Author: Mercedes Milligan

Animation Is Film Reveals Soaring Program Bookended by ‘The Boy and the Heron,’ ‘Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget’
Animation Is Film (AIF) has announced the lineup for the 6th edition of its animated cinema festival, featuring a slate of theatrical presentations, special events and shorts screenings taking place over five days, October 18-22, in Hollywood. Organizers also unveiled the official 2023 poster, designed by artist Sophia Du.

AIF’s Opening Night on Wednesday, October 18 launches with a GKIDS presentation of Studio Ghibli’s The Boy and the Heron, the latest film from legendary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, at the TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX. This marks the first time the festival will host a premiere in IMAX at this Hollywood landmark.

Closing Night celebrates the Los Angeles Premiere of Aardman’s Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, presented by Netflix and followed by a Q&A with Oscar-nominated director Sam Fell and executive producer and Oscar-nominated director of the original Chicken Run (2000), Peter Lord.

The Boy and the Heron © 2023 Studio Ghibli

This year, AIF continues its mission to champion animation as a cinematic artform, while recognizing and acknowledging the importance of curating successful and critically-acclaimed films from around the world. As part of the feature film lineup, two prestigious Annecy International Animation Film Festival prize winners, Neon’s Robot Dreams (Spain / France) and GKIDS’ Chicken for Linda! (France / Italy) will make their West Coast and U.S. debuts, respectively. Phoenix: Reminiscence of Flower (Japan) will make its theatrical North American Premiere, and DreamWorks Animation will host a special presentation of its latest film, Trolls Band Together.

Other highlights are the North American Premiere of Sony Pictures Animation/Sony Pictures Imageworks’ The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story, the debut short film created as part of the LENS storyteller development program, and a special theatrical presentation of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ narrative short, Once Upon a Studio, featuring iconic voices from Disney Animation’s past, including Dwayne Johnson, Paige O’Hara, Jodi Benson and Josh Gad.

Trolls Band Together (DreamWorks/Universal)

“‘Animation Is Film’ is not just the name of our festival, it is its mission,” said Matt Kaszanek, Executive Director of AIF. “New films from Studio Ghibli and Aardman are seismic cinematic events, and a reason for movie lovers of any medium to rejoice. Joining these titles is a collection of some of the most audacious, genre-defying, and critically acclaimed films of the year. We are so proud to present them in Los Angeles.”

This year’s AIF also features a “Work-In-Progress” sneak peek at Walt Disney Animation’s upcoming feature release Wish, centennial celebrations of Walt Disney Animation and Warner Bros. Animation, the festival’s popular shorts showcase presented in partnership with Annecy and Women In Animation highlighting the best of female-directed animated films, the annual student film program and an Aardman Animations-hosted workshop where kids can make their own clay models.

Wish © 2023 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

“For its sixth edition, Animation Is Film is back with a great program featuring the films who received the main awards in Annecy last June,” said Annecy Festival artistic director Marcel Jean and CEO Mickael Marin. “Chicken for Linda! (Cristal for a feature film), Robot Dreams (Contrechamp Award) and 27 (Cristal for a short film) are among a great selection of films and again we are proud to be associated with this celebration of the best in animation.”

Industry organizations returning as Animation Is Film Sponsors and partners for the 2023 film festival are: ASIFA- Hollywood, Cartoon Network Studios, Crunchyroll, Dreamworks Animation, ELMA, Fathom Events, Illumination, LAIKA, Locksmith Animation, Netflix, Nickelodeon, Paramount Animation, Pixar Animation Studios, Shout! Factor, Sony Pictures Animation, UniFrance, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Warner Bros. Animation. Animation Is Film, founded by GKIDS and the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, presents a selection of new animated feature films from Asia, Europe, South America and North America, with both juried and audience prizes.

AIF will post their full schedule of films and programs to their website, AnimationIsFilm.com, and will be adding additional films, programs and sneak peeks ahead of the festival.

Read more about this year’s inspiring edition in the November ’23 issue of Animation Magazine, available soon.

Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget © Netflix 2023

AIF 2023 Film Slate

OPENING NIGHT: The Boy and the Heron(Japan | United States IMAX Premiere)

CLOSING NIGHT: Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (United Kingdom / United States / France | Los Angeles Premiere)

Chicken for Linda!

COMPETITION SECTION:
- Art College 1994 (China | West Coast Premiere)
- Chicken for Linda! (France / Italy | United States Premiere)
- The Concierge (Japan| United States Premiere)
- Mars Express (France | United States Premiere)
- Phoenix: Reminiscence of Flower (Japan / North American Premiere)
- Robot Dreams (Spain / France | West Coast Premiere)
- Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds (Belgium / France | Los Angeles Premiere)
- The Summer (South Korea | North American Premiere)
Conjuring Nightmares: SPA released a new, pensive image for ‘The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story’ timed to the short’s Annecy World Premiere. The film explores mental health and different perspectives on Miles Morales’ heroic alter ego. [Sony Pictures Animation]
SPECIAL EVENTS:
- Special Screening of DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls Band Together
  - Director Walt Dohrn, co-director Tim Heitz and producer Gina Shay in-person
- North American Premiere of Sony Pictures Animation/Sony Picture Imageworks’ The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story
  - Panel with Jarelle Dampier (director), Khaila Amazan (writer), Clara Chan (VFX supervisor),
    and Joe Darko (animation supervisor), moderated by Michelle Raimo-Kouyate and David Schulenburg
    (Producers/LENS Program Creators)
- Special Screening & Panel of Wal Disney Animation’s Once Upon a Studio and early footage of Wish
  - Filmmaker in-person
- Warner Bros. 100: A Special Celebration of Warner Bros. Animation
  - Q&A with Looney Tunes Cartoons series creatives and screening of never-before-seen shorts
  - Special Presentation of Daffy in Wackyland
La Perra

SHORTS PRESENTATIONS:
- Award Winning Shorts (Oscar qualifying films)
  - The Day I Became a Bird (U.K. / Andrew Ruhemann)
  - Starling (U.S. / Mitra Shahidi)
  - Rosemary A.D. (After Dad) (U.S. / Ethan Barrett)
  - Letter to a Pig (Israel, France / Tal Kantor)
- The Best of Annecy, in Partnership with Women in Animation
  - Our Uniform (Iran / Yegane Moghaddam)
  - Le Grande Arche (France / Camille Authouart)
  - The Miracle (Belgium, Netherlands, France / Nienke Deutz)
  - 27 (France, Hungary / Flora Anna Buda)
  - La Perra (Colombia, France / Carla Melo Gampert)
  - Nun or Never (Finland, Heta Jaalinoja)
- Student Showcase (CalArts, USC, Cal State Long Beach, Cal Stat Fullerton)
September 21, 2023
MAKE Originals Sallies Forth with ‘BraveHurts’ Micro Shorts

MAKE Originals is raising the drawbridge for its latest animated micro-short series, BraveHurts — a himbo hero reimagining of classic medieval adventure and and fairy tale tropes, telling ‘the stories that didn’t quite make it into the story book of yore.’

Launched today (Sept. 20), the series is the latest out of the in-house development and production unit of creative commercial studio MAKE, following the violent sci-fi comedy Dead Moon Walking.

BraveHurts is a medieval fantasy series featuring the bravest of himbos who will do anything, and risk it all for the chance to hold onto something they can’t have.

Dumb. Star-crossed. Morons.

Fairytales offer us a lesson, Fables fill us with wonder, BraveHurts is about one thing and one thing only — loot. Riding under the humor is an honest look at our more fickle and foolish desires. It’s darn good fun for a quick minute, before the consequences of such pursuits start settling in.

The concept was conceived by Josh Schneider, and is brought to life in a comic-strip-inspired style by the MAKE animation team. “We obviously drew from a Monty Python-type humor,” adds technical director Aaron Dabelow. “When you see the characters trotting along, you can almost hear the coconuts from The Holy Grail.”

Each episode of medieval madness is punched up with original music by Steve Horner, of Horner Music, harkening back to the classic Looney Tunes days.

MAKE announced the launch of its MAKE Originals banner earlier this year, with a slate of six micro-shorts projects on deck. Viewers can tune in to the @makeoriginals YouTube channel every Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET to catch new shorts and behind-the-scenes content.

September 20, 2023
PBS KIDS Turns the Page with ‘Super Why’s Comic Book Adventures’ Oct. 18

On October 18, PBS KIDS will premiere Super Why’s Comic Book Adventures, a series of 2D animated shorts aimed at helping to expand the literacy skills of preschool- and kindergarten-age children. The shorts are inspired by the Emmy-nominated series Super Why!, which premiered in 2007. The series is produced by 9 Story Media Group and animated by its award-winning studio Brown Bag Films.

A hit across PBS KIDS platforms, Super Why! was proven to boost children’s early literacy skills and help them learn to read (per a 2009 report from the Annenberg School for Communication). In the new shorts, the literacy-powered superheroes leap into a stylized comic-book world for a new storytelling twist, complete with catchy original songs that break down key skills for early readers.

“We are so excited to introduce Super Why’s Comic Book Adventures, with its fresh, musically-driven format, to a new generation of Super Why! fans,” said Sara DeWitt, Senior Vice President and General Manager, PBS KIDS. “The dynamic comic-book design makes it an aspirational Super Reader superhero experience that will support and encourage today’s budding readers.”

Research suggests that early literacy instruction should focus on developing awareness of the segments of sounds in speech and how they link to letters (source) though systematic instruction of phonological awareness and phonics skills. Each of the 20 three-minute shorts focus on these foundational reading and writing skills, including letter-sound identification and decoding words, blending sounds and alliteration, spelling, punctuation and more, wrapped in a kid-relatable action-comedy story.

Many familiar fairytale characters from the original series, known as Super Readers, are back, including Super Why, who loves comic books and has the power to read, along with Princess Presto and Wonder Red. New to the series is “super fan” Power Paige, a Super Reader who joins the team with her power pencil, which has the ability to write and erase words, letters and punctuation. Together, the Super Readers set things straight for the readers of Reader Valley — and young viewers across the country.

“It’s exciting to see Super Why! return to PBS KIDS with fresh adventures in a brand new format,” said Wendy Harris, SVP & Head of Creative Affairs for 9 Story Media Group and co-creator of the original Super Why! series. “We’re so proud of its remarkable staying power, engaging kids and teaching early literacy skills for over fifteen years. We can’t wait to offer parents and kids Super Why’s Comic Book Adventures and create a whole new generation of Super Readers!”

Super Why’s Comic Book Adventures also introduces audiences to quirky Literacy Villains who mix up reading rules that the Super Readers must correct. These characters include: More Man, who adds an “s” to the end of words to make them plural, adding more words and sentences; The Shuffler, who likes to mix things up; The Eraser, who erases letters and words; and Outta Space, an extraterrestrial who zaps spaces from between words.

Super Why’s Comic Book Adventures is created and developed by Alex Breen (Charlie’s Colorforms City, Super Why! ) and Sarah Wallendjack (Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Charlie’s Colorforms City), who also serves as Executive Producer with Angela C. Santomero (Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Blue’s Clues). Geri Bertolo is the director and Stefan L. Smith is the series composer. 9 Story holds worldwide distribution and consumer product rights.

The multi-award-winning Super Why! series created by Angela C. Santomero (based on a concept co-created with Traci Page Johnson and Jennifer Twomey) was the first preschool show designed to help children learn to read through interactive storybook adventures. The series follows the magical adventures of four fairytale friends who jump into books and become reading-powered superheroes to save the day.

“When I first created Super Why! as my Master’s Thesis at Teachers College, Columbia University, I put a lot of care, thought, and research into it, but never imagined it would influence kids to learn and love to read — 20 years later! It’s a dream come true,” said Santomero.

Since its premiere, Super Why! has been one of the most popular PBS KIDS series, generating nearly 180 million streams per year across PBS KIDS-owned digital platforms and more than 40 million views per year on the PBS KIDS YouTube channel.

In addition to the series, Super Why! has impacted kids across the country through the Super Why! app and Super Why! Reading Camps, which build on the signature early literacy approach of the popular series to extend its unique interactive reading approach into communities across the country. Research indicates that these camps boost reading skills, with participants showing gains in all literacy skills presented in the program, and preschoolers showing an 84% gain in phonics skills and a 139% gain in word recognition skills after attending a five-day camp, according to a 2008 report by the Florida Center for Reading Research.

September 20, 2023
‘The Demon Sword Master of Excalibur Academy’ Casts Its Spell on HIDIVE

Ahead of its Fall 2023 season, HIDIVE revealed today that it has acquired the new action-fantasy series The Demon Sword Master of Excalibur Academy, based on the popular shōnen light novel series written by Yū Shimizu, illustrated by Asagi Tōsaka and adapted into manga by Keigen Asuka. The anime adaptation premieres October 2 and joins the recently announced title The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess as an exclusive simulcast.

“We’re excited to bring The Demon Sword Master of Excalibur Academy to fans as an exclusive simulcast series on HIDIVE this fall,” said John Ledford, President of HIDIVE. “Together with The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess, we’re thrilled to feature these two new, highly anticipated series on next season’s line-up. Fans will not want to miss either of them!”

Synopsis: One thousand years ago, Leonis Death Magnus, undead sorcerer and the greatest of the Dark Lords, entered magical stasis during a climactic battle. When he awakens, he finds a beautiful silver-haired young woman named Riselia standing before him. More shockingly, Leonis has been transformed into a ten-year-old boy! Now he’ll have to adapt to this strange era and deal with the twisted monsters called Voids — all while keeping his true powers a secret from his lovely new guardian.

The Demon Sword Master of Excalibur Academy is produced by Passione, directed by Hiroyuki Morita (Studio Ghibli’s The Cat Returns, Bokurano: Ours series) and written by Kunihiko Okada (The Eminence in Shadow, High School Fleet the Movie).

The series stars Honoka Kuroki (Seiren) as Sakuya, Aya Suzaki (Tamako Market) as Regina, Marina Inoue (Le Portrait de Petit Cossette) as Leonis, Yui Ishikawa (Violet Evergarden) as Riselia, Arisa Nakada (Kiitaro’s Yokai Picture Diary) as Shary and Hiromi Igarashi (The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls) as Elfiné.

Launched in May 2019, the light novel series is published by Kadokawa’s MF Bunko J and currently spans 13 volumes. The now six-volume manga adaptation debuted in November 2019 and is serialized in Kadokawa’s Monthly Shōnen Ace. The English language editions of both the light novel and manga series are published by Yen Press.

September 20, 2023
Sneak Peek: ‘Interrupting Chicken’ S2 Ready to Roost on Apple TV+

New sneak-peek clips from Season 2 of its animated preschool series, Interrupting Chicken, have flown the coop ahead of the premiere on Friday, September 29 on Apple TV+.

Based on the Caledecott Honor-winning book series by writer-illustrator David Ezra Stein, the 2D show introduces kids to the joy of creative writing through the eyes of an imaginative chick who has a habit of interrupting story time.

Every time Piper hears a story, she can’t help but jump in, ask questions and let her imagination run wild as she tries to fill in details, guess what happens next or insert herself in the middle of the action to help save the day.

In addition to seeing the return of beloved characters like The Big Bad Wolf and Captain Claw, Season 2 sees Piper helping Cinderella get to the ball, surf with a sea monster and build a Royal Rollercoaster with the King, among other adventures!

Alongside three-time Emmy winner Sterling K. Brown (voice of Papa), Juliet Donenfeld (Piper), Mary Faber (Mom), Sarah Elizabeth Thompson (CJ), Maximus Riegel (Benjamin), Luke Lowe (Duckston) and Jakari Fraser (Theodore), S2 welcomes new guest stars to the brood — including award-winning comedian Paula Poundstone (Inside Out) and Grammy winner Wyclef Jean, who performs an original song in the show (check it out in the second clip below).

Interrupting Chicken was developed by Emmy winner Ron Holsey, who serves as executive producer alongside Stein, Loris Kramer Lunsford and Clint Eland.

Season 2 episodes:

201 – Captain Claw’s Clawsome Quest / Cinderella’s Story
Piper sets sail with a pirate crew to search for treasure. When a favorite book falls apart, Piper and friends try to piece it back together.

202 – Funky Chicken / Hansel & Gretel and the Chicken
Papa’s friend shares his passion for hip-hop. Piper rewrites a time-honored tale to make it a little less spooky.

203 – Save the Stalk! / Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?
Grandpa encourages Piper to help a struggling storybook character. A friendly lion looks to Piper for guidance on how to be funny.

204 – Mary Had a Little Chicken / The Princess, the Chicken and the Pea
Piper puts fun genre twists on a familiar favorite. When a royal athlete can’t fall asleep, Piper leaps into action.

205 – The Magnificent Magician of the Mailbox / Once Upon a Chicken
Theodore, Duckston and Piper work together on an illustrated story. Mrs. Slothworth teaches the class about fairy-tale clichés.

206 – The Royal Rollercoaster / Clucky Sinclair and the Three Bears
Piper and friends help the King build an exciting new ride. Hoping to solve a mystery, Piper transforms into a detective.

207 – Wonder Chicken Returns / Professor Goose Visits
Grandma teaches a valuable lesson as Piper suits up for a superhero mission. A popular author sparks creativity for Mrs. Slothworth’s class.

208 – Starting From Scratch / Snow White’s Seven
Benjamin asks Piper to create an original story. Piper meets new friends while trying to unlock the gates of the royal kingdom.

September 20, 2023
‘Monster High’ Animated Series Haunts Nickelodeon with Special & Month of New Eps.

October brings plenty of friendly frights and silly scares to kids’ TV, including an unnatural horde of new Monster High animated series episodes debuting all month long on Nickelodeon. The Boo Crew marks their return Monday, October 2 at 5 p.m. with the half-hour special, followed by episodic premieres weekdays at 5 p.m. (ET/PT).

The spooky special “Spell the Beans“ sees Dracula investigating a rumor of witches at Monster High, leaving Draculaura to debate whether to share her secret or get caught.

From Nickelodeon and Mattel, the reimagined Monster High follows iconic teenage children of legendary monsters Clawdeen Wolf, Draculaura, Frankie Stein and Deuce Gorgon as they discover who they are in the one place they all belong: Monster High.

Monster High continues with the debut of original and legacy characters and more half-hour specials throughout Season 1, where the students will battle a zombie invasion, a Night of Terror, hunt to find Monster Talismans, midterms and more. The brand-new episodes all lead up to a monstrous season finale at the Monster Ball dance later this fall.

The hex-cellent voice cast includes Gabrielle Nevaeh (Clawdeen Wolf), Courtney Lin (Draculaura), Iris Menas (Frankie Stein), Tony Revolori (Deuce Gorgon), Kausar Mohammed (Cleo De Nile), Valeria Rodriguez (Lagoona Blue), Alexa Kahn (Toralei Stripe), Alexander Polinsky (Heath Burns) and Debra Wilson (Headmistress Bloodgood).

New voices joining the fashionable monsters include Kate del Castillo (The Book of Life) as Selena Wolf, Rhea Seehorn (Better Call Saul) as Medusa, Jessica Darrow (Encanto) as Skelita Calaveras, John O’ Hurley (Seinfeld) as Hades, Debi Derryberry (Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius) as Euryale, America Young (Monster High) as Stheno and Wayne Knight (Seinfeld) as Ralph.

Joining in the back-to-ghoul fun as franchise and original characters are Ken Marino (Reno 911!) as Dracula, Riki Lindhome (Wednesday) as Purrsephone, Kate Micucci (Garfunkel and Oates) as Meowlody, Miles Brown (Black-ish) as Gil Webber, Kayla Cromer (Everything’s Gonna Be Okay) as Twyla, Krystina Alabado (Pantheon) as Nefera De Nile, Felicia Day (The Guild) as Ghoulia, Valeria Rodriquez (The Valley of Tears) as Spectra Vondergeist, Scott Menville (Teen Titans Go!) as Romulus, Cole Massie (Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers) as Finnegan Wake, Victoria T. Washington (Dropouts) as Howleen and Jordan R. Coleman (A Million Little Things) as Manny Taur.

Shea Fontana (Polly Pocket) serves as showrunner and co-executive producer, with Nick Filippi (Big Hero 6: The Series) as supervising producer. Production is overseen for Nickelodeon by Claudia Spinelli, Senior Vice President, Big Kids Animation, and Nikki Price, Director, Development, Animation, and for Mattel by Fred Soulie and Christopher Keenan.

Fans can watch Monster High on the Nick App, Nick.com and VOD, and head to the Monster High YouTube channel to keep up with the series, and discover the new Monster High web series, Monster High Mysteries: Monster Ball, premiering October 27. All-new episodes of the comedy-adventure will continue to debut in Canada, the U.K. and Australia later this year on Nickelodeon and Paramount+, and in additional international territories soon thereafter.

September 20, 2023
Tokyo Int’l Film Festival Launches Expanded Animated Feature Section for 2023

Organizers of the 2023 Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) have announced an unprecedented variety of special programs and screenings for its upcoming 36th edition, running from October 23 – November 1. Among the principal highlights of the 36th TIFF will be special screenings and events to commemorate the 120th anniversary of legendary Japanese filmmaker Yasujiro Ozu’s birth. The Nippon Cinema Now section will also spotlight the work of Hideo Jojo.

Of particular interest: The 36th TIFF will highlight a revitalized Animation section. Until 2022, the festival exclusively screened Japanese films in the “Japanese Animation” section, showcasing domestic works for global audiences. But this year, the renamed Animation section will be feature an expanded collection of not only Japanese but also internationally acclaimed animated works.

Themed “Intersection of Visions,” the lineup showcases nine films. In addition, the retrospective “International Film Festivals and Directors” reintroduces audiences to three films that have won awards at international film festivals. Two symposiums, “Possibilities of Animation Expression” and “Portrayal of Youth in Animation” will also be held, with directors taking the stage to discuss their works.

The Animation section includes:

Art College 1994 ©Nezha Bros. Pictures Company Ltd. Beijing Modern Sky Culture Development Co. Ltd.

Chicken for Linda! ©2023 Dolce Vita Films, Miyu Productions, Palosanto Films, France 3 Cinéma

Deep Sea © 2023 October Media All Rights Reserved

Robot Dreams © 2023 Arcadia Motion Pictures S.L., Lokiz Films A.I.E., Noodles Production SARL, Les Films du Worso SARL

Tony, Shelly and the Magic Light © 2023 nutprodukcia. Všetky práva vyhradené. Webdizajn Malina Studio

International Films

Art College 1994 by Liu Jian (2023, China)

Chicken for Linda! by Chiara Malta, Sébastien Laudenbach (2023, France) [Read more.]

Deep Sea by Tian Xiaopeng (2023, China)

Robot Dreams by Pablo Berger (2023, Spain/France)

Tony, Shelly and the Magic Light by Filip Pošivač (2023, Czech Republic/Slovakia/Hungary)

Blue Giant ©2023 BLUE GIANT Movie Project ©2013 Shinichi Ishizuka, Shogakukan

The Concierge ©T. N/S/TC

Komada – A Whisky Family ©2023 KOMA Revival Supporters / DMM.com

Japanese Films

Blue Giant by Yuzuru Tachikawa (2023)

The Concierge by Yoshimi Itazu (Japan release date: October 20)

Komada – A Whisky Family by Masayuki Yoshihara (Japan release date: November 10)

Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Keiichi Hara (2022) [Read more.]

In This Corner of the World © 2019Fumiyo Kono・Coamix Inc.／In This Corner of the World Production Committee

Lu Over the Wall ©2017 Lu Film partners

On-Gaku: Our Sound ©Hiroyuki Ohashi / Rock’n Roll Mountain / Tip Top

International Film Festivals & Directors Retrospective

In This Corner of the World by Sunao Katabuchi (2019)

Lu Over the Wall by Masaaki Yuasa (2017)

On-Gaku: Our Sound by Kenji Iwaisawa (2019)

More details of the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival program available at 2023.tiff-jp.net. Tickets go on sale October 14.

September 19, 2023
Trailer: ‘Jessica’s Big Little World’ Brings More ‘Craig of the Creek’ Fun to Cartoon Network

The brand-new preschool series Jessica’s Big Little World will debut on Cartoon Network on October 2 at 8 a.m. and launch the first collection of episodes October 7 on Max.

Cartoon Network will also present a sneak peek of the premiere episode this Wednesday, September 20 at 10 a.m. ET/PT and on Thursday, September 21 at 8:15 a.m. ET/PT in the Cartoonito block.

A spin-off of the Emmy, GLAAD and NAACP Image Award-nominated series Craig of the Creek, the new show centers on the adventures of Craig’s resilient little sister, Jessica. With the help of her friends — imaginary and real — Jessica sets off to take on the world, even if she still does suck her thumb … sometimes.

“It’s always a joy to hang out with the characters from Craig of the Creek\’ and this time we get to focus on the amazing Jessica as she embarks on her adventure of growing up,” said Michael Ouweleen, President of Cartoon Network. “Jessica’s journey of self-discovery is so compelling and relatable to watch — whether you’re big or little!”

The official trailer was revealed today, watch it below!

Synopsis: The new show from Cartoon Network Studios follows Jessica as she navigates her way through a world where everything seems much bigger than she is. Although she’s the youngest and still needs help with a lot, Jessica is inspired by the grown-ups and bigger kids around her and is persistent in her quest to conquer monumental kid tasks like creating a bedtime routine or learning to ride a big kid bike.

Reprising their roles from Craig of the Creek, Jessica’s Big Little World stars Lucia Cunningham (Jessica), Philip Solomon (Craig), Phil LaMarr (Bernard) and Kimberly Hebert Gregory (Nicole). They are joined by Alani Ilongwe (Small Uncle), Byron Marc Newsome (Duane) and Ozioma Akagha (Big Jessica).

Tiffany Ford (Craig of the Creek) serves as showrunner, executive producer and co-creator. Craig of the Creek showrunners Matt Burnett and Ben Levin are executive producers and co-creators. Sam Register also serves as executive producer.

New episodes of Jessica’s Big Little World will also be available for purchase from digital retailers the day after they premiere on Cartoon Network. Fans can also look forward to the first Craig of the Creek original animated movie set to arrive later this year.

September 19, 2023
‘Bluey’ Software CelAction2D Launches Version 4.1

London-based software developer CelAction today announced the launch of version 4.1 of CelAction2D, the 2D animation software best known for being used on popular toons such as Bluey, Peppa Pig and Mr. Bean. The update features a major enhancement to CelAction2D’s bespoke scripting language, plus the ability to export movement data to Adobe After Effects.

“This upgrade is all about pipeline improvement,” said CelAction CEO Andy Blazdell. “Not all studios can afford dedicated scripting programmers, therefore we wanted to make our system as easy as possible so that animators and riggers with no prior programming experience could use it. This is going to level up a lot of small and medium size teams, so they can compete with the big players.”

Originally used as a tool for creating sequences of commands that can be assigned to a key or a button, CelAction2D Macros can now take user input while the script is running, and set, test and manipulate variables. More importantly, they can use animation stored within the character rig itself to construct customized poses or movement.

For example, users are able to set a single keyboard command to add an animated arm wave to a character, that could automatically test how the character was posed, and change the animation accordingly to avoid the need for the animator to go back in and tweak anything. So, if the arm wave would be different if the character was wearing long sleeves or holding an object, that would be handled automatically. If there were different styles of arm wave built into the character, the Macro could even ask the user which style to use.

The Macros themselves can be built up using easy to understand dialog boxes, rather than typing things in, so that the syntax is always correct and the user is always guided towards the correct solution. During testing, the CelAction team even made a simple text adventure within CelAction2D itself to push the possibilities of the system.

“The integration of easy yet powerful scripting with the actual movement of the characters is a breakthrough that will be key to increasing productivity,” Blazdell concluded. “It’s the best way forward, because it uses ‘Animator Intelligence’ instead of the artificial kind.”

A representative from CelAction will be attending the Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) and The Animation Conference (TAC) this week (September 20-24).

Visit celaction.com for more details.

September 19, 2023
‘My Little Pony: Make Your Mark’ Chapter 5 Takes Wing on Netflix

A new herd of fantastical quests and friendship-fueled adventures await MLP fans in My Little Pony: Make Your Mark, which has returned to Netflix with Chapter 5. Six all-new 22-minute episodes of the CG-animated series are available to watch now on the streamer.

L-R: JJ Gerber as Hitch and Rob Tinkler as Sparky in ‘My Little Pony: Make Your Mark ‘. [c/o Netflix © 2023]

L-R: Phil LaMarr as Alphabittle and Bahia Watson as Misty in ‘My Little Pony: Make Your Mark ‘. [c/o Netflix © 2023]

Chapter 5 continues the story of Misty officially becoming a part of the group! After helping The Mane 5 save Sparky, earning her own cutie mark, and turning her back on Opaline — the six ponies must work together to uncover more of Misty’s past, grow stronger as a group, and search for a way to beat Opaline before she gains the strength to take over all of Equestria. And with the group adjusting to their growing family, there’s bound to be some highs … and not so highs!

Whether the ponies are uncovering the mystery of Misty’s past, or Sunny and Zipp entertaining Bridlewood’s oldest unicorn, or even the group deciding to make things “spooky” for Nightmare Night at their Crystal Frighthouse — The adventures are nonstop throughout the incredible installment of Chapter 5!

L-R: Ana Sani as Izzy, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Zipp, Bahia Watson as Misty, Jenna Warren as Sunny and AJ Bridel as Pipp in ‘My Little Pony: Make Your Mark ‘. [c/o Netflix © 2023]

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (Never Have I Ever, Turning Red) voices Zipp Storm alongside Jenna Warren (Kody Kapow!) as Sunny Starscout, JJ Gerber (Monster Pack) as Hitch Trailblazer, Ana Sani (The Boys) as Izzy Moonbow, AJ Bridel (Odd Squad) as Pipp Petals and Bahia Watson(The Handmaid’s Tale) as Misty.

From Hasbro’s eOne, My Little Pony: Make Your Mark is produced by Atomic Cartoons, with Cort Lane and Tristan Homer serving as creative producers and Gillian Berrow as head writer.

Bahia Watson as Misty in ‘My Little Pony: Make Your Mark ‘. [c/o Netflix © 2023]

L-R: Jenna Warren as Sunny, Phil LaMarr as Alphabittle, Bahia Watson as Misty, JJ Gerber as Hitch, Robert Tinkler as Sparky and Ana Sani as Izzy in ‘My Little Pony: Make Your Mark ‘. [c/o Netflix © 2023]

September 19, 2023
Digital Domain & PRG Join Forces for ‘New Era’ of VFX, Virtual Production

Award-winning visual effects powerhouse Digital Domain has announced a first-of-its-kind co-brand partnership with global entertainment and live event solutions outfit PRG (Production Resource Group), to provide their extensive network and future partners with an all-in-one solution for high-end visual effects, holograms, virtual production and content creation services.

“Our co-branding partnership has a clear objective: to retain and expand market share, foster innovative trends, and explore pioneering technologies that redefine the art of storytelling,” says Lala Gavgavian, President & COO of Digital Domain.

Through the specialized expertise of both parties, Digital Domain and PRG are now able to offer cost-effective, sustainable, high-quality and seamless end-to-end service covering ideation to execution, all under one roof.

“Through our partnership with Digital Domain, virtual production redefines creative boundaries. It empowers brands in cost-conscious markets and studios catering to diverse consumer preferences,” notes PRG’s President, Entertainment, Todd Hoddick.

Jeroen Hallaert, VP, Production Services of PRG, added, “This innovation streamlines workflows, reshaping collaboration dynamics and enabling real-time creative refinement, from ‘prep’ to ‘post.’”

This partnership enables clients to shape their vision from inception while also granting access to Digital Domain and PRG’s talent pools, offering a more level playing field for smaller teams to participate in ambitious projects. PRG’s Enhanced Environments™ and simulcam services allow creatives to plan shots and immerse themselves in the virtual world without the need to go on location.

Digital Domain boasts an impressive portfolio of VFX work, collaborating with industry giants such as Disney/Marvel, Warner Bros./Discovery, Sony Pictures, Universal, Netflix, HBO and Amazon Studios. Since 1993, the studio has earned multiple Academy Awards for VFX for blockbusters including Titanic, What Dreams May Come and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button; as well as awards and nominations for several Marvel Cinematic Universe titles that have crushed all-time records at box offices worldwide. Digital Domain has also won and received VES Awards, Clios, BAFTA and Cannes Lions nominations.

Meanwhile, PRG has been instrumental in providing the essential technological and infrastructural support to realize memorable scenes from productions like Ahsoka, Joker, The Mandalorian, Law & Order, and more. With 62 offices in 28 countries, the company offers award-winning innovations (over 250 patents and trademarks) to every corner of the globe. Its capabilities span broadcasting, camera, audio, video, lighting, rigging, scenic and automation, digital services, virtual production, and labor.

digitaldomain.com | prg.com

September 19, 2023
FOX Entertainment Global Unveils Expanded MIP Lineup with Array of Animation
FOX Entertainment Global (FEG), FOX Entertainment’s worldwide content sales division, today unveiled an expanded program slate for MIPCOM 2023, with the addition of unscripted content owned and produced by its in-house studios FOX Alternative Entertainment, Gordon Ramsay’s production entity Studio Ramsay Global and entertainment brand TMZ, as well as original animated content from Bento Box Entertainment, live-action comedy from FOX Entertainment Studios and more than 20 movies produced by MarVista Entertainment spanning holiday, drama, animation and thrillers.

“As FOX Entertainment Global wraps a successful first year of operation and prepares to return to MIPCOM, our strategy to further expand our fast-growing library of owned content with global appeal is already making a meaningful impact on the international landscape,” said Fernando Szew, CEO of FEG and MarVista Entertainment. “This addition of premium unscripted content from Gordon Ramsay, FAE and TMZ uniquely complements our fast-growing roster of multiplatform, linear and streaming content, including animation, scripted series and original movies.”

One toon highlight of the lineup is the new animated comedy Krapopolis, from Emmy Award winner, creator and executive producer Dan Harmon (Rick and Morty, Community). Set to premiere on FOX on Sunday, September 24, and already renewed for three seasons, Krapopolis features the voices of Emmy winner Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso), Richard Ayoade (The IT Crowd) and Matt Berry (What We Do in The Shadows).

FEG is also distributing the upcoming animated series Grimsburg, starring and executive produced by Emmy winner Jon Hamm (Mad Men, Top Gun: Maverick), which will premiere on FOX this mid-season and has been renewed for a second season. Both Grimsburg and Krapopolis are produced by Bento Box.

The FOX Ent. offerings will also include new and returning live-action scripted and unscripted projects, including:
- Snake Oil; game show hosted by David Spade and exec produced by Will Arnett (FAE)
- The Masked Singer
- Next Level Chef; cooking competition series from Gordon Ramsay (Studio Ramsay Global)
- TMZ Investigates: Gilgo Beach Serial Murders: Missed Warning Signs; documentary special (TMZ)
- TMZ Investigates: Britney Spears: Divorce & Despair; documentary special (TMZ)
- TMZ Investigates: Tragically Viral; documentary special (TMZ)
- Animal Control; single-camera comedy starring and exec produced by Joel McHale (FOX Ent. Studios)
Millennial Hunter © 2023 Bento Box

FEG also plans to unveil more than 20 made-for-platform movies in Cannes from MarVista and Bento Box, which produced the animated features Big Bruh, Millennial Hunter and Pastacolypse.

New MarVista live-action properties on the roster include:
- Rescuing Christmas
- Christmas Revisited
- Christmas Serenade
- God’s Grace: The Sheila Johnson Story
- The Murdaugh Murders
- Below Deck Deceit
- Deadly DILF
- A Deadly Influence
- Final Heist
- Midnight Hustle
- Stalked by My Stepsister
Additionally, FEG is now serving as the international distributor of a slate of content, including movies, series, specials and documentaries spanning various genres, from FOX’s AVOD service, Tubi.

FEG will be located at stand C16.D on The Croisette during MIPCOM.
September 19, 2023
People on the Move: Lion Forge Taps Trio of Execs for New Sales Division, Hires at France TV, The Yard & Oni
Lion Forge Entertainment is expanding the studio’s management team, adding three key executives across production development and production. The team will serve under President & Chief Content Officer, Stephanie Sperber. These appoints come with the launch of the studio’s Global Media Sales division to handle international sales and distribution for the company’s financed and owned IP. The newly minted group will make its debut at MIPCOM and MIPJunior next month with Nigerian / anime-inspired series Iyanu, based on Roye Okupe’s graphic novel, and the new animated kid series BugTron.

Kirsten Newlands

Former Hello Sunshine exec Kirsten Newlands joins as Executive Vice President of Production & Content Partnerships. Newlands, a Canadian Screen Award winner with multiple Emmy nominations under her belt, is overseeing all physical production, studio alliances, financing, co-productions and sales at Lion Forge Ent. She has executive produced more than 800 half hours of animated children’s television, including hits such as My Little Pony, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Carmen Sandiego, The Deep and Pikwik Pack.

Prior to serving as VP, Kids Animation, Production for Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, she led all animation production endeavors for WildBrain (DHX Media) for more than a decade as SVP, Animation Production. She has also consulted for both Guru Studio (True & the Rainbow Kingdom, PAW Patrol) and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (Pretzel & The Puppies). A former Co-Chair of Women In Animation’s Vancouver branch, she has been an advisor to CineCity to help emerging visible minority and aboriginal filmmakers produce short, dramatic films in the province of British Columbia.

Koyalee Chanda

Emmy-nominated children’s media creative Koyalee Chanda has been appointed Senior Vice President of Animation. A seven-time Emmy-nominated children’s producer, director and writer with over 25 years of experience, Chanda started her career on the breakthrough preschool series Blue’s Clues. Most recently, she served as the VP of Kids & Animation for Hello Sunshine.

Previously, Chanda worked as a VP of Production & Development for Chris Nee’s Laughing Wild at Netflix Animation, where she did early development for Higher Ground’s Emmy-winning series Ada Twist, Scientist and We the People. She was one of the first hires at Apple TV+ Children’s Division and has previously worked with HBO Kids and Family, Universal Kids, PBS Kids as well as Nickelodeon on the channel’s hit series Wallykazam!

Jonathan Abraham

Jonathan Abraham joins the studio as Director of Distribution. Abraham is a kids’ distribution sales veteran with extensive knowledge in maximizing exhibition windows and launching successful merchandising and licensing programs. Before joining Lion Forge, he built the international sales and consumer products division of Guru Studio (True and the Rainbow Kingdom, Pikwik Pack). He oversaw the design, manufacturing and global distribution of toys and various consumer products, both through international retailers and major distribution partners. Abraham also served as the Head of Global Sales & Acquisitions at Portfolio Entertainment and worked for Zuru Toys, where he handled direct sales for the entire southern hemisphere aiding in the company’s significant growth trajectory.

Julia Pillet | Spencer Simpson | Corentin Bachelet

More Recent Hires:
- Julia Pillet has been appointed International Sales Manager at France TV Distribution, responsible for Italy, Italian-speaking Switzerland, Spain, Asia and Oceania. Previously of TV Only and About Premium Content, Pillet reports to SVP International Sales Julia Schulte.
- Multiple Eisner and Harvey Award-winning comics and graphic novels publisher Oni Press (part of the Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group) in Portland, Ore. welcomes DC and BOOM! Studios veteran Spencer Simpson as Vice President of Sales. He will oversee operations across the Book Market, Direct Market and Digital platforms.
- Laurens Ehrmann’s The Yard VFX studio (Ford v Ferrari, WandaVision) based in Vanves, France has brought in Corentin Bachelet as Head of Environment, bringing 10 years of experience to the department’s leadership. For the past seven years, he has worked at high profile studios across Canada, including Rodeo FX and DNEG, where he managed the 60-artist Montreal/Toronto environment department.
September 18, 2023
‘Elemental’ Gets Warm Reception as Year’s Most-Viewed Disney+ Premiere

Following its debut on Disney+ on September 13, Disney has announced that this summer’s Pixar box office boiler Elemental is officially the streamer’s most-watched movie premiere of 2023. With 26.4 million views tallied up in its first five days on the platform, the film is also in the Top 10 Disney+ premieres of all time.

In less than a week, Elemental has become the most-viewed animated movie premiere since Disney and Pixar’s Turning Red was released in March 2022, as well as the most-viewed Disney+ movie premiere of all time in Latin America, ahead of Turning Red. Disney+ determines “views” by a title’s total stream time divided by its runtime.

Released in June, the film has seen theatrical success as well, earning $484 million worldwide with a 93% Rotten Tomatoes Verified Audience Score and an “A” CinemaScore. Domestically, the film generated $154 million — more than five times its domestic opening weekend of $30 million, a rare feat for any theatrical release and the second-highest multiple behind Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story (1995). Internationally, the film brought in $330 million and had a particularly strong showing in South Korea, becoming Pixar’s most-seen film in the country.

Directed by Peter Sohn, produced by Denise Ream and executive produced by Pete Docter, the original feature film is set in Element City, where Fire-, Water-, Earth- and Air-residents live together. The story follows the quick-witted and fiery Ember (Leah Lewis), whose friendship with the sappy and go-with-the-flow Wade (Mamoudou Athie) challenges not only her beliefs about the world they live in, but the person she wants to be.

The screenplay for Elemental was written by John Hoberg & Kat Likkel and Brenda Hsueh, with story by Sohn, Hoberg & Likkel, and Hsueh. Ronnie del Carmen, Shila Ommi, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Catherine O’Hara, Mason Wertheimer and Joe Pera round out the film’s voice cast.

Also streaming on Disney+ is the new documentary Good Chemistry: The Story of Elemental, offering an inside look at how Sohn’s personal family history and animation career led to the creation of the film. Fans can also catch the Up-inspired short that screened with Elemental in theaters, Carl’s Date, starring the late Ed Asner.

September 18, 2023
BIAF2023 Selects 13 Animated Features in Competition

A baker’s dozen of animated feature films from around the world have been tapped to compete at the 25th Bucheon International Animation Festival in South Korea. One of the selections, Pablo Berger’s Robot Dreams, has also been selected to open the festivities. BIAF2023 runs October 20-24; more information available at biaf.or.kr.

The selected films are, in alphabetical order (descriptions provided by BIAF, edited for clarity):

Art College 1994

Art College 1994 (Liu Jian | China)

Xiaojun admires Lili. Lili’s friend Hong dreams of being a vocalist but considers singing in a bar for money. Yingjun proposes to Lili, who contemplates leaving school for marriage. What is the meaning of art in lives filled with learning, creativity, arguments, love and friendship?

Chicken for Linda!

Chicken for Linda! (Chiara Malta, Sébastien Laudenbach | France)

One day Paulette’s ring disappears, and she unfairly punishes her daughter, Linda. Paulette tries to make it up by cooking her late husband’s chicken recipe herself. Chicken for Linda! blends vibrant colors into their shared bittersweet memories. The film mixes comedy, music, action and touching moments, urging them to embrace the past’s pain and cherish the present.

The Concierge

The Concierge (Itazu Yoshimi | Japan)

Akino wants to be a perfect store concierge. Competent to adapt to strict management, she has one problem: the customers are animals. The Concierge is a story of growth where Akino’s unique charm and professionalism soften even the sharpest hearts.

The Forest of Miss Tang

The Forest of Miss Tang (Denis Do | France)

In 1886, blocked shipping routes disrupt Tang Hio’s life. This film explores enduring family bonds through choices, old and new, remembering and forgetting, with the forest as a central motif. A rooted tree cannot move easily, yet the bonsai tree shows the family’s next generation.

Kensuke’s Kingdom

Kensuke’s Kingdom (Neil Boyle, Kirk Hendry | U.K., Luxembourg)

Michael falls off from the cruise with his dog Stella. He wakes up on the beach and meets Kensuke, an old Japanese man living on the island. The animation focuses on adventure and living with nature. Kensuke, a non-English-speaking veteran, communicates with Michael through drawings and gestures, forming a unique bond.

Mars Express

Mars Express (Jérémie Périn | France)

Mars Express is an investigative sci-fi film about Aline and Carlos. Aline fights alcoholism, while Carlos is an outdated android with memory issues. Their strong bond adds up to this serious genre, raising questions about human-robot coexistence and the essence of humanity.

Phoenix: Reminiscence of Flower

Phoenix: Reminiscence of Flower (Shojiro Nishimi | Japan)

Romi and George settle on the planet Eden 17 for a new life. George’s death leaves Romi, who goes on a cold sleep and their son Cain. When Romi awakes, she becomes queen of an alien civilization descended from Cain, yet she longs for Earth.

Robot Dreams

Robot Dreams (Pablo Berger | Spain, France) — Opening Film

Robot Dreams begins from a dog’s perspective, then starts again in a robot’s dream. While the film has no dialog, the shot and sound design turns this story into a dynamic fable. It reaches our desire for a soulmate, yet it is touching because it doesn’t end even when it fails.

Sand Land

Sand Land (Toshihisa Yokoshima | Japan)

Sand Land portrays a world where humans and monsters coexist, facing desertification and demons with extraordinary powers raiding for food. The film expands the dynamic action that the original comics could not express by adding new blockbuster action, while keeping its unique style.

The Siren

The Siren (Sepideh Farsi | France, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium)

Set during the Iran-Iraq War, The Siren dives into the tragic history through the eyes of 14-year-old Omid in Abadan. It tells that there is honor in enduring this life: People still live and fight, worry about food and pray through the sirens.

Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds

Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds (Benoît Chieux | France, La Réunion, Belgium)

Juliet and Carmen enter an extraordinary world in a mysterious book, turned into cats. Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds is unique in its imaginative style, flowing lines, colorful emotions and ecological perspectives creating enchanting moments, blending familiar tales to show animation’s magical power.

Sound! Euphonium: Ensemble Contest

Sound! Euphonium: Ensemble Contest (Tatsuya Ishihara | Japan)

Kumiko’s first challenge as a new captain of the brass band club is a school competition for the ensemble contest representatives. Kumiko’s growth from the new member to caring captain, the club’s development and inclusion of characters from Liz and the Bluebird will be pleasing to old fans of the series.

White Plastic Sky

White Plastic Sky (Tibor Bánóczki, Sarolta Szabó | Hungary, Slovakia)

In 2123 Budapest, people must offer up their lives to the city at the age of 50 due to limited resources. When Nora leaves to become a tree at 30, Stefan follows her. White Plastic Sky portrays humanity’s struggles in post-apocalypse.

September 18, 2023
‘My Hero Academia: UA Heroes Battle’ Gets Global Premiere at New York Comic Con

Crunchyroll today revealed the details of the top-secret special screening of My Hero Academia teased in its New York Comic Con schedule. The Big Apple pop culture celebration will be host to the World Premiere of the all-new Season 6 episode “UA Heroes Battle” on Friday, October 13 at 5 p.m. ET on the Empire Stage, for all Con badge holders.

This early, exclusive world preview will feature the English dub and will be debuted to NYCC attendees before it is screened in Japan. In celebration of this premiere, Crunchyroll will be giving away limited edition character cards at the screening provided by UVS Games that are based on the new original episode and playable with the My Hero Academia Collectible Card Game. Attendees can also receive these special My Hero Academia cards as a gift with a purchase at Crunchyroll’s merch booth on the show floor.

Synopsis: The third year, Mirio Togata, pays a visit to the students of Class 1-A, who are bored because they are not allowed to go outside. He brings them a card game called U.A. Heroes Battle that the support course made. This game, where players can use cards of various U.A. students, is tough, just like U.A. itself. Who will win the card battle?!

“UA Heroes Battle” is animated by BONES (Mob Psycho 100; Bungo Stray Dogs).

My Hero Academia is based on the popular manga by Kohei Horikoshi serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump (Shueisha) and selling over 85 million copies. It is set in a world where about 80 percent of the population has a superpowered “Quirk.” Heroes protect people and society from accidents, disasters and villains — criminals who use their Quirks for evil. The story of Izuku Midoriya and his classmates at U.A. High School and their growth, fights, and friendship unfolds as they aim to become such heroes.

My Hero Academia garnered a nomination from the Hollywood Creative Alliance this year for Best Animated Series at the HCA TV Awards.

Seasons 1-5 of the series are available to stream on Crunchyroll.

September 18, 2023
‘The Simpsons’ S34 Ready to Haunt Disney+ with Treehouse of Horror “Death Tome” Episode

Prepare to re-enter Springfield … If you dare! The Simpsons Season 34 will bring its unprecedented double-dose of “Treehouse of Horror” episodes to streaming on Disney+ starting Wednesday, October 11. This includes “Treehouse of Horror XXXIII,” featuring the critically acclaimed segment “Death Tome,” which riffs on hit anime Death Note with an appropriately stylized animation aesthetic.

Season 34 of the Emmy, Annie and Peabody Award-winning animated comedy delivers 22 more episodes, also including milestone 750th episode of The Simpsons, titled “Homer’s Adventures through the Windshield Glass.” The season features guest voice appearances from Fred Armisen, Anna Faris, Will Forte, Simu Liu, Lizzo, Rob Lowe, Melissa McCarthy, Jade Novah, Aubrey Plaza, Bob’s Burgers star John Roberts and more.

The longest-running primetime scripted show in television history, The Simpsons debuted in 1989, quickly making Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, Maggie and their quirky fellow citizens of Springfield, U.S.A. into pop culture icons, and has remained one of the most groundbreaking and innovative entertainment franchises, recognizable throughout the world.

In addition to 34 seasons of The Simpsons, Disney+ is also home to The Simpsons Movie and 10 shorts featuring the Simpsons family. All these and more can be found in The Simpsons collection on the streaming service.

Disney+ is offering a limited time deal to new and returning customers, who can sign up for Disney+ Basic (with ads) for $1.99 per month for three months. Offer expires September 20.

Season 35 of The Simpsons premieres in the FOX Animation Domination lineup on Sunday, October 1.

September 18, 2023
‘Moley’ Burrows to POP for U.K. Free TV Debut

POP is ready to make an entertaining mountain out of a mole hill this fall when the animated adventure-comedy Moley arrives for its exclusive U.K. free TV premiere on Monday, October 2. Produced by Two Daughters Entertainment, the 26 x 11′ series is set in the vibrant mammal metropolis of MoleTown, and follows the exploits of a charismatic mole living in a deep burrow beneath Windsor Castle.

The series stars Warwick Davis as the voice of Moley, joined by Stanley Tucci, Julie Walters, Charles Dance, Richard E. Grant, Gemma Arterton and other diggable names.

“I came up with Moley as a bedtime story for my daughters years ago,” notes creator and Two Daughters Ent. founder James Reatchlous. “Now they’re all grown up and Moley is touching more people’s lives than ever. It brings me great joy to think how many children will now be able to enjoy his magical adventures for free around the U.K. with the show coming to POP.”

Synopsis: Whilst we can look around and see what surrounds us every day, or cast our eyes upwards and see what happens above us high in the sky, we’ve never been quite sure of the wonders that take place deep down below The Great Above…

That’s where we find the mystical world of MoleTown, a thriving, hustling and bustling town deep beneath Windsor Castle, regarded by those living within it as the best and only place they could possibly wish to be.

Central to all that happens in MoleTown is its most beloved citizen, Moley. Whether he’s participating in a spicy chili eating contest, learning to Molerskate to take part in the Great Mole Roll skating competition, or investigating rumors of alien visitors in MoleTown, you can be sure that Moley is always front and center when it comes to the action in MoleTown.

However, whilst Moley may be the most in-demand mole in MoleTown, such fame and popularity naturally comes with its mountains and molehills. The endearing mole often finds himself in a spot of bother, particularly when The Gardener and his accomplice Squirm the Worm are nearby…

Thankfully he has his trusty comrades to help him navigate through the sticky situations he finds himself in. Whether it be the aid of his Mystical Manual of Magic (or Manny as Moley likes to call him), assurance from the stylish and cultured Mona Lisa, or the innovative inventions presented by his next-door neighbor Dotty and her prestigious uncle Mishmosh, Moley is well equipped with reliable best friends who support him on his journey. Together, Moley and his gang of dependable friends embark on plenty of lively, and sometimes nervy, adventures in their beloved MoleTown!

Moley will be available on POP and the POP Player in the U.K. starting Monday, October 2. The POP Player is available on Freeview Play, YouView, Freesat, Apple TV and on mobile.

September 18, 2023
‘Hilda’ Season 3 to Premiere at Ottawa Int’l Animation Festival

Sony Pictures Television – Kids, producer of the Emmy, BAFTA and Annie Award-winning Netflix series Hilda, in collaboration with Canadian animation studio Mercury Filmworks, will premiere the first two episodes of the series’ third season at the Ottawa International Animation Festival on Thursday, September 21.

Hilda, starring Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us), transforms the Eisner Award-nominated graphic novels by Luke Pearson (published by Nobrow) into an animated adventure for older kids. The series follows the journey of a fearless blue-haired girl, Hilda, as she travels from her home in a vast magical wilderness full of elves and giants to the bustling city of Trolberg, where she makes new friends and discovers mysterious creatures who are stranger — and sometimes more dangerous — than she ever expected.

Hilda originally debuted on Netflix in September 2018, with its second season following in December 2020. Netflix will stream the third and final season (7 x 22’ episodes plus a 70-minute special) starting December 7 of this year.

Luke Pearson and award-winning director Andy Coyle will participate in an Animation Exposé event during the festival to discuss the art of Hilda, including the series’ inspiration in Scandinavian folklore and classic comics; the process of page-to-screen visual adaptation with Mercury Filmworks; and the show’s highly anticipated third and final season. The panel will be moderated by Hilda co-executive producer Bryan Korn.

“The production of Hilda, much like the show’s central storyline, has been a long, winding journey—and a deeply rewarding one at that,” said Kurt Mueller, EVP, Creative Content, Sony Pictures Television – Kids. “Adventures were had, treasures were unearthed, and life-long friends were made. Luke’s novels mapped out a clear path for the show, but thanks to the intrepid imaginations of Luke, our head writer Stephanie Simpson, our director Andy Coyle, and everyone at Mercury, we landed far beyond our original destination—and our wildest hopes for the show.”

“Hilda has been an incredibly rewarding project for Mercury Filmworks, and Sony Kids has been a phenomenal creative partner to bring this beautiful and unique series to life,” stated Chantal Ling, Vice President, Original Series & Co-Productions, Mercury Filmworks. “While it is always tough to see the end of a series that has been so professionally gratifying, we are thrilled to showcase the latest epic adventures of our heroine Hilda in this final season at the Ottawa International Animation Festival and for audiences around the world to be entertained when the series premieres on Netflix later this year.”

September 18, 2023
Welcome to the Dahl House: Netflix Unveils First Look at ‘The Twits’

Fans of Roald Dahl’s The Twits got to meet the delightfully despicable stars of the book’s first-ever screen adaptation today, in a first-look image unveiled by Netflix. Animated by BAFTA, Emmy and Annie Award-winning studio Jellyfish Pictures (The Boss Baby, The Bad Guys), the film is due to release in 2025.

The Twits is written and directed by Academy Award nominee Phil Johnston (Ralph Breaks the Internet, Wreck-It Ralph, Zootopia), and will be the first animated feature in Netflix’s lineup of Dahl adaptations, which kicks off with Wes Anderson’s live-action short The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and will be followed by an animated Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Netflix acquired the Roald Dahl Story Company in September 2021.

Synopsis: Mr. and Mrs. Twit are the meanest, smelliest, nastiest people in the world who also happen to own and operate the most disgusting, most dangerous, most idiotic amusement park in the world, Twitlandia. But when the Twits rise to power in their town, two brave orphans and a family of magical animals are forced to become as tricky as the Twits in order to save the city.

A hysterically funny, wild ride of a film (chock-full of the Twits’ beloved tricks–from the Wormy Spaghetti to the Dreaded Shrinks), The Twits is also a story for our times, about the never-ending battle between cruelty and empathy.

“I’ve always been attracted to reprehensible characters,” says Johnston. “I don’t know what this says about me, and I really don’t want to look into it. Point is, The Twits was my favorite book when I was a kid. I love the Twits and their terrible tricks. I love that they lack self-awareness and personal hygiene and any inkling of human decency. And I love this movie because it reminds us that twits like the Twits, whose default emotions are anger and vengeance, can’t be allowed to win in our world.”

Netflix’s The Twits is being co-directed by Katie Shanahan (Centaurworld) and Todd Demong (head of story, The Addams Family), written by Johnston and Meg Favreau, produced by Jonston and Maggie Malone with Daisy West as co-producer.

September 18, 2023