Author: Mercedes Milligan

APC Kids Partners with TeamTO for ‘Jade Armor’

France’s APC Kids (part of co-production and distribution group APC Studios) and TeamTO, have joined forces on the new action-adventure comedy series Jade Armor. The partnership will see APC Kids distribute the series worldwide, excluding the Americas and China.

Produced by TeamTO with France Télévisions, the 26 x 26’ series stars a strong, kung fu-loving female central character aimed at a six- to 10-year-old audience. Jade Armor has already been picked up by Warner Bros. Discovery for HBO Max and Cartoon Network (EMEA), France Télévisions (France), Super RTL (Germany), ABC (Australia) and CBC (Canada).

The series debuted on France Télévisions’ Okoo last September and Super RTL’s toggo.de in November with excellent ratings out of the gate. It has been scheduled for launch on all other channels between late 2022 and early 2023.

The legendary Jade Armor is a mythical superhero, and now it is Lan Jun’s turn to take on the mantle. Even she can’t quite believe her destiny is this epic! With the help of her friends, Theo and Alisha, and the mystical Beasticons that accompany the Armor, Lan Jun is thrust into a series of action-packed adventures. Every day, she must contend with both an evil array of super villains and the very real trials of teenage life.

“Jade Armor is a fun and vibrant series from TeamTO, with an epic female character at its heart and an outstanding creative team behind it,” said Lionel Marty, Managing Director of APC Kids. “The series has received great feedback since its launch in 2022, and we have no doubt audiences all over the world will fall in love with the show’s thrilling storylines and this unlikely teen hero, and we very much look forward to expanding the footprint of the series and making this a reality.”

Corinne Kouper, SVP Production & Development, TeamTO, added “We are delighted to work with APC, a truly dedicated sales force, especially at such an exciting time for Jade Armor. The series has performed extremely well already and has even started to gain a very enthusiastic online fan base! We feel very positive about Jade’s future and have started to develop the story arc for the next season.”

Jade Armor’s talented all-female creative team is led by multi-award-winning executive producer Kouper, supported by showrunner and co-creator Chloé Miller, head writer MJ Offen, French story editor Ghyslaine Pujol and co-developer Mary Bredin. Based on a concept by M Pongo Kuo, Jade Armor is entirely produced in TeamTO’s state of the art animation studios in France.

February 2, 2023
Cinesite Staffs Up for ‘The Smurfs’ Feature Film

Cinesite announces it has been awarded animation work for the upcoming The Smurfs feature film, which is the first project from the new creative partnership between Paramount Animation, Nickelodeon Animation, LAFIG Belgium and IMPS, the company that owns the Smurfs brand. Production is underway, and the Cinesite Vancouver studio is recruiting talent across artist & technician posts. (Apply at cinesite.com/careers.)

The film, which is now set for a February 2025 release, is written by Pam Brady (South Park), directed by Chris Miller (Puss in Boots, Shrek the Third) and produced by Ryan Harris (The LEGO Batman Movie). Cinesite’s crew is led by producer Barbara Zelinski and VFX supervisor Chris Kazmier, under the direction of Head of Production Tamara Boutcher.

The untitled Smurfs film, which according to previous announcements will be a fully-animated musical adventure, is the latest animation feature to start production at Cinesite. It marks the studio’s second CG-animated theatrical production for Nickelodeon & Paramount after Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, a CG-animated film directed by Jeff Rowe slated for release on August 4.

“We are thrilled to be reteaming with such a stellar team of animators at Cinesite” says Mark Bakshi, EVP of Paramount Pictures Animation. “Throughout development we’ve been impressed by the creativity and quality shown, together our teams will deliver a Smurf-tastic film that families will enjoy for years to come.”

Brad Wald, Cinesite’s Group Chief Operating Officer – Animation., commented, “Our team is excited to leverage their technical skills and artistic talent to bring the iconic Smurfs to the screen. We’re delighted that Nickelodeon & Paramount have showed continued trust in the quality of our work. And we’re incredibly excited to continue this collaboration and bolster our crew with the incredible budding animation talent that is out there globally.”

The studio is also in production on Aniventure’s upcoming films Hitpig, based on characters from Pulitzer Prize winner Berkeley Breathed’s Pete & Pickles; Animal Farm, an animated adaptation of George Orwell’s classic novella directed by Andy Serkis; and the animated series Iwájú for Disney+.

The Smurfs was created by Belgium comics artist Peyo (Pierre Culliford), debuting in 1958. The stories center on a village of small blue humanoid creatures, each with a distinct personality and a knack for adventure. Together, they cooperate to keep their mushroom village safe from threats in the forest and the machinations of the scheming wizard, Gargamel.

February 2, 2023
Trailer: David Horvath’s ‘Bossy Bear’ Heads to Nickelodeon

Preschoolers will embark on outlandish misadventures with quintessential odd couple Bossy Bear and Turtle in Nickelodeon’s brand-new animated preschool series Bossy Bear, debuting Monday, March 6, at 11 a.m. (ET/PT).

From husband and wife team David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim (UglyDolls), and based on the popular book series by Horvath (published by Hyperion), the 30-episode series follows Bossy Bear, an overly-enthusiastic extrovert, and Turtle, a thoughtful introvert — unlikely besties who make the perfect team for navigating silly childhood adventures in their Koreatown-inspired city of Pleasantburg.

Produced in partnership with Imagine Kids+Family, new episodes of Bossy Bear will continue to roll out Monday through Thursday at 11 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon during the month of March, with a series launch on Nick Jr. channels internationally later this year.

The first season of Bossy Bear will feature real-life couple Lance Bass and Michael Turchin in recurring guest voice roles as the parents to Ginger (Beahlen Deacon), Bossy Bear’s older sister Bissy’s bestie (a.k.a. her “squirrelfriend”). Bass and Turchin voice Tyler, a laid-back owl, and Greg, an intense chipmunk, respectively, who run a vegetarian and kosher food truck called Latke Love.

Michael Turchin and Lance Bass

Tyler (Bass) and Greg (Turchin)

Rounding out the voice cast for Bossy Bear are series regulars Jayden Ham (Sea of Lights, Star Wars: Jedi Temple Challenge) as Bossy, an extroverted bear whose big imagination and endless enthusiasm lands him in hilarious situations; Jaba Keh (Sesame Street) as Turtle, Bossy’s patient, pure-hearted and empathetic best friend; Claudia Choi (Her, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) as Bossy’s Mom, the funny and athletic mother who has eyes in the back of her head, and Gran-Gran, Turtle’s wise, loving grandmother who knows how to have a good time; Shaun Baer (Chicago PD) as Bossy’s Dad, the store manager of an electronics shop who has a PhD in Dad Jokes; and Viva Lee (Polaris, Deadly Class) as Bissy, Bossy’s older sister who thinks she knows everything about being an adult and can play an okay keytar.

In the March 6 series premiere, “Ultimate Hype Bear/The Chrysalis Crew/Just Say No,” Bissy is nervous to meet her favorite K-Pop band, so Bossy acts as her “Hype Bear” to give her confidence. Then, Bossy and Turtle discover a fallen chrysalis and become the ‘Chrysalis Crew’ to protect it. Finally, Turtle learns to speak up when Bossy and friends want to use his favorite toy as a soccer ball.

Bossy Bear

Bossy Bear is executive produced by: Imagine Entertainment Executive Chairmen Brian Grazer and Ron Howard; Imagine Kids+Family’s Elly Kramer Posner; Stephanie Sperber; David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim; Bob Mittenthal (It’s Pony, The Loud House) for Nickelodeon Animation; and Ashley Postlewaite (Tom and Jerry in New York, The Mr. Men Show) for Renegade Animation. Jeff D’Elia (Captain Underpants, Doug Unplugs, Rugrats) serves as story editor and Chil Kong is consulting producer.

Bossy Bear marks Nickelodeon’s third project with Imagine Kids+Family, following live-action adventure series The Astronauts and The Tiny Chef Show. Production of Bossy Bear for Nickelodeon Animation is overseen by Eryk Casemiro, Executive Vice President, Nickelodeon Animation, Global Series Content. Max Goodman serves as Nickelodeon’s Executive in Charge of Production for the series. Paramount Consumer Products will lead consumer products licensing for the Bossy Bear property worldwide in partnership with Imagine Kids+Family.

February 2, 2023
Disney+ Reveals Details of ‘Star Wars: Visions’ Vol. 2 Coming May 4
Today, Disney+ and Lucasfilm announced that the second volume of the animated anthology series Star Wars: Visions will premiere exclusively on Disney+ on May 4, (a.k.a. Star Wars Day). The studios tapped for Vol. 2, the titles and directors of their shorts were also revealed, with storied European outfits such as Aardman and Cartoon Saloon taking part alongside Oscar-winning Chilean boutique Punkrobot, Korea’s Studio Mir, South Africa’s Triggerfish and more.

Following on the Emmy-nominated success of first collection,”the newest volume promises to continue to push the boundaries of Star Wars storytelling, with nine new shorts from nine studios from around the globe, created in a variety of animation styles from diverse countries and cultures to deliver fresh perspectives on the Star Wars mythos.

Participating studios for Volume 2 include:
- El Guiri (Spain)
- Cartoon Saloon (Ireland)
- Punkrobot (Chile)
- Aardman (United Kingdom)
- Studio Mir (South Korea)
- Studio La Cachette (France)
- 88 Pictures (India)
- D’art Shtajio (Japan), in collaboration with Lucasfilm Ltd. (U.S.)
- Triggerfish (South Africa)
“The reaction to the first volume of Star Wars: Visions blew us away. We were delighted that this project inspired and resonated with so many people,” says James Waugh, series executive producer and SVP Franchise Content & Strategy at Lucasfilm. “We always saw Star Wars: Visions as a framework for celebratory expressions of the franchise from some of the best creators working today. Animation is in a global renaissance, and we’re constantly staggered by the amount of creativity pushing the medium forward. With Volume 1, the imaginative minds of Japan’s anime industry were on full display. With Volume 2, we expanded our canvas to take audiences on a global tour of some of the most talented creators from around the world.

“We’re so proud to be able to reveal the line-up of studios we’ve assembled. Every short is incredible, full of heart, scope, imagination and the values that make stories distinctly Star Wars — all while opening up bold new ways of seeing what a Star Wars story can be.”

Waugh executive produces Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 along with Jacqui Lopez and Josh Rimes.

Star Wars: Visions Volume 2

“Sith” | El Guiri | Writer-director: Rodrigo Blaas

Rodrigo Blaas is an Emmy Award-winning director who has spent more than 20 years in animation. After co-founding Stromboli Animation in 1997, Blaas joined Blue Sky Studios in 2000, working on the feature film Ice Age, before transitioning to Pixar Animation Studios. There, he worked on such projects as Finding Nemo (2003), The Incredibles (2004), Ratatouille (2007) and WALL-E (2008) and on the Oscar-nominated short film La Luna (2011). More recently, Blaas partnered with Guillermo del Toro to develop the award-winning series Trollhunters, served as creative director for Mikros Animation Paris and, in 2021, created El Guiri Studios in Madrid with his partner, Cecile Hokes. He also wrote and directed 2009’s award-winning short film Alma.

“Screecher’s Reach” | Cartoon Saloon | Director: Paul Young

Paul Young is a co-founder of Cartoon Saloon, an IFTA winner and Oscar, Emmy and BAFTA nominee. He produced the animated features My Father’s Dragon, WolfWalkers, The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea and The Breadwinner, as well as award-winning TV series including Puffin Rock, Dorg Van Dango and Viking Skool.

“In the Stars” | Punkrobot | Writer-director: Gabriel Osorio

Gabriel Osorio majored in Fine Arts at Universidad de Chile, later specializing in 3D animation. After working in commercials, movies and television series, he founded Punkrobot Studio. Since 2008, he has directed projects for children’s television including Flipos, Muelin y Perlita, Soccer Girls and television spots. In 2016, his short film Bear Story became the first Latin American project to win an Oscar in the animated short category.

“I Am Your Mother” | Aardman | Director: Magdalena Osinska

Magdalena Osinska is an award-winning director who has been with Aardman for eight years. She has directed stop-motion, CGI, 2D and live-action commercials including Wallace & Gromit’s The Great Sofa Caper and Share the Orange.”Osinska directed development of the children’s series Joyets and has also directed films including Spirits of the Piano and Zbigniev’s Cupboard. A graduate of the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield, U.K., as well as the Polish Film School in Lodz and Art College in Warsaw, Osinska is currently developing the feature film Jasia, based on her grandmother’s memories of WWII Poland.

“Journey to the Dark Head” | Studio Mir | Director: Hyeong Geun Park

Rising star Hyeong Geun Park had already made a name for himself when he entered the Korean animation industry in 2017, thanks to his strong drawing and animation sensibilities. He has directed animation for dozens of cinematic game trailers and has since expanded into animated series, working on projects including Dota: Dragon’s Blood: Book 3 (2022) and Lookism (2022). “Journey to the Dark Head” is the first title he has executive produced from start to finish.

“The Spy Dancer” |Studio La Cachette | Writer-director: Julien Chheng

Julien Chheng is CEO of Studio La Cachette, an Emmy Award-winning French animation studio he co-founded in 2014 with fellow Gobelins school’s alumni Oussama Bouacheria and Ulysse Malassagne. Chheng was trained in visual development at Disney and has worked as a character animator on acclaimed 2D animated features The Rabbi’s Cat, Mune and the Academy Award-nominated Ernest & Celestine. In 2021, he won an Emmy Award as animation executive producer of Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal, for which he also served as animation supervisor. In 2022, Chheng directed with Jean-Christophe Roger the Cesar-nominated feature Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia.

“The Bandits of Golak” | 88 Pictures | Director: Ishan Shukla

Ishan Shukla started his career as a CG artist in Singapore. For more than a decade, he spearheaded projects ranging from TV commercials to series and music videos. His 2016 animated short, Schirkoa, was long listed for the Academy Awards after receiving dozens of awards and playing at 120 international festivals, including SIGGRAPH Asia where it was named Best in Show. He then set up his own animation studio to work on adult-oriented animated feature films including a feature-length version of Schirkoa, set to hit festivals in summer 2023.

“The Pit” | D’art Shtajio and Lucasfilm Ltd. | Writer-director-executive producer: LeAndre Thomas | Co-director: Justin Ridge

LeAndre Thomas is an award-winning writer and director from Oakland, Calif., whose most recent film won Best Director at the Pasadena International Film Festival. In addition to his independent films, Thomas is a part of the franchise studio team at Lucasfilm Ltd. where he has worked for more than 11 years being credited on recent titles such as Light & Magic, The Mandalorian, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi, and many more.

Justin Ridge executive produced the Emmy-nominated series Star Wars Resistance. His credits also include Star Wars Rebels, Storks, The Cleveland Show, Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Avatar: The Last Airbender.

“Aau’s Song” Studio: Triggerfish | Writer-directors: Nadia Darries and Daniel Clarke

Nadia Darries is a director, animator and co-founder of Goon Valley Animation, with an avocation for songwriting. Born in the Cape Flats in South Africa, Darries has worked on high-end animated film and motion design as an animator, project manager, creative director and director since 2015. Her experience includes animating at Triggerfish Animation Studios on the award-winning BBC films Stick Man, Revolting Rhymes and Highway Rat.

Daniel Clarke is a Cape Town-based director and artist working in animation, film and illustration. He started his career in animation in 2008 at Triggerfish Animation Studios, where he has served as production designer, art director and director on projects such as the feature film Khumba, BBC’s Stick Man and The Snail and the Whale. In 2018, along with James Clarke and Daniel Snaddon, he completed the graphic novel Kariba.
February 2, 2023
MLB Celebrates Black History Month with ‘Undeniable’ Animated Shorts
This Black History Month, Invisible Collective founder Justin Polk and Invisible-represented director Carl Jones celebrate the launch of their three-part original series for Major League Baseball (MLB): Undeniable – Stories from the Negro Leagues. This animated retelling of the Negro Leagues’ history and legacy shines a light on the Leagues’ impact on the game of baseball, including its most legendary players, its historic female ballplayers and its international influence.

The series will be featured on YouTube Kids and MLB’s Official YouTube page. It will also be available at MLB.com/originals and the MLB app.

Undeniable – Jackie and Monte

Undeniable is MLB’s first-ever animated series, and a key initiative among the org’s plans, as well as its Major & Minor League Clubs, to celebrate Black History Month. The creative and live-action production for the series was spearheaded by Polk, a passionate baseball fan. Polk partnered with Jones (The Boondocks, Black Dynamite) and his animation studio Martian Blueberry to craft a comic-strip-inspired spotlight on these important stories.

“There was no one else for this job,” said Polk. “Carl’s already a part of the Invisible family, and as the owner of one of the only Black animation studios in the industry, he helped Invisible tell these diverse stories from a place of authenticity.”

The concept was sparked 2020, when MLB decided it would officially begin treating the approximately 3,400 players of the Negro Leagues, which operated between 1920 and 1948, as Major Leaguers, making their stats and records part of MLB history. “After I found this out, I reached out to Major League Baseball to ask them if they were going to do a campaign in celebration,” said Polk.

Undeniable – Women of the Negro Leagues

MLB asked Polk to pitch them ideas, which resulted in three animated shorts covering the history-spanning legends Jackie Robinson and Monte Irvin, trailblazing women in the league like Toni Stone, and the international impact of the league. Polk originally discovered these stories through Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and a keen baseball historian who would frequently tell these stories to museum patrons. Now, Kendrick continues to spread the word as narrator for the animated shorts.

Jones and his Martian Blueberry team produced Undeniable‘s hand-drawn 2D animation ove rteh course of 12 weeks, working in collaboration with MLB to get every detail exactly, historically correct — everything from the right shade of blue on the Indianapolis Clowns’ uniforms to the cultural accuracy of the player’s physical features.

Undeniable – Jackie Robinson & Monte Irvin

“These are Black and Brown legends who were up against a tremendous amount of adversity and still found a way to overcome and become the icons that they are. We face similar obstacles as Black creatives in Hollywood, where there’s a lack of diversity all around,” said Jones. “Invisible and Martian Blueberry are aligned in our mission statements, and as Black-owned companies, we are specifically focused on telling our stories in an authentic way. Which requires a lot of attention paid to our cultural nuances — to how we talk, walk, dress and move.”

Polk emphasized, “This project was important to me in so many ways: as a baseball fan, as a supporter of the history of the Negro Leagues, and as a Black man. I’m so proud that Major League Baseball and the Negro League Museum put their trust in Invisible to share these remarkable stories.”

All three Undeniable shorts (five minutes each) are scheduled to debut during Black History Month, beginning today:
- February 1 (National Girls & Women in Sports Day) – Women of the Negro Leagues. Featuring Toni Stone, Connie Morgan and Mamie “Peanut” Johnson
- February 8 – International Impact
- February 15 – Jackie Robinson & Monte Irvin
February 1, 2023
Five Animated Features & Three Series Nominated for ACE Eddie Awards
American Cinema Editors (ACE) has announced the nominations for the 73rd Annual ACE Eddie Awards, recognizing outstanding editing in 14 categories of film, television and documentaries. These include honors for animated feature films and animated television series.

This year’s special honors will go to Gina Prince-Bythewood (ACE Golden Eddie Filmmaker of the Year Award), Lynne Willingham, ACE and Don Zimmerman, ACE (Career Achievement Awards).

The winners will be announced live during the ACE Eddie Awards on Sunday, March 5 at UCLA’s Royce Hall. You can see the full list of nominees at americancinemaeditors.org.

BEST EDITED ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
(Theatrical or Non-Theatrical)
- The Bad Guys — John Venzon, ACE
- Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio — Ken Schretzmann, ACE; Holly Klein
- Marcel the Shell with Shoes On — Dean Fleischer-Camp, Nick Paley
- Puss in Boots: The Last Wish — James Ryan, ACE
- Turning Red — Nicholas C. Smith, ACE
BEST EDITED ANIMATED SERIES
- Big Mouth “Dadda Dia!” — Felipe Salazar
- Bob’s Burgers “Some Like It Bot Part 1: Eighth Grade Runner” — Jeremy Reuben, ACE
- Love, Death + Robots “Bad Travelling” — Kirk Baxter, ACE
February 1, 2023
Crunchyroll Reveals ‘Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury’ Dub Cast, Release Date
A new age of mecha is dawning in Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury, which will take off with a fresh English-language dub coming to Crunchyroll starting February 5. (The dubbed series prologue is available to watch now on the streamer.) The full dub cast and crew were announced along with the release date.

English dub cast:
- Jill Harris (Nino in The Quintessential Quintuplets) as Suletta
- Natalie Van Sistine (Yor in SPY x FAMILY) as Miorine
- Elizabeth Maxwell (Zephia in ) as Prospera
- Bradley Gareth (Jyubei in BLUELOCK) as Guel
- Aaron Dismuke (Senku in Dr. STONE) as Elan
- Brittany Karbowski (Camie in My Hero Academia) as Chuatury
- Bryn Apprill (Kobeni in Chainsaw Man) as Nika
- Alejandro Saab (Cheng in Link Click) as Shaddiq
- Gabe Kunda (Desha in Ranking of Kings) as Delling
- Christopher R. Sabat (Vegeta in Dragon Ball Super) as Vim
- Eric Vale (Sanji in One Piece) as Nuno
- Nazeeh Tarsha (Kamioka in Horimiya) as Lauda
- Sara Ragsdale (Maria in Tomodachi Game) as Lilique
- Kimberly Grace (Hachi in My Roommate Is a Cat) as Petra
- Alexis Tipton (Anna in takt op. Destiny) as Felsi
- Kristin Payne as Rouji
- Cassie Ewulu (Akira in Kemono Jihen) as Secilla
- Mike Smith (Cucuruz Doan in Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island) as Sarius
- Ian Sinclair (Einar in VINLAND SAGA) as Rajan
- Jerry Jewell (Kyo in Fruits Basket) as Haro
The Witch from Mercury‘s English dub efforts are led by ADR director Jason Lord, assistant ADR director Aaron Roberts, ADR engineer Noah Whitehead, asst. ADR engineer Coco Caesar, script supervisors Bonny Clinkenbeard and Jarrod Greene, ADR scriptwriter Alex Mai and ADR prep by Olivia Harris.

The series is directed by Hiroshi Kobayashi (KIZNAIVER), alongside Code Geass co-creator Ichiro Okouchi as scriptwriter and series composer. Bandai Namco Filmworks anime studio Sunrise is producing. Crunchyroll is currently simulcasting the series from Japan.

Synopsis: A.S. (Ad Stella) 122 ― An era when a multitude of corporations have entered space and built a huge economic system. A lone girl from the remote planet Mercury transfers to the Asticassia School of Technology, run by the Beneritt Group which dominates the mobile suit industry. Her name is Suletta Mercury. With a scarlet light burning in her pure heart, this girl walks step by step through a new world.
February 1, 2023
Paramount+ Boots Up ‘Transformers: EarthSpark’ Season 2

Paramount+ today announced the renewal of the original animated series Transformers: EarthSpark for a second season, which will follow the Malto family on even higher stakes adventures full of heart and humor. Beginning Friday, March 3, the next eight episodes of Season 1 will be available to stream in the U.S. and Canada, with additional international territories to follow. Released today, the all-new trailer and artwork showcases more Autobots, more Decepticons and more Terrans!

In the next eight Transformers: EarthSpark S1 episodes, the Terrans continue to uncover their powers while they learn to protect themselves against G.H.O.S.T. Twitch, Thrash and the rest of the Malto family will continue to learn what it means to be a Transformers robot, what it means to be human and ultimately what it means to be a family. Making their debut in the series are Keith David (The Princess and the Frog) as Grimlock, Alfie Alan (Game of Thrones) as Tarantulas and Roger Craig Smith (Regular Show) as Breakdown.

The first 10 episodes of the 26-episode season premiered in November 2022, and are available to stream exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, Latin America, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, South Korea and France.

“The highly anticipated series Transformers: EarthSpark premiered with a strong launch on Paramount+, ranking as one of the top five most-watched Kids & Family series,” said Tanya Giles, Chief Programming Officer of Paramount Streaming. “In partnership with Hasbro, eOne and our studio partner Nickelodeon, we’re thrilled to continue telling the story of the Malto family and the new generation of Transformers robots.”

Transformers: EarthSpark [Nickelodeon/Paramount+ © 2022 Viacom International, Inc.]

Transformers: EarthSpark [Nickelodeon/Paramount+ © 2022 Viacom International, Inc.]

Transformers: EarthSpark [Nickelodeon/Paramount+ © 2022 Viacom International, Inc.]

The series will make its weekly debut on Nickelodeon beginning this Friday, February 3 at 7:30 p.m., ET/PT. In the one-hour premiere, “Secret Legacy,” Robby has trouble adjusting after his family’s big move to the rural town of Witwicky until he and his sister, Mo, discover the first-ever earthborn Transformers. The previously released episodes will continue to debut Fridays on Nickelodeon through March 3.

Transformers: EarthSpark introduces a new generation of Transformers robots — the first to be born on Earth — and together with the humans who welcome them and care for them, they’ll redefine what it means to be a family.

Transformers: EarthSpark [Nickelodeon/Paramount+ © 2022 Viacom International, Inc.]

Transformers: EarthSpark [Nickelodeon/Paramount+ © 2022 Viacom International, Inc.]

Transformers: EarthSpark [Nickelodeon/Paramount+ © 2022 Viacom International, Inc.]

The dynamic voice cast includes Sydney Mikayla (Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts) as Robby Malto, Zion Broadnax (Day Shift) as Mo Malto, Benny Benni Latham (Cornerstones: Founding Voices of the Black Church) as Dot Malto, Jon Jon Briones (Ratched) as Alex Malto, Kathreen Khavari (Dead End: Paranormal Park) as Twitch, Zeno Robinson (Big City Greens) as Thrash, Danny Pudi (Community) as Bumblebee, Alan Tudyk (Resident Alien) as Optimus Prime, Rory McCann (Game of Thrones) as Megatron, Cissy Jones (The Owl House) as Elita-1, Diedrich Bader (Better Things) as Mandroid, Cyrus Arnold (Diary of a Wimpy Kid) as Jawbreaker, Z Infante (Dead End: Paranormal Park) as Nightshade and Stephanie Lemelin (Dawn of the Croods) as Hashtag.

Transformers: EarthSpark is created and co-executive produced by Dale Malinowski (Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and executive produced by Ant Ward (Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). The series is developed for television by Claudia Spinelli, SVP of Big Kids Animation, Nickelodeon. Production is overseen for Nickelodeon by Mikiel Houser, executive in charge of production, and for eOne by Kari Rosenberg.

February 1, 2023
Cartoon Movie Announces 9 Nominees for Eurimages Co-Pro Award

The Council of Europe’s Eurimages Fund and Cartoon Movie have joined forces in order to award the Eurimages Co-production Development Award. A cash-prize of €20,000, this award has been created to promote the Fund’s role in encouraging international co-production from the initial stages of a project. Today, the nine Cartoon Movie pitch projects nominated for the Award have been announced.

The winner will be announced Thursday, March 9.

The nominees are:

Beausoleil
Produced by Moteur S’il Vous Plaît (France), co-produced by Doghouse Films (Luxembourg)

France in the 23rd century, now a scorching desert due to climate change. After their mother’s untimely death, 10-year-old Nonnie and seven-year-old Albert decide to leave their village in search of their father, who left for Paris looking for the miraculous seeds that could secure their small town’s survival … and never came back. To guide them through this perilous journey and help them get across the Great Desert safely, the children have to make do with their uncle Sid, a good-for-nothing only recently released from prison. But his plan doesn’t match theirs: he secretly intends to lead them into the desert and rob them of everything they possess before losing them…

Birds Don’t Look Back
Produced by Special Touch Studios & Creative Touch Studios (France), co-produced by Paul Thiltges Distributions (Luxembourg) & Animoon (Poland)

One day, the decision is made: Amel, a 12-year-old orphan, will leave. This is by no means a matter of choice: her country is at war. Unfortunately, nothing goes as planned. At the border, Amel loses the family who are accompanying her and finds herself alone. Along her way, she meets Bacem, an army deserter and oud (oriental lute) player. Together, the child and the former soldier navigate through the pain of exile and learn to rebuild themselves.

DinoGames. Adventures in the Metaverse
Produced by Dr. Platypus & Ms. Wombat (Spain), co-produced by Beside Productions (Belgium)

At-odds siblings Vera and Codi have one thing they agree on: their love of DinoGames, the world’s most popular metaverse set in a spectacular dinosaur realm. Created by their father Ale, the inventor has bet everything to deliver the most cutting edge augmented reality experience but mysterious glitches have caused a delay in the release of this updated version. After receiving an unusual invite to DinoGames Headquarters from their aunt Bianca, a power surge pulls them into DinoLand. The kids are thrilled to be living the experience until they realize its real dangers and a the world-destroying virus released by villain Pinkolak that has put their lives in jeopardy.

I’m Still Alive
Produced by MAD Entertainment (Italy), co-produced by Lucky Red (Italy), Gapbusters (Belgium) & SIPUR (Israel)

From Roberto Saviano, author of the acclaimed best-seller Gomorra, based on his autobiographic graphic novel illustrated by Asaf Hanuka, I’m Still Alive tells the story of a man forced to live under police escort for the last 15 years. Narrated in first person by it own voice, This is Saviano’s story, an investigative journalist, writer, screenwriter whom, through his works, succeeded in shifting the global perception of organized crime. The movie spotlighting 15 years of the author’s real life, starting from his debut bestseller first issue and develops forward and backward mixing flashbacks from his childhood and imaginary events he couldn’t help dreaming of.

Julián
Produced by Cartoon Saloon (Ireland) co-produced by Sun Creature (Denmark), Folivari (France), Aircraft Pictures (Canada) & Wychwood Media (United Kingdom)

Julián is the story of a boy who wants to be a mermaid.
The wide-eyed Julián spends a summer of discovery in NYC with his abuela. Nearly strangers, they brace themselves for tense conversations and new adventures. The colorful chaos of Abuela’s world, and the stories she tells him, awakens something within Julián… questions about who he is and who he could be. Julián’s journey will reach across the diaspora, from Brooklyn block to the depths of the ocean, in an intergenerational ebb and flow. Through Abuela’s world, Julián explores his identity, gender expression and the hidden heritage of his family.

Love Is a Gypsy Child – A Carmen Story
Produced by Folivari (France), co-produced by La Garde Montante (France) & Pikkukala Barcelona (Spain)

Andalusia, 1840. Back in his hometown of Seville after three years of peddling, 13-year-old Salva, assistant to a blind knife-grinder, meets Carmen, a 20-year-old gypsy woman with a captivating voice. After hearing a prediction that she is doomed to die, he calls on his friend Belén and her small troop of street urchins to help him save the young gypsy. His quest takes them to Lillas Pastia’s tavern, through the narrow winding streets of Seville, across orange roofs and into the dyeing factory with its plethora of pigments; it leads them to an old mine and the misty gypsy camp, the bullfighting square Plaza de Toros, and the galleons moored in the harbor. But as they go about their mission, will they find a way to stop the tragic fate the fiery gypsy Carmen is destined to endure?

The Precious Gift
Produced by animation people (Czech Republic), co-produced by JPL Films (France)

Following her parents’ separation, a little girl learns how to tame her fears by opening herself to the world and to others. A fantasy journey through her emotions teaches her to rely on herself and on friendship. And make peace with the new family situation.

Yakari 2
Produced by Dargaud Media (France), co-produced by Belvision (Belgium)

While his friend Buffalo-Seed is in a deep coma and Rainbow reveals her shaman skills by keeping him alive, Yakari gallops off with Little-Thunder in search of the only living being capable of bringing him back to life: Buffalo-Seed’s totem, the imposing, fantastic and dangerous Thathanka!

Yap Yap – The Secret Forest
Produced by Parka Pictures (Denmark), co-produced by Milford (Sweden)

Naia lives alone with her parents in a towering megalopolis. Left largely to herself she roams the concrete streets to find a place to plant her seeds and grow a garden. One day, in a narrow alley, Naia stumbles through the hidden entrance to Yap Yap, a forestland inhabited by strange and magical creatures of nature. Naia makes new and unusual friends, but a growing darkness is threatening Yap Yap’s existence. Naia sets out on an impossible quest to stop the darkness and save both worlds.

Cartoon Movie 2023 will be held March 7-9 in Bordeaux, France.

cartoon-media.eu/movie

February 1, 2023
‘Ray of Sunshine’ on the Rise with WildBrain Global Distribution

WildBrain has secured worldwide distribution rights (excluding Ireland) for Season 1 of the new preschool animated series Ray of Sunshine (26 x 7’). Produced by Dublin-based animation studio Daily Madness, the series is currently available for delivery and will be showcased by WildBrain at Kidscreen Summit in February.

“We’re over the moon to sign this deal with WildBrain, a company with such a passion for kids’ content and to join their portfolio of incredible brands,” said series producer-director Lindsey Adams. “Ray of Sunshine is our love letter to Dublin, a city that is very much home to the creative team working behind the scenes on this show. With our new partners at WildBrain, we’re so excited to see our beloved Ray travel outside of Ireland and to audiences across the globe.”

Aimed at kids 3-6, Ray of Sunshine centers on Ray, a sunshine-y, seven-year-old boy who lives in the Sunshine Apartments smack-dab in the middle of Dublin. Ray is a very sociable, outgoing kid with the gift of gab, and he is always ready for a chat. Luckily for Ray, living in an apartment complex where pretty much everybody knows everybody, he can usually find someone to chat to.

The collective care and love of Ray’s neighbors reflects the show’s core theme of the importance of community: Ray hosts tea parties and invites his colorful neighbors into his very own garden patch in the middle of the apartment courtyard. Ray of Sunshine models inclusive, gender-neutral play while putting value on socialization, conversation, caring and sharing, and celebrates diversity of all kinds, including non-traditional parenting structures and amicable co-parenting.

“We’re thrilled to work with Daily Madness, a women-owned and-led animation studio, and we wholeheartedly believe in their mission to champion underrepresented voices in our industry,” said Caroline Tyre, VP Global Sales & Rights Strategy at WildBrain. “With Ray of Sunshine, Daily Madness has created a terrific new series filled with silliness, humor and heart. Featuring compelling character-driven stories rooted in gender-neutral play, friendship and community, this adorable series is the perfect addition to our preschool animation slate. We look forward to sharing it with audiences around the world.”

The principal voice actor in Ray of Sunshine is newcomer Evan Oglesby, playing Ray. The series is created by Lindsey Adams and Shannon George, with Kristina Yee as head writer. Art direction is by Adam Kavanagh with music by Jonathan Casey.

Ray of Sunshine was produced with the funding support of RTÉjr, Screen Ireland and the Section 481 tax credit.

wildbrain.com | dailymadnessproductions.com

February 1, 2023
‘South Park’s Milestone 25th Season Hits Shelves in April
Blu-ray

Celebrate 25 years of irreverent takes and Coloradoan craziness when South Park: The Complete Twenty-Fifth Season arrives on Blu-ray and DVD on April 4. The Emmy and Peabody Award-winning series, created by Trey Parker, Matt Stone and Brian Graden, returns to the small screen with brand new misadventures for America’s favorite grade-schoolers.

With Season 25 voice starring Parker and Stone along with Mona Marshall (Blue Exorcist), April Stewart (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol) and Jessica Makinson (Maron), the set features 6 episodes (run time: 2 hours 14 minutes).

Season 25 episodes:
- “Pajama Day”
- “The Big Fix”
- “City People”
- “Back to the Cold War”
- “Help, My Teenager Hates Me!”
- “Credigree Weed St. Patrick’s Day Special”
DVD

Based on the animated short The Spirit of Christmas, South Park debuted in 1997 and is the longest-running scripted cable series in television history. The series features the breathtakingly irreverent and ruthlessly funny misadventures of four foul-mouthed, troublemaking young boys in a small town nestled in the Colorado Rockies. Free episodes are available to stream at SouthPark.cc.com.

Co-creators Parker and Stone are executive producers, along with Anne Garefino and Frank C. Agnone II. Eric Stough, Adrien Beard, Bruce Howell and Vernon Chatman are producers. Christopher Brion is the creative director of South Park Digital Studios.
January 31, 2023
Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture to Host Largest-Ever LAIKA Exhibition
Award-winning Oregon animation house LAIKA and the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, Washington today announced a new exhibition that will showcase the creativity, artistry and innovation that make the studio a global leader in stop-motion filmmaking. Visitors will be immersed in the “hidden worlds” of LAIKA — both the magical settings the characters inhabit on screen and behind-the-scenes wonders.

“LAIKA tells original, enduring stories with meaningful themes and a commitment to filmmaking innovation,” said MoPOP’s Director of Curatorial, Collections & Exhibits, Jacob McMurray. “We can’t wait to give our guests a peek behind the curtain into the world of stop motion animation and how emerging technologies are fused with timeless techniques to create LAIKA’s state-of-the-art film masterpieces.”

Secret Garden from Coraline [c/o LAIKA]

Hidden Worlds: The Films of LAIKA, the largest exhibition that LAIKA has ever mounted, will open March 17 at MoPOP, spanning more than 7,500 square feet of exhibition space with immersive displays, film artifacts, and interactives spotlighting Coraline (2009), ParaNorman (2012), The Boxtrolls (2014), Kubo and the Two Strings (2016), Missing Link (2019) and Wildwood (forthcoming).

“LAIKA is a multifaceted community of dreamers, makers, storytellers, scientists, engineers and artists all committed to making movies that matter,” said LAIKA’s Chief Marketing Officer and SVP Operations, David Burke. “We believe that cinema is a profoundly important and fertile landscape in which we can tell stories that will speak to global audiences, both now and for generations to come. Film is a universally shared cultural language and it’s thrilling to be partnering with MoPOP, which celebrates the power of popular culture and the individuals who create that magic.”

Sir Lionel’s office from Missing Link [c/o LAIKA]
The Hidden Worlds exhibit highlights include:
- More than 7,500 square feet of exhibition space with recreations of six LAIKA worlds, including specialty lighting, original exhibition films and immersive scenic elements like a full-size version of the tunnel leading to the Other World in Coraline.
- Artifacts and sets from LAIKA films imbued with meaning by not only the stories they tell, but through all the artists and craftspeople who have brought them into existence.
- MoPOP signature interactive elements allowing visitors to take a “puppets-eye-view” of a LAIKA set or create their own stop-motion animation using themselves as the puppet.
- Content demonstrating LAIKA’s signature blend of traditional stop-motion animation paired with their technological advances in digital effects and rapid-prototype 3D printing.
Pink Palace from Coraline [c/o LAIKA]

Mr. Link from Missing Link [c/o LAIKA]

Zombie on van from ParaNorman [c/o LAIKA]

Village of Cheeseborough in The Boxtrolls [c/o LAIKA]

MoPOP members have the first opportunity to see the exhibition with a Member Preview Day on Friday, March 17. Memberships are available at MoPOP.org/membership. A public opening party will be held Friday evening, March 17, with tickets for the event on-sale mid-February. Saturday, March 18 is the first full day the exhibition will be open to the public.

For more information on Hidden Worlds and to purchase tickets, visit MoPOP.org/LAIKA. Learn about the films of LAIKA at laika.com.

Kubo and the Two Strings [c/o LAIKA]
January 31, 2023
Hulu Orders ‘King of the Hill’ Reboot, I Tell You What

Hulu today announced a series order for a revival of iconic animated hit King of the Hill, from 20th Television Animation, which will be created and executive produced by original co-creators Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, as well as incoming executive producer and showrunner Saladin Patterson. Additionally, 3 Arts’ Michael Rotenberg and Howard Klein, and Bandera Entertainment’s Dustin Davis serve as executive producers of the show, which will take place in the present day.

The animated series will star original voice talent including Mike Judge (Hank Hill and Jeff Boomhauer), Kathy Najimy (Peggy Hill), Stephen Root (Bill Dauterive), Pamela Adlon (Bobby Hill), Johnny Hardwick (Dale Gribble)and Lauren Tom (Minh and Connie Souphanousinphone). The reboot has been in the works since the 2017 San Francisco Sketchfest, where Judge and Daniels reconnected with the cast and celebrated the 20th anniversary of King of the Hill.

“We are all so excited to welcome back Hank, Peggy and Bobby, and to see what they have to say about the world we live in and continue the conversations we began years ago,” said Craig Erwich, President, ABC Entertainment, Hulu and Disney Branded Television Streaming Originals. “This show has all of the perfect ingredients to meet this moment in animation at Hulu, and we’re so thankful to be having those conversations alongside this talented group.”

Greg Daniels [ph: Jon Kopaloff], Mike Judge [Sarah Coulter], Saladin Patterson [20th Television/Frank Micelotta]

The Emmy-winning series (Outstanding Animated Program), which Time named one of “The Greatest TV Shows of All Time,” ran for 13 seasons on Fox and now streams on Hulu. Since premiering in 1997, King of the Hill has been translated into multiple languages and aired in 50 countries around the world.

Set in the fictional Arlen, Texas, the show followed the life of Hank Hill, an enthusiastic seller of propane and propane accessories; his wife, Peggy, local Boggle champ and substitute teacher; and their 13-year-old son, Bobby, who defies any expectation his father had for a son. Hank’s friends — conspiracy theorist Dale, military barber Bill and cool but inarticulate Boomhauer, along with Peggy’s friends Minh and meteorologist Nancy (Ashley Gardner) and Bobby’s friend Connie help the Hills navigate a changing world.

“Yeah, man I tell you whot man, that dang Ol’ Greg, talking about ‘O.G.’ and then that Mike Judge … Inspirations, man … the original show, dang ol’ classic … Got my kids, man, walking around talking about ‘That’s my purse! I don’t know you!’ Feeling blessed, man, I tell you whot ‘Feel so Good’ is a great song, I don’t care what no-dang-body says…” said showrunner/EP Patterson.

Marci Proietto, EVP 20th Television Animation, added, “I’m so lucky to have been a part of this show from the very beginning and couldn’t be more excited to visit Arlen, Texas, once again with Mike, Greg and Saladin, who together are bringing a whole new perspective to the original series. We all want to thank the fans for their overwhelming support because they helped make this happen, and I can’t wait to share this new iteration through the lens of 2023 America. In the words of our beloved Peggy Hill: ‘Ho yeah!’”

January 31, 2023
Animation Educators Forum Names 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees

The Animation Educators Forum (AEF), a nonprofit association of teachers and scholars whose focus is the art of animated film, has announced the selection of its 2023 Hall of Fame recipients. This virtual hall is dedicated to the artists and scholars whose teaching influenced the history of animation.

The Animation Educators Hall of Fame, Class of 2023:

Joy Batchelor

Joy Batchelor (1914-1991) Director/Producer/Designer — Joy started in animation in 1934 and met John Halas three years later when he hired her at British Colour Cartoon Films. In 1940, they married and formed Halas and Batchelor Cartoon Films, one of Britain’s most storied studios. The two co-directed its most famous film, Animal Farm (1954), which she is also credited as scriptwriter, producer and designer. Her other credits include directing a TV version of Gilbert & Sullivan’s Ruddigore (1967). After retiring from filmmaking in 1974, she focused on teaching animation at the London Film School, whose students elected her to its Board of Governors, where she served until her death.

Corny Cole

Cornelius “Corny” Cole (1930-2011) Animator/Designer — Corny began on Disney’s Lady and the Tramp and animated on Ward Kimball’s Disneyland TV unit, later for UPA on Gay Puree (1962) and Richard Williams’ The Adventures of Raggedy Ann and
Andy (1977) He taught animation as art and figure drawing at the California Institute of the Arts from 1992 until his retirement. He also trained students in figure drawing at Art Center College of Design and the University of Southern California.

John Culhane

John Culhane (1934-2015) Journalist/Historian — Former media arts editor at Newsweek, John wrote extensively about Disney animation, including books on the making of Fantasia, Aladdin and Fantasia 2000, as well as Special Effects in the Movies. He was the model for the characters Mr. Snoops in The Rescuers and Flying John in Fantasia 2000.

Culhane pioneered the teaching of animation History as a topic of scholarship. He created the first Animation History course ever, back in 1972, which was at the School of Visual Arts. He continued to teach animation history for four decades at colleges like New York University, Fashion Institute of Technology, and Mercy College.

Bessie Mae Kelley

Bessie Mae Kelley Animator/Director — Bess started in animation in 1917, working at the major New York studios (Bray, Inkwell, Fables, etc.) and multiple regional studios. She was the first industry professional to bring the field of animation to the masses via the Chautauqua lecture and Lyceum vaudeville circuits. For several years, Bess traveled across the country with her easel and charcoals to demonstrate and educate the public on “How Animated Cartoons Are Made.”

Bill Matthews

Bill Matthews (1932-2022) Animator — Bill worked at Disney on Sleeping Beauty (1959) and on The Mickey Mouse Club. He also worked for the Jet Propulsion Lab creating instructional films. He taught animation at Sheridan College, California State University Northridge, Van Film Arts and Woodbury University. During the 1980s and ’90s he ran Disney Feature Animation’s recruiting and training division.

Dan McLaughlin

Dan McLaughlin (1932-2016) Animator/Director/Educator/Scholar — Dan began in experimental animation with such films as God Is Dog Spelled Backward (1967),
animated for Sesame Street and the titles to Where’s Poppa? (1970). In 1970, he became head of the University of California, Los Angeles Animation Workshop until his retirement in 2011. In 1971, Dan established the school’s M.F.A. Animation Program and pioneered the introduction of computer and interactive animation courses. His international travels included designing a national animation studio for the Nigerian government. In 1995 Dan was given ASIFA-Hollywood’s Winsor McCay Award.

Bill Moritz

Bill Moritz (1941-2004) Animation Historian/Filmmaker/Writer/Educator — Bill was best known for his writings on visual music and experimental animation, especially on Oskar Fischinger, including the book Optical Poetry: The Life and Work of Oskar Fischinger (2004). He was also a poet and playwright, as well as an experimental filmmaker. He began teaching in 1965 at Occidental College and then at Otis Art Institute, Pitzer College, UCLA, USC and the American University Center in Calcutta, India, before settling in at CalArts in 1987. He also was president of the Society for Animation Studies.

Ben Washam

Ben Washam (1915-1984) Animator — Ben was a main animator for Chuck Jones since 1938 at both Warner Bros. and MGM. He also worked at UPA and Hanna-Barbera. Ben taught informal instructions at no charge out of his home garage from 1967-1980, where he taught many top artists of the Animation Renaissance of the 1990s.

John Whitney Sr.

John Whitney Sr. (1917-1995) Animator/Filmmaker/Inventor/Composer — Often hailed as the father of computer animation, John and his brother James pioneered non-narrative filmmaking in the 1930s using mechanical techniques. This culminated in his building an analog computer to create the title sequence for Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo (1958). He later became IBM’s first computer artist in residence, taught the first computer graphics class at UCLA in 1972, and lectured around the world about the coming digital age with a missionary zeal. Many of his trainees and interns went on to become important figures in CGI, including Bob Abel.

Richard Williams

Richard Williams (1933-2019) Animator/Director. Williams has been called the greatest student of the character animators of Hollywood’s Golden Age, whose credits include Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) and the unfinished The Thief and the Cobbler (1993). The Canadian born artist initially rose very quickly to the top of the ’60s London commercial world. He used this success to bring in legendary Hollywood animators — Art Babbitt, Grim Natwick and Ken Harris — to teach his artists the almost forgotten techniques of classical animation. The fruits of his efforts created the blossoming of animation scene in England, which helped spark the Hollywood Renaissance of the 1990s. He wrote best-selling books on technique and gave master classes around the world until his death.

The AEF announces a new group of Hall of Fame recipients each January. To propose a candidate, visit animationeducatorsforum.org and send your suggestions to Tom Sito, administrator.

January 31, 2023
Nickelodeon Unveils Animated Kids’ Choice Awards Contenders
Co-host of CBS Mornings and CBS Sports Analyst Nate Burleson and digital superstar Charli D’Amelio will embark on an immersive and slime-tastic adventure as co-hosts of Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards 2023. Airing live on Saturday, March 4 at 7 p.m. (ET/PT) from the Microsoft Theater for the first time ever, Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards will celebrate fans’ favorites from across the worlds of film, television, music, sports and more.

Beginning today, fans across the globe can cast their votes across 31 categories on the official Kids’ Choice Awards website, KidsChoiceAwards.com.

Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards 2023 will continue to put the fans in control as they enter a magical surreal world. This year’s show will also feature extreme logic-defying stunts, wild celebrity collaborations and games, magical illusions and tricks, interactive moments within the Nickverse and of course, some epic slimings. The event will simulcast across Nickelodeon, TeenNick, Nicktoons, the Nick Jr. channel, TVLand, CMT and MTV2.

Musical performances for the 2023 ceremony will be announced at a later date.

The animation category contenders for the year are:

FAVORITE ANIMATED MOVIE
- DC League of Super-Pets
- Hotel Transylvania: Transformania
- Lightyear
- Minions: The Rise of Gru
- The Bad Guys
- Turning Red
FAVORITE VOICE FROM AN ANIMATED MOVIE (MALE)
- Andy Samberg (Dale, Chip N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers)
- Andy Samberg (Jonathan, Hotel Transylvania: Transformania)
- Chris Evans (Buzz Lightyear, Lightyear)
- Dwayne Johnson (Krypto, DC League of Super-Pets)
- Kevin Hart (Ace, DC League of Super-Pets)
- Steve Carell (Gru, Minions: The Rise of Gru)
FAVORITE VOICE FROM AN ANIMATED MOVIE (FEMALE)
- Awkwafina (Tarantula, The Bad Guys)
- Keke Palmer (Izzy Hawthorne, Lightyear)
- Salma Hayek (Kitty Softpaws, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish)
- Sandra Oh (Ming, Turning Red)
- Selena Gomez (Mavis, Hotel Transylvania: Transformania)
- Taraji P. Henson (Belle Bottom, Minions: The Rise of Gru)
FAVORITE ANIMATED SHOW
- Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous
- Rugrats
- SpongeBob SquarePants
- Teen Titans Go!
- The Loud House
- The Smurfs
January 31, 2023
Kong Studio Delivers Noir-Inspired Animation for Formula 1 Docuseries ‘Lucky!’

Kong Studio’s latest TV project is the eight-part documentary series Lucky!, chronicling the life and career of Formula 1’s Bernie Ecclestone. It was produced by Jiva Maya, a production company set up by Manish Pandey (writer of award-winning film Senna).

Pandey, a self-confessed motor racing mega fan, had known for a while that he wanted to produce a film about Ecclestone — an ex-used car salesman who went on to change the international motor racing world of Formula 1. He first met Ecclestone in 2006, when he was pitching Senna.

Lucky! [Jiva Maya; Animation by Kong Studio]
Lucky! was ready to hit the starting line in October 2019, and Ecclestone was willing to take it for a spin. After COVID delayed production, filming began in 2020. Most of the interviews with Ecclestone were filmed at his Olden hotel in Gstaadt, Switzerland, with a couple of extra sessions in Ibiza in 2021. Ecclestone’s extraordinarily detailed recollections were complemented by carefully researched archive footage, but the team also realized the best way to create reenactments would be with animation.

“We wanted to find a way to represent the legendary bosses of motor racing visually, and in a way to get the key characters across and how they interacted with Bernie behind the scenes,” says Pandey. “Each episode is around 47 minutes, with seven minutes of interview footage and 38 minutes of archive shots. That left two minutes to fill, and that’s where we thought animation could play a part. Some of our chosen stock footage was low quality or were only available in black and white, so adding animation to the edit gave us an opportunity to add some color.”

Lucky! [Jiva Maya; Animation by Kong Studio]

Lucky! [Jiva Maya; Animation by Kong Studio]

Pandey’s brief was for the scenes to be atmospheric, situated within a particular time, and for the main players in Bernie’s life to be recognizable. The style of animation was also important. Jiva Maya wanted the scenes to have a film noir feel, but understated. The movements had to be small while allowing for some humor to shine through. Kong Studio signed Kristian Antonelli to develop Ecclestone’s character design, giving the studio a head start on pitching and winning the Lucky! race.

“We went with Kong Studio to produce our animations as their designs were very bold,” notes Pandey. “We knew from their strong sketches during the tender process that Kong Studio would be a winning partner.”

Executive producer Emma Burch organized the extensive production schedule while Kong Studio Co-founders Bill Elliott and Tom Baker set to work getting the animation team together. “Unfortunately Kristian Antonelli wasn’t available to take the project beyond the pitch stage. That’s where Daniel Prothero came in,” says Elliott. “We pulled together a fantastic crew of designers, animators and compositors to develop a simple yet atmospheric, tense and moody animation style which seemed to hit the brief perfectly.”

Lucky! [Jiva Maya; Animation by Kong Studio]

Lucky! [Jiva Maya; Animation by Kong Studio]

Every animated scene was meticulously researched for its era, location, team colors and logos to make sure every detail was there for the Jiva Maya team — and any Formula 1 fan watching the show. Many of Kong Studio’s animators worked remotely delivering their work to series technical director Daniele Baiardini, who pulled it all together into the final animated sequences.

“Throughout production, the Kong team have been organized and highly efficient. They produced animated scenes that are witty and full of character,” says Pandey. “The animation became a part of the story and that’s because the Kong Studio team fully understood our direction and the narrative we were working towards.”

Lucky! is airing and streaming in multiple European countries and in Latin America, coming soon to North America. Find out more at luckytvseries.com.

kong-studio.com

Lucky! [Jiva Maya; Animation by Kong Studio]

January 30, 2023
‘Blue Thermal’ Anime Soars on Blu-ray and Digital in March

From Telecom Animation Film (Lupin III movies, Orange) and director Masaki Tachibana (Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, Princess Principal, Barakamon) comes a new anime adventure, Blue Thermal. Based on the popular manga by Kana Ozawa with a screenplay written by Tachibana and Natsuko Takahashi (Farewell, My Dear Cramer), the artful coming-of-age movie is ready to take flight on Blu-ray and digital download on March 14 from Eleven Arts and Shout! Factory, following its North American theatrical release.

The animated feature captures the tension and excitement of a young college student who joins the school’s aviation club flying for the first time, as well as the beauty and exhilaration of the aerial scenery as seen from the pilot’s seat. The film’s theme song “Blue Thermal” and the song “Beautiful Bird” are performed by the popular Japanese piano rock band SHE’S.

Available for the first time in North America, Blue Thermal on Blu-ray features special bonus content, including an interview with director Tachibana and character profiles. The set is available for pre-order now at ShoutFactory.com and will be available in stores and other fine retailers.

Synopsis: “I want to experience a love that sparkles!”

Arriving from Nagasaki with her wishful mantra is Tamaki Tsuru, who in high school could think only about volleyball. Things don’t begin well, however, when she looks for an extracurricular club to join and proceeds to immediately ding a glider at aviation club tryouts ending up having to work it off. She is initially disillusioned with campus life. Then Kuramochi, the club leader and glider pilot, takes Tamaki under his wing, and from the moment he takes her up for a flight in a glider, Tamaki becomes a captive of the vast beauty of the skies.

Blue Thermal‘s stellar Japanese voice cast includes Mayu Hotta (Kaguya-sama: Love Is War 2019), Nobunaga Shimazaki (Summer Ghost), Junya Enoki (My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission), Mikako Komatsu (Jujutsu Kaisen 0), Daisuke Ono (Batman Ninja), Haruka Shiraishi (When Marnie Was There), Yo Taichi (Her Blue Sky), Ayumu Murase (Drifting Home), Makoto Furukawa (Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative), Rie Takahashi (Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal: The Movie), Taku Yashiro (The Island of Giant Insects), Kengo Kawanishi (Batman Ninja), and Minoru Terada (Castle in the Sky).

Ozawa’s manga series launched in 2015, running in Shinchosha’s Monthly Comic @Bunch Magazine for many years before being published in five book volumes.

January 30, 2023
Annecy Unveils 2023 Poster Designed by Jorge R. Gutierrez

France’s esteemed Annecy Festival will this year be spotlighting Mexican animation — and the country’s colorful influences are on full display in the newly revealed Annecy 2023 poster designed by Emmy and Annie Award-winning artist, animator and director Jorge R. Gutierrez (Maya and the Three, The Book of Life, El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera).

“Jorge’s work is deeply rooted in Mexican popular culture and folklore, but it is also zealously festive,” said Marcel Jean, Annecy Festival’s Artistic Director. “He flaunts a generous, Baroque and colorful artistry that is full of surprises, which incarnates the Festival’s very spirit. This poster invites you to come and party with us!”

A festival regular and a member of the 2023 Jury, Gutierrez talks to us about his inspiration and reveals the poster design’s creative process in a special featurette shared by Annecy.

“The poster is very inspired by all the spectacular nighttime parties at our beloved Festival,” he notes in the video. “A Mexican ‘Xochimilco trajinera’ boat arrives on Lake Annecy carrying lots of happy and excited Mexicans ready to party. The city itself is glowing, it’s shining like a warm magical place.”

A CalArts Experimental Animation BFA & MFA graduate, Gutierrez has completed various films, cartoons and paintings exploring his love affair with Mexican pop and folk culture.

He was director & co-writer of the Guillermo del Toro-produced animated feature The Book of Life, which earned him a 2014 Golden Globe nomination. Together with his wife and muse, Sandra Equihua, he created the multiple Emmy-winning series El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera for Nickelodeon. Gutierrez most recently created, wrote and directed the Netflix event series Maya and the Three, which won two Annie Awards and was nominated for five Emmys.

Gutierrez is currently developing and writing/directing a Netflix animated feature named I, Chihuahua with Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias.

The 2023 Annecy Festival will be held June 11 to 17. More information available at annecyfestival.com.

January 30, 2023
‘HouseBroken’ Season 1 Rolls Over to Tubi Streaming
Season 1 of the FOX animated comedy HouseBroken has loosed its television leash and is now available to stream on the company’s AVOD service Tubi. The move follows the debut of Season 2 on December 4.

HouseBroken takes an irreverent look at human behavior through the lens of animals. The animals’ search for meaning often leads them on wild adventures, far away from the cushy confines of domestic pet life.

Featuring the voices of:
- Lisa Kudrow as Honey, a standard poodle, who leads the group, encouraging them to confront their issues.
- Will Forte as Shel, a sex-positive tortoise with intimacy issues and a knack for choosing unconventional partners.
- Sharon Horgan as Tabitha, an aging Persian cat beauty queen, trying to adjust to life off the cat show circuit.
- Jason Mantzoukas as The Gray One, a street-smart cat who lives with about 30 other cats and has his one eye on Tabitha.
- Sam Richardson as Chico, a chonky, co-dependent cat who is in an unhealthy relationship with his neglectful owner.
- Tony Hale as
  - Diablo, a sweater-wearing, anxious terrier with OCD tendencies and
  - Max, a social-climbing Hollywood pig formerly owned by George Clooney.
- Clea DuVall as Elsa, a power-hungry, know-it-all Corgi and service dog in training — or so she claims — who drives Honey crazy.^[
- Nat Faxon as Chief, a dopey St. Bernard who lives with Honey and enjoys tormenting squirrels and licking himself.
HouseBroken

HouseBroken is produced by Kapital Entertainment and FOX Entertainment. It is created and executive produced by Gabrielle Allan, Jennifer Crittenden and Clea DuVall. Sharon Horgan, Clelia Mountford, Aaron Kaplan and Dana Honor also serve as executive producers. The series is animated by Bento Box Entertainment.

Tubi is available across mobile, home entertainment apps, connected TV, gaming consoles, etc. Find out more at tubi.tv.
January 30, 2023
Otherworldly Action-Fantasy ‘New Gods: Yang Jian’ Comes Home in April
The magic and might of Chinese mythology, captured in accomplished CG animation, can be yours when New Gods: Yang Jian makes its home entertainment debut on digital platforms (April 11) and Blu-ray + DVD combo pack (April 25) from GKIDS, with distribution by Shout! Factory.

Set to release in the original Mandarin language version as well as the new English-language dub on disc, Yang Jian is available for Blu-ray pre-order through ShoutFactory.com and GKIDS.com. The initial run of the physical set will also include a limited edition 11 x 18″ poster.

Directed by Ji Zhao, New Gods: Yang Jian is the second installment in Light Chaser Animation’s “New Gods” series of animated action-fantasy epics inspired by Chinese mythological figures, following 2021’s New Gods: Nezha Reborn. The latest feature from the powerhouse Chinese animation studio (which also produced international hit White Snake) Yang Jian presents a timeless, high-flying adventure featuring one of the most legendary mythic figures, set in a steampunk inspired world.

Synopsis: Thirteen years after Yang Jian imprisoned his sister, the once-powerful hero also known as Erlang Shen now scrapes by as a poor bounty hunter. When a mysterious woman hires him, Yang Jian soon finds himself chasing down a familiar figure. He must stop Chenxiang, his long-lost nephew, who searches for a powerful, but dangerous artifact. As Yang Jian confronts his past, he must face treacherous vigilantes seeking to bring catastrophic destruction.

The key English/Chinese voice rosters include Nicholas Andrew Louie/Kai Wang as Yang Jian, Christine Lin/Guanlin Ji as Wanluo, Parry Shen/Lihong Li as Master Yuding, Luke Naphat Sath/Lanline Li as Chenxiang and James Sie/Yi Zhao as Shen Gongbao.

Domestically released in 2022, New Gods: Yang Jian was the top film at the mainland China box office, earning $19.8 million on its opening weekend, and climbed to a current domestic box office of over $77 million. GKIDS released the film across the U.S. in January 2023.

Bonus Features
- Interview with director Ji Zhao
- Animating New Gods: Yang Jian with Ji Zhao
- Original cast interview
- Arts and Culture Spotlight
- Art Gallery
January 30, 2023