Radar Pictures has secured the feature film rights for Italian children’s book favoriteGeronimo Stilton, which follows the adventures of the eponymous mouse, a newspaper editor on New Mouse Island. Award-winning filmmaker David Soren (Turbo, Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, the upcoming Under the Boardwalk) has been attached to adapt the beloved series into an animated feature and direct.
Geronimo Stilton, created by Italian author Elisabetta Dami, has been featured in over 300 books translated into over 50 languages, which have sold over 180 million copies in 150 countries, making it one of the best-selling book series of all time. The intrepid rodent has also appeared in graphic novels, an animated series, eight live stage productions, video games, toys and more.
Synopsis: Longing to be taken seriously as a journalist and move beyond the cheesy puff pieces he’s usually assigned, Geronimo stumbles onto a conspiracy far bigger than anyone expected. He’s out of his league and with his eccentric family always up in his business, Geronimo’s problems seem insurmountable. But, working together, they might stand a chance as long as they can stay one step ahead of his foes in this explosive game of cat and mouse.
BAFTA and Annie Award-nominated writer-director David Soren (Turbo, Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, upcoming Under the Boardwalk) has been attached to adapt the books and direct the character in his first big-screen adventure. “I am excited to be working with Radar Pictures to bring this incredibly popular book series to life,” says Soren. “Geronimo Stilton is beloved around the world and it’s high time for his first hilarious, feature film adventure!”
The film is a collaboration between Radar Pictures and Atlantyca Entertainment, the Milan-based transmedia entertainment company that manages international publishing rights as well as animation and licensing rights worldwide to the Geronimo Stilton book series, published in Italy by Edizioni Piemme and by Scholastic in the United States and other English-speaking countries.
“Here at Atlantyca, we are honored to see our beloved Geronimo Stilton is heading to Hollywood!” beams Atlantyca President Pietro Marietti. “For 20 years, working with the Atlantyca team we proudly created a global brand with extraordinary success achieved through books, the animated series, our musical and exhibitions, resulting in Geronimo Stilton becoming a worldwide transmedia phenomenon. Our partnership with Radar Pictures is truly a next step for this famed mouse journalist. We are so excited to see the potential this brings to sharing his story with new audiences on the big screen.”
Anthony Tringali, Michael Napoliello and Maria Frisk will produce for Radar. Tringali adds, “The Geronimo Stilton books are so wonderfully witty and you immediately fall in love with the characters. The movie will bring audiences of all ages on an unforgettable and hilarious journey full of action, heart and mousy misadventures.”
The film will be executive produced by Radar’s Ted Field, whose 30 years in the film industry have led to worldwide box-office grosses topping $10 billion. He has produced more than 60 films, including the Jumanji franchise, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure and FernGully. Field is currently producing a number of epic television series, including Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time, one of Amazon’s top series worldwide. “Radar is excited to be working with Atlantyca to bring this character to the big screen for his many millions of fans and readers around the glob,” says Field.
Atlantyca Entertainment is the award-winning transmedia entertainment company maintaining Production & Distribution, Licensing, Publishing, Foreign Rights Sales and Atlantyca Live divisions. The company manages the IP rights for its Geronimo Stilton, Bat Pat, Berry Bees and Snow Black brands and all of its franchises. The company has produced three seasons of the globally popular Geronimo Stilton animated series, a co-production with Superprod with the participation of Rai Kids.
Radar Pictures is repped by Buchwald. David Soren is repped by Adam Levine and Sara Nestor at Verve Talent and Literary Agency.
PGS, MOSTAPES and Aurora World have joined forces for Dinosally & Friends, a new 2D-animated series that will take young preschoolers and families on a prehistoric adventure filled with laughter, learning and, of course, dinosaurs.
The 52 x 11′ series, produced by MOSTAPES and co-produced by PGS and Aurora World, follows the adventures of a young pink dinosaur named Sally and her friends as they explore the world, solve problems and make new discoveries.
“We’re thrilled to be a part of bringing Dinosally & Friends to life and providing young preschoolers with a fun experience,” said Jay Kim, CEO of MOSTAPES (Mikitti Pirate Cats, Chippy Hood). “Our goal is to create shows that engage and entertain, and we’re confident this series will do just that.”
The vibrant series is set in Dino Town, where Sally and her friends embark on exciting adventures, playful shenanigans and learning new things at Dino School, proving that everything is dinotastic when there are friends to stomp along! The producers say the show’s blend of engaging storylines, unique characters and fun themes make the show ideal for family co-viewing.
“Creating content for kids is always a thrilling blend of challenge and passion,” added Paula Taborda dos Guaranys, EVP of Acquisitions & Development, PGS. “Guiding them on a journey of growth, offering fun learning experiences, and surrounding them with friends is a joy. I’ve fallen in love with the world of Dinosally, and I hope children everywhere will, too.”
As part of the new brand’s promotional strategy, the release of numerous animated gifs on the Giphy platform has already made Dinosally a digital hit, racking up 8 billion views and ranking among the Top 5 Giphy artist channels of 2022.
PGS (ALVINNN!!! and the Chipmunks, Miraculous Ladybug) will handle worldwide distribution for the series, also creating opportunities for licensing and merchandising deals.
“We are proud to be a part of this exciting project and bring Dinosally to audiences around the world,” said Philippe Soutter, Co-Founder of PGS. “We’re confident the show will be a hit with young viewers and families.”
Aurora World (YooHoo & Friends) has been named the co-producer and plush master toy partner, offering a range of Dinosally & Friends toys and products for fans to enjoy.
Via a special video presentation during the 2023 BRIC Talent and Innovation Summit, Women in Animation (WIA) Chair of Education Hsiang Chin Moe announced the 40 recipients from all over the world of this year’s WIA Scholarships — the largest group to receive cash awards and honorable mentions to date. The WIA Scholarship Program is an annual award committed to furthering deserving animation students who demonstrate artistic talent, a passion for animation, a financial need and a promising future in the field of animation.
Student members of WIA were encouraged to apply, no matter in what region of the world they are academically pursuing their animation career interests. The scholarship pool totals $24,500 and also features workshops, tutoring opportunities, animation equipment and software packages for recipients of the 2023 cycle from industry partners Animation Focus, Animation Mentor, ArtStation, Autodesk, Foundry, LAIKA, Toon Boom, Wacom, WIA Bay Area Chapter, WIA Montreal Chapter and YellowBrick Learning.
“During my time as WIA President, I have been privileged to see how our WIA Scholarship program — thanks to the generous support of our partners — directly and positively affects future generations of women and nonbinary creatives in our industry,” commented Marge Dean. “I am proud of how much this key program has grown over the years, and this year is no exception as we celebrate our largest number of scholarship applicants and recipients. Congratulations to these artists. I can’t wait to see what they will do.”
Out of 192 applications from 74 schools across the U.S. and Puerto Rico as well as Canada, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Mexico, South Africa and Sri Lanka during the 2022-2023 program, the WIA scholarship committee selected 15 students as most deserving of scholarships, in addition to 25 students as honorable mentions. The scholarship recipients are (in alphabetical order):
Hailey Blair from Ringling College of Art and Design
Isabella Bajestani from Belmont University
Tiffany Book from ArtCenter College of Design
Brooke Burnett from School of Visual Arts
Michelle Cheng from School of Visual Arts
Safia Colbert from Arizona State University
Patricia Alyson Deogracias from Ringling College of Art and Design
Rui Han from University of Southern California
Ejung Hong from University of Pennsylvania
Sherry Li from University of Pennsylvania
Maggie McKelvey from California Institute of the Arts
Taharida Rahman from California State University, Northridge
Ruby Saysanasy from Sheridan College
Kaylee Tian Lin Tang from Ringling College of Art and Design
Fan Zhang from Academy of Art University
The scholarship winners’ full bios and website links can be found on the WIA scholarship page.
Beyond those students who received cash scholarships, WIA also announced 25 Honorable Mention Winners — the largest number to date — who were awarded software and/or workshop packages to boost their animation skills.
About the sponsor prizes:
First-time supporters, ArtStation — who’s provided 25 one-year ArtStation Pro upgrades — and YellowBrick Learning has provided three awardees their choice of one Yellowbrick online course for each winner, a $1,000 per class value, totaling $3,000 for the WIA Scholarship program.
For yet another year, Toon Boom supported the WIA Scholarship Program with both software and scholarship funds. Twenty one-year bundled licenses of Storyboard Pro and Harmony Premium were awarded to finalists as well as virtual training. In addition to supporting the cash prize pool, Autodesk benefited this year’s recipients with eight licenses of their 3D modeling and animation software.
Winners have the choice between one-year subscriptions of Autodesk Maya or Autodesk 3ds Max.
Animation Focus provides online animation tutoring on a one-to-one basis with a professional feature film character animator — one hour per week for four weeks. A WIA scholarship recipient will receive a place in a 2023 Animation Focus class.
Scholarship partner Animation Mentor offered one WIA Animation Scholarship winner a six-week workshop and will award the choice of several courses including Maya Workshop: Animation Basics and Cartoony Animation for 3D Animators.
Foundry will award $2,000 in scholarship funds together with a permanent Production Collective license to its suite of products, including Nuke Studio, Katana, Mari and Modo.
LAIKA will be giving out two cash awards, up to $2,000 to two deserving students who specialize in stop motion. LAIKA hopes to take this opportunity to foster future talent that shares the same passion for stop-motion filmmaking.
Wacom is donating 10 Cintiq Pro 16s because they understand the importance of having professional-level technology as it will set the talent apart for both freelancing work and their creative portfolios making them more hirable in the animation industry.
“This year marks the largest number of sponsors that have contributed to the WIA Scholarship program, and I am incredibly grateful for everyone’s generosity in providing resources in furthering the future of animation,” Moe saaid. “As an educator, the WIA Scholarship program is very dear to my heart. Its impact is immediate in providing support to students whether it is software packages, hardware, tutoring, workshops, discount opportunities, or cash prizes. I am confident it will continue to grow and help more and more students from all over the world. Congratulations to the award recipients and honorable mentions!”
Mattel, Inc. announced today its relaunch of the Barney franchise. The comprehensive revitalization of the brand will span television, film and YouTube content as well as music and a full range of kids’ products including toys, books, clothing and more. Apparel and accessories for adult fans, featuring classic Barney, are also in development.
“Barney’s message of love and kindness has stood the test of time,” said Josh Silverman, Chief Franchise Officer & Global Head of Consumer Products at Mattel. “We will tap into the nostalgia of the generations who grew up with Barney, now parents themselves, and introduce the iconic purple dinosaur to a new generation of kids and families around the world across content, products and
experiences.”
Mattel will relaunch Barney for a new generation with a brand-new animated series, set to debut globally in 2024. Created for preschool kids, the series will feature the ubiquitous purple dinosaur and friends, introducing new audiences to the world of Barney through music-filled adventures centered on love, community and encouragement.
The series will be produced by Corus Entertainment’s kids’ content studio Nelvana, and executive produced by Fred Soulie and Christopher Keenan for Mattel Television and by Colin Bohm and Pam Westman for Nelvana.
“In creating the new series, it was important to us that we properly reflect the world that kids today live in so that the series can deliver meaningful lessons about navigating it,” said Soulie, Mattel Television SVP & General Manager. “With our modern take on Barney, we hope to inspire the next generation to listen, care and dream big. We think that parents, many of whom will fondly remember the original Barney from their own childhoods, will love the show, too.”
Barney is the latest in Mattel’s catalog of legacy franchises to enjoy a refresh, following the recent return of Monster High and the relaunch of the 1980s classic Masters of the Universe, both with new content and consumer products programs.
Barney’s fans can keep up with news about the relaunch by following @Mattel on Facebook and Instagram. Learn more at mattel.com.
Following the news that Disney is planning additional sequels for its classic hits, a tweet from actor Tim Allen suggests he will return to the role of Buzz Lightyear for Toy Story 5after handing off the Space Ranger duties to Chris Evans for the 2022 origin story spin-off Lightyear.
Allen, who has voiced Buzz in all the Toy Story movies since 1995, wrote in character “See ya soon Woody, you ar ea sad strange little man and you have my pity. And off we go to number 5! To infinity and beyond!”
See ya soon Woody, you are a sad strange little man and you have my pity. And off we go to a number 5! To infinity and beyond! pic.twitter.com/bwRzE487Vi
Speaking of the future of the Disney-Pixar toon business, returned CEO Bob Iger appeared this week on CNBC’s Squawk on the Street to assure fans and industry watchers that the Mouse House will remain a stalwart Toon Town landmark, saying: “Animation will continue to be an important business for us for a long time.”
In the video, Iger points out the success of Oscar winner Encanto and this year’s Oscar-nominated Turning Red, despite the complications of post-COVID theatrical releasing. This should be reassuring to Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios employees as the company continues to work towards its planned $5.5 billion in cost cutting measures, including content chops.
Finally, graphic novel fans were treated to a teaser trailer for the live-action (but quite fantastical) Disney+ Original series American Born Chinese. Based on the genre-hopping action-comedy created by Gene Luen-Yang, the Disney Branded Television / 20th Television production is led by exec producer/showrunner Kelvin Yu (Bob’s Burgers, Central Park).
American Born Chinese tells the story of Jin Wang, an average teenager juggling his high school social life with his home life. When he meets a new foreign student on the first day of the school year, even more worlds collide as Jin is unwittingly entangled in a battle of Chinese mythological gods.
The cast includes , including Golden Globe winners Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All at Once), Ben Wang, Yeo Yann Yann, Chin Han, Daniel Wu, former Taekwondo champion Jimmy Liu and Sydney Taylor. Guest starring as a mythical pantheon of characters are Ronny Chieng, Jimmy O. Yang, James Hong, Leonard We, Stephanie Hsu and Poppy Liu, as well as human characters played by Lisa Lu and Turning Red‘s Rosalie Chiang.
Registration is now open for Licensing Expo, the world’s largest annual event dedicated to licensing and brand extension, taking place June 13-15 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, organized by Informa Markets’ Global Licensing Group and sponsored by Licensing International. Register at licensingexpo.com.
Major players in the toy industry and kids’ entertainment space have already committed to exhibiting at the 2023 Expo, including Dr. Seuss Enterprises, Funko, Hasbro, Jazwares, Mattel, Moonbug Entertainment, Peanuts Worldwide, The Pokémon Co. International, SEGA of America and Sesame Workshop.
“As we continue to see growth in imaginative collaborations and product ranges across the licensing and fashion spheres, this year’s event will be the place to discover the many ways in which fashion is driving licensing conversations and experiences,” says Anna Knight, Senior Vice President of the Global Licensing Group, organizers of Licensing Expo.
The Producers Guild of America announced nominees for The PGA Innovation Award, recognizing the production of a noteworthy, impactful new media program that significantly elevates the audience’s viewing experience. The recipient will be announced at the Nominee Celebration Event on the evening of February 23 in Los Angeles, and highlighted at the PGA Awards ceremony February 25 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
2023 PGA Innovation Award Nominees:
Dance Monsters (Lime Pictures)
Experience Yosemite (CityLights)
Ghostbusters VR Academy (HOLOGATE)
LeMusk – A Cinematic Sensory Experience (Intel Corporation)
Lustration (New Canvas)
On the Morning You Wake (To the End of the World) (ASTREA)
OXYMORE by Jean-Michel Jarre (VRROOM)
PerfectoVerse (Watch and Play)
Stay Alive, My Son (UME Studios)
Stranger Things Immersive Watch Party (Sawhorse Productions)
Verizon Pepsi Halftime Ultra Pass (R/GA)
Ahead of the previously announced feature contenders panel, VIEW Conference weill present a free virtual discussion with directors behind this year’s Oscar nominees for best animated short: Sara Gunnarsdóttir, Charlie Mackesy, Amanda Forbis & Wendy Tilby, João Gonzalez and Lachlan Pendragon.
The panel will take place Tuesday, February 28 at 9 a.m. PST. Register for free at viewconference.it.
Pinkalicious & Peterrific – Cupid Calls It Quits
PBS KIDS is celebrating both a popular holiday and an important element of health care with fresh February content featuring kids’ animated favorite.
The new season of Pinkalicious & Peterrific kicks off today (February 10) during PBSKIDS Family Movie Night with the re-air of the hour-long Valentine’s Day special “Cupid Calls It Quits.” In the special, Pinkalicious and Peter befriend Cupid who overs them a trade: he’ll become a real kid for a day while Pinkalicious become cupid. But will Pinkalicious and Peter be able to spread love across Pinkville?
Episodic premieres begin Feb. 13, bringing family audiences along with Pinkalicious and her friends in Pinkville on brand-new adventures — making the most of the last snowy days, becoming immersed in an art exhibit, enjoying a dog show, helping her community and learning important lessons. Watch episodes on PBS KIDS or online at pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS YouTube channel.
Daniel Tiger: At the Dentist
February also marks National Children’s Dental Health Month, so the friendly Fred Rogers gang of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood are helping their young friends get ready for their first appointment with the new digital game Daniel Tiger: At the Dentist, developed with the review of the American Academy for Pediatric Dentistry. The game will launch February 17 at pbskids.org/daniel.
At the Dentist, featuring Daniel Tiger and Dr. Plat, prepares children for a positive experience when going to the dentist. Through relaxing, interactive gameplay with Daniel and Mr. Dino, kids will familiarize themselves with a dentist visit by experiencing the sights and sounds of various instruments and processes utilized by the dentist. Additionally, the game will encourage little ones to brush their teeth for two minutes, as recommended by the AAPD.
Making kids comfortable with visiting the dentist and establishing an oral care routine early especially matter here in the U.S., where tooth decay is the number one chronic childhood disease. Caregivers can visit mychildrensteeth.org for more resources and to find a pediatric dentist in their area.
Another artistic and stirring collaboration between Gorillaz co-creator Jamie Hewlett and Emmy-nominated Nexus Studios director Fx Goby (Back to the Moon) has arrived in the new music video for “Silent Running ft. Adeleye Omotayo.” The epic song-story follows the creatives’ recent collaboration on the “Cracker Island ft. Thundercat” MV, the title track for the band’s upcoming new album.
Hewlett and Goby set out to create a narrative-led, creatively ambitious piece, bringing together prosthetics, pyrotechnics, performance and intricate visual effects. Produced by Nexus Studios, the live-action and animation-infused video’s sense of scale is conveyed through layers of large and small details large and small, incorporating minuscule carvings on cave walls, evaporating cult members and the use of real fire on set.
Gorillaz – Silent Running
Gorillaz – Silent Running
Gorillaz – Silent Running
Gorillaz – Silent Running
“It was a mega-ambitious project, so we had to be mega-creative to get every detail perfect. It was a thrill to capture all of this while exploring each of the Gorillaz members’ stories,” Goby noted.
In this story world, the Gorillaz last year relocated from Kong Studios in West London to a Silver Lake, Calif. mansion and home based for “The Last Cult.” Here, the Great Leader (a.k.a. Murdoc) has fallen in love with his neighbor and has bottled his scent or Divine Essence. Meanwhile, Russel is caught up trying to discern the answer to saving humanity in the television static, Noodle is compiling a handbook of wisdom and 2D is… busy being 2D.
Gorillaz – Silent Running
Gorillaz – Silent Running
Gorillaz – Silent Running
Gorillaz – Silent Running
As the band hunts for the One Truth to fix the world (and Murdoc out to impress the gal next door), they are barreling towards a day of reckoning called The Rupture — the nature of which and the fate of the Gorillaz being revealed in the new video.
“Well, chuffing hell! What an emotional roller-coaster ride that was! I can see the headlines now: ‘Murdoc’s Bathwater Saves Humanity!’ Always the plan TBH, just kept it under my hat until the big finish,” sez Murdoc.
Classic Chinese legends get a new animated retelling in Shimmy: The First Monkey King, a new 3D CGI feature produced for cinemas and IMAX ready. Ahead of the European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin, first-look poster artwork has been revealed by Odin’s Eye Entertainment (odinseyeent.com), which is handling sales for the pic.
The movie stars Shimmy, a cheeky monkey with newly discovered superhero-like powers must learn how to control his extraordinary transformative abilities to prevent powerful demonic forces from sending the universe into chaos. The family action-adventure hails from animation veteran Ralph Zondag, creator of Disney’s Dinosaur (2000) and story writer for Pocahontas (1995), and is ready for delivery in April 2023.
“We were inspired by the fantastic ancient epic tale, Journey to the West and did extensive research to capture all its unique, well-rounded characters, spectacular realms and subtle nuances of self-discovery by applying a current perspective that makes it universally relatable for children and adults alike in a highly entertaining and incredibly fun way,” said director-producers Ralph Zondag and Dick Zondag (We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story).
Shimmy: The First Monkey King is an official U.S.-China co-production between Eastern International Pictures, Europe-China Pictures, Magic Pictures and Stone Monkey Productions. Producers are Michelle Qi, Jason Zhu, Dick Zondag and Ralph Zondag. The film will have a wide release in China this summer through Shanghai Film Co. Ltd.
“I am thrilled to be working with this incredible team who have produced an animated feature epic in scale but also wonderfully nuanced in character performance, humor and warmth as well as being an action packed origin story,” said Michel Favelle of Odin’s Eye Animation.
Michelle Qi of Eastern International Pictures commented, “We are thrilled to be partnering with Odin’s Eye and their experienced sales and marketing team. At Eastern International Pictures Group it is our continued goal to collaborate with top level creatives such as Ralph and Dick in producing high quality entertaining content for global audiences.”
Heading into the European Film Market, Paris-based company Indie Sales has released the official teaser trailer for Richard the Stork 2, directed by Mette Tange and Benjamin Quabeck. The film will have its market premiere at the EFM in Berlin (Feb. 16-22) and is expected to ruffle feathers among buyers, as pre-sales are already inked in more than 20 territories.
Produced by Knudsen Pictures and co-produced by Walking The Dog and Den Siste Skilling, the film is a sequel to Richard the Stork (released in North America as A Stork’s Journey and also known as Little Bird’s Big Adventure), which was distributed widely worldwide, sold to 155 countries and grossed over $20 million worldwide.
Indie Sales is well-known for My Life as a Zucchini, the high-profile Oscar and Golden Globe nominated feature which sold in more than 80 territories. The company increasingly focuses on acquiring big-budget animation but while continuing its support for prestigious arthouse animated films.
Film Synopsis: Richard, the daring sparrow who was adopted by a stork family, is enjoying wintering at the Great Lake in Northern Africa when he realizes he won’t be the one to lead the flock back north. Therefore, he runs away to travel on his own. On his journey he meets Samia and her sparrow flock, who are being held captive by evil marabous under the control of the greedy peacock Zamano.
The only chance of freedom for the sparrows is to solve a riddle and find the Great Jewel, which will call upon teamwork, trust and most of all skills learnt from storks, also known as “spork” (sparrow + stork) skills!
The sequel features a score composed by Eric Neveux, well-known for Poly, Samsam and Nicholas on Holiday, along with original songs written by Canadian songwriter Mocky (Dominic Salole).
The film is set for a theatrical release in Germany on March 23 with Wild Bunch Germany. Paradis Films will follow with a French release on April 12, followed by a Norwegian theatrical release with SF Studios on April 21.
Richard the Stork 2 was produced at animation studio Walking the Dog in Belgium, Mideu Films in Halle, Germany as well as at Apparat.Studio in Bergen and Nordisk Film Shortcut in Oslo, Norway. The film is co-produced with BNP Paribas Fortis Film Finance, Mediefondet Zefyr, Norddeutscher Rundfunk, Magellan Films, Senator Film Produktion, in collaboration with Nordisk Film Shortcut Oslo.
Production received support from the German Federal Film Fund, German Federal Film Board, Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, Kuratorium junger deutscher Film, Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, The Tax Shelter of the Belgian Government, Screen Flanders, Screen Brussels, Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF), Berrymark NV, Norwegian Film Institute and Creative Europe.
Aniplex of America and Crunchyroll are joining forces once again to bring Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Swordsmith Village- to North America on March 3, as part of a theatrical event worldwide consisting of Episodes 10 and 11 of the series’ Entertainment District Arc as well as the extended Episode 1 of the highly anticipated Swordsmith Village Arc, all of which will be combined into one feature-length cinematic experience remastered in 4K.
Synopsis: After his family is viciously murdered, a kind-hearted boy named Tanjiro Kamado resolves to become a Demon Slayer in hopes of turning his younger sister Nezuko back into a human.
Together with his comrades, Zenitsu and Inosuke, along with one of the top-ranking members of the Demon Slayer Corps, Tengen Uzui, Tanjiro embarks on a mission within the Entertainment District, where they encounter the formidable, high-ranking demons, Daki and Gyutaro.
Some lucky NorAm fans will also enjoy a sold-out, one-night-only advanced screening of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Swordsmith Village- with a star-studded red carpet at the historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles on February 18. The event will feature special appearances by Natsuki Hanae, the Japanese voice of main character Tanjiro Kamado, and Aniplex producer Yuma Takahashi, along with a breathtaking performance by Aimer as part of the World Tour.
The Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Swordsmith Village- World Tour will kick off with a two-day event in Tokyo, followed by special events in Los Angeles, Paris, Berlin, Mexico City, Seoul, Taipei and more. For more information, visit demonslayer-anime.com/worldtour2023.
The Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba TV series, which debuted in 2019, and global smash-hit Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train (2020) are currently available to stream on Crunchyroll. The series is based on Koyoharu Gotoge’s manga, which boasts over 150 million copies in circulation in Japan, chronicling the thrilling tale of a young man in search of a cure for his sister, who has been turned into a demon after their family is viciously slaughtered by demons.
Spanish production studio Zinkia will attend Kidscreen Summit 2023 (Feb. 12-16) with a renewed content catalog. At the Miami event, the company will introduce one of its new animation projects: Ghost Bros. The 53 x 11′ series, created by Yellow Kingdom (Chorch Edelstein) and WeDoo Studio (Emi Ordás), is aimed at kids 6-8.
Synopsis:Ghost Bros approaches the concepts of family and happiness through the exciting story of two orphan siblings, Sigmund and Gretchel. After being adopted by a dysfunctional family, they experience hilarious adventures while seeking to ensure that every member is happy, since otherwise they will have to return to the terrible place from which they escaped: the Great Beyond.
Zinkia will also be previewing the fifth season of its hit series Pocoyo at the market. Season 5 will feature significant changes to the toon and introduce new characters, including Pocoyo’s sister, Pocoyina.
Pocoyo is currently celebrating his 20th anniversary. Over two decades, he has starred in four seasons of the TV series (over 200 episodes), as well as the short Pocoyo and the Space Circus, 80+ songs and music videos, and multiple specials. One of the most notable episodes is “Dragon Island,” a coproduction with the Tourism Board of Gran Canaria, in which Pocoyo left his white universe for the very first time to visit this Canary Island.
“Dragon Island” is nominated for the 2023 Kidscreen Award for Best Holiday or Special Episode, alongside “Holiday Goose Chase” from Madagascar: A Little Wild (DreamWorks Animation) and “Martin Luther King Jr. Day” from Sesame Street (Sesame Workshop, HBO Max).
The 20-year-old studio continues to develop other new IP in its portfolio. One of these is Yanco, Dina and the Dinosaurs, which champions environmental protection and wildlife conservation from an original perspective for audiences aged 6-8. Another is Bumpy: the Bear, a series that is being co-produced with Spanish national broadcaster RTVE, which is expected to launch next spring.
The heroes of DC’s Justice League and Rooster Teeth Animation’s RWBY join forces to battle an evil entity attacking Remnant in Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part One, available to purchase Digitally ($19.99) and on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack ($39.99 U.S. with Digital/$44.98 Can.) and Blu-ray ($29.98 U.S. with Digital/Can.) on April 25.
Synopsis: The Justice League facing off against a new horror: adolescence! Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Cyborg, Green Lantern and Vixen are surprised to find that not only have they materialized on a strange world called Remnant, but they’ve also been transformed into teenagers. Meanwhile, the heroes of Remnant — Ruby, Weiss, Blake and Yang — find their world has been mysteriously altered. Can the combined forces of the Justice League and Team RWBY return Remnant to normal before a superpowered Grimm destroys everything they know?
The voice cast features a trio of first-time actors in DC’s Trinity roles — Natalie Alyn Lind (Big Sky, The Goldbergs, Gotham) as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince, Chandler Riggs (The Walking Dead, A Million Little Things) as Superman/Clark Kent and Nat Wolff (The Fault in Our Stars, The Stand) as Batman/Bruce Wayne — alongside RWBY’s long-running cast: Lindsay Jones (Camp Camp) as Ruby, Kara Eberle (RWBY: Ice Queendom) as Weiss, Arryn Zech (The Detective Is Already Dead) as Blake and Barbara Dunkelman (Blood Fest) as Yang.
Also featured in the cast is Ozioma Akagha (Teen Titans Go!) as Vixen, Jen Brown (Red vs. Blue) as Pyrrha, Tiana Camacho (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure) as Glynda, Aaron Dismuke (Fullmetal Alchemist) as Oscar, Jason Douglas (The Walking Dead) as Jacques, David Errigo Jr. (Ridley Jones) as The Flash/Barry Allen and Rolf, Samantha Ireland (Red vs. Blue) as Nora, Miles Luna (Camp Camp) as Jaune, Shannon McCormick (Get Backers, Day 5) as Professor Ozpin, Neath Oum (RWBY: Chibi) as Lie Ren, Tara Platt (Aggretsuko, Naruto: Shippuden) as Kali, Jeannie Tirado (Soul, Saints Row) as Green Lantern and Tru Valentino (The Rookie, The Cuphead Show!) as Cyborg.
Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part One is produced and directed by by Kerry Shawcross (RWBY franchise) and written by screenwriter Meghan Fitzmartin (Supernatural, Justice Society: World War II). Producers are Ethan Spaulding (Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge), Jim Krieg (Batman: Gotham by Gaslight) and Kimberly S. Moreau (Legion of Super-Heroes). Laura Yates (Boyhood, RWBY, Red vs. Blue) is supervising producer. Executive producer is Michael Uslan. Sam Register is executive producer.
Special Features
Justice Comes to Remnant (New Featurette) – When the Justice League find themselves on Remnant, they’ll have to deal with more than just their powers being altered. In this featurette, the filmmakers behind the film explore the world of Remnant, the Huntsmen that fight for it and how Earth’s mightiest heroes are forced to adapt.
You Look … Different (New Featurette) – Remnant, the world of RWBY, isn’t like Earth. The people are different. The powers are different. And the Justice League? Their entire appearance is different, too. In this featurette, the creators of the film reveal the story behind the new look they’ve given to some old friends.
From the DC Vault
Justice League Unlimited – “Kid Stuff”
Justice League Action – “Plastic Man Saves the World”
Immerse yourself in the world of Charlie Mackesy’s charming story and learn about the making of its Oscar-nominated animated short film adaptation next week, when Gallery Nucleus L.A. presents a special screening event and creatives panel for The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. After this opening reception event on Wednesday, February 15, select concept artwork will be on exhibition until Feb. 19 (closed Mondays).
The film will screen at 6 p.m., followed by a presentation and a panel with producer Cara Speller, art director Mike McCain and visual development artist Jenny Yu. The evening will close with a signing; copies of the book will be available in the Gallery Nucleus shop, but outside items are also allowed (limit two signing items per person).
Tickets are $5. Purchase tickets online and find more information at gallerynucleus.com.
Synopsis: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse features Mackesy’s distinctive illustrations brought to life in full color with hand-drawn animation. A story of kindness, friendship, courage and hope for viewers of all ages, it is a poignant and heartfelt journey that follows the unlikely friendship of a boy, a mole, a fox and a horse traveling together in the boy’s search for home.
The film, presented in partnership with the BBC and available on Apple TV+, stars Tom Hollander as The Mole, Idris Elba as The Fox, Gabriel Byrne as The Horse and newcomer Jude Coward Nicoll as The Boy.
Matthew Freud presents a Charlie Mackesy film, produced by Emmy Award winner and Academy Award nominee Cara Speller (Love, Death + Robots; Pear Cider and Cigarettes;Rocket & Groot) of NoneMore Productions and Emmy winner J.J. Abrams and Hannah Minghella of Bad Robot Productions. Directed by Peter Baynton (The Tiger Who Came to Tea) and Mackesy, adapted in collaboration with Jon Croker (Paddington 2). The film is executive produced by Jony Ive and Oscar nominee Woody Harrelson (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri). Original score by composer Isobel Waller-Bridge, performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra and conducted by Geoff Alexander.
Disney+, Disney Junior and Lucasfilm today announced thatStar Wars: Young Jedi Adventures will premiere on Disney+ and Disney Junior on May 4 (Star Wars Day). Two stills from the CGI-animated show were also released.
Set during The High Republic era, the animated series follows Jedi younglings Kai, Lys and Nubs as they study the ways of the Force, explore the galaxy, help citizens and creatures in need, and learn valuable skills needed to become Jedi along the way. The images debuted today also show Master Yoda and the young Jedi’s friends Nash and RJ-83 on the planet Tenoo.
Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventuresstars Jamaal Avery, Jr. as Kai Brightstar, Juliet Donenfeld as Lys Solay, Dee Bradley Baker as Nubs, Emma Berman as Nash Durango, Jonathan Lipow as RJ-83 and Piotr Michael as Master Yoda.
Produced by Lucasfilm for Disney+ and Disney Junior, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures is executive produced by Lucasfilm’s James Waugh, Jacqui Lopez and Josh Rimes. Michael Olson (Puppy Dog Pals) is showrunner and executive producer; Elliot M. Bour (Elena of Avalor) is supervising director and co-producer; Jeannine Hodson (Puppy Dog Pals) is producer; and Lamont Magee (Black Lightning) is consulting producer.
“‘Star Wars’transcends generations; fans of all ages deeply connect with its imaginative worlds, mythic stories, and unique characters,” says Waugh, who is also SVP Franchise Content & Strategy at Lucasfilm. “When developing Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures,the firstStar Wars’series created for preschoolers, the creative team never stopped thinking about how this show may be a ‘youngling’s’ first step into a larger world and their first time experiencing the limitless potential of the Star Warsgalaxy. The show’s characters, tone, and the life lessons woven throughout each episode were written just for them, and our talented team was committed to honoring the cinematic legacy while staying true to the expectations of parents for the youngest of audiences.”
Alyssa Sapire, SVP Development, Series, Strategy, Disney Junior, added, “Our collaboration with Lucasfilm on this series is an amazing opportunity to introduce this universally cherished franchise to a younger generation. As an early entry point into Star Wars, we have created a series with exciting new and familiar characters and storylines that highlight the values of compassion, teamwork, and friendship, which are important elements for all of our Disney Junior programming.”
Toei Animation is entering a new entertainment dimension with ONN’ON STUDIOS (onnon-studios.com): a virtual space within VRChat made up of multiple worlds conceived by the anime powerhouse. Launched as an immersive archive and user communication hub, the label’s first project was a scale model of the original Toei Doga Studio, ToeiDogaStudio1956. Now, Toei is recapturing the late 20th century otaku experience with Nostalgia1999.
Nostalgia1999
Created and presented in collaboration with Sony, Nostalgia1999 is modeled on a six-tatami Japanese room, in July of 1999. The unorganized dwelling of an “otaku” (obsessive anime fan) is filled with Sony products and anime merchandise of the time, creating a nostalgic virtual playground.
“Many people in their 30s to late 40s enjoyed Toei Animation’s works in the ’90s. Those works have become memories from their youth. Sony’s audio and visual products of that time colored their everyday life as a dream tool to enjoy animated films and music. Now, in partnership with Sony which provided the actual products and documents, the virtual space could realistically reproduce their bitter-sweet memories,” said Sony Music Solutions’ Tsuneyuki Matsudeira, who produced the project.
“We hope that this room will become a place where visitors would talk about animated works that they enjoyed in the past. Events might also be held in the near future. There are many attractions in the room, too. We want visitors to enjoy a mysterious feeling as if they are exploring the past.”
Nostalgia1999
In the experience, users can shrink down to take an up close look at the memory-sparking items in the room. Some items will move when they are “held”. Toei and Sony also plan to build in a feature that will allow users to enjoy their favorite anime together in the space through the CRT-based Trinitron color television in the room, like a virtual cinema.
Fans can access Nostalgia1999 for free on VRChat, world name Onnon_Nostalgia1999.
The Ibero-American Animation Quirino Awards have announced the nominated titles for their sixth edition, taking place on May 13 in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife. Selected from 223 submissions, 41 works from 10 countries are aiming for a place among the finalists in the nine categories. The Quirino Awards were created in 2018 to promote Ibero-American animation talent and industry.
Spain, Argentina, and Portugal lead this year’s list of nominations with 20, 18 and 15 works, respectively, followed by Brazil and Colombia with five each. This first selection also includes works from Chile, Mexico, Uruguay (two), Ecuador and Peru (one). The Portuguese short films Garranoand Ice Merchants, the Argentine short Passenger and the Spanish feature film Unicorn Wars have the most nominations, with four each. They are followed by the feature film Nayola and the short film The Garbage Man, both Portuguese, with three.
With finalists at the Oscars (Ice Merchants), and at the Goya Awards (Inspector Sun and the Curse of the Black Widow, My Grandfather’s Demons, Tad the Lost Explorer and the Emerald Tablet, Unicorn Wars and Roped), the selection reflects the growing international impact of animation from the region. In addition, some of the works have been selected and won awards at some of the world’s most important festivals, including Annecy, Sundance, Animafest Zagreb, Clermont Ferrand, Cannes and Sitges.
The nominees were chosen by a Selection Committee, while the three finalists in each of the categories will be chosen by an international jury made up of Andrea Fernández (art director for The Cuphead Show!), Julio Bonet (Adult Animation Manager for Netflix U.K.), Risa Cohen (film and video-game producer/executive producer), Robert Jaszczurowski (producer/director at GS Animation/Grupa Smacznego), and Simón Wilches-Castro (Creative Director at Titmouse Studios). The finalists will be announced on March 10 at the Portuguese Embassy in Madrid.
Creation Entertainment Media and Magic Frame Animation have brought on writing and directing duo Tim Clague and Danny Stack will write for new kids’ animated series, BuddyBots. The studios have also released the new trailer for the international series.
Tim Clague & Danny Stack
Clague and Stack bring a wealth of experience and credentials across kids’ animation content to the project. Their credits include PJ Masks, Hey Duggee and Oddbods. They have also collaborated on live-action feature films Who Killed Nelson Nutmeg? and the family comedy The Spy Who Licked Me, currently in development. As BAFTA panel members for the Children’s Awards, Clague and Stack are also BAFTA panel members for the Children’s Awards.
“Tim and Danny’s remarkable experience in working on kids’ animation is what makes them the perfect team for this job,” said Creation Entertainment Media CEO Sefi Carmel. “They inject fun into everything they write and they know what makes a successful, and entertaining kids series that works across territories. We look forward to them bringing their talent to the BuddyBotsscript.”
BuddyBotschronicles the adventures of a group of robots and two teen protagonists in a sci-fi animated world, where learning, family and inclusion are some of the most important values. The characters each have certain limitations or traits traditionally perceived as ‘downfalls’, which the show turns into positive attributes, communicating that everyone is just as valuable. It also explores the importance of believing in your own abilities and seeking support from your family and friends.
BuddyBots
BuddyBots
“We were really excited to see Magic Frame and Creation Entertainment’s ambition and vision for this series, and we could immediately see all the fun potential that the show has to offer,” commented Clague and Stack. “Robots, firefighting, teamwork, adventure, evil villains — what’s not to like!”
The show’s narrative aim is to encourage emotional development in its young audience, with lessons for parents and children on how to treat peers, overcome challenges by seeking support from others, and to believe in yourself. The episodes cover topics of equipment, tech and the environment.
BuddyBots
“BuddyBotsis all about sharing important values with a young audience, through fun and engaging storylines and characters,” added Lidia Chirita, Head of Sales & Co-Productions at Magic Frame Animation. “Tim and Danny completely grasped our vision for the series, so we know this is going to be the perfect project to develop with them. We’re excited to share the first glimpse of BuddyBotswith the world and to take the series to Kidscreen, where we’ll be meeting new potential partners.”
This news and the trailer release follow the partnership announcement last year between the two studios. Creation Entertainment Media and the specialist team of creatives and animators from Magic Frame Animation are known for the No. 1 ranking Netflix film Secret Magic Control Agency, which was a ratings hit in multiple territories.
Popular Swedish children’s character Hakan Brakan, who has appeared in more than 30 books, nine movies and five TV series, entertaining audiences for over 35 years, is getting a 3D CGI update for a new 52 x 11′ animated series. Toonz Media Group and Nuttery Entertainment have joined forces on the new show, titled Super Brakan & Ice Bella: Defenders of Imagination and aimed at kids six to nine years old.
The series is being developed as an off-the-wall comedy adventure where ordinary moments are viewed through the exaggerated lens of a kid facing down the uninteresting, unimaginative and stressed world of grown-ups.
In this all-inclusive deal, Toonz and Nuttery have partnered to produce and distribute the new series. Nuttery will be the showrunner and brand manager of the series, and Toonz will produce and distribute the series worldwide.
“Hakan Brakan has a legacy of over 35 years and this strategic alliance is clearly one of the most important projects for us. I am confident that the popularity of Hakan Brakan and the global appeal for audiences of all ages will make Super Brakan & Ice Bella a huge success,” commented P. Jayakumar, CEO of Toonz Media Group.
On board as story supervisors are best-selling authors and creators of Hakan Brakan, Sören Olsson and Anders Jacobsson, as well as publishing partner Storytel. one of the world’s largest audiobook services, Storytel will ALSO be releasing new books based on the IP.
“Sören and Anders have created such iconic characters and it is an absolute privilege and delight to help usher this brand extension into the world of animation and gaming,” said Magnus Jansson, CEO of Nuttery Entertainment. “We are beyond excited to introduce these imaginary superheroes to the world, and we could not have hoped for a better partner than Toonz to join us on this adventure.”
The Oscar-qualifying New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF) announces its complete feature film slate for 2023. Ringing in its 26th year, NYICFF is North America’s largest film festival for young audiences. Festival organizers share that this year’s focus is on celebrating friendship, community and art as vital parts of life and crucial tools to combat the status quo.
After a COVID disruption followed by a hybrid festival last year, NYICFF is will return to all in-person screenings and events beginning Friday, March 3, running weekends through March 12 in New York City. Expanding to venues across Manhattan and Brooklyn this year, NYICFF will unfold at SVA Theatre, Film Forum, DCTV’s Firehouse Cinema, Scandinavia House and Alamo Drafthouse Brooklyn. The final weekend of March 18-19 will be at the Sag Harbor Cinema, a new addition this year.
Tickets are on sale now for NYICFF members; public ticketing opens February 10. (nyicff.org)
NYICFF’s Opening Night selection is the highly anticipated International Premiere of Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia, bringing the beloved characters (who first premiered at NYICFF in 2013 in Ernest & Celestine) back to audiences in an artful story accessible to all ages. The film slyly nods to resisting conformity through music, community and self-determination.
The timely Centerpiece selection is Dounia and the Princess of Aleppo, a beautiful hand-drawn film by Syrian-Canadian filmmakers Marya Zarif and André Kadi. At the center of the story is the bustling energy of the city of Aleppo as seen through the eyes of the six-year-old Dounia; it’s a place of love, friendship and delicious treats until the conflict in Syria forces her family to seek safe harbor abroad.
This year’s feature selection spotlights a number of genre-bending animation titles that inventively push the boundaries of documentary and true-to-life storytelling. Titina by Kasja Ness tells the true story of Roald Amundsen and Umberto Nobile’s 1926 journey to the North Pole from the point of view of Titina, the little dog that went along for the ride. Little Nicholas: Happy as Can Be brings the beloved French character “Le Petit Nicolas” to the screen by interspersing his antics with scenes drawn from the real lives of creators Jean-Jacques Sempé and René Goscinny. The Mexican animated documentary Home Is Somewhere Else weaves together true stories from undocumented families filtered through the unflinching Spanglish poetry of its central narrator.
The festival continues its annual Industry Forum “Toward an Inclusive Future,” which brings together creators at all stages of their careers to discuss children’s media on all sides of the camera. New this year is “NYICFF in Your Neighborhood,” free presentations of a NYICFF short film program for ages 3-8 taking place at venues citywide. However, NYICFF is not just for kids! The program offers something for everyone who loves film, no matter how old they are.
The feature film slate also includes live-action titles Belle & Sebastian: Next Generation (France), My Robot Brother (Denmark), OKThanksBye (Netherlands), One Summer Story (Japan) and Totem (Netherlands/Luxembourg/Germany)
NYICFF Animated Features
Blue Thermal
Japan | East Coast Premiere
Masaki Tachibana, 2022
Tamaki is ready to create an exciting social life for herself at university when she, quite literally, bumps into the members of the aeronautics club, knocking over their glider plane. With the pricey damage done, she begins working in the club to compensate. The grace that Tsuru-tama lacks on the ground she quickly finds in the sky, but in order to fly high, she has to catch a thermal—no easy feat for a team that relies on reading the sky rather than high-tech devices. Then there’s her older sister, Yano, who holds a grudge and will use sneaky means to win the contest for herself and her teammate, the too-cool-for-school Hatori. But Tamaki plays fair and square, even to her own disadvantage, as she’d rather have a stiff rival than win by the competition’s careless mistakes. She wants nothing more than to repay club captain Kuramochi, not only for the damaged glider but for taking her under his wing and helping her discover her power and passion. But when he disappears, will she find a runway back that feels like a win?
Dounia and the Princess of Aleppo
Canada, France | U.S. Premiere Marya Zarif & André Kadi, 2022
Bold of spirit and wild of hair, six-year-old Dounia lives joyfully with her family in Aleppo, where she spends her time traversing the bustling souks, or marketplaces, teeming with delicious ingredients just right for her grandmother’s amazing dishes. Life is filled with kind neighbors, shared stories, and music until a gradually intensifying conflict brings a growing troop of soldiers to town. When the family is forced to pack up and join the global ranks searching for a safer place to call home, Dounia’s grandmother stuffs rosewater sweets and other fresh-baked, homestyle delights into her bulging suitcase. But all Dounia takes with her is a handful of nigella seeds, known in Syrian lore to have magical properties. Her handful of hope just might bear rewards in the form of the legendary princess of Aleppo and her guidance as the group journeys across Syria, the dangerous sea, the daunting borders of Europe, and more. Though navigating serious themes, this charming, funny, and visually dazzling tale offers an all-ages point of entry to explore timely issues and the timeless value of respect for all citizens of the world.
Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia France, Luxembourg | International Premiere Julien Chheng & Jean-Christophe Roger, 2022
At long last, they’re back! This time around, the once-forbidden friends are on the trail to Ernest’s home, Gibberitia. Grumpy Ernest is not too pleased to be headed back, but it’s the only place where he can get is prized violin repaired after it’s broken (in a major oops!) by Celestine. The silver lining? Gibberitia is home to some of the world’s greatest musicians who fill their time together playing the joyful sounds that fill the streets. But disappointment looms when our ursine/rodent duo arrive to silent streets and the master luthier nowhere to be found. They soon learn that this unthinkable existence is a result of a citywide ban on all music. Together with their friends and a mysterious masked outlaw, they will use strategy, hijinks, and even some hard concessions to learn that being true to yourself might just be the sweetest music of all.
Goodbye Don Glees! Japan Atsuko Ishizuka, 2021
This must-see, Oscar-shortlisted story is about being a teen and the mundanity and hilarity that comes with it. Teen trio Roma, Tot, and Drop collectively go by “Don Glees,” a sly take on their glum (not gleeful) but adventurous outlook. When they are caught literally playing with fire, the group is called into question and they must set off on a quest through the forest to prove their innocence. Along the way, individual motivations, like Toto’s singular focus on studying medicine and Drops’ sweet belief in the power of friendship in the face of challenge, are put to the test. The result is cosmic, gutting, goofy — and yes, even gleeful.
Home Is Somewhere Else Mexico | New York Premiere Carlos Hagerman & Jorge Villalobos, 2022
The brilliance of animated documentary is that it can provide an imaginative space to envision someone else’s story. Home is Somewhere Else tells three poignant tales of life on either side of the Mexico/US border. Our guide, Lalo, is a young Mexican artist raised in Utah who presents each story with his slamming Spanglish poetry. There are best friends and sisters Evelyn and Elizabeth, one studying to become the sole doctor in her small Mexican village, the other making the pan of her sueños to sell in her very own L.A. bakery. We also meet Jasmine as she sets off to become an activist to protect families like her own. Finally, Lalo shares the story of his own childhood, deportation experience, and finding a way back and transforming his challenges through his work as an artist and activist.
Little Nicholas: Happy as Can Be France Amandine Fredon & Benjamin Massoubre, 2022
Simultaneously mixing the story of a mischievous cartoon boy and his friends with the true tale of his creators, Little Nicholas is a visual delight with wit to match. When illustrator Jean-Jacques Sempé first drew little imp Nicholas, he knew he had to get his good friend René Goscinny (of Asterix fame) to write the story. As the two artists bring the boy to life, Nicholas himself escapes the page to ask them about their own childhoods. Through these conversations, the friends share stories of early artistic ambition, immigrating to the U.S., and family lost to World War II. More solemn moments are balanced expertly with Nicholas’s own adventures with his best friend Alceste (who simply loves toast!) in splashy watercolor, to deliver moments of utter joy.
Lonely Castle in the Mirror Japan | U.S. Premiere Keiichi Hara, 2022
Kokoro has had enough of the buzzing bells, shouting teachers, noisy hallways, and mean classmates at her middle school when she decides to just stay home. Bored and trapped, she finds a portal in her bedroom mirror that whisks her away to an enormous castle, where she’s greeted by the mysterious and gruff Wolf Queen—a wolf in girls’ clothing or the other way around, she’s not sure. Along with six other smart but world-weary students, she must follow all of the Queen’s rules, including a strict curfew. They are all in search of a magic key, hidden somewhere in the castle, that will grant whoever finds it any wish they want. As they conspire over strategy and share their stories, bonding in a place that’s free of fear and judgment and learning when to make (and sometimes break) their own rules in the name of friendship. Maybe the adults will begin to understand that it’s the circumstances, and not the kids, that need to change in this meaningful anime adapted from Tsujimura Mizuki’s popular YA novel.
Panda! Go Panda! Japan Isao Takahata, 1972
A flashback to a Festival classic that young audiences missed! From the legendary team that formed Studio Ghibli (with original concepts and character designs by Hayao Miyazaki) comes two deliriously delightful animated featurettes in one program! Seven-year-old Mimiko has somehow persuaded her grandmother to take off by train and leave her home alone. She’s quite capable of handling all duties of home and hearth, but gets more than she bargains for when PapaPanda and baby Panny turn up at her door. Their round bodies, wide grins, and off-kilter clowning offer the first glints of another charming neighbor to come.
Titina
Norway, Belgium | East Coast Premiere Kajsa Næss, 2022
“More or less based on true events.” So begins the mostly true-to-life story of Titina, an intrepid fox terrier, and her companions on their aerial expedition to the North Pole. When Italian engineer Umberto Nobile is invited to build and airship for Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, he knows he’s embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. And who better to accompany him on his dirigible to the top of the world than the trusty street pup he rescued in Rome? Just as their airship, the Norge, is poised to reach a milestone as the first to make the Polar flyover, a petty power struggle turns the journey sour. With colorful animation mixed with live action documentary footage, Titina captures all of the real, high-altitude antics that made history — all from the vantage point of one lucky dog.
The Toronto Animation Arts Festival International (TAAFI) is returning to in-person celebration of all things toon this month, running online from February 13-15 before taking over the Hot Docs Cinema Feb. 16-18. The festival has unveiled a program presenting over 100 films and their creators.
Among the many highlights will be a special screening of Red Iron Road on Saturday, February 18. Audiences will take a harrowing trip down 200 years of European horror fiction as four episodes of the animated anthology are presented in a special program entitled the Red Iron Road Retrospective (tickets here). Episodes of Red Iron Road have been electrifying festival audiences and racking up accolades around the world since the project premiered at Fantasia Film Festival last year.
Created by Aljosha Klimov and Iouri Stepanov, Red Iron Road showcases 12 directors’ interpretations of 12 authors’ terrifying tales. Stepanov and his studio Lakeside Animation have co-produced the series with Studio Metrafilms.
“Lakeside is thrilled to give Toronto animation fans a sneak peak of our new series,” said Stepanov, “We are immensely proud of the series and all the hard work all the directors and creative teams have put into it. Audiences will never forget their journey along the Red Iron Road.”
This exclusive event will be one of the last opportunities for animation and horror fans to see these episodes on the big screen in advance of the series’ wider theatrical and streaming release later this year. The screening will include:
The Ratcatcher’s Daughter – Directed by Adam Jeffcoat & Jim Bryson, of Studio NX (Canada)
The Undertaker – Directed by Sergei Kibus of Nukufilm (Estonia)
The Forest King – Directed by Lubomir Arsov (Canada)
VRDLK: Family of Vurdulak – Directed by Sam Chou of Look Mom! Productions (Canada)
Red Iron Road Retrospective will be attended by directors Sam Chou (Crime: The Animated Series), who will be honored with TAAFI’s 2023 Kaj Pindal Award for individuals who have made a significant impact in the world of animation, and Jim Bryson, creative producer Matthew Lyon, series producer Courtney Wolfson and voice cast including Kevin Hanchard (OrphanBlack), Dan Beirne (Ginny & Georgia), Gwynne Phillips (Templeton Philharmmonic) and Lawrence Bayne (Nikita). A Q&A with the creative teams will be held after the screenings.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
This year’s TAAFI Film Festival will present both cunningly curated short film programs and an eclectic selection of feature films from around the world screening both in-person and online. The fest will open with DreamWorks Animation’s Oscar-nominated Puss in Boots: The Last Wish will screen at TAAFI’s opening night gala (Thursday, Feb. 16), which will be followed by a Behind the Scenes talk with co-director Januel Mercado.
TAAFI audiences can also catch The Amazing Maurice by Toby Genkel, Unicorn Wars by Alberto Vázquez, Eyeballs in the Darkness by Albert Birney (online), Unicorn Boyby Matt Kiel, Interface by Justin Tomchuk (online), double feature of 31-artist collaboration Popcorn Time & Let’s Go Wongos by Dan Forke, Michael Van Swearingon and Peter Steineck, and U.K. sci-fi indie RIFT by Haz Dulull (online).
Additional program highlights include a Cartoon Party with Gary and His Demons;studio spotlights on Brown Bag Films, Guru Studio and Mainframe Animation (online only); and making-of sessions for Sonic Prime and Pinecone & Pony (online only).
Passes for TAAFI 2023 are available from taafi.com, where you can find the full even program.
Dandelooo’s partner studio Ooolala today published the company’s complete carbon footprint for the year 2022, available here. Launched in 2018, Ooolala was designed from its inception to develop a sustainable approach to guarantee a very low footprint for any producer willing to reduce its impact on the planet.
“It has always been of high importance for my partner Emmanuèle Petry and I as animation producers to bring to the market productions that are respectful of the environment,” says Jean Baptiste Wery CEO. “When building our studio, we thought it was a unique opportunity to do so. These figures are a major achievement as they confirm how virtuous the studio already is. To give a comparison, all our facilities and equipment represent less than the emissions of a U.S. citizen in a year.”
Beyond these results, Ooolala will be able to monitor and adapt its carbon consumption based on experience and measured in real time thanks to its new internally developed technology “ecooo” (with the support of France 2030 and the CNC’s technical industry funding).
“We wanted to be able to understand how our choices and actions are actually impacting and to be able to make choices based on that knowledge. ‘ecooo’ opens up an immense field of exploration that we are just starting to explore,” adds Wery.
These investments will enable Ooolala to increase capacity to 100/200 artists in single or multi-site without deteriorating performance.
Ooolala’s carbon footprint is also helped by the studio’s 2D specialization. “2D animation is a real asset to help the industry reduce its impact,” Wery notes. “It uses very little energy compared to 3D and VFX which are very demanding in terms of rendering power and cooling systems.”
The carbon footprint measure was conducted by the engineering and consulting firm Workflowers, which supports industry companies in their environmental strategy.
“The positive results show the seriousness of Ooolala’s approach in implementing good environmental practices for the animation sector,” says Cédric Lejeune, CEO of Workflowers. “The care taken, in particular, with the management of hot/cold air flows in the machine room and the choice of workstation configurations has made it possible to considerably reduce the emissions associated with the infrastructure. The real-time measurement strategy makes it possible to detect malfunctions and directly evaluate corrective measures.”
Wery adds, “Ooolala and Dandelooo plan to continue their efforts in the coming years as there are still many areas to explore.With 51 tons of CO2 in 2022, we believe we can still improve our footprint by 30% by additional actions and including employees in the process to find solutions together. The association La Cartouch’verte, of which we are a member, is also taking a very virtuous approach by sharing actions with all the studios at the Cartoucherie and we are also working with Valence Romans Agglo, which owns the building, to improve its performance. An energy audit is already underway.”
Additional carbon reduction actions the studio is exploring in 2023 include:
Mobility plan to help employees use sustainable modes of transport
Additional IT automations, such as workstation and server auto activation
Partnership with organic waste collection organization RoValTerre.
Partnership with computer & office equipment second life eco workshop DYNAM’&CO.
