Award-winning animation company Omens Studios has further expanded the Leo the Wildlife Ranger universe, launching brand-new VR content and It’s Hero Time! series of shorts on YouTube this month.
Based on the multi award-winning original Leo the Wildlife Ranger television series, the series of one-minute, kid-safe VR experiences will be released bi-weekly, with the first two episodes already available on the Leo the Wildlife Ranger YouTube channel.
Rendered in 4K and viewable using VR headsets, including Oculus Quest and Apple’s upcoming VR headsets, and any VR-supported devices, the series will take audiences on animated adventures from underwater in the Amazon River to watching a blue whale breaching in front of your eyes and a silver back gorilla enjoying its lunch.
Also launching on the growing Leo the Wildlife Ranger YouTube channel this month is the It’s Hero Time!, Omens Studios’ first non-dialog YouTube-first series. Incorporating slapstick humor, the initial 10 x 2’ series follows fan favorite character Hero the puppy diving headfirst into daily adventures and mishaps with furry friends, from playful goslings to mischievous cats.
“Leo the Wildlife Ranger is one of our most popular IPs, and we are delighted to be further expanding the content available to fans all over the world,” said Chi Sim Tang, CEO of Omens Studios. “These releases mark our first foray into non-dialogue content and VR content for our YouTube channel, and provide a fun way for audiences to enjoy new stories from the IP, and new kid-safe VR experiences that young children can immerse themselves in alongside our lovable characters.”
Earlier this year, Omens Studios’ was commissioned to produce a refreshed version of the international hit series by Singapore’s national public broadcaster MediaCorp, picking up where season two of Leo the Wildlife Ranger ends.
The new 80 x 10’ wildlife-centric action-adventure series is aimed at three- to seven-year olds and provides young audiences with zoology facts, teaches environmental awareness and nature conservation and helps build social skills and team work, all in fun and entertaining ways. The updated series will see more action and development of the popular characters, exciting new gadgets, new animals, as well as more comedy and fun facts sprinkled throughout.
The team at Montreal’s L’Atelier Animation (Leap!, upcoming 10 Lives), part of the Cinesite studios group, has powered another colorful and action-packed kids’ series, providing 3D services on KidsCave Studios’ latest Netflix show: Kitti Katz. The first 10 x 22’ episodes begin streaming on May 18.
“After a wonderful collaboration with L’Atelier on our first high-end 40 x 22’ series for ITV and Netflix, Robozuna, L’Atelier were our preferred choice of 3D studio to deliver the level of character animation and cinematic lighting that would meet our aspirations — they, as usual surpassed them!” said Ed Bignell, KidsCave’s CEO and creator of Kitti Katz.
Kitti Katz tells the story of three teenage girls that can transform from cute kittens into fierce, feline superheroes and must save the world from an evil Egyptian goddess of the underworld. Geneviève Boisvert, Producer, has been leading the 3D services at L’Atelier Animation, alongside Nikki Braine, Animation Director.
“Kitti Katz is a story about female friendship and strength. No matter what is happening in your life, you can always count on your girlfriends to be there for you. This was an extremely important project from an all-female led animation team, which is rare to find in this industry,” Braine noted. “L’Atelier gave us a safe and inclusive space to tell this story, and we had an amazing and fun time doing it. From Cats to Superheroes, it was a dream project for us!”
L’Atelier Animation utilized KidsCave Studios’ creative assets, including art direction, character and location designs, storyboards, animatics and light keys, to provide 3D asset creation, animation services, effects, lighting and pre-grade image delivery.
“Making a series with such a tight delivery schedule and high-quality expectations requires an exceptional set of skills, which was brilliantly demonstrated by L’Atelier Animation’s team of artists. The image quality perfectly reflects their talent, in addition to KidsCave Studios’ artistic vision and expertise” said Boisvert.
Crunchyroll, in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment, is bringing PSYCHO-PASS: Providence to theaters globally beginning in July 2023. The sci-fi dystopian thriller arrives in theaters on July 14 in North America with special advanced fan sneak peek showings on July 11 and 13; available in both Japanese with English subtitles as well as dubbed in English.
Additional theatrical release dates in Summer 2023 for Australia, United Kingdom/Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Spain, Mexico, Chile, Peru, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand to be announced soon.
PSYCHO-PASS: Providence is the latest film in the popular PSYCHO-PASS franchise, currently available to stream on Crunchyroll. The first series of the anime debuted in 2012 to critical acclaim.
The franchise revolves around The Sibyl System, an authoritarian system that quantifies the human personality. Sibyl’s analysis dictates every aspect of the citizens’ future. In exchange for Sibyl’s rule, the citizens enjoy a peaceful life. With all manner of mental states and trends being recorded and monitored, the standard by which an individual’s soul is measured is a number that people have come to call the “PSYCHO-PASS.”
Detectives, wielding guns called Dominators that measure criminal potential, work closely with enforcers who hunt down latent criminals before they can break the law. Young inspector Akane Tsunemori, a part of the Criminal Investigation Department, and her partner, enforcer Shinya Kogami, wrestle with the question of how a fair and perfect society can be upheld and maintained by a system that could possibly be corrupt.
PSYCHO-PASS: Providence provides narrative connective tissue between the previous film PSYCHO-PASS Sinners of the System Case 3: On the Other Side of Love and Hate and Season 3 of the PSYCHO-PASS television series.
Synopsis: January 2118. Chief Inspector of the Criminal Investigation Department, Akane Tsunemori, receives a report of an incident on a foreign vessel — the body of Professor Milicia Stronskaya has been discovered. Behind the incident is a group known as the Peacebreakers, a foreign paramilitary organization and a new outside threat who are targeting the professor’s research papers known as the “Stronskaya Document.”
Reunited with Shinya Kogami, a former fugitive from the Criminal Investigation Department, Akane grapples with a case that quickly escalates beyond their expectations. The Stronskaya Papers could reveal a truth that would shake Japan’s government, and even the Sibyl System, to the core.
It is in this untold story that the missing link is revealed.
South Australia’s flagship low budget feature film initiative, Film Lab: New Voices has greenlit its second feature film for production: the animated adult comedy Lesbian Space Princess. Written and directed by Emma Hough Hobbs and Leela Varghese and produced by Tom Phillips (We Made A Thing Studios), the sci-fi spoof will commence production in June.
“After the incredible international success of Monolith, we are delighted to see the bold and original animated comedy Lesbian Space Princess go into production as the second feature film out of the Film Lab: New Voices program,” said Kate Croser, CEO of the South Australian Film Corporation. “I congratulate South Australian writers and directors Emma Hough Hobbs and Leela Varghese and producer Tom Phillips on their truly clever and authentic concept, which we are thrilled to support for production.
Film Lab: New Voices is an initiative co-funded by the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC), Adelaide Film Festival (AFF) and Screen Australia, which sees three South Australian filmmaking teams mentored through a 12-month skills development program to develop their first low-budget feature film script. At the completion of the lab, each team can apply for $600,000 in screen production grant funding.
Lesbian Space Princess has been selected to move into production and will premiere at Adelaide Film Festival in 2024.
“Film Lab: New Voices is a career changing moment for us,” commented the filmmaker team. “We are so grateful for the mentorship we received throughout development that inspired, guided and pushed us to deliver a script we are all very proud of. It’s amazing to be given this support for our film that will put queer and culturally diverse voices to the front both on and off screen. We can’t wait to share Lesbian Space Princess with audiences next October!”
Synopsis: An anxious space princess is thrust out of her sheltered life and into a galactic quest to save her bounty hunter ex-girlfriend from the Straight White Maliens. Along the way, a problematic spaceship and a runaway gay-pop idol join her hazardous encounters with blade-wielding maniacs, dangerous dick turrets and the scariest thing of all: her own self-doubt.
Emma Hough Hobbs, Leela Varghese and Tom Phillips
“AFF takes immense pride in the elevation of new creative teams and new voices and is thrilled to see Lesbian Space Princess go into production,” said Mat Kesting, CEO & Creative Director of AFF. “The film will premiere as part of AFF 2024. In 2022, seven of the 15 projects AFF invested in were first time feature directors including works that are or will be in release soon — Monolith, The Last Daughter and Talk to Me. AFF 2023 will see a new slate unveiled and we look forward to revealing these as we draw closer to this year’s festival, which will take place 18-29 October.”
Screen Australia’s Head of Content Grainne Brunsdon added, “It is great news for fans of adult comedy that Lesbian Space Princess has been selected for production through the Film Lab: New Voices initiative. Screen Australia is delighted to support the creative team with an unmatched opportunity to bring their first feature film to life. I’ve no doubt audiences will enjoy this playful and original film when it premieres at Adelaide Film Festival in 2024.”
The two remaining Film Lab: New Voices teams have each been awarded a $20,000 grant to further develop their scripts ready for pitching to the market. The two projects are For the Record from writer/director Alies Sluiter and producer William Littleton; and The Forgotten from writer Travis Akbar, director Thibul Nettle and producer Joshua Trevorrow.
The Film Lab: New Voices initiative has already proven a successful career accelerator development program since it was launched in 2021. The first film greenlit for production, sci-fi Monolith, had its international premiere in official selection at SXSW this year, following its world premiere at Adelaide Film Festival in 2022, and has sold into the U.S. via Well Go USA. Written by Lucy Campbell, directed by Matt Vesely and produced by Bettina Hamilton, the film is represented by XYZ Films in the U.S., Blue Finch Film Releasing for International Sales and Bonsai Films in Australia and will be released in cinemas in Australia in late October 2023.
“The Film Lab: New Voices program is just one of the ways in which the SAFC is working to grow the capability and diversity of the South Australian screen sector, through increasing the pool of credited key creatives in the state. In 2022 the SAFC facilitated a record 28 South Australian writers, directors and producers to gain their first above-the-line screen credit on a feature film or broadcast program, of which half came from a group under-represented in the industry. The filmmakers behind Monolith were an integral part of that record contingent, and we are delighted that Film Lab: New Voices is already demonstrating its strength as a career-launching program,” SAFC’s Croser concluded.
More information about Film Lab: New Voices is available at safilm.com.au.
As part of the Netflix Family Summer lineup featuring new kids and family films and series every week through the season, Netflix will debut the first animated feature film based on the popular Miraculous series, Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir, The Movie on July 28.
More superheroes join the summer slate with Netflix’s first original animated series from Africa, Supa Team 4, about four teen girls who happen to be undercover superheroes living in the neo-futuristic African city of Lusaka (July 20).
Families will also want to tune in and chill out with an exciting slate of animated movies and series previously announced, including Nimona (coming in June), an epic tale full of fantasy and heart; and The Monkey King (August 18), an epic Chinese tale translated into an action-packed comedy.
New and returning favorites for kids include LEGO Ninjago: Dragons Rising (June 1) and Sonic Prime (July 13), along with Gabby’s Dollhouse (August 7) and Not Quite Narwhal (June 19) for preschoolers.
The whole crew can also shimmy and shake into a summer mood with an original Netflix Family Summer jam, and keep the fun going anytime on NetflixFamily.com, where parents and caregivers can find fun & games, educational activities, and free printables for kids of all ages and stages featuring characters from their favorite films and series on Netflix.
Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir, The Movie
On Netflix July 28
The first feature film based on the globally beloved Miraculous franchise, Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir, The Movie follows ordinary teenager Marinette, whose life in Paris goes superhuman when she becomes Ladybug. Bestowed with magical powers of creation, Ladybug must unite with her opposite, Cat Noir, to save Paris as a new villain unleashes chaos unto the city.
Starring Cristina Vee Valenzuela, Bryce Papenbrook and Keith Silverstein.
Directed and story by Jeremy Zag, screenplay by Zag & Bettina López Mendoza; produced by Zag, Aton Soumache & Daisy Shang; executive produced by Emmanuel Jacomet, Michael Gracey, Tyler Thompson, Alexis Vonarb, Jean-Bernard Marinot, Cynthia Zouari, Thierry Pasquet & Ben Li. Based on The Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug Cat Noir series created by Thomas Astruc & Nathanael Bronn.
Get ready for something metal! (Stay tuned for a teaser debut coming tomorrow.)
When a knight in a futuristic medieval world is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, the only one who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona — a mischievous teen who happens to be a shapeshifting creature he’s sworn to destroy.
Starring Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint, Beck Bennett, RuPaul Charles, Indya Moore, Julio Torres and Sarah Sherman.
Directed by Nick Bruno & Troy Quane; produced by Karen Ryan, p.g.a, Julie Zackary, p.g.a. & Roy Lee; screenplay by Robert L. Baird & Lloyd Taylor; story by Baird, Taylor, Pamela Ribon, Marc Haimes, Bruno, Quane & Keith Bunin; executive produced by Megan Ellison, Baird, Andrew Millstein & John Powers Middleton. Based on the graphic novel by ND Stevenson.
The action-packed adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog go into overdrive when a run-in with Dr. Eggman results in a literal universe-shattering event. Desperate to piece his prime reality back together and save his old friends, Sonic races through the Shatterverse, discovering strange worlds and enlisting new friends in an epic adventure of a lifetime!
Four teen girls living in the neo-futuristic African city of Lusaka are recruited by a retired secret agent still committed to saving the world… even if it’s on a budget. In their journey from school girls tackling homework to undercover superheroes fending off supervillains, they’re transformed from a motley crew of friends into Supa Team 4!
Starring Zowa Ngwira, Namisa Mdlalose, Kimani Arthur, Nancy Sekhokoane, Pamela Nomvete and John McMillan.
Created & co-exec produced by Malenga Mulendema; executive produced by Anthony Silverston, Mike Buckland, Tom van Waveren, Edward Galton & Amy Keating Rogers; produced by Ciara Breslin, Cake Entertainment and Triggerfish. Animation studio is Superprod (France).
The Monkey King is an action-packed family comedy that follows a charismatic Monkey and his magical fighting Stick on an epic quest for victory over 100 demons, an eccentric Dragon King, and Monkey’s greatest foe of all — his own ego! Along the way, a young village girl challenges his self-centered attitude and shows him that even the smallest pebble can have a big effect on the world.
Starring Jimmy O. Yang, Bowen Yang, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Jo Koy, Ron Yuan, Hoon Lee, Stephanie Hsu, Andrew Pang, Andrew Kishino, Jodi Long, James Sie and BD Wong.
Directed by Anthony Stacchi, produced by Peilin Chou, executive produced by Stephen Chow.
Sony Pictures Imageworks, the Academy Award-winning visual effects and animation company, having recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, is expanding its presence to Montreal, Canada. Leading the new office will be new promoted executive Laura Fitzpatrick, who joined the company in 2022 as VP, New Business.
With the company’s head office remaining in Vancouver, the expansion into Montreal will initially see an additional 150 employees based at the new location. Imageworks currently employs over 1,000 employees across their Vancouver and Los Angeles offices.
“The growing VFX and animation industry coupled with the established talent base makes Montreal the perfect location for expansion and will allow Imageworks to continue to execute the diverse creative visions of our clients,” said Michelle Grady, Executive Vice President, Sony Pictures Imageworks.
Doug Oddy, previously Senior VFX Producer at Imageworks, will be promoted to Vice President VFX, New Business, responsible for third-party VFX business development, strategic planning for long-term growth, and client engagement. Based out of the Vancouver office, Oddy recently served as VFX Producer on In Vaulted Halls Entombed, an episode of Netflix’s animated anthology Love, Death + Robots,Jumanji: The Next Level and Men In Black: International.
Both Fitzpatrick and Oddy will report to Grady. “We are thrilled that Laura has agreed to lead our Montreal office and Doug has accepted the role of Vice President, VFX, New Business. Both are strategic, forward-thinking executives with decades of industry experience, and we welcome them into these new leadership roles,” said the EVP.
The new office will be located in a permanent, state-of-the-art space in the Old Montreal area. The studio is recruiting for all roles, including production professionals, artists, and technology experts.
Celebrating their expansion into Montreal, Imageworks is participating in CAFE VFX 2023, a premiere animation and VFX industry conference, where artists will present a behind-the-scenes look at Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse two weeks prior to release.
Imageworks most recently completed work on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania and the Academy Award-nominated Netflix animated feature The Sea Beast. They are currently in production on, Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse, The Marvels and In Your Dreams.
The winners of the Animayo 2023 Awards (animayo.com) were announced at the close of this year’s record-breaking 18th edition, which attracted 20,139 participants to Gran Canaria from May 3-6 (up 29% from the last in-person event).
The event is the first and only animation festival in Spain designated a “Qualifying Festival” by the Academy Awards, setting winners of both International Jury Grand Prize and Best Short Film in Spanish on their first step to being Oscars contenders. The Grand Prize also includes a 3,000 euro cash prize and trophy.
The 2023 festival received more than 2,000 submissions* from more than 80 countries worldwide. The selection committee pored over these works to choose 60 titles, ranging across short films, commissioned films, music video, game cinematics, VR and VFX, rendered in a range of techniques including 2D, 3D, paint on glass, animation on wood, stop-motion and fabric art.
Our Uniforms
The winner of the Oscar-qualifying International Jury Grand Prize this year is Our Uniforms, by Iranian filmmaker Yegane Moghaddam. This short film, created using a mixed technique, tells the story of “a young Iranian woman who reminisces about her school days through the wrinkles and seams of her old uniform.” Festival organizers point out the film’s solid social undertones which help immerse the viewer in a unique and particular exploration of how uniforms are used to standardize a population.
The Jury was captivated by the theme and the distinct animation technique using fabric as a foundation — Our Uniform was also recognized at with the Best Mixed Technique Award.
Amarradas
Animayo’s second Oscar-qualifying honor, Best Short Film in Spanish – Animación con Ñ, was awarded to Amarradas by Spanish filmmaker Carmen Córdoba. The film explores the eternal bond between a mother and daughter that both heals and hurts, perpetuating itself when the daughter becomes a mother.
Created using 2D animation techniques, Amarradas also received the Best 2D Award, earning praise from the international jury and the approval of the audience in attendance, citing the short’s remarkable artistic quality and compelling theme.
Audiences around the world will soon get to experience these and other compelling works as the festival’s Animayo Itinerante tour kicks off. The show will travel around Spain (Madrid, Barcelona, Lanzarote) and Portugal, as well as to the U.S. (Los Angeles, Chicago), the Czech Republic, Belgium (Brussels), Czechia (Prague), Serbia (Belgrade), Colombia, India (Mumbai) and Korea.
Presided over by Disney Legend Andreas Deja, the international jury members include animation directors Jan Bubenicek, Denisa Grimmova, Albert Barba and senior 3D animator Laura MacMahon.
Home of the Heart
International Competition Awards
Grand Jury Prize — Our Uniform by Yegane Moghaddam (Iran)
Best Student Short Film — Swing to the Moon by Marie Bordessoule, Adriana Bouissie, Nadine de Boer, Elisa Drique, Chloé Luau, Vincent Levrero and Solenne Moreau (ESMA, France)
Best Social Short Film — Home of the Heartby Sarah Saidan (France)
Best 3D — Distance – Act I: The peacock and the sphinx by Eddy Loukil (Canada)
Best Art Direction — Passenger by Juan Pablo Zaramella (Argentina)
Best Mixed Technique — Our Uniforms by Yegane Moghaddam (Iran)
Best Stop Motion (ex aequo) —Piteous Liaisons by Chloé Alliez and Violette Delvoye (France)
Best Stop Motion (ex aequo) —Passenger by Juan Pablo Zaramella (Argentina)
Best Adult Comedy Short Film — Phonorama by Alex Rey (Spain)
Best 2D — Amarradas by Carmen Córdoba (Spain)
Best Screenplay — Home of the Heart by Sarah Saidan (France)
Special Mention — Tahlequah the Whale: a Dance of Grief by Daniel Kreizberg. U.S./Lithuania)
Passenger
Animación con Ñ
Best Short Film in Spanish – Animación con Ñ — Amarradas by Carmen Córdoba (Spain)
Special Mention for Best Social Awareness —Cadê Heleny? by Esther Vital García (Spain/Brazil)
Special Mention for Best Art Direction —Passenger by Juan Pablo Zaramella (Argentina)
Arlo Parks “Weightless”
Game Cinematic, Commissioned & Music Videos
Best Video Game Cinematics — Lords of the Fallen by Digic Pictures (Hungary)
Best Music Video — Arlo Parks – “Weightless (DC)” by Marc Oller (Canada/U.K.)
Best Advertising / Commissioned — Lil Sugar: Master of Disguise by Paulo García (Brazil)
Special Mention for Best Social Awareness — Hidden Heroes by Anna Levinson (Germany)
Special Mention for Best Art — Miles Davies – “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” by Irina Rubina (Germany/U.S.)
Special Mention for Best Art Direction — Travel Oregon “Extraordinary Is Ordinary” by Gerson Aguerri (Spain)
Lil Sugar: Master of Disguise
*A previous version of this article incorrectly stated the festival screened 2,000 works.
Hasbro’s Entertainment One (eOne) announced that the Mane 5 are back in the spotlight in a brand-new special, My Little Pony: Bridlewoodstock, premiering on Netflix June 6. The 44-minute special stars actress, singer and dancer Sofia Wylie (The School for Good and Evil, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series), who will voice a new musically talented pony character: Ruby Jubilee.
The music festival-inspired special will debut alongside six new 22-minute episodes, continuing the story from the popular animated My Little Pony: Make Your Mark series. The first trailer for the Bridlewoodstock debuted today on the My Little Pony official YouTube Channel.
My Little Pony: Bridlewoodstock [Netflix]My Little Pony: Bridlewoodstockspecial sees the Mane 5 trying to stage a music festival during Bridlewood’s beautiful Lumi-Bloom, a gorgeous bioluminescent nature event that only happens once a year. Throughout their quest they race to book Equestria’s best and brightest artists, reunite old legends, and grapple with the unicorn legend of voice stealing Troggles. Wylie will join the cast to provide new original music, as Equestria’s newest pop sensation, for the special.
“I am so excited and thankful to be joining the My Little Pony family as Ruby Jubilee,” says Wylie. “My sister and I have been fans of My Little Pony for our entire lives, and being a part of the Bridelwoodstock special is truly a dream fulfilled. There’s so much that I love about the series, from the music to the message, it really has had such an impact on me.”
Wylie stars alongside Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (Never Have I Ever, Turning Red), Jenna Warren (Kody Kapow), JJ Gerber (Monster Pack), Ana Sani (The Boys) and AJ Bridel (Odd Squad). The My Little Pony: Bridlewoodstock special is co-produced by Emily Thompson with line producer Natascha Evans, and Blayne Burnside serving as associate director.
In new episodes of My Little Pony: Make Your Mark, viewers see the Mane 5 tighten their guard after Opaline and Misty’s unsuccessful dragon-napping attempt, and deal with the evil duo as they double down on their efforts to steal Sparky and take control of Equestria. Zipp continues her investigation into who might be behind her suspicions, all while Misty continues to play pretend as the Mane 5’s newest friend. After many magical moments with the group, Misty might even convince herself that she really could be friends with these ponies. Her heart caught on both sides, the fate of Equestria may just rest in her hooves as Opaline closes in on her goal, and a battle between good and evil draws near.
This slice-of-life series and special joins My Little Pony: Tell Your Tale, now on Netflix.
Bridlewoodstock aesthetics and special moments from the My Little Pony: Make Your Mark series will also be brought to life through entertainment-inspired products in My Little Pony Style of the Day Ponies. With these larger, 5.5-inch tall hair-styling doll sets, kids can customize music festival-inspired hairstyles, outfits and accessories for Princess Petals, Zipp Storm and Misty Brightdawn, and use cold water to reveal water-activated face paint.
My Little Pony Style of the Day Ponies (each sold separately) will be available at major retailers beginning August 1, 2023.
This summer, young viewers will meet a unique magical blended family and a charming new animated friend as they swim and soar through the land and sea adventures of Not Quite Narwhal — premiering June 19 on Netflix.
The DreamWorks Animation preschool series is based on the children’s books by Jessie Sima, about an adorable little creature who is part narwhal, part unicorn and 100% himself.
Synopsis: Curious and fun-loving Kelp has always believed he’s a narwhal like the rest of his family under the sea, until the day he makes the most amazing discovery — he’s actually a unicorn! Rather than choose one or the other, Kelp embraces being both a narwhal and a unicorn, juggling his day-to-day life as he figures out how to navigate his two worlds: the ocean and land.
The 3D CG series is co-executive produced by Brian K. Roberts (Dragons: RescueRiders, Gabby’s Dollhouse), Nakia Trower Shuman and Sarah Katin (both writers on Pretzel and the Puppies, The Boss Baby: Back in Business and Fancy Nancy).
The voice cast features Nevin Kar as Kelp, Lucy Lowe as Scallop, Ryan Lopez as Cruz, Scarlett Kate Ferguson as Pixie, Sasha Knight as Ollie and Mixie Chen as Juniper.
Wheelhouse DNA, the digital-first and influencer arm of media, marketing and investment company Wheelhouse, and Frederator Studios, a subsidiary of Genius Brands International Inc., have partnered with comedian Adam W. (Waheed), on the development and production of a new adult animated series. This deal marks the first partnership between Frederator and Wheelhouse DNA, and the debut of Adam W. writing and starring in a series.
Set in ancient Egypt where the gods are real, aliens built the pyramids and the afterlife exists, the 10-episode series follows a lovable royal buffoon (Waheed) who finds himself suddenly thrust onto the throne.
“This project delves into the mysteries of one of the world’s most captivating cultures and brings it to life in a modern way that is both enlightening and entertaining,” says Wheelhouse DNA Managing Director Fanny Baudry. “We’re excited to combine our production expertise with Adam W’s creative vision and Frederator’s premium animation capabilities to take viewers back in time to explore the fascinating world of ancient Egypt.”
Frederator is an independent producer of animation for streaming services, linear television and online video platforms, and has produced 19 series and more than 250 short films for and with partners including Netflix, Amazon, Google, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Sony Pictures Animation and Cartoon Network — such as Adventure Time, Castlevania and Bee and PuppyCat.
“Wheelhouse DNA has proven to be one of the most innovative and successful studios with exceptional taste in content,” said Isabel Schultz, Director of Development at Frederator. “We are grateful and excited to partner with them to bring our amazing creator Adam W.’s voice to life in this hilarious adult animation series.”
Waheed has accumulated over 11.5 billion views in 2022 alone and is on track to double that this year. He was just named one of The 20 Most Influential Creators by Rolling Stone, and earned a spot on the Forbes Top Creator List in 2022.
Now, he is pivoting his online success to the entertainment industry, partnering with Spencer Strasmore (Ballers, Shooter) to co-create this animated series and develop a slate of origina content across digital, TV and feature film. Previously, Strasmore was a producer and development executive for Mark Wahlberg and Stephen Levinson’s production company.
“I’m thrilled to partner with Frederator and Wheelhouse DNA on this original animated series,” said Waheed. “I like to push the boundaries with my content and animation is the perfect fit as there is no limit to how big I can go.”
LatinX in Animation (LXiA) announced today the recipients of the Spark Animation Grant for 2023: Alec Castillo, Danna Galeano and Sandra Suarez. With support from the Grant, each awardee will create and produce an original animated short film. Themes and subject matter of the proposed shorts range from death, time and destiny, to Trichotillomania and the relationship between two opposites, their dreams and responsibilities.
The Spark Animation Grant is designed to uplift the visibility, perspectives and imaginations of U.S.-based Latinx animation filmmakers. Returning for its second year with support from Netflix, this year’s program expanded to support three filmmakers, with an increased grant amount of $20,000 for each filmmaker. Netflix’s sponsorship of the LXiA Spark Grant builds on their partnership with the Latino Film Institute, and is part of Netflix’s Fund for Creative Equity, an effort to create more behind-the-camera opportunities for underrepresented communities within the TV and film industries.
“LXiA is excited to welcome the 2023 Spark Animation Grant Fellows with an incredibly talented group of animators and filmmakers, whose creative and fresh voices touch upon incredibly timely and personal stories. We can’t wait to see their short films come to life over the next year,” said Bryan Dimas, Co-Director of LatinX in Animation.
To ensure they’re set up for current and future success, the Spark Animation Grant fellows will be paired with an independent Producer, as well as an industry mentor, including creatives from Netflix. Fellows will also participate in a series of professional development sessions. LXiA Spark Animation Grant will support fellows over the course of 13 months, and will culminate in a special screening at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) in summer 2024.
Meet this year’s filmmakers:
Alec Castillo
Alec Castillo is a Cuban-American animator and comedian, originally from Miami and currently based in Los Angeles. Some of his past work has been featured on Adult Swim, Netflix, Mitú and FunnyOrDie.
Danna Galeano
Danna Galeano is a Colombian-born filmmaker and animator. As an animator for the Latino social media company, Mitú, she created the animated character Guacardo, which has since become a viral sensation. She has also worked at Republic Records and Sony Music, creating animated lyric videos for talent across the globe. She hopes through her work that she can bring a unique and heartfelt perspective that connects with audiences and inspires them to see the world in a new way.
Sandra Suarez
Sandra Suarez is a Mexican-American stop motion animator and mixed-media artist living in Los Angeles, California. She strives to create stories that explore the messiness of life and encourage kindness to oneself and others. Her projects range from silly, wacky and weird to introspective and sincere.
A familiar furry friend is ready to begin his next animated chapter in Tummy Tom, a new film series (4 x 60′ or 13 x 5′) based on the bestselling Dutch children’s books. Produced by Phanta Animation and BosBros, the first footage from the launch film Tummy Tom’s Teddybear has been unveiled for the Cannes Film Festival and Market.
“We are really looking forward to this year’s Marché du Film, where we’ll we be presenting our stellar slate of kids and prime content,” Daniëlle Raaphorst, CEO of Incredible Film, the international Dutch and Flemish content distributor handling sales for the film series. “With a varied mix consisting lead by Tummy Tom, our projects represent what Incredible Films has to offer and we look forward to sharing these stories with buyers at the market.”
Tummy Tom
Tummy Tom
Slated for delivery in 2024, Tummy Tom’s Teddybear sees the charming cat discover a shocking problem: Bear is missing! Bear is his favorite cuddly toy, and it must be found. Luckily, Tummy Tom gets help from his best friend, Cat Mouse.
A very popular children’s character in The Netherlands, and beyond, Tummy Tom first appeared on the local version of Sesame Street in 1978. he books by Jet Boeke were first published by Gottmer in 1983, and have since sold millions of copies.
Portugal’s animation stars shone brightly at the sixth edition of the Quirino Awards, winning four of the nine awards given to promote Ibero-American animation. The feature film Nayola and the short films The Garbage Man, Ice Merchants and Garrano were the Portuguese works recognized in an edition that also paid tribute to 100 years of animation in that country.
Works from Spain and Argentina also received awards during the ceremony held on May 13 at the Teatro Leal in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, and broadcast online worldwide.
Nayola by Portuguese director José Miguel Ribeiro was chosen Best Feature Film. This Praça Filmes production tells the story of three generations of Angolan women marked by the long civil war the country suffered at the end of the last century. Premiered in the official competition of the Annecy Festival in 2022 and internationally recognized in a dozen competitions, Ribeiro’s first feature film is an adaptation of the play A Caixa Preta by José Eduardo Agualusa and Mia Couto.
Jasmine & Jambo
Meanwhile, the award for Best Series went to Spain’s Jasmine & Jambo by Silvia Cortés, a series that seeks to explain musical concepts and genres to a preschool audience through the adventures of two friends who are passionate about music. Produced by the Catalan company Teidees Audiovisuals in co-production with TV3, the first season of the series has been broadcast in more than ten countries around the world.
Awarded Best Short Film, The Garbage Man by Laura Gonçalves is a Bando à Parte production that reflects the poetry, saudade and authorial signature that characterizes Portuguese animation in recent decades. Made in 2D animation, the film tells the story of Tio Botão, a man capable of transforming garbage into real treasures.
The Garbage Man
The winners were chosen by an international jury made up of Andrea Fernández, Julio Bonet, Risa Cohen, Robert Jaszczurowski and Simón Wilches-Castro.
The ceremony also paid tribute to Claudio Biern Boyd, producer, and creator of animated series such as The World of David the Gnome, Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds and Around the World with Willy Fog, among others. Biern Boyd was born in Palma de Mallorca in 1940 and died last October 17. He was the founder of BRB Internacional and Apolo Films, the production companies behind some of the series and films that marked Spanish animation at the end of the last century.
Sponsored by the Cabildo de Tenerife, the Quirino Awards reaffirm with this new edition their relevance in the construction of a common space for animation in the 23 countries of this region comprising the countries of Latin America, Spain and Portugal.
Quirino Award winners at the 6th annual ceremony (photo c/o Quirino Awards)
2023 Quirino Award Winners
Best Ibero-American Animation Feature Film: Nayola, by José Miguel Ribeiro, produced by Praça Filmes, en coproducción con JPL Films, Soil Productions, Il Luster, Luna Blue Filmes (Portugal, Belgium, France, The Netherlands)
Best Ibero-American Animation Series:Jasmine & Jambo – Season 1, by Sílvia Cortés, produced by Teidees Audiovisuals, Corporació Catalana de Mitjans Audiovisuals, con la participación de IB3 (Televisió de les illes Balears), Institut Català de les Empreses Culturals (Spain)
Best Ibero-American Animation Short Film: The Garbage Man by Laura Gonçalves, produced by Bando à Parte (Portugal)
Best Ibero-American Animation School Short Film:Chimborazo by Keila Cepeda, produced by Universitat Politècnica de València (Spain)
Best Ibero-American Animation Commissioned Film: This Dog Looks Weird by Facundo Quiroga, Juan Nadalino & Sebastián García, produced by Kiosko (Argentina).
Best Ibero-American Animation for Video Game: Endling – Extinction Is Forever, developed for Herobeat Studios (Spain)
Chimborazo
This Dog Looks Weird
Endling – Extinction Is Forever
Best Visual Development of Ibero-American Animation Work:Ice Merchants by João Gonzalez, produced by Cola Animation, Wild Stream, Royal College of Art (Portugal, France, U.K.)
Best Animation Design of Ibero-American Animation Work:Passengerby Juan Pablo Zaramella, produced by JPZtudio (Argentina)
Best Sound Design and Original Music of Ibero-American Animation Work: Garrano by David Doutel & Vasco Sá, produced by Bap – Animation Studios, Art Shot (Portugal, Lithuania)
Learn more about the Quirino Awards and conference at premiosquirino.org.
Shattering box-office records and generating over a billion dollars worldwide, Nintendo and Illumination’s video game-inspired animated gut The Super Mario Bros. Movie will be available to home audiences tomorrow, May 16, exclusively on digital platforms nationwide where you can buy or rent movies — from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.
Bringing the iconic pop culture characters to life in this CG-animated big-screen adventure are Chris Pratt (Jurassic World franchise) as Mario, Charlie Day (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The LEGO Movie) as Luigi, Anya Taylor-Joy (Last Night in Soho, The Queen’s Gambit) as Princess Peach, Keegan-Michael Key (Key & Peele) as Toad, Seth Rogan (Neighbors, An American Pickle) as Donkey Kong, Jack Black (Kung Fu Panda franchise) as Bowser and Fred Armisen (Wednesday, Portlandia) as Cranky Kong.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
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. The story opens as the Super Mario Brothers are 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 together to defeat the power-hungry villain, Bowser.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is directed by Teen Titans Go! duo Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic from a script by Matthew Fogel (Minions: The Rise of Gru), produced by Chris Meledandri, Founder & CEO of Illumination, and Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto for Nintendo.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is currently playing in theaters. Find showtimes near you at thesupermariobros.movie.
During the Quirino Awards’ Ibero-American co-production forum in Tenerife, Terremoto AIE (Spain) and Vivement Lundi ! (France) announced the addition of new partners for the puppet animation feature film Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake: Co-producers Panique ! Productions (Belgium) and Pájaro (Chile), as well as distributor KMBO (France).
Terremoto AIE, the Spanish group formed by the animation studio Citoplasmas Stop Motion, Cornelius Films and Bígaro Films, developed Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake, which is being directed by Irene Iborra. The film is adapted from the best-selling children’s book La Pelicula de la vida (The Film of Our Life) by Maite Carranza, which sold more than 24,000 copies in Spain and has been translated and published in seven languages. The character designs were crafted by French artist Morgan Navarro.
Olivia is a 12-year-old girl whose life is turned upside down when her family is evicted from their home and forced to live in a squatted apartment. Her mother Ingrid, a cheerful and optimistic person, can’t cope with the situation anymore. To protect her little brother Tim, Olivia imagines that their life is a movie…
Vivement Lundi !, an Oscar nominated French company renowned for producing stop-motion films and series, joined the production of the film in 2022 after discovering the project during Cartoon Movie 2020.
The film’s budget is estimated at €5 million and several Spanish partners are already committed: RTVE, Televisió de Catalunya, À Punt, ICAA (Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual Arts), ICEC (Catalan Institute for Cultural Enterprises), IVAC (Valencian Institute of Culture), Ibermedia and the City of Barcelona.
In France, Bretagne Cinéma has given a first support to the film through its international co-development support. The Breton regional fund has just supported the project again, this time through its production support. KMBO, which handled the successful French releases of The Amazing Maurice and Mavka. The Forest Song, will distribute the film in France.
The new co-production partners, Panique ! Productions (Belgium) and Pájaro (Chile), join the project with a pre-buy from the Belgian TV RTBF and the support of the Chilean government in tow.
The co-producers plan to complete the financing plan for the film during 2023. Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake will be shot in Barcelona, and the Spanish premiere of the film is scheduled for the fall of 2025, through distributor Filmax.
Rob Wade, CEO, FOX Entertainment, today will unveil the FOX content slate for the 2023-2024 television season to the national advertising community during its in-person Upfront Presentation at the Manhattan Center. FOX is adding two new dramas, two new animated comedies and two new unscripted series to its lineup, as the media company continues to increase program ownership from in-house business units.
“Across every genre of FOX’s 2023-24 lineup, we continue to attract the brightest, most prolific creators in the industry,” said Wade. “As a result, our content portfolio continues to deliver balance and variety in its storytelling through the strength and stability of our returning favorites and tremendous creativity of our new series.”
From FOX’s Emmy Award-winning animation house, Bento Box Entertainment, come two all-new animated comedies: Krapopolis, from Rick and Morty co-creator Krapopolis, and Grimsburg, starring and executive produced by Jon Hamm. Krapopolis and Grimsburg join returning series Bob’s Burgers (Season 14), Family Guy (Season 22), The Great North (Season 4) and The Simpsons (Season 35).
From Emmy Award-winning creator Dan Harmon (Rick and Morty, Community) comes Krapopolis, an animated series like no other. Set in mythical Ancient Greece, the series centers on a flawed family of humans, gods and monsters that tries to run one of the world’s first cities without killing each other. The voice cast features Emmy Award winner Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso), Richard Ayoade (The IT Crowd), Matt Berry (What We Do in The Shadows), Pam Murphy (Mapleworth Murders) and Duncan Trussell (The Midnight Gospel).
In the series, Ayoade voices “Tyrannis,” the mortal son of a goddess. He’s the self-involved, narcissistic King of Krapopolis trying to make do in a city that lives up to its name. Waddingham plays “Deliria,” Tyrannis’ mother, goddess of self-destruction and questionable choices. Within her extended Olympian family — forged in patricide and infidelity — she’s known as the trashy one. Berry is “Shlub,” Tyrannis’ father, a mantitaur (half centaur [horse + human], half manticore [lion + human + scorpion]). He is oversexed and underemployed, claims to be an artist and has literally never paid for anything, in any sense of that word, for his entire life. Murphy voices “Stupendous,” Tyrannis’ half-sister, daughter of Deliria and a cyclops. Trussell plays “Hippocampus,” Tyrannis’ half-brother, offspring of Shlub and a mermaid, and, obviously, a hot mess, biologically speaking.
Krapopolis is owned by FOX Entertainment and produced by Bento Box Entertainment. Harmon is creator and executive producer. Jordan Young is executive producer and Showrunner (Season 1). Alex Rubens is executive producer and showrunner (Seasons 2 & 3).
Created by Catlan McClelland and Matthew Schlissel, “Grimsburg” centers on the misadventures of the great detective Marvin Flute (voiced by Jon Hamm).
All-new animated comedy Grimsburgstars Emmy Award winner Jon Hamm (Mad Men, Top Gun: Maverick), who also serves as an executive producer on the series. In Grimsburg, Marvin Flute (Hamm) is a brilliant detective with opinions as eccentric as his taste, who can’t help but prioritize his own personal problems — whether it be his family or petty differences among his co-workers — over the crimes he’s tasked with solving. Now that he’s back in Grimsburg, a town where everyone has a secret or three, Flute will follow every lead he’s got to redeem himself with the ex-wife he never stopped loving, even if it means hanging out with the son he never bothered to get to know. The cast also includes Wendie Malick, Matt Jones, Sam Richardson, Rachel Dratch, Chris Parnell and Jim Rash.
Grimsburg is owned by FOX Entertainment, and produced by Bento Box Entertainment. Catlan McClelland and Matthew Schlissel created the series and serve as co-executive producers. Gail Berman, Hend Baghdady, Chadd Gindin, Connie Tavel and Jon Hamm serve as executive producers. Chadd Gindin serves as showrunner.
Taylor Gray (Star Wars: Rebels) has joined the star-studded cast of the sci-fi animation series NEW-GEN, based on the Marvel-distributed comic-book series by J.D. Matonti, Chris Matonti and Julia Coppola of A.P.N.G. Enterprises. The series is being animated by Emmy-winning production house Pixeldust Studios.
Gray will star as superhero Diamond. Previously announced cast includes Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things), Nick Wolfhard (Fire Emblem), Anya Chalotra (The Witcher), Lena Headey (Game of Thrones), Luke Wilson (Stargirl) and Henry Rollins (The Legend of Korra).
Additionally, the studio has announced that Grammy Award-winning and Golden Globe-nominated composer Jerry Wonda of Platinum Sound Studios will be producing the soundtrack for NEW-GEN, alongside partner John Loeffler. Wonda is best-known for his songs including “Hips Don’t Lie” (Shakira), “Maria Maria” (Carlos Santana) and other hits with award-winning artists Rihanna, Mary J. Blige, Justin Bieber, John Legend, Janet Jackson, and more.
Loeffler has created soundtracks for national advertising brands such as American Airlines, Coca Cola and Ford Trucks. He is the co-composer of Pokémon songs including “Gotta Catch ‘em All” and has accomplished 15 years of Pokémon underscore music, as well as working on Yu-Gi-Oh! and others. He has recently served as the EVP of BMG, overseeing the signing of John Fogerty, Journey, Chicago and Rufus Wainwright.
Synopsis: The series centers on twin brothers who live as ordinary teenagers and nanotech enhanced superheroes: NEW-GEN is a futuristic utopia where human beings, alien creatures and mechanical lifeforms peacefully coexist. Designed and built with nanotechnology, NEW-GEN balances nature and technology, weaving together an ecologically sustainable paradise. Its existence becomes threatened by a nanotech war and heroes from Earth and NEW-GEN are called to defeat the encroaching evil.
NEW-GEN is created and produced by A.P.N.G.’s J.D. Matonti, Chris Matonti and Julia Coppola. The writer/showrunner is Brent Friedman, whose credits include the Star Wars franchise, and it is co-written by Eugene Son, who has worked on major superhero franchises including Avengers Assemble, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and more.
The project is planned as a multi-platform, multi-tech experience. Viewers will be able to download an augmented reality app enabling players’ use of nanotech powers to battle various creatures from the show. Fans can explore a web-based experience which weaves scientific fact and fiction to depict what nanotech is and where it might be in the future.
The animated series will be directed by J.D. Matonti, who is repped by Zero Gravity Management. Jetpack Distribution has worldwide TV distribution. Joester Loria Group will be the licensing and merchandising partner for NEW-GEN.
Gray is repped by INSURGE-Ent, Seven Summits Pictures & Management, Sutton, barth, & Vennari, and Felker Toczek Suddleson Abramson McGinnis Ryan.
Perfectly timed to Mother’s Day (and the acclaimed actress’s birthday!), Mattel, Inc. announced today that Meg Foster — known to genre fans for her role as Evil-Lyn in the 1987 cult classic live-action Masters of the Universe film, returns to Eternia with an all-new role in the new animated series Masters of the Universe: Revolution, set to launch globally on Netflix in 2024.
Foster will voice Motherboard, an ancient sorceress of technology in the fight for the soul of Eternia — joining the fray as a formidable force against the Masters schemes to plunge the world into imminent darkness. Acting as Hordak’s liasion on Eternia, Motherboard is a powerful sentient artificial intelligence that uses her nanovirus powers to manipulate Skeletor and the people of Eternia as she aims to ensnare the planet, and Grayskull, as a prize for Hordak.
Masters of the Universe
“My part in Masters of the Universe more than 35 years ago remains one of my most cherished roles,” said Foster. “I am both thrilled and honored to come back into the fold to embody a brilliant, all-new villainous character that adds color to the vibrant storytelling that Kevin Smith and Mattel have brought to life for fans around the world.”
Set as the follow-up to 2021’s Masters of the Universe: Revelation, Masters of the Universe: Revolutionis an all-new story that takes the classic He-Man vs. Skeletor rivalry to places audiences have never before experienced. It’s technology up against magic as He-Man and the heroic warriors face the forces of Skeletor and a deadly threat to the planet in the next epic chapter in the battle for Eternia.
Foster joins Revolution’s all-star cast, which includes Chris Wood as He-Man, Melissa Benoist as Teela, Emmy nominee Mark Hamill as Skeletor and William Shatner in a still-to-be announced role.
“It’s not often that original and beloved actors return to their legacy franchises, so we are excited for the opportunity to welcome Meg Foster back to Eternia,” said Fred Soulie, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Mattel Television. “Her presence in the original live action film left an undeniable impact on fans, so much so that it cemented the film in the pop culture zeitgeist for over 30 years, causing her formidable work as Evil-Lyn to set the stage for Meg to enrapture audiences once again, now as the villainous Motherboard.”
Foster is represented by Chris Roe Management.
Masters of the Universe: Revolution is set to debut on Netflix in 2024 and is executive produced by Mattel’s Soulie, Rob David and Christopher Keenan, as well as Ted Biaselli and Kevin Smith.
LAIKA’s Chief Marketing Officer David Burke has added Chief Operating Officer to his responsibilities at the Oscar-winning studio, creators of Coraline, ParaNorman, The Boxtrolls, Kubo and the Two Strings, Missing Link and upcoming Wildwood. Burke joined LAIKA in 2019 from Universal Pictures, where he had been General Manager for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland since 2006. The promotion was announced today by Travis Knight, President & CEO, to whom Burke will continue to report.
“Dave is a bold, forward-thinking leader and an all-around terrific guy,” said Knight. “He has become an indelible part of LAIKA’s story. Dave’s exceptional thoughtfulness, creativity and discernment make him uniquely suited to steer our studio into the future. Partnering with Dave has been a joy, and together we wholeheartedly believe LAIKA’s finest chapters are ahead of us.”
Burke’s role at LAIKA has expanded to encompass all aspects of the company’s Operations activities while remaining the lead on brand marketing and film promotions. As a key member of the Executive Team, he is also involved in developing LAIKA’s Live Action strategy.
“I am thrilled to take on the expanded role of Chief Marketing and Operations Officer at LAIKA,” Burke shared. “I am grateful to our CEO Travis Knight for his leadership and trust in me to help drive the company’s mission forward. Our team of talented colleagues is second to none, and I am excited to continue working alongside them in this new capacity. Together we will continue to build on LAIKA’s legacy of creating singular and original stories that entertain and inspire audiences worldwide.”
Since his arrival at LAIKA, Burke has optimized each of the studio’s five Academy Award-nominated legacy titles across VOD, AVOD and physical media, including nationwide retrospective theatrical screenings of LAIKA’s library through Fathom, setting post-pandemic records in the retro screening space.
Reflecting Knight’s dedication to a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace, Burke has established a formal DEI framework for the studio focusing on accessibility and talent pipeline expansion. A significant manifestation of this effort is a partnership with HBCU Bowie State in Maryland, where LAIKA funded the creation of the university’s stop-motion animation curriculum and physical studio. He has also developed LAIKA’s partnerships with Women in Animation, Film Independent’s Project Involve and Portland Community College.
Courtesy of LAIKA and The Academy Museum
Burke’s tenure at LAIKA includes a multi-year sponsorship of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. He championed the idea of a named gallery, and the 2000 SF LAIKA Gallery on the museum’s third floor celebrates the earliest technological advances in cinema. Additionally, the Academy Museum’s past summer’s month-long program, The Magical Films of LAIKA, celebrated the world premiere screenings of all five of LAIKA’s films on 4K with Dolby-enhanced sound, as well as panels, educational engagements and bespoke merchandise.
Burke has expanded LAIKA’s exhibition program partnering with the Museum of Moving Image (MOMI), the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) and most recently a record-breaking stop-motion animation exhibit at Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP). The multi-year exhibit, Hidden Worlds: The Films of LAIKA, sold out its opening weekend and is on course to becoming one of the museum’s most popular exhibits. The British Film Institute (BFI) will also mount an exhibit of LAIKA puppets, sets, props and costumes next year, and more international exhibition locations are in the planning stages.
Under Burke’s leadership, LAIKA has prioritized expanding its social media presence, resulting in a strong pipeline of original content specifically created for its burgeoning and highly engaged social media audiences. Burke’s marketing team has created hundreds of pieces of content over a three-year period, garnering hundreds of millions of views, and growing their social following to over 10 million global users across platforms.
During his tenure with Universal before joining LAIKA, Burke planned releases on close to 400 film titles, including 60 films that debuted to #1 in the Ireland and Northern Ireland markets. A partial list of titles includes: The Bourne Ultimatum, Jurassic World, Fifty Shades of Grey, Ted, Les Misérables, Bridesmaids, It’s Complicated, Bridget Jones’s Baby, Straight Outta Compton, Illumination films including Despicable Me and The Secret Life of Pets franchise titles, the Fast & Furious franchise, Mamma Mia! films as well as Martin McDonagh’s In Bruges, Richard Linklater’s Boyhood and Jordan Peele’s Get Out.
Prior to his General Manager role with Universal Pictures, Burke worked with leading Irish independent film distributor Clarence Pictures, where he was involved in releasing a wide range of Irish and international films. He is a former Chairman of The Industry Trust, which promotes the value of copyright and creativity in Ireland’s film, television and video industry. He holds a Film Studies MA from University College Dublin as well as an MBA from DIT Business School.
The Pokémon Company International announced that the third batch of episodes for Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series, the globally popular Pokémon animated series, will make its U.S. premiere June 23 exclusively on Netflix. With this new release, Trainers will be able to witness Ash Ketchum and his Pikachu become Champion of the Pokémon World Coronation Series after 25 seasons of countless battles and challenging quests.
A new trailer was released to mark the announcement.
Ahead of the new Pokémon animated series, Pokémon Horizons: The Series, Trainers are invited to send off Ash and his Pikachu in the final chapter of their adventures, which will conclude with a collection of special episodes to commemorate their 25-season journey. Availability of these future episodes will be announced at a later date.
Synopsis: The stakes are higher than ever for Ash, Goh and Chloe as they advance toward their goals! As the Pokémon World Coronation Series tournament heats up, intensive training is in store for Ash, Pikachu and their Pokémon friends. Meanwhile, Goh embarks on a series of challenging trial missions to become a member of Project Mew. And as Chloe and Eevee learn about the different evolutionary paths that Eevee can take, will they be able to come to a decision about its future? Get ready for nonstop action, familiar faces from journeys past and more Pokémon discoveries to be made!
In addition, the first batch of episodes from Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series is now available for rent or purchase on iTunes, Google Play and Prime Video in the U.S. Additional episodes from the final season will be available on digital storefronts in the future.
