Meanwhile, Ran and Sonoko are visiting Singapore to see the karate tournament being held there. Conan, not having a passport, had to stay in Japan. However, with Kid needing Conan for a part of his plan, Conan is tricked and brought to Singapore against his will! Having no choice but to help Kid in order to get back home, Conan is stripped of his glasses, watch, and clothes and is forced to disguise himself. He meets Ran, who is unaware of the situation, and calls himself Arthur Hirai on the spur of the moment.
Kid gets information that the blue sapphire is stored in an underground safe of a mansion. He seems to have sneaked into the mansion easily, but a dangerous trap awaits him. There stands Kyogoku Makoto, the invincible Karate warrior with 400 wins and zero losses!
As if to forewarn something ominous… Singapore’s famed monument, the Merlion spews out scarlet red water! Is something terrible coming to Conan and Kid’s way?!
The Detective Conan / Cased Closed anime franchise is based on the manga created by Gosho Aoyama, first published in Weekly Shonen Sunday in 1994. The total sales of the comic series exceeds 230 million copies. It is one of the bestselling detective mystery comics in Japan, and is very popular internationally as well. The first anime series adaptation launched in 1996, with feature-length theatrical films released every years since 1997 to smash box office success in Japan.
The stories center in a high school detective named Shinichi Kudo, who is given a strange poison by a suspicious man in black one day which shrinks him to the size of a first-grader. Taking on the moniker Conan Edogawa, he moves in with his childhood friend Ran Mori and her detective father in hopes of hunting down the ‘Black Organization’, while taking on various difficult cases.
Cool Cats Group, the global character brand behind the blue-chip digital collectibles Cool Cats, has partnered with renowned animation studio Titmouse (Big Mouth, Metalocalypse, Beavis and Butt-Head and The Venture Bros.) to produce a series of new episodic shorts, titled The Milk Chug.
The shorts will feature the main Cool Cats character Blue Cat with his best friends Chugs, Jo and Ardi, all born from the creative mind of founder and artist Colin “Clon” Egan. The Milk Chug‘s voice cast features Maggie Lawson (Psych, Two and Half Men, Lethal Weapon), Dan Stevens (Beauty and the Beast [2017], Godzilla x Kong) and Zeno Robinson (Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, The OwlHouse) as Jo, Ardi and Blue Cat, respectively.
The first episodic short premieres today on YouTube in time for Cool Cats’ debut as a balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and more episodes are set to launch across Cool Cats’ digital channels in the coming months.
“Working on a cartoon series has been a dream of mine since I was young, and I’m ecstatic to collaborate with Titmouse to make that dream a reality,” says Clon. “The entire process has been an absolute blast and I couldn’t have asked for a better team to work with. I’m excited to debut the pilot episode today and share my vision for these characters and the world they live in.”
Originating in the early days of Instagram, Clon introduced his Cool Cats characters as doodles and cartoons. Selling his artwork at flea markets and showcasing his art on the freestyle walls of Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, he cultivated a following of fans in the digital space of social networks. When the web3 boom took off during the pandemic, Clon built a major community of collectors and new supporters in the developing digital art market. During this time, Cool Cats grew as a brand, expanding their offerings in gaming and entertainment through global partnerships, later becoming one of the first web3-rooted companies to participate in Comic-Con.
Following a strategic investment from web3 giant Animoca Brands earlier this year, Cool Cats last week announced a partnership for Japan and anime-centric markets to expand the IP. Cool Cats also has a strategic partnership with leading AI and metaverse technology and content company Futureverse. Cool Cats has recently announced games in development with Sync Studios, as well as nWay and iCandy — both a part of the Animoca Brands ecosystem.
Cool Cats’ participation in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will mark the first-ever NFT-inspired collection to be featured in the legendary holiday event, which will take place live in New York City on November 23, airing nationwide in the U.S. on NBC and streaming on Peacock. The Cool Cats balloon will feature the iconic characters Blue Cat and Chugs, and limited-edition collectible merchandise will be available in Macy’s flagship stores and online.
Iconic Events Releasing, a company specializing in distributing special engagement theatrical events, highlights one of anime’s most poignant and critically acclaimed films with a special engagement for Tokyo Godfathers across North America from December 11-13, as part of the Anime Expo’s AX Cinema Nights 2023-24 season.
Fans are invited to celebrate the holiday classic from the late, great animation maestro Satoshi Kon (Paprika, Perfect Blue) in its 20th anniversary year. Tokyo Grandfathers returns to the big screen in a new 4K restoration, produced under the supervision of the film’s original art director and producers.
Tickets, participating theaters and more information are available at ax-cinemanights.com.
On Christmas Eve, three homeless companions stumble upon a baby girl in a garbage heap. They name her Kiyoko, and vow to care for her as they track down her family. Haunted by memories of their own broken pasts and pursued by a cast of shadowy characters from Tokyo’s nightlife, Hana, Gin and Miyuki overcome their differences and learn to trust one another as a new, makeshift family. With the New Year fast approaching, the mystery behind baby Kiyoko deepens, and these unlikely heroes discover the surprising — and sometimes miraculous — connections that have brought them all together.
Co-written by Keiko Nobumoto (Cowboy Bebop) and featuring a whimsical score by Keiichi Suzuki, Tokyo Godfathers is a masterpiece by turns heartfelt, hilarious and highly original, a tale of hope and redemption in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
AX Cinema Nights is a year-round movie event series celebrating the best new and classic anime films by bringing them to theaters across North America. It provides the fan community with immersive and unforgettable experiences beyond the annual Anime Expo.
Upcoming events include Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (Jan. 21-23) and another iconic Kon film, Paprika (Feb. 7-11).
During a ceremony hosted by Edinburgh Comedy Award-winning comedian and writer Amy Gledhill, Manchester Animation Festival (MAF) unveiled the winners of the 2023 Industry Excellence Awards and Film Awards. The awards ceremony was held on the November 16.
For the first time, this year recipients of the film festival’s Short Film Award will be eligible for consideration in the Short Films competition of the Academy Awards, without the standard theatrical run, provided the film otherwise complies with the Academy rules. The inaugural winner of this honor is Nienke Deutz for her film The Miracle. “Thank you so much. It’s a film that’s really close to my heart, so this is great,” the director said on receiving the award. “Me and the team are really happy.”
This years’ Manchester Animation Festival featured screenings and panels from leading companies such as Netflix, Aardman and Disney. The festival saw an audience increase of 22%, and, for its industry-focused day the Animation Nation Forum, over 72%.
The festival is running online until the November 30. The next in person MAF Presents event will be a 20th anniversary screening of Satoshi Kon’s ‘okyo Godfathers at HOME Manchester on December 5.
The Jury for the Industry Excellence Awards comprised Will Becher (Aardman Animations), JP Vine (director, Ron’s Gone Wrong), Glen Southern (VFX artist and digital sculptor) and Andrew Burrell (writer, Disenchantment, Danger Mouse).
The Short Film Category Jury was Aneta Ozorek (Artistic Director of Kaboom Animation Festival), Mohamed Ghazala (Vice President of the International Animated Film Association, ASIFA) and Ornela Čop (Festival Coordinator at Animafest Zagreb).
The Feature Film Jury was made up of Claire Jennings (animation producer, Coraline,Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit), Kambole Campbell (freelance critic) and Kata Gugić (President of ASIFA Croatia).
The Children’s Film Award was judged by a specially formed panel of nine- to 14-year olds from Into Film’s Youth Advisory Group.
Video gaming group Aonic has today completed the acquisition of nDreams (ndreams.com) , the world’s biggest VR game developer and publisher, for a total enterprise value close to $110 million.
Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, Aonic is a group of global gaming companies with diverse specialisms. The group, which includes the likes of Warren Spector’s OtherSide Entertainment, Milky Tea, Exmox and TutoTOONS, invested an initial $35 million in nDreams in March 2022 and received a minority stake.
Patrick O’Luanaigh
“We set up nDreams in 2006, pivoted to focus exclusively on VR games in 2013, and we’re proud of everything we’ve achieved as an independent company,” said Patrick O’Luanaigh, CEO of nDreams. “After 18 months of working together, we’re confident we’ve found the right partner in Aonic. This is the right moment to welcome their support to strengthen our position even further, and seize this critical moment for VR and MR.”
Following this investment, the nDreams team has more than doubled in size to 250 people. Internally-developed titles such as The Game Awards-nominated Synapse and Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord have been released, while investments in third-party publishing have powered the chart-topping launch of PowerWash Simulator VR and the enduring success of Little Cities. nDreams even made its own debut acquisition with VR/AR experts Near Light joining in December 2022.
“nDreams has done an unparalleled job bringing some of the biggest VR titles to market, and it was a natural fit for us to welcome them to the Aonic family and provide our studios with the best team when it comes to the VR/MR gaming space,” said Paul Schempp, CEO of Aonic. “This acquisition is yet another example of Aonic’s commitment to championing mid-sized studios and creating an environment where teams can create fantastic games.”
Synapse
Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord
PowerWash Simulator VR
Little Cities
nDreams co-founders Patrick and Tamsin O’Luanaigh (Chief Executive Officer and Chief People Officer, respectively) will remain in their positions alongside the rest of the company’s executive team following the acquisition. The studio’s core focus will remain unchanged, while benefiting from a stable and supportive environment to continue growing. The investment will facilitate nDreams’ future investments in third-party publishing and, potentially, more studio acquisitions.
More projects are being worked on across all of nDreams’ four development studios, as well as partnering third-party developers, to be announced through 2024 and beyond.
Netflix this weekend announced a line up of special guest stars who voice new characters in the anime series Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, which is streaming now on the platform. The guest stars join the previously announced all-star cast of Edgar Wright’s live-action adaptation of the Bryan Lee O’Malley comics, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, who all returned to voice their original characters.
The streamer also debuted new key art for the highly anticipated series, which debuted to a perfect 100% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The guest roaster includes:
Will Forte
Finn Wolfhard
Al Yankovic
Kal Penn
Kirby
Nick Frost
Simon Pegg
Nelson Franklin
Bowen Yang
Matt Rogers
Kevin McDonald
Shannon Woodward
Ingrid Haas
Kristina Pesic
Bo Barrett
Ryan Simpkins
Nathan Moore
Bill Parks
Stefan Johnson
Trevor Wilson
Griffin Newman
Matt Watts
Stephen Root
Cal Dodd
Fans were also treated to a new, special trailer introducing the Japanese language version voice cast, which features:
Hiro Shimono as Scott Pilgrim
Fairouz Ai as Ramona Flowers
Tomokazu Seki as Gideon Graves
Shinji Saito as Matthew Patel
Kana Hanazawa as Envy Adams
Yuichi Nakamura as Lucas Lee
Wataru Hatano as Todd Ingram
Naomi Ohzora as Roxie Richter
Shunsuke Takeuchi as Ken and Kyle Katayanagi
Aoi Koga as Knives Chau
Katsuya Fukunishi as Wallace Wells
Yuto Kawasaki as Young Neil
Tomo Muranaka as Kim Pine
Anri Katsu as Stephen Stills
Yu Kobayashi as Julie Powers
Misato Matsuoka as Stacey Pilgrim
The eight-episode series sees Scott Pilgrim meets the girl of his dreams, Ramona Flowers, and discovers he must defeat her seven evil exes in order to date her. But this time, things get even more complicated. Scott Pilgrim Takes Off revisits and reimagines the beloved cult classic graphic novels by O’Malley, taking Ramona Flowers, her evil exes, Scott, and his friends off on a mysterious new action-packed journey to find love.
Produced by UCP (a division of Universal Studio Group) and animated by Science SARU in Japan (Devilman Crybaby, Inu-Oh) under the supervision of director Abel Góngora, the show is headed by executive producers/showrunners O’Malley and BenDavid Grabinksi. Also serving as exec producers are Marc Platt, Jared LeBoff and Adam Siegel for Marc Platt Productions; Michael Bacall; Edgar Wright and Nira Park for Complete Fiction; and Eunyoung Choi for Science SARU. Original Songs by Anamanaguchi; score by Anamanaguchi and Joseph Trapanese.
