In this today’s freshly streaming episodes of Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai, fans learn the answer to one of the critters’ greatest secrets: Where did the Mogwai come from? Max has dropped a sneak peek clip from episode six, “Always Buy a God a Drink First,” featuring Golden Globe winner Sandra Oh (Killing Eve, Turning Red, Raya and the Last Dragon, Invincible) as the voice of the goddess Nuwa.
Series Synopsis: Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai takes viewers back to 1920s Shanghai where the Wing family first meets the young Mogwai called Gizmo. Sam Wing (future shop owner Mr. Wing in the 1984 Gremlins film) accepts the dangerous task to take Gizmo home and embarks on a journey through the Chinese countryside. Sam and Gizmo are joined by a teenage street thief named Elle, and together, they encounter — and sometimes battle — colorful monsters and spirits from Chinese folklore. Along their quest, they are pursued by a power-hungry industrialist and his growing army of evil Gremlins.
New episodes now streaming on Max:
S1:E5 “Always Stab or Run” — Everyone’s nerves are tested as Sam, Elle and Gizmo follow Grandpa’s map through a dark, dangerous forest, while Hon and Fong attempt to escape Greene’s ship at the worst possible time.
S1:E6 “Always Buy a God a Drink First” — Upon arriving in a vibrant and bizarre spirit market, our heroes seek help from Gizmo’s creator, but first they must convince her that humans aren’t all bad.
The series voice cast features Ming-Na Wen, James Hong, BD Wong, Matthew Rhys, Izaac Wang and Gabrielle Neveah. In addition to Oh, Season 1 guest stars include Zach Galligan (Billy in the Gremlins films), Randall Park, George Takei and Bowen Yang.
Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai is produced by Amblin Television in association with Warner Bros. Animation. Steven Spielberg serves as executive producer, along with Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey, Presidents of Amblin Television, and Sam Register, President, Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios. Tze Chun serves as showrunner and executive producer. Brendan Hay serves as executive producer with Dan Krall serving as supervising producer. Joe Dante serves as consulting producer.
Black Sands Entertainment, a comic-book publisher dedicated to creating strong Black characters inspired by African history, and Carl Reed’s Composition Media announce a multi-million dollar production deal with the goal of setting a new standard for high-quality content that celebrates African heritage and empowers Black youth. Their first collaboration will be an anime-style TV series adaptation of the comic Black Sands: The Seven Kingdoms.
Black Sands: The Seven Kingdoms is a geopolitical story that follows a young boy named Ausar whose life goal is to rule Kemet. This aspiration leads him on a journey to far-off lands in the ancient world. Along the way, he confronts complicated issues involving wars and ancient gods that seek his death, accompanied by his kinfolk Seth, Auset and Nehbet.
Founded by Manuel and Geiszel Godoy, Black Sands Entertainment announced in November that the company had secured investment from Kevin Hart and Mark Cuban after appearing on entrepreneurial pitch show Shark Tank. The partnership with Composition Media marks the publisher’s first foray into the anime space.
Reed, producer of the Academy Award-winning short Hair Love, launched Composition Media earlier this year as a diverse and forward-thinking animation studio. Composition Media is also developing the 2D animated adult-comedy Bad Grandmas, a feature film co-produced alongside Steve Harvey’s East 112; Sky & Luna, the first movie in an eight-picture slate partnership with Labid Aziz’s PoC Studios and Man of Action Entertainment; and Catapult Feud, a TV series based on the critically acclaimed board game of the same name.
“We’re deeply honored to collaborate with Black Sands Entertainment on such a groundbreaking project,” said Reed. “We have an unparalleled opportunity to breathe life into beloved comic stories through the medium of anime, connecting youth with characters and narratives to which they can relate. This venture extends beyond mere entertainment — it’s about affirming identity and igniting ambition in a generation that rightfully deserves to see themselves portrayed heroically on screen.”
Manuel Godoy, Chief Executive Officer of Black Sands \ Entertainment, added, “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Carl Reed and Composition Media to help us reach a much larger audience and bring our Black Sands comic books to life through anime. This is a major milestone for our company as this partnership will enable us to further fulfill our dream of showing the rich history of our people before slavery, a topic hardly ever mentioned in entertainment today.”
This progressive partnership agreement allows creators control over the developing property along with mutual collaboration during production, combining the creative vision of Black Sands Entertainment with Composition Media’s animation production expertise.
DreamWorks Animation today announced a new horror series, Fright Krewe, bringing animated tales of terror to Hulu and Peacock this year. The 10-episode, 2D series is created by Eli Roth (Hostel, Hemlock Grove) and James Frey (Queen &Slim).
Logline: An ancient prophecy and a Voodoo Queen put misfit teens in charge of saving New Orleans from the biggest demonic threat it’s faced in almost two centuries. But, honestly? Saving the world might be easier than becoming friends.
Roth and Frey serve as series executive producers alongside Joanna Lewis and Kristine Songco; co-exec producers are Shane Acker and Mitchell Smith.
A release date and further details are yet to be announced.
After a busy 2022 that saw the company establish a Film & TV division and unveil several projects adapted from their own IP library, Toronto-based Titan1Studios announced it is spinning off its animation projects into a separate division, dubbed Missing Socks Entertainment. This new Calgary-based studio will be overseen by Titan1Studios Founder & CEO Rathan Moorthy and recently named VP, Content Wes Ambrecht.
“As we began taking projects to market last year, it became clear that there was a real appetite for all types of animation, from buyers and consumers alike” said Ambrecht. “Naturally, this made us ask ourselves what a Titan1Studios animated series might look like, and quickly it became clear that the projects we were developing represented a brand onto themselves. I’m ecstatic we’re finally at a place where we can introduce the world to Missing Socks!”
Luke Azevedo, VP Creative Industries, Operations & Film Commissioner at Calgary Economic Development, commented, “We are pleased to welcome Titan1Studios’ Missing Socks Entertainment to the Calgary ecosystem. Their vast knowledge of entertainment technology, Original IP development, and the commercial market globally will be a definite asset as we grow and develop the Digital Media & Entertainment industry in Calgary.”
Moorthy added, “We are thrilled to bring our real-time technology toolkit and slate of animated intellectual property to our new Calgary home. For the last six months we have explored multiple regions of Canada, and Calgary consistently ranked at the top of the list for quality of life, affordability of housing and a passionate growing tech ecosystem. We couldn’t be happier to be part of the energy that is Calgary.”
The first projects in the works at the new studio have been announced, representing a trio of adult animation projects spanning different genres and styles:
Modern Rogues: Call to Action
An animated fish out of water action-comedy following real-life oddball YouTubers (Brian Brushwood and Jason Murphy) as they venture into the dangerous world of international espionage at the behest of a secret government agency… because sometimes the person you least expect turns out to be the right rogue for the job. The series will be written by Merrill Barr, with Andy Sipes and Matt Mariska (Dallas & Robo, Code Monkeys) as showrunners.
The project represents the evolution of The Modern Rogue brand, an independent scripted reality series with more than 1.4 million subscribers on YouTube, created by Brushwood and Murphy (Hacking the System). Brushwood and Murphy will executive produce and voice star in the new series, which also features actor Greg Grunberg (Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Star Trek Beyond,Heroes, Duster) as a producer and the voice of the pair’s government handler.
Dragons & Warts
Written by Daniel Callaghan & Luke Watson (Medical Marijuana Man), Dragons & Warts is a half-hour adult animated workplace comedy set in a medieval fantasy world.
In the walled city of Bevnae, Lord and Lady Lesterson rule over a fiefdom of misfits and malcontents. As lesser royalty, they’re middle management in the Queen’s greater realm. To maintain their station, they must hold the Queen’s favor, which means relying on their management skills and the collective effort of their people — a congregation of colorful characters just trying to get by in a world without running water, labor laws, and insurance against acts of wizards or dragon fire.
WTF! Wrestling the Federation
Created by puppeteer & writer Kanja Chen (Fraggle Rock) and to be showrun by Atul Rao (Deepa & Anoop, Press Start!, Apollo’s Pad), a rollicking animated half-hour workplace comedy set against Calgary’s most middling wrestling promotion circa 1980-something.
The series follows the adventures of Jay Champion, a small town, Amish grappler, and his group of friends, as they deal with the cutthroat world of professional wrestling. Body slamming bears, accidentally flashing the neighbors, getting into neighborhood “turf wars” and trying to wrestle with a teammate that would sooner piledrive you than actually help you, is all in a regular day for the wrestlers of the WTF!
All three of the projects will include interactive components — in the case of WTF, an arcade action brawler was recently approved for Canada Media Fund support.
Gaumont Animation and Studio 100 Media, two award-winning, international animation production and distribution companies, today announced a first-look pact. The agreement will see the two studios collaborate through co-productions and distribution of animated kids’ & family TV series and films.
With immediate effect, the pact allies Gaumont Animation, the producer of the Peabody and multiple Emmy Award-winning series Stillwater (Apple TV+), Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles (Netflix) and Do, Re & Mi (Prime Video), and Studio 100 Media, the home of hit series and movies such as Maya The Bee, Vic the Viking, Heidi and Mia and Me, to bring animated content to audiences worldwide.
“We are thrilled to embark on this global partnership with Studio 100 Media,” said Terry Kalagian, Gaumont’s newly appointed President Global Animation, Kids & Family. “By combining our strengths and leveraging our collective experience, we are poised to deliver compelling and high-quality animated content that resonates with audiences across the globe.”
Martin Krieger, CEO of Studio 100 Media, added, “Our collective experience and strengths will garner exceptional opportunities to create powerful diverse series and films that will inspire and captivate viewers worldwide. This collaboration opens new avenues for creative synergies, and we are delighted to enter into this groundbreaking partnership with Gaumont.”
Through this strategic first look arrangement, Gaumont Animation and Studio 100 Media will engage in co-productions, working together to develop and produce TV series and films. The first co-production is the animated series Ash in collaboration with bigchild Entertainment. The partnership between Gaumont and Studio 100 Media is expected to yield multiple project announcements throughout the year.
This alliance also presents an opportunity to leverage Studio 100 Media’s distribution arm, amplifying the reach and impact of the jointly produced content. Tiny Head, an animated co-production between Gaumont Animation and Cloudco Entertainment, is one of the first projects which will benefit from the newly formed partnership.
The Venture Bros. are back in an all-new original movie picking up right after the events from the Season 7! Based off one of Adult Swim’s longest-running, award-winning original animated series, The Venture Bros.: Radiant Is the Blood of the Baboon Heartwill be available to purchase Digitally on July 21 (SRP $19.99) and on Blu-ray on July 25 ($29.98 U.S./$39.99 Canada).
Synopsis: Doc’s latest invention will either bankrupt Team Venture or launch them to new heights, as Hank searches for himself, Dean searches for Hank, The Monarch searches for answers, and a mysterious woman from their pasts threatens to bring their entire world crashing down on them.
Returning in their original series roles are James Urbaniak (The Fabelmans) as Dr. Venture, Patrick Warburton (Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events) as Brock Samson, Michael Sinterniklaas (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) as Dean Venture, Chris McCulloch (Superjail!) as Hank Venture and Doc Hammer as Dr. Mrs. The Monarch.
Also featured in the voice cast are Nina Arianda (Being the Ricardos) as Mantilla, Clancy Brown (John Wick: Chapter 4) as Red Death, John Hodgman (Up Here) as Snoopy, Hal Lublin (Welcome to Night Vale) as Clayton, Jane Lynch (Glee) as Bobbi St. Simone, Charles Parnell (Top Gun: Maverick) as Jefferson Twilight, Jay Pharoah (Spinning Gold) as Nuno Blood, Steven Rattazzi (New Amsterdam) as Dr. Orpheus, JK Simmons (Whiplash) as Ben and Dana Snyder (Aqua Teen Hunger Force) as The Alchemist.
From Adult Swim, Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment and Titmouse, series creators Doc Hammer and Jackson Publick wrote and executive produced, and Publick directed. Executive producers also include Chris Prynoski (The Legend of Vox Machina), Shannon Prynoski (Fairfax), Antonio Canobbio (Arlo the Alligator Boy) and Ben Kalina (Big Mouth).
Special Features:
Commentary by co-creators Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer
Jackson and Doc Answer Fan Questions (Commentary)
Hodgman and Friends (Featurette) – John Hodgman digs deep with Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer to learn more about the making of Radiant Is the Blood of the Baboon Heart and untold tales about their series.
The Venture Bros. originally premiered on Adult Swim August 7, 2004 and ran for seven seasons winning numerous awards including Best Animated TV Series Award at Cineme 2003 at the Chicago International Animated Film Festival
The Venture Bros. Radiant is the Blood of the Baboon Heart will be available July 21 from Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu and more. Blu-ray will be available July 25 to purchase online and in-store at major retailers. Catch up ahead of the movie with The Venture Bros.: The Complete Series.
The 16th edition of Fest Anča International Animation Festival will take place during the first summer holiday weekend, from June 29 to July 2 in the riverside city of Žilina, Slovakia. The theme of this year’s festival is “Utopias,” and visitors can look forward to a rich selection of Slovak and foreign animated films and a diverse accompanying program.
Highlights include screenings of award-winning director Marta Pajek’s Impossible Figurestrilogy as well as René Laloux’s cult sci-fi feature Fantastic Planet.
Fantastic Planet
Families with children will also find something they like, as Fest Anča has prepared a generous lineup of events for them. The festival will also host the second edition of the unique Student Forum, which creates space for discussion between schools and animation students.
“The world we live in today is not perfect — it is full of fear and hatred, and that it’s so far from the ideal affects us deeply,” says Jakub Spevák, the program director and focus curator. “That’s why we’re focusing on utopias at this year’s Fest Anča. It is important in today’s polarized world to allow ourselves to dream of new, often unattainable worlds.”
Fest Anča in Focus
The festival’s theme is interwoven throughout the film and non-film program. A curated collection of animated shorts will look at utopias from the perspective of the climate crisis and capitalism, as well as from the perspective of the queer experience and gender equality. The audience will have the opportunity to watch a duel between dystopia and utopia, as well as an attempt to deconstruct them.
The six screenings, with titles such as The Garden of Earthly Delights, Still Waiting for Godot, Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Imagining the Impossible will be complemented by discussions with personalities related to the presented themes. Guests will include activist Roman Samotný, visual and conceptual artist Jozef Pilát and dancer Monika Prikkelová.
The Masterclass will be given by Polish animator Marta Pajek, who will also present her recently completed trilogy Impossible Figures and Other Stories. The highly acclaimed three-part work is a complex, layered portrait of a woman in the context of society, family and a romantic relationship, and its focus fits right in with the theme of this year’s festival.
“Even though ‘utopia’ literally means ‘no place,’ we hope to create a real sanctuary where everyone feels safe and welcome. A place that is fairer and more inclusive. A place to call home,” adds Spevák.
This year’s festival visual, once again created by graphic designer Marek Menke, also follows the theme.
Impossible Figures and Other Stories I
Past Utopias
Utopias also mean a certain look back at the past. On its 60th anniversary, the Slovak Film Institute has prepared a series of films called Archaeology of the Future, which explores and largely foreshadows our society’s development. Similarly, the Animation Studio at the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, so as part of the program of the 16th Fest Anča, attendees can look forward to student films that have shaped the school into what it is today.
This year’s program will feature a selection of films from the Poland’s Studio Filmów Rysunkowych, which is famous for its films for children (such as Bolek and Lolek or Reksio) and its original films for adults. The section will also focus on utopias and feature diverse films, such as one about a rocket that can’t fly away or another about a shell that transports you to an idyllic past.
Chronopolis
Feature Films
The selection of feature films is also curated in the spirit of depicting utopian worlds. Audiences can look forward to two animated science fiction classics: Chronopolis (Piotr Kamler, 1982) is set in a futuristic city inhabited by powerful immortals who are bored with the idea of eternity, and so they start playing with time. Visitors will be able to enjoy this film with a unique musical accompaniment. The Czechoslovakian co-production Fantastic Planet (René Laloux, 1973) is a story of the distant world of Ygam, inhabited by all-powerful masters and their slaves. The film celebrates its fiftieth anniversary this year. Both films can be screened thanks to the French Institute in Slovakia.
This year’s selection of feature films also includes the Hungarian-Slovak co-production White Plastic Sky, which was recently screened at the Berlinale Film Festival and tells the story of a dystopian future. Audiences can also look forward to Dozens of Norths, which finds light even in the darkest places. The film is a personal exploration from director Koji Yamamura, who was honored as a special guest at Festa Anča 2018. Also worth mentioning is Away by Latvian artist Gints Zilbalodis, which can be considered an adventure story for children aged 10 and up, but also an existential drama that will be more appreciated by an adult audience.
Children and their parents are in for a treat with the Slovak feature film The Websters Movie, directed by Katarina Kerekesova, as well as Yuku and the Flower of the Himalayas, about a little mouse named Yuku who embarks on an adventurous journey in search of a flower capable of bringing eternal light. The day before the festival (Wednesday, June 28), there will also be a screening of Oink, a stop-motion family film about a nine-year-old girl named Babs who receives a little pig as a present from her grandfather.
Yuku and the Flower of the Himalayas
Official Selection & Juries
Almost 1,400 films were submitted to the 16th Fest Anča International Animation Festival, from which the pre-selection committee selected 230 to screen in competition. “We are delighted that they will be evaluated directly at the festival by jurors who are among the leading personalities of contemporary domestic and international animation,” says festival director Ivana Sujová.
The Best Animated Short Film and Best Student Animated Short Film will be selected by Malte Stein, an independent animation filmmaker based in Berlin, who won the main prize at last year’s Fest Anča with his film Thing. He will be accompanied by the Taiwanese director Cheng-hsu Chung, also based in Berlin, whose film An Eternal Vacation of Happiness will be featured in one of this year’s Utopias blocks. The trio of jurors will be completed by director, artist, and animator Joanna Kozuch, who co-created the last year’s visual for Fest Anča. Chung, also based in Berlin, whose film An Eternal Vacation of Happiness will be featured in one of this year’s Utopias blocks. The trio of jurors will be completed by director, artist and animator Joanna Kozuch, who co-created the last year’s visual for Fest Anča.
The Mayor’s Anča Award for the Best Slovak Animated Short Film worth €1,000 will be decided by: the director, musician and artistic director of the World Festival of Animated Film – Animafest Zagreb Daniel Šuljić; Czech-Vietnamese director, artist and graduate of FAMU in Prague Diana Cam Van Nguyen; and expert in the field of animation studies, film studies and cultural theory Olga Bobrowska.
The Best Animated Music Video will be selected by a trio consisting of Luce Grosjean, a distributor of animated films successful at festivals around the world; Marek Menke, a graphic designer and DJ, in charge of the visual identity of Fest Anča since 2020; and the aforementioned Marta Pajek.
Accompanying Program
In addition to the animated films on offer, visitors can enjoy an accompanying program of concerts, DJ sets and discussions, which will also resonate with the Utopia theme. Concerts and parties will take place just like in previous years on the premises of the Žilina-Záriečie Station and the New Synagogue. The festival will include an Industry section conference for local animation professionals at the Rosenfeld Palace.
Musical performances will feature San Farafina, a Montreal-based Haitian-Canadian DJ, producer and member of the Moonshine crew; Vanyfox, a 22-year-old DJ and beatmaker originally from Angola, who is currently moving between Lisbon and Paris; Milanese sound artist Marco Farina, a.k.a. Canva6; and repping the local scene, Vojtik, a queer, Roma artist from Detva who has lit up the Slovak alt scene with his single “Detviansky sen.” Other featured artists includeDJ GÄP, Adela Mede, Kult Masek, elastix and Dead Janitors presents Stroke.
In the panels and lectures program, jury member Olga Bobrowska, a film scholar working in the field of animation and cultural theory who is also an activist and a curator, will talk about utopias in animation. Tadeáš Žďárský will give a lecture about degrowth economics. Experienced creatives will explore engaging storytelling Príbehom na stope, entering the “princesses arena”. Visitors can also look forward to Animation director and illustrator Martin Smatana‘s exhibition at the New Synagogue, named The Year of Good News 2022. Smatana has collected positive stories from around the world over the past year, to which he has also created images from second-hand textiles. A Year of Good News has also been published as a book.
The 2ndStudent Forum, which will take place on June 27 in the New Synagogue, is a unique platform for European animation schools, providing space for students and teachers to compare approaches to teaching, distribution of student films or international collaborations, and bring students together with professionals. The festival organizers aim to make the Student Forum a permanent part of the festival and to continuously support the development of educational practices, school collaborations and the practical experiences they offer.
The Websters Movie
For the Children
This year, the Fest Anča team has again prepared a program for children and their parents, full of remarkable film experiences, engaging theatre performances and moments spent in a creative and stimulating environment.
The international competition of short animated films for children will present up to eight original films created in the last two years. One can’t-miss title is the comedy T-Rex, created by German director Julie Ocker, about a dinosaur who can’t play basketball. On the other hand, the Swiss short film Pond presents the unknown world of the inhabitants of an (extra)ordinary pond.
Two sections of non-competitive films are also waiting for the kids. In the first one, Cat and Moth presents a humorous story about a fluffy white cat who just wants to find the most comfortable resting place in the whole universe. In the second, take a closer look at the tiny world beneath our feet in Ant March and make friends with everyday road signs in Sign Up!. The Animation Studio of the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava has also prepared a dedicated block of films for children at Fest Anča.
Young visitors can also look forward to a reading with no age limit called My Utopia. Or, enjoy a performance by the New Theatre from Nitra called Kocúr v čižmách, about how not all that glitters is gold, but goodness never loses its sparkle. Children and their parents will be able to immerse themselves in the Kruhy vody with the aforementioned Príbehom na stope storytelling troupe. Through the readings of exciting stories, they will discover the world of water goblins, water and everything connected with water.
The Biennial Animation Bratislava (BAB) festival will prepare a workshop called Tvory z Utópie during the festival Sunday at the Municipal Theatre Žilina, where curious boys and girls can learn the basics of stop motion animation.
The International Animation Festival Fest Anča 2023 is financially supported by the Audiovisual Fund. The festival was financially supported by the LITA Fund. The Fest Anča Student Forum received a grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants.
Canadian comedy icon Bruce McCulloch will take a leading role in Lakeside Animation’s new adult comedy, Paralegal.
The series follows Jerry, an eager to please junior lawyer, who teams up with Luther, a recently deceased, super-slick attorney to create a law firm catering to ghosts. With the help of the legal and supernatural experts in Jerry’s own immediate family, they work together to right the wrongs that were done to their clients, living and/or dead. McCulloch will voice Jerry’s nemesis Marlon Brisk, a local crime lord and spirit medium.
“So excited to be a part of this. What a unique and funny world created by such a talented group of people,” said McCulloch.
Matt Lyon, CCO of Lakeside Animation, added, “We are thrilled about Bruce’s involvement in Paralegal. He’s a comedy legend, a national treasure and he brings such an incredible energy to the show.”
Paralegal is created by Tim Blair (Tallboyz), Jeremy Dobski (Just For Laughs) and Matt Lyon (Arctic Dogs).
Iouri Stepanov, Owner/Executive Producer of Lakeside, and Aron Dunn, Chief Content Officer, will be presenting the project to networks, platforms, distributors and financiers at the Annecy Festival. The project is in active development. A fully illustrated pitch deck and pilot script are available. Lakeside plans to produce an animated teaser that will be available at MIPCOM in October.
Located in North Bay, Ontario, Lakeside Animation specializes in developing content, offering pre-production and post-production services to clients. Working in a variety of genres, Lakeside has collaborated with studios all over the world. Current projects include the horror anthology Red Iron Road.
Raphaelle Mathieu, an industry veteran with two decades of experience in the distribution and production of audiovisual content, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer of Cyber Group Studios. She succeeds Dominique Bourse, who was named Chairman and CEO of the company in February 2023.
Mathieu, a company board member, has held various positions within Cyber Group Studios, including Director of Sales, Acquisitions, and New Media, and most recently, Executive Vice-President. Before joining Cyber Group Studios in 2016, Mathieu served as General Delegate of SEDPA (French Association of Distributors).
“For seven years, [Raphaelle] has successfully developed our international distribution activity and played a key role in financing our series as well as in the development of our commercial activity. She will now second me in managing the group,” said Bourse. “Our focus is on accelerating the launch of global franchises and growing our development, production, distribution platforms, and digital activity in strategic and innovative ways, so that we can offer even richer and more immersive experiences. Raphaelle’s knowledge of our industry combined with her entrepreneurial skills and experience with institutional relations will be key to helping us continue to fulfill our ambitious roadmap. As we expand our reach, we’re also stepping into the young adult series arena, and reinforcing our dedication to supporting third-party projects through production and distribution activities.”
“It is with immense pride that I take on the role of Chief Operating Officer at Cyber Group Studios, reporting to Dominique Bourse,” said Mathieu. I will put all my determination and passion into closely collaborating with and providing solid support for each pillar of our organization, to help bring our roadmap to fruition. Together, we will work to deliver Premium, varied, and innovative content for children, families, and young
adults around the world, to enjoy across many platforms for years to come.”
Belinda Blacklock
Belinda Blacklock has joined Modern Magic, the media company founded by Oscar winner Rodney Rothman (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) and former MGM Co-President of Production Adam Rosenberg, as Vice President of Animation. In this new role she will find, develop and produce animated film and television projects. The move comes as Modern Magic continues to grow after signing a first-look animated broadcast deal with Fox and a first-look live-action feature deal with Sony Pictures.
Blacklock began her career as an animation producer working at the Oscar- and Emmy-winning animation studio Passion Pictures in London before moving to the U.S. in 2009 to set up Passion’s New York studio, which she helmed for seven years. In 2016 she moved to Los Angeles to join the VFX powerhouse Electric Theatre Collective, where she established and ran their sister company, Friends Electric.
During her career, Blacklock has worked on a number of feature documentaries, such as Black Sun and In the Shadow of the Moon, which won the World Cinema Audience Awardat the Sundance Film Festival. She has also produced multiple videos for Paul McCartney and The Beatles. She has received numerous awards including the Gold Lion, a D&AD award, a Clio, and was part of the team nominated for a Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Interactive Program for the Game of Thrones 360 Main Title.
Sarah Wall
Doberman Pictures announced the appointment of Sarah Wall to the newly created position of Head of Production, effective immediately. Wall will have responsibilities for all titles
in Doberman’s growing production slate.
“This is a fabulous opportunity to work more closely with our talented crew and clients,” said Wall. “After over 20 years in the business, I still get excited seeing shows come to life. I’m grateful to continue the journey at Doberman.”
The Vancouver-based studio specializes in preproduction on kids’ animation series. Founded in 2018 by animation veterans and staffed by a roster of 100 artists, Doberman’s credits include Not Quite Narwhal, Rhyme Time Town and Gabby’s Dollhouse — all for DreamWorks Animation and Netflix.
Mark Benson
Technicolor Creative Studios announced that Mark Benson, former SVP, has been appointed President of The Mill, its business line dedicated to the production of advertising, branded content and interactive marketing solutions. With last years’ merger complete, Benson is charged with leading the business forward as it explores new forms of creative expression for clients and brands.
The Mill (VFX) and The Mill+ (Creative Production, Design, Experience) activities will now work and report into the regional studios’ respective MDs, who in turn will report to Benson.
“In my new role, I will focus on empowering The Mill’s creative, technology and production talent — creating a new legacy for the future. Mill colleagues will have the opportunity to thrive in varied creative environments thanks to our studios around the world in Amsterdam, Bangalore, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, New York, Paris, Seoul, and Shanghai. I am very excited about the unlimited potential for The Mill to continue to be a thought leader and trailblazer across the globe.”
Recent work showcasing the studio’s tech potential include The Mill+ / The Mill collaboration on HBO’s House of the DragonDracARys augmented reality app. In addition, the VFX team created a series of 2D and 3D billboards for New York’s Times Square, London’s Piccadilly Circus and Melbourne’s Bourke Street Mall.
Alistair Wilson
Award-winning experience design company Imagination has appointed Alistair Wilson to the newly created role of Managing Director, Melbourne — rejoining the office that he helped establish more than 12 years ago. Wilson will report to Antony Gowthorp, MD of Imagination Australia. Wilson is moving from his current role, MD of Imagination Detroit and Global Lead of Imagination’s longest standing and largest global account, Ford Motor Company, which he held for five years. He is relocating with his family to his home in Melbourne at the end of the year.
The appointment reflects accelerated growth in South East Asia and Oceania through Imagination’s offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Singapore, building on existing long-standing client relationships with ANZ, AWS, Commonwealth Bank, Macquarie Bank and Telstra, as well as an expanding portfolio of newer clients. Wilson and Gowthorp will work closely with the recently appointed Head of Growth, Justine Carr on new business planning, development and execution.
During his tenure leading Imagination Detroit, Wilson built a team which created and produced a series of experiences for Ford, including the buzzy launch campaign for the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning. Since 2020, the team won over 35 industry awards, many recognizing Imagination’s commitment toracial equality and finding solutions to make schools and communities safer from gun violence, an initiative Wilson spearheaded following a series of tragic school shootings in his Michigan community.
Kristen Colle
Motion graphic and 3D animation studio Radical Point Media has made two executive appointments. Helmed by Founder and Creative Director Kirk Hipkiss, the company caters to the television and streaming community, in addition to servicing film and digital VFX.
Kristen Colle has been elevated from Director of Content to Director of Operations. In this position, she will shepherd client relations, budgets, team and project management, among other responsibilities for the company. Part of the RPM team since 2018, Colle brings two decades of production experience from nature documentaries to real estate formats and food competition series (Curse of The Frozen Gold; Live Here, Buy This; Brother vs Brother) to her new position. She has held various leadership roles with successful production companies like JV Productions, Cineflix Productions and Scott Brothers Entertainment.
Warner Bros. Discovery alum Micheal McCray has been hired on as Director of Creative Innovation. McCray brings 20 years of experience in 3D animation, art direction and client relations to his role at RPM, and will spearhead the studio’s creative content innovation and expansion efforts, including the identification and implementation of new, bespoke tech solutions. He previously served as art director at Warner Bros. Discovery, a title he held through both the 2022 merger as well as Discovery’s acquisition of Scripps in 2018. During his tenure, he oversaw motion design and 3D animation for show titles and episodic graphics across such networks as HGTV, Food Network, Science Channel, Discovery Channel and Magnolia.
Heike Mozer
Film- und Medienfestival gGmbH (FMF), the primary organizer of the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film (ITFS), welcomes Heike Mozer as its new Managing Director as of June 1. She succeeds Uwe Schmitz-Gielsdorf, who has been managing FMF on an interim basis since October 2022.
Mozer has a degree in administration and has been working at Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg since 1991, where she took over the commercial management of Animationsinstitut in 2002. At the same time, she contributed to the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film in the field of event management from 1991 to 1998 and was project manager of FMX – Film & Media Exchange between 2015 and 2020. She is thus experienced in the realisation of large-scale events and very well-connected in the regional, national, and international animation scenes.
“To welcome the world of animated film in all its facets and to create personal encounters between audiences and artists — that is what I am looking forward to. With the competent team at my side, I am also looking forward to further develop the ITFS and guide it into the future,” said Mozer.
Wind Sun Sky Entertainment, the Ontario Water Centre educational charity and its ClearWater Farm social enterprise announce today the Potatoverse, a new multi-platform digital universe designed to help children counter climate “doomism” with hope, inspiration and empowerment to build a better future.
The Potatoverse revolves around a time-travelling, eco-superhero chicken named Potato, also known as “Future Chicken.” Featuring a variety of entertaining and educational experiences for young change-makers, geared primarily for kids aged six to 10 years old, the project is set to formally launch in September 2023 under the Future Chicken global brand.
Potato, named for her love of potato peels, travels back and forth from the year 2050 and reveals how today’s ideas, including those from kids, have taken hold in a better future. She journeys with her diverse group of loveable Planet Protectors including an electric catfish fascinated by fascinators, a joke-cracking egg with rocket pants for flight, a soil connoisseur worm and an eco-detective mushroom with a passion for cyclical regeneration. Together, they help kids understand that even small actions can lead to big and lasting positive effects for the planet.
Annabel Slaight
Catherine Winder
Two Canadian media pioneers are behind the initiative: Annabel Slaight, founding chair of the Ontario Water Centre and co-founder of the OWL kids’ magazines, books and television brand that reaches more than 60 million families, and Catherine Winder, CEO of multimedia production company Wind Sun Sky Entertainment Inc., a brand-builder and entrepreneur who has worked with properties such as Star Wars: Clone Wars, Angry Birds, Ice Age and Invincible.
Working with a team of global creators, technologists, educators and storytellers, Slaight and Winder built the Potatoverse around a “flywheel” of entry points to digital content starring Potato and the Planet Protectors that helps kids learn on the platforms they choose. Multi-platform experiences include hundreds of animated 30 to 60-second videos, and an initial series called The Future Chicken Today Show that uses game engine animation technology to enable Potato to interview climate experts, celebrities and kids taking positive steps to help the planet.
The initiative also includes games on Roblox, a podcast for families to listen to together and a website hub where kids, parents and teachers can connect. These immersive experiences are designed to engage children across interconnected platforms and nurture an appreciation and curiosity about the wonders of nature and outdoor exploration.
“By providing kids with an optimistic lens, the Potatoverse ‘Future Chicken’ universe holds transformative potential to help the next generation become innovators who will make a lasting impact on our planet,” say Winder and Slaight.”By empowering kids to explore their own ideas while fostering a deep connection with nature, Potatoverse will be a forum for kids to contribute meaningfully as catalysts for positive change. We are filling the hope gap for children when it comes to the future. But as it should be for kids, play and fun is at the heart of everything we are doing.”
The Potatoverse is set to launch in September 2023. The co-creators are pursuing additional support from individuals, foundations or corporations.
Mangouste Anim is charting a course to the Annecy Festival and MIFA market with Trimaros, an original 26 x 26 min. animated series about the magic of sailing. DADA! Animation has been tapped to assist in visual development and producing a teaser for the show, which also aims to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our oceans with young viewers.
With the support of the Beneteau Foundation, Trimaros was created by Mangouste Anim with the intention of inspiring children aged 6-10 with the thrill of seafaring, making the pastime more accessible and offering them the chance to embark on heroic adventures across five oceans and iconic bays around the world.
“Races and regattas are full of adventures and breathtaking escapades for girls and boys, and we want to bring this concept to life through vivid animation and powerful storytelling exploiting the tremendous potential of young skippers sailing all over the world in futuristic convertible boats,” said series creator and Mangouste Anim CEO Caroline Cornot.
Synopsis: Fifteen-year-old Alizée Keravel is one of the best skippers in the world. Aboard the Trimaros, her futuristic convertible boat, the young girl sets off on the Wind Ocean Race, the greatest sailing race of all time. Alizée’s goal? Win the race to save her family and her boat: the Trimaros. The challenges will be thrilling, the dangers many and the opponents tough, both on the surface … and below.
DADA! Animation is overseeing the entire creation of the teaser, from asset modelling to final rendering, which is underway in real-time 3D under the creative direction of Jean-Luc François (The Mysterious Cities of Gold).
“We are very proud to be working on this innovative project as the service studio and are grateful to Mangouste Anim for trusting us to bring their vision to life,” commented Jérôme Mouscadet, Co-Founder of DADA! Animation.
For more information on Trimaros, visit the Mangouste Anim MIFA stand (F12) from 13-16 June.
DADA! Animation will also be represented at the Real-Time & AI: A Game Changer for the Animation Industry MIFA Conference, where Quentin Auger, Co-Founder and Head of Innovation at DADA! Animation, will join other industry professionals to share his expertise and outlook on real-time and generative AI advancement in the animation film industry.
In addition to launching its service project Trimaros with Mangouste, DADA! Animation will showcase two additional animated projects during Annecy/MIFA:
French Patisserie French Patisserie is a gourmet family animated documentary that tells the remarkable story of France’s sweet gastronomy. The documentary was produced in partnership with chef Gaël Clavière who has served as the head pastry chef of the French Prime Minister for 17 years at the Hôtel Matignon. French Patisserie takes readers on a scrumptious journey through some well-known French culinary creations, from the addictive saga of the world-famous Macaron to the conception of the Paris-Brest in tribute to a cycling race at the Belle Epoque.
Target: Family Format: 30 x 7′ Technique: 3D/2D Animation Genre: Animated documentary Production: DADA! Animation Status: In development
Mekka Nikki
In another galaxy and in another time … a tyrant known as the Face has seized power over humans with the help of robots. Nikki Hanno is a rebellious teenager whose body is gradually mechanizing. In search of a cure for her mechanization, Nikki will revolt against this dictatorship.
To find out more about Mekka Nikki, visit Square Fish and DADA! Animation at the Belgium Pavilion MIFA stand (F12) from 13-16 June.
Target: Kids and teens aged 13+ Format: 10 x 12′ (Season 1) Technique: 3D/2D Animation Genre: Sci-fi adventure Production: DADA! Animation and SquareFish Status: In development
Today, Corus Entertainment announces its upcoming lineup of new and returning premium original content for 2023/2024. This includes a total of 25 new and returning series, with 11 titles from Corus Studios and eight from kids & family studio Nelvana.
“Corus continues to produce the best Canadian content for our great channels and to delight audiences around the world. Our ever-growing slate of original content entices viewers with diverse scripted and unscripted series, which showcase real-life experiences, engaging storylines, and Canadian talent who are leaders in their industries,” said Colin Bohm, Executive Vice President, Content and Corporate Strategy, Corus Entertainment. “Through Corus Studios, Nelvana, Aircraft Pictures, Waterside Studios and our esteemed production partners, we are proud of our upcoming slate of new titles and tried-and-true formats, sure to delight audiences.”
Nelvana is an international producer and distributor of children’s animated and live-action content, with programming seen in over 180 countries around the world. This year, the studio has slated eight new and returning series coming soon to Corus’ leading kids’ networks, Treehouse and YTV.
Animation highlights include:
Best & Bester
YTV
Best & Bester(6 x 30′) returns with the pair of hilariously individual twins continuing their adventures living in a weird and wonderful alternate reality where your neighbor could be a pair of disgruntled trousers or your best friend a floating cloud of bottom burp.
Builder Brothers’ Dream Factory
Treehouse
Treehouse original series Builder Brothers Dream Factory gets ready to “gear up and get it done” with new episodes (10 x 11′) beginning this fall. Distributed by Nelvana and co-produced by Sinking Ship Entertainment and Scott Brothers Entertainment, twin brothers Drew and Jonathan continue to use their extraordinary imagination, creativity, grit, and heart — coupled with a big dose of twinspiration to help friends and solve problems in the neighborhood by dreaming big.
Fans of the Thomas & Friends franchise can look forward to a new special with the beloved engines in Thomas & Friends: The Great Bubbly Build airing this fall. The 30-minute special sees Sandy and Carly set out to make an art project together, but when their ideas clash and the project fails, they learn that it needs the right mix of both ideas to succeed.
Agent Binky: Pets of the Universe
Agent Binky: Pets of the Universe Season 3 continues(10 x 30′) withmore fur-raising adventures on Treehouse this summer and fall. Produced by redknot, a joint venture between Nelvana and Warner Bros. Discovery, P.U.R.S.T. agents Binky, Gracie, Gordon, Loo and Nola are ready to soar into new adventures and protect their human families and the entire world from even more aliens, robots and the WURST villains. Packed with action, humor and heart, the third season features fun-themed episodes and missions that are literally out-of-this-world.
This fall also sees the premiere of Nelvana short film Jelly, an inspirational modern fairy tale. The 13-minute film follows Molly, a fiercely talented artist, debating whether to pursue her creative passion or work a soul-sucking factory job. She can’t decide until she meets a mysterious liquid spirit who takes her on an exhilarating journey of self-discovery and helps make the choice easy.
Next summer, the Nelvana-produced series Millie Magnificent(52 x 11′) premieres, inspired by Canadian author-illustrator Ashley Spires’ popular children’s book, The Most Magnificent Thing, published by Kids Can Press. With a spark of imagination and endless determination, Millie and her Creato-crew friends, Maya and Ben, together with her adorable canine assistant, Wallace, strive to find the most magnificent solutions to their neighborhood’s challenges.
As part of Corus’ expansive distribution strategy, its originals portfolio extends to streaming with the latest episodes available on STACKTV. The portal featured 16 of Canada’s top TV networks, including animation desinations Treehouse, YTV, Adult Swim, Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior.
The recently launched IBERMEDIA NEXT initiative is headed to Annecy, to take part in the world’s biggest dedicated animation event. The call for applications for grants backed by the Ibermedia Program is included in the festival schedule, offering a chance for the professional community to glean in-depth details about how the boost for Ibero-American animation works.
During the Annecy Festival and MIFA, IBERMEDIA NEXT will present an explanatory conference on the grants, which will be held on Thursday, June 15 at 5:15 p.m. in the Salle Verdi and will be followed by a networking cocktail reception at which attendees will be able to discover more about the grants and their details.
The program has also scheduled two invitation-only themed breakfasts at the festivals’ technology area. These will be held on June 13 and 15, between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. The Next Lab Generation conference on June 16 at 11 a.m. in Salon Haendel will also feature a slot dedicated to IBERMEDIA NEXT.
Representatives of IBERMEDIA NEXT and its promoting entities will also be available for meetings and gatherings, such as the Argentina–Italy meeting that has already been scheduled. All professionals who would like to get in touch with the IBERMEDIA NEXT managers present at Annecy can contact info@ibermedianext.com.
Rules, information and entry forms for the IBERMEDIA NEXT initiative are available at ibermedianext.com.
Prospective applicants must be signed up for IBERMEDIA NEXT PLAZA (ibermedianext.com/ibermedia-next-plaza), a free industry networking platform where companies from Spain, Italy and Portugal can get in touch with other companies and creators from all the member states of the IBERMEDIA Program.
Newly launched production and distribution company Wonderworld.Fun, established and under the direction of kids’ veteran Mevelyn Noriega in partnership with Kintop Pictures, Redefine (part of the DNEG Group) and Prime Focus Studios, announced the appointment of Emilie Pasquet as Vice President of Distribution & Co-Production. Joining the company with immediate effect and based in France, Pasquet’s role will see her heading sales internationally and growing the catalog through acquisitions and co-productions together with CEO Noriega.
Pasquet brings formidable experience in programming and production to the new post, having worked for companies such as Studio RedFrog, Bejuba! Entertainment, Mondo TV and BRB Internacional, where she was responsible for overseeing the acquisitions, distribution and co-productions of animated series. With her international background and solid track record, Pasquet has garnered a deep appreciation and comprehensive understanding of the diversity of cultures, forging relationships with global partners and establishing informed respect.
Wonderworld.Fun was established with the goal of pushing the boundaries of animation storytelling and technology, with a focus on creating, producing and distributing innovative, premium content. The company is ready to unveil three new comedy-action-adventure, CGI-animated kids’ projects at the MIFA in Annecy this month:
Based on the award-winning chapter book series of the same name, Secret Agent: Jack Stalwart (formatted as two seasons, each 14 half hours) is an adventure-packed, animated series filled with gadgets that takes viewers on exciting adventures around the world. Jack Stalwart, a spirited, inexperienced but brave nine-year-old secret agent travels the world solving mysteries, righting wrongs, while searching for his missing brother and fellow secret agent Max!
Walk Off the Earth in Space!(14 half hours) is an epic action-comedy that tells the tale of the human band Walk Off the Earth. Unbeknownst to band members, WOTE is the current host of “The Universal Note of Love” and the last hope for a peaceful Transfer of Eras. For reasons they will learn later, our bandmembers are plucked mid-concert into an alien world they never knew existed, where they must use emerging super powers along with their natural gifts as super-optimists and multi-instrumentalists to piece together their mission, catchup on 1,111 years of training, and navigate constant threats from a super villain named The Monodrone. The series will also feature original songs by the multi-award winning, human and mega-viral band.
Heroes in Training(two seasons, each 14 half hours) is based on the chapter books from bestselling children’s author Suzanne Williams. A tale of six Greek gods, learning their powers and discovering their destiny. Their adventures will take them from the underwater city of Atlantis to the depths of the Underworld to the towering fortress atop Mount Olympus. A story of self-empowerment, these young teen heroes will learn they already have the power within to change the world. It is only a matter of believing in themselves … and each other. Part mythology, part-coming-of-age tale, with a dash of modern humor and sensibilities, Heroes in Training is an adventure for the gods.
“It’s a great pleasure to welcome Emilie to the newly formed company,” said Noriega. “Emilie is a tremendously talented industry professional and with her long-established reputation, extensive expertise, and strategic mindset, she will play a pivotal role in shaping Wonderworld’s future and driving its growth and success.”
Pasquet added, “I am both honored and excited to embark on this new and exhilarating adventure with Mevelyn. We will be at Annecy looking for shows for distribution and offering three remarkable properties currently in production. The company has strong values and clear goals and I look forward to offering great content and building long-term partnerships.”
The Animation Guild and the Titmouse NY Organizing Committee announce the ratification of TAG’s first collective bargaining agreement with Titmouse’s New York studio. This significant milestone comes after Titmouse voluntarily recognized unionization efforts in New York on January 7, 2022. The shop is the first animation studio outside of Los Angeles County to unionize in decades.
“We are proud of the Titmouse artists in N.Y. and support them as we move into the future together!” said Titmouse Founder & President Chris Prynoski.
The Animation Guild Business Representative Steve Kaplan notes, “Animation workers across the country deserve the ability to have a voice in the creation of their working conditions. The crew at Titmouse N.Y. is the first of what I expect to be many animation studios that will find their crews interested in sharing those decisions. The Animation Guild has set the standard for workplace conditions from our origins in Los Angeles. Now, we invite animation workers across the United States to reach out and work with us to create a national standard for animation work.”
With the unanimous vote in favor of ratifying the contract, Titmouse N.Y.’s union workers have achieved a historic victory, and the unanimous decision showcases the collective unity of the members to creating fair and favorable working conditions.
“I am incredibly proud of our union for voting in favor of ratifying our contract,” says Dan Pinto, a member of the organizing committee. “The fact that the vote was unanimous makes this historic achievement all the more significant. This is a huge win for our studio, for the New York animation scene, and for animation and production workers across the country. This is only the beginning.”
The ratified collective bargaining agreement also reflects Titmouse N.Y.’s commitment to creating a collaborative and supportive work environment for its employees. The contract encompasses essential provisions that address wages, benefits, and working conditions, ensuring fair treatment and the opportunity for workers to have a voice in shaping their professional lives. By ratifying this agreement, both employer and union workers have set an example of the positive change possible when studios recognize the importance and empowering effects of collective bargaining.
The Animation Guild, also known as Local 839 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), was founded in 1952. The labor union represents more than 6,000 artists, technicians and writers in the animation industry, advocating for workers to improve wages and conditions.
Just after International Women’s Day, Corus Entertainment’s animation studio Nelvana teamed up with WIA Vancouver (Women in Animation) to present an important conversation about how to uplift and empower women in animation. The virtual panel, moderated by Rhona Rees, touched on all facets of animation creation, from development to production.
The “Girl Power” talk featured panelists Athena Georgaklis, VP of Nelvana Studios; Melissa Graham, Nelvana’s new Director of Production; Nneka Myers, Design Artist at Nelvana; and Emily Choi, Character & Prop Supervisor. Watch it below:
Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF, laliff.org) took place May 31 – June 4, at the TCL Chinese Theatre and TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood, presenting a lineup of feature films, short films, episodic works, animation, master classes, panels, networking sessions and musical performances. Actor, director & producer Edward James Olmos, founder of LALIFF, closed out the festival by announcing this year’s award winners. Animation honorees include:
Astropackers
Lucky Brave Sunshine
Blanket of Words
The 2023 Spark Animation Grant Sponsored by Netflix (previously announced): Alec Castillo, Danna Galeano, Sandra Suarez
Best Episodic Short Award Presented by FX:Astropackers, created by Luisa Velasquez and Felipe Rodriguez
Best Animated Short Film Award Presented by LatinX in Animation (LXiA):Blanket of Words, directed by Carlos Zerpa, Jacobo Albán and Beltrán Pérez
Special Jury Award for Directing Animation: Lucky Brave Sunshine, directed by Chogrin (Joseph Game) and Ichi (Andres Aguilar)
Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC, cartooncrossroadscolumbus.org) has announced its featured guests for the 2023 festival running September 27 – October 1 in Columbus, Ohio. “Come Fall in Columbus, everyone who loves cartoons is joyous, because CXC brings the best and the brightest in the fields of animation, comics, graphic novels, political cartoons and comic strips to our fair city!” said Jeff Smith, co-founder of the festival and creator of the graphic novel series Bone, “And this year is going to be star-studded!”
The 9th annual festival will feature:
Daniel Clowes, a Harvey, Eisner, Ignatz and PEN America Literary Award winner best known for Eightball and Ghost World. Clowes will be debuting his long-awaited new GN, Monica, at CXC–the only festival he’ll be attending this year.
Raina Telgemeier, cartoonist of the graphic novels Smile, Drama, Sisters, Ghosts and Guts, all #1 New York Times bestsellers. Raina’s appearance at CXC coincides with her retrospective exhibition, Facing Feelings: The Art of Raina Telgemeier, at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum from May 24–November 5.
Keito Gaku, traveling from Japan, is artist and author of Boys Run the Riot, a critically lauded manga about a transgender high school boy, inspired by his own life. Gaku-sensei’s appearance at CXC will be his first appearance at a comics event in the United States.
Brenda Chapman, the first woman to direct an animated feature from a major studio, DreamWorks Animation’s The Prince of Egypt. She also co-directed and wrote the Disney/Pixar film Brave and worked as a story artist on The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast.
Jeff Smith, writer and artist of comics and graphic novels Bone, RASL and Tuki and co-founder of CXC. This will be Jeff’s only comics festival appearance in Ohio.
Derf Backderf, Ohio-native cartoonist best known for his memoir comic My Friend Dahmer and newest release, Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio.
Chris Sprouse, comics artist known for his work on DC and Marvel comics, including Batman, Justice League, Black Panther and Thor and his work as co-creator of Tom Strong.
Shelly Bond, comic-book editor known for her two decades at DC Comics’ Vertigo imprint where she edited Eisner winning titles such as Fables and The Sandman: Overture. She is the creator, editor and curator of the BLACK CROWN and OFF REGISTER imprints, and served as editor of Bitter Root, Elementals and Punks Not Dead.
John Jennings, Hugo Award winner and New York Times bestselling author. He is also the editor and curator for MEGASCOPE, an imprint of Abrams focusing on speculative and nonfiction works by and about people of color.
M.S. Harkness, Columbus-based autobiographical cartoonist releasing a new book, Time Under Tension, published by Fantagraphics.
Raeghan Buchanan, Columbus-based illustrator, writer and musician known for her work exploring Black heritage, including The Secret History of Black Punk: Record Zero published by Silver Sprocket.
TMS Entertainment has announced they will be presenting a panel for the upcoming anime adaptation of the Shonen Jump series Undead Unluckat this year’s Anime Expo (anime-expo.org). Voice actors Natsuki Hanae (Shen) and Moe Kahara (Fuuko Izumo), as well as manga editor Takumi Hashimoto and anime producer Ryota Hasegawa will appear as special guests on the panel on Sunday, July 2 from 1:30 p.m. in the Main Events area of the Los Angeles Convention Center.
The panel event will provide U.S. audiences a first look at the highly anticipated anime adaptation of Yoshifumi Tozuka’s Undead Unluck, from UNLIMITED PRODUCE by TMS in collaboration with animation studio david production (Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, Fire Force, Cells at Work!). The program will feature a discussion and Q&A with the guests along with video commentary from voice actor Yuichi Nakamura (Andy), followed by an exclusive premiere of an unreleased preview of the show. A trivia and giveaway contest hosted by the cast will proceed the panel. All attendees will also receive an Anime Expo exclusive Undead Unluck fan specially designed for the panel.
Synopsis: What happens when an unlucky girl meets an undead guy? Pure chaos!
Tired of inadvertently killing people with her special ability Unluck, Fuuko Izumo sets out to end it all. But when she meets Andy, a man who longs for death but can’t die, she finds a reason to live—and he finds someone capable of giving him the death he’s been longing for. (Watch the trailer.)
SCAD AnimationFest (scad.edu), the university’s celebration of all things digital media, will be held September 28 – 30 in Atlanta, Georgia. The event showcases the latest trends, groundbreaking work and top animated content across film, television, gaming, social media and more.
Highlights of this year’s event include an opening night screening of Minions: The Rise of Gru followed by a curated conversation with Illumination studio, a presentation by designer Julien Fournié on Fashion in the Metaverse, screenings of Emmy-winning Ault Swim series Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal (followed by a presentation by Paris animation house Studio La Cachette) and award-winning feature Little Nicholas: Happy As Can Be, and, of course, the SCAD Student Showcase displaying some of the year’s best student work from the animation program. Additional to be announced this summer.
Anibar Animation Festival (anibar.org) has unveiled its 14th edition theme: “Love | Dashni.” From July 17 – 23, adoring animation fans will flock to Peja, Kosovo to see love take center stage, imbuing the event with vibrant color and heartfelt emotion. The festival also debuted its official poster and trailer for 2023, created by award-winning Estonian animation director Sander Joon (Sierra).
“In a world often consumed by chaos and division, we seek to remind ourselves and everyone that love knows no boundaries and as such, it cannot be defined! But fear not, this is not a realm of clichés or saccharine sweetness. We delve into the many dimensions of love, shedding light on its complexities and unveiling its diverse manifestations …
“Join us as we embrace the multifaceted nature of love, a force that transcends language and speaks to the core of our humanity. Let's celebrate the myriad ways love influences our lives, ignites our souls, and inspires us to be better, both individually and as a society.”
Gods and Monsters Chapter One: The Death of Victor Frankenstein
Pete Candeland, the animation director behind the Gorillaz music videos and The Beatles: Rock Band video game cinematic, is collaborating with screenwriters Patrick Melton & Marcus Dunstan (Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Saw series, The Collector series, Pacific Rim) and Axis Studios (Scrooge: A Christmas Carol; Love, Death + Robots; Happy!) on a new animated horror series, Gods and Monsters Chapter One: The Death of VictorFrankenstein.
The project aims to break new ground in the genre, conjured with the macabre imagery of award-winning graphic novelist Gris Grimly, whose book inspired Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio.
“Animation works best in extremes. It has been gradually growing a broader audience, moving like No-Face from Spirited Away, gathering fans with cutting-edge music videos, iconic games and breakthrough shows like Arcane and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Next: Horror,” says Candeland. “I want the gamers to put down their controllers, music lovers to see the potential of sound and vision in a frightening new way, and horror fans to shout why haven’t we seen this before? I want all of us on the edge of our seats, consumed by the thrill-ride that is Gods and Monsters.”
Set against a visually fantastical European backdrop and inspired by Grimly’s punk rock re-imagining of famous monsters, Gods and Monsters Chapter One: The Death of Victor Frankenstein will present a fresh take on the manipulative relationship between Victor Frankenstein, his partner in crime Elizabeth, their famously monstrous creation, as well as other re-imagined monster horror icons.
Blending cutting edge animation technology with Candeland’s creative signature, the series will weave Mary Shelley’s classic tale of terror together with modern-day themes such as the dangers of tech, materialism and alienation, all backed by a contemporary rock and roll soundtrack.
Gods and Monsters Chapter One: The Death of Victor Frankenstein
“Axis is a studio of proud genre nerds and ultra fans. We see first hand the global appetite for elevated, mold-smashing, high-end animated shows,” observes Andrew Pearce, Axis Studios’ Executive Producer. “As attitudes to animation shift, our work seeks to take people to more unusual, surprising and often darker places. So, we’re thrilled to be part of this opportunity to create a horror monster-verse with a dream cast of creatives — cannot wait to share it with the world!”
The series will be executive produced by Jason Lust of Soluble Fish Productions, executive producer on 2023’s Academy Award-winning Best Animated Feature Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio; Mike Callaghan and Reuben Liber of Ranger 7 Films, and Axis Studios.
Gods and Monsters Chapter One: The Death of Victor Frankenstein
“Working with Gris on launching and sculpting and helping produce Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio was a career defining moment for Gris and myself, and we felt compelled to follow up that result with one of Gris’ most coveted and postmodern retellings yet,” says Lust. “And when you add the direction of Pete Candeland with the writing of Patrick and Marcus along with Axis, the highly talented VFX and animation house, we’re destined to break some new ground with this show, much like Pinocchio did. So, I couldn’t be more excited to begin executing this undeniable vision with this team.”
Gods and Monsters Chapter One: The Death of Victor Frankenstein
Callaghan adds, “As a life-long fan of horror and animation, Gods and Monsters is the show I’ve been waiting for. Building out a new monster horror universe the way we envision is a true fan’s dream (or nightmare) come true, and with this creative team, it will surely be as scary as it is visually jaw-dropping.”
Candeland is represented by Verve Talent and Literary Agency, Melton & Dunstan by Verve and Underground, Grimly by Gotham Group, Lust and Soluble Fish by Gersh, and Axis Studios is repped by Tarik Heitmann of Kinetic Media.
Today, Prime Video and Amazon Kids+ announced a series order forAngry Birds Mystery Island, from Eric Rogers (Futurama) and Titmouse. Over the course of 24 episodes in the first season, the show promises lots of fun, mystery and adventure, with irreverent humor and pop culture references for the whole family.
“We’re excited to work with Amazon to add a new chapter to the Hatchlings’ story in Angry Birds Mystery Island,” comments Rovio’s Head of Brand Licensing, Hanna Valkeapää-Nokkala. “I’m sure fans of the Hatchlings will be eager to see them in their own series, with speaking voices for the first time.”
The animated series features an ensemble cast that includes Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows), Kate Micucci (Scooby-Doo!), Dominic Monaghan (TheLord of the Rings) and Nasim Pedrad (Saturday Night Live).
“Working with such a dream team and cast has been the highlight of my career. Together, we are hatching a series full of comedy, heart, and binge-worthy mystery, filled with laugh-out-loud moments,” says showrunner, head writer and executive producer Rogers.
Angry Birds Mystery Island introduces three new Hatchling characters — Mia, Rosie and Buddy — and a foreign-exchange piglet named Hamylton. These rambunctious tweens receive an all-expenses-paid (and completely un-asked-for) island getaway, when they are mistakenly catapulted onto an uncharted island. Left to explore the exotic sights, smells and unexplained phenomena of their new environment without any adults around, the ragtag bunch quickly learns that, in order to survive and make it back home, they will need to unlock the mysteries of the island together.
“It’s exciting to expand the Angry Birds universe with endearing new characters and multilayered storytelling that speaks equally to kids and kids at heart,” says Veronica Pickett, Head of Original Series at Amazon Kids+.
Melissa Wolfe, Head of Animation, Amazon Studios, notes, “The Angry Birds captivated people of all ages and became a global phenomenon with the debut of their first game, and their cultural presence has remained steadfast. We are excited by the opportunity to expand the Hatchlings’ world into a family series for our global customers to enjoy even more stories around these beloved birds.”
Chris Prynoski (The Legend of Vox Machina), Shannon Prynoski (Fairfax), Antonio Canobbio (Arlo the Alligator Boy) and Ben Kalina (Harriet the Spy) at Titmouse will executive produce along with Rogers.
Mystery Island is the first Angry Birds series created with Amazon, and will be available exclusively through Prime Video and Amazon Kids+. More details will be announced soon.
Disney Branded Television announced today that Alice’s Wonderland Bakery — the deliciously whimsical, CG-animated preschool series inspired by Alice in Wonderland — is returning to screens for a second season. New episodes will be ready to sample on Wednesday, June 28 at 7:15 a.m. EST/PST on Disney Junior, with an initial batch of seven episodes available the same day on on-demand platforms and Disney+.
Disney Legend Kathryn Beaumont, voice of Alice in the original 1951 film, will guest star in 22-minute special titled Alice’s First Day in Wonderland, premiering this fall.
Additional Season 2 guest stars include Broadway and television star Merle Dandridge (Rent, The Last of Us) as the Silver Queen, Swayam Bhatia (Succession) as Kyra the Knight, Mark Williams (Harry Potter franchise) as Ribbitton, a frog footman, and Karen Fukuhara (The Boys) as Sakura, a singing and dancing cherry blossom.
S2 will see Alice, the great-granddaughter of the original heroine and a budding young baker at the enchanted Wonderland Bakery, go through the Looking Glass after finding a magical mirror in the pantry that transports her to a whimsical chessboard world. On this side of the Looking Glass, anything Alice imagines is possible. With the Silver Queen as their guide, Alice and her friends – Rosa, Hattie, Fergie, and others — meet all sorts of curious characters in this season, including Kyra the Knight, Jacques the Mock Turtle and Mopsy the mop dog.
All of the original cast are returning for the new season, including Libby Rue as Alice, Abigail Estrella as Princess Rosa, CJ Uy as Hattie, Jack Stanton as Fergie, Secunda Wood as Cookie and Max Mittelman as Cheshire Cat.
Also returning this season are recurring cast members Craig Ferguson as Doorknob; Emmy Award nominee Eden Espinosa as Rosa’s mother, The Queen of Hearts; Grammy Award winner Jon Secada as Rosa’s grandfather, The King of Hearts; Vanessa Bayer and Bobby Moynihan as twins Tweedle Do and Tweedle Don’t; Donald Faison as Harry the March Hare; Rich Sommer as Captain Dodo; Yvette Nicole Brown as Mama Rabbit; and George Salazar as Dad Hatter.
Alice’s Wonderland Bakery is produced by Disney Television Animation. Emmy Award-nominated Chelsea Beyl (Doc McStuffins) is executive producer, Frank Montagna (Elena of Avalor) is co-executive producer and art director, and Ciara Anderson (Harley Quinn) is producer.
Having just surpassed $1.3 billion at the global box office, making it the No. 2 animated feature of all time, the top performing flick of 2023 is moving on to the next level with The Super Mario Bros. Movie ‘Power Up Edition’, available to own on Digital, 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on June 13 in the U.S. and Canada from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Boasting an A CinemaScore and 96% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes, the Nintendo and Illumination-produced pop-culture spectacular comes home with over 30-minutes of bonus content sure to delight franchise fans.
Synopsis: The movie tells the story of two Brooklyn plumbers who are brothers and best friends: Mario, the brave one with the “let’s-a go” attitude, and the perpetually anxious Luigi, who would prefer to go nowhere. We open with the Super Mario Brothers reckoning with their struggling plumbing business, and wind up in a whirlwind adventure through Mushroom Kingdom. Through their journey, we meet a cast of familiar, lovable characters, ultimately uniting to defeat the power-hungry villain, Bowser.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie features an all-star cast led by Chris Pratt (Jurassic World franchise), Charlie Day (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The LEGO Movie), Anya Taylor-Joy (Last Night in Soho, The Queen’s Gambit), Keegan-Michael Key (Key & Peele), Seth Rogen (Neighbors, An American Pickle), Jack Black (Kung Fu Panda franchise) and Fred Armisen (Wednesday,Portlandia). The film is directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic from a screenplay by Matthew Fogel, produced by Chris Meledandri and Shigeru Miyamoto.
‘Power Up Edition’ Bonus Features
Getting to Know the Cast — In these short behind-the-scenes pieces we get up close and personal with the stars of the film and learn what they leaned on to inhabit their on-screen persona.
Leveling Up: Making The Super Mario Bros. Movie — Bringing one of the world’s most beloved video game characters, and the world around him, to life was no easy task! Filmmakers and cast give an in-depth look into the making of the film.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie Field Guide — Join the cast as they take viewers through the various Power-Ups and Bonuses that appear in the film. This immersive video will allow the cast to interact with custom on-screen graphics as they select a Bonus or Power Up specific to their character and then explain what it does, how to use it and its effects.
“Peaches” Lyric Video — Jack Black is known for his big personality and really no one else could play the part of Bowser, so get ready to sing-along to his big musical number as he serenades Princess Peach.
Leadership Lessons with Anya Taylor-Joy — Let’s face it: being a princess isn’t easy. Thankfully, we have Anya Taylor-Joy, custom graphics and movie clips to give us Princess Peach’s guide to being an awesome leader. We’ll provide some real-life tips and power-ups that kids of all ages can use in their daily lives.
Read more about The Super Mario Bros. Movie in our cover story from April ’23 issue of Animation Magazine here.
