Today, DreamWorks Animation and Netflix delivered a comedy-adventure knockout with the official trailer, key art and release date reveal for Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight, featuring the return of Jack Black to his iconic film franchise role. The 11 x 22′ CG series premieres exclusively on Netflix on July 14.
Here is the trailer:
Synopsis: When a mysterious pair of weasels set their sights on a collection of four powerful weapons, Po must leave his home to embark on a globe-trotting quest for redemption and justice that finds him partnered up with a no-nonsense English knight named Wandering Blade. Together, these two mismatched warriors set out on an epic adventure to find the magical weapons first and save the world from destruction — and they may even learn a thing or two from each other along the way.
As previously announced, Jack Black returns as the voice of Po, while Rita Ora plays Wandering Blade. James Hong also reprises his beloved Kung Fu Panda character, Mr. Ping. The cast also features Chris Geere and Della Saba as the plotting weasels Klaus and Veruca Dumont, Rahnuma Panthaky as Rukhmini, Ed Weeks as Colin and Amy Hill as Pei Pei.
The DreamWorks Animation-produced series is executive produced by six-time Emmy Award and Peabody-winning writer/producer Peter Hastings (Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness, The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants, Animaniacs), Emmy- and Annie-nominated director/producer/storyboard artist Shaunt Nigoghossian (Blood of Zeus, Transformers Prime, Justic League Action) and ineffable acting, singing and comedy talent, Jack Black. Chris Amick and Ben Mekler are co-executive producers.
Can’t get enough Po? Don’t miss out on the 35th Anniversary Issue of Animation Magazine (June-July ’22, No. 321) to read all about the making of Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight.
Kids’ entertainment specialist CAKE (cakeentertainment.com) announced its partnership with award-winning Slovenian production and animation studio Invida on the brand-new CG buddy comedy The Lost Bots. Developed by Invida, the 78 x 7′ non-dialog series will be produced together with CAKE Productions. The 3D animation will be produced with a hyperreal look, powered by cutting-edge Unreal Engine Technology.
Celebrating discovery, adventure and appreciation of nature and community, The Lost Bots tells the story of the comically misguided efforts of two lost alien robots, Red and Blu, who are forced to make a deserted tropical island their cast away home after crash landing on planet Earth. In contrast to their home on Planet Neon, which is only populated by machines, there is no trace of technology here and they will need to work together, in order to live, thrive and survive in this strange environment; whilst learning about nature and befriending (and sometimes running away from) all kinds of creatures along the way!
The series team includes creative lead Boris Dolenc, (previously CCO at Outfit7 and exec producer on Talking Tom The Movie and Talking Tom and Friends), director Jernej Zmitek, animation director Matic Percic and art director Jan Drenovec.
Bek and the Bunnies
Boutique distribution powerhouse Toon2Tango has partnered with Baboon Animation (baboonanimation.com), a leading global developer of kids’ and family entertainment comprising a team boasting 31 Emmy Awards collectively, to launch a new animated comedy series, Bek and the Bunnies. The zany stories will be aimed at a bridge preschool audience.
Remarkably, two seven-year-old girls created the designs for the series, as part of a toy line of collectibles they developed called “the Cuties.” Toon2Tango’s Jo Daris explained, “The girls were trying to design their own dream toys that they wished their mom and dad would buy them. So, you can’t get more on target than that.”
The bunnies (and the whole build-your-own Cuties line) are a new spin on Mr. Potato Head . It’s a toy that celebrates inventiveness. Similarly, Bek, the series’ lead character, is an inventor. The series was developed by the DreamWorks alumni trifecta of Mike de Seve, Joe Vitale(Super Wings, AngryBirds) and John Reynolds(Mr. Peabody & Sherman), in close cooperation with the team from Toon2Tango.
“It was a remarkable fit, we simply cleaned up the actual drawings done by the girls,” said Baboon founder Mike de Seve. “Then our comedy team took the bunnies from drawings to so much more: they are adorably squishy, bouncy, huggable, critters that happen to have incredible robot powers.”
Before They Were Gods
Acclaimed Swedish label Yellow Bird, a Banijay company, has partnered with award-winning director/screenwriter Måns Mårlind (Midnight Sun, The Bridge) and animation company Brokendoll to develop Before They Were Gods, a new international adult animated series supported by rock stars Nick Cave and Thåström, which imagines the musical heroes as young chums.
“Since I was never in Sweden in 1971 and haven’t ever met Thåström, I am obviously intrigued to find out what we never did,” commented Cave.
Before They Were Gods is a story of a friendship between the two stars as young teenage boys, both completely unaware they will turn into major rock gods in just a few years. The series is about their search for the ultimate truth, everlasting beauty, and cheap wine. Sometimes they find it, but mostly not. Always there, close to them both, is the promise of endless love in the form of the mysterious and beautiful Linnea who they have both deeply fallen for.
At just 14, they speak like idealistic adults with a discourse bordering on the philosophical. Thåström is a harsh existentialist, political and speaks succinctly. Cave is the opposite, a struggling Dionysian agnostic, and a romantic dreamer who swims in words. With an artistic style inspired by Swedish comic books, the show is set in Sweden, but all dialog is in English.
Mårlind explained, “This is a dream project that literally came to me in a dream. While asleep, I watched two of my musical heroes as young teenagers, drinking cheap beer while discussing love and the meaning of life. I woke up writing and have been trying to catch up with them ever since.”
Daddia & Co | Laura Henry-Allain MBE
A new project from storyteller Laura Henry-Allain MBE (the inspiration behind CBeebies hit JoJo and Gran Gran) has been awarded development funding from the U.K. Government-backed Young Audiences Content Fund (YACF), which is managed by the BFI to bring new material to audiences 18 and under for regulated TV channels and online platforms.
Daddio & Co is an inspiring, warm-hearted 2D comedy series for a pre-school audience featuring a modern Black-British family. It follows journalist Dad, affectionately known to his family as “Daddio” and his lively sons Louis (6) and Quincy (4) as they navigate childhood from different perspectives: Quincy is neurotypical and Louis is autistic. Mum, who is American, is also present and is a dynamic working mother who spends much of each episode at work as a barrister.
Louis and Quincy approach life as opposites but always find a way to work together; they don’t always realize how to until Daddio gives them a nudge in the right direction. As a unit, the family are artsy, musical, and sporty. The show highlights the bond Daddio has with his sons as they navigate daily life with fun, warmth, humor and above all, with love.
“Daddio & Co started off as small seed of an idea six years ago when I reflected on the intersectionality of how disability and Black U.K. families show up in the media, books and television,” said Henry-Allain. “I looked at my own family, my son who is autistic, and especially how Black men and dads are depicted either negatively or not at all. I wanted to show the joy and love that is not often seen on TV and show Black men positively as fathers. I also wanted to examine the social model of disability within a Black family. The audience will love the warmth, closeness and the many comedy elements that Daddio & Co illuminates as a fun-loving family.”
The Roku Channel announced that Roku Original scripted animated series Doomlands will return for Season 2. The second 10 x quarter-hour season will be a continuation of S1, inviting audiences along for more adventures with the infamous Danny Doom and aspiring bartender, Lhandi, as they sling beers across a hellish wasteland in their mobile pub: The Oasis. Facing ruthless desert gangs, memory-stealing creeps, and even mean bathroom graffiti, all this crew’s got to do to survive is not kill each other
Doomlands is produced by Look Mom! Productions, a Blue Ant Media company. Mark Little and Kayla Lorette will reprise their roles, voicing Danny Doom and Lhandi, respectively, alongside Ashley Holliday Tavares as Xanthena and Roger Bainbridge as Jep. The series is written by Josh O’Keefe, Roger Bainbridge, Kayla Lorette and Mark Little. Lee Porter and series director Josh O’Keefe serve as co-showrunners.
Season 1 of Doomlands first premiered on The Roku Channel in January 2022. The series is available exclusively for free on The Roku Channel in the U.S., Canada and the U.K.
Maurice on Mars
Comedy Central has launched a new three-part digital animated series, Maurice on Mars. The series follows Maurice Robinson, a 25-year-old Black struggling artist-who happens to work minimum wage at a coffee shop on Mars. The Martian colony is supposed to be a utopia, yet old Earth problems still manage to pop up in the cafe, sometimes as fierce debates, and other times as fist fights. Each episode follows Maurice just trying to get through a day of work on a planet far away from home.
The series, made in partnership with Cartuna, was written and created by comedian Tim Barnes (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon), and features a cast including Lori Beth Danberg (All That), Clare O’Kane (Shrill), Dwayne Kennedy (How High, Martin). The first episode premiered Friday, June 10 on CC’s AnimatedYouTube and Facebook. Episodes 2 and 3 will become available on Friday, June 17 and Friday, June 24. Watch the first episode below!
More TV & Streaming Updates!
Yu-Gi-Oh! SEVENS
Yu-Gi-Oh! SEVENS will launch on digital screens across the U.K. and Ireland this fall, thanks to pickups from Sky Kids. The Sky division also renewed S1 of Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS and Yu-Gi-Oh! after debuting S2.
Banijay Kids and Family announced a raft of sales for pre-k comedy Mumfie (78 x 7′), a co-pro of Zodiak Kids & Family France and Animoka (Italy). New sales bring the Pulcinella winning series to ITVBe (U.K.), Cartoonito (Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, South Korea), AMC’s JimJam (CEE, MENA, Portugal), SVT (Sweden) an ejunior (U.A.E.)
41 Entertainment secured international partners for Supernatural Academy (16 x 22′): ABC (Australia), The Walt Disney Company (Japan), Television New Zealand, MBC (Middle East), HOT (Israel) and Bell Media’s Crave (Canada) join Peacock (U.S.) for the series’ global launch this month.
WildBrain has inked an exclusive partnered with Jungle Beat Animation Ltd. to manage worldwide ddistribution rights for all Jungle Beatcontent. JBA and Sandcastle Studios have just greenlit a second feature film for the property, Jungle Beat 2: The Past, in production at Sunrise Animation Studios for 2023.
Jungle Beat
Fans can find over 200 hours of content on the new dedicated Transformers TV streaming channel on Pluto TV, including fan-favorite animated series Transformers: Bumblebee Cyberverse Adventures, Transformers: Prime and Transformers: Robots in Disguise.
Atlantyca has inked a new broadcast agreement with evision, from e& (formerly Etisalat Group) for its global hit Geronimo Stilton, bringing the famous mouse journo to MENA in July. S1&2 will airon ejunior on-dmenad, while S3 will hit Pay TV in the U.A.E., followed by additional seasons.
GuruStudio signed a deal for French-speaking Europe with Warner Bros. Discovery for its latest series, Big Blue. The undersea comedy-adventure launched on Cartoon Network Africa earlier this year.
The Smurfs CG animated series officially debuted in India this week, premiering on Sonic — part of national kids’ entertainment leader Nickelodeon.
VFX and animation studio DNEG (dneg.com) announced today that Erika Burton will join its DNEG Animation arm as President. Burton joins the division to support its rapid growth and development, and will share both the President title and leadership responsibilities with Tom Jacomb, promoted last year. She previously served as President of VFX Production at DNEG.
Burton has prior animation industry experience from stints at both Disney Animation and DreamWorks. Her focus at DNEG Animation will be on production, resource management, training and operations, working in lockstep with Jacomb, who will focus on creative, client management and outreach, and the development of IP and original content.
Ron’s Gone Wrong
In recent years, DNEG Animation has grown from a small team in London to become a global team of approximately 850 employees working across studios in London, Montreal, Mumbai, Vancouver, L.A. and Toronto. The company’s first full-length animated feature, Locksmith Animation’s Ron’s Gone Wrong, garnered multiple Annie Award nominations and won Best Feature at the 2022 British Animation Awards. The studio is currently in production on Nimona (Annapurna/Netflix), Garfield (Alcon/Sony), That Christmas (Locksmith) and a TBA animated series for a major streamer.
“I feel excited and honored to be joining Tom and the DNEG Animation team,” said Burton, who will join in the studio’s sessions on recruiting and introductory spotlight at Annecy on Thursday. “I have been fortunate enough to work with some immensely talented VFX and animation teams during the course of my career, and I love both disciplines equally. There is something really compelling and challenging about animated filmmaking that keeps drawing me back and this is just a tremendous new opportunity.”
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim “Helm Hammerhand” production art
183 years before the events chronicled in the original trilogy of films, a sudden attack by Wulf, a clever and ruthless Dunlending lord seeking vengeance for the death of his father, forces Helm Hammerhand, the mighty King of Rohan and his people to make a daring last stand in the ancient stronghold of the Hornburg — a mighty fortress that will later come to be known as Helm’s Deep. Finding herself in an increasingly desperate situation, Hera, the daughter of Helm, must summon the will to lead the resistance against a deadly enemy intent on their total destruction.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim “Battlel Scene” production art
Directed by Koji Kamiyama and in production at Sola Entertainment for release on April 12, 2024, the movie will feature Brian Cox (Succession) as Helm, Gaia Wise (A Walk in the Woods) as Hera, Luke Pasqualino (Snowpiercer) as Wulf and LOTR star Miranda Otto reprising her role as the Shieldmaiden Éowyn (the story’s narrator).
The cast also includes Lorraine Ashbourne (Bridgerton), Yazdan Qafouri (I Came By), Benjamin Wainwright (World on Fire), Laurence Ubong Williams (Gateway), Shaun Dooley (The Witcher), Michael Wildman (Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw), Jude Akuwudike (Beasts of No Nation), Bilal Hasna (Sparks) and Janine Duvitski (Benidorm). [Source: Deadline]
Tuca & Bertie – Tuca (Tiffany Hadish)
This summer is sure to sizzle with the highly anticipated Season 3 return of Tuca & Bertie on Sunday, July 10 at Midnight ET/PT on Adult Swim and the next day on HBO Max. S3 also makes its debut in Europe, LatAm and Canada throughout July.
The critically acclaimed animated series stars Tiffany Haddish (Tuca) and Ali Wong (Bertie) as colorful bird girl besties who navigate the ups and downs of adulting in life, love and everything in between. Speckle (Steven Yeun) is also there.
Tuca & Bertie – Bertie (Ali Wong) and Speckle (Steven Yeun)
“I can’t wait for everyone to catch up on all the latest calamity and soul-searching from these birds,” said series creator and executive producer Lisa Hanawalt. “Season three is packed with romance, chronic pain, ambition, large ducks, lustful trees, and hungry snakes!”
In addition to Justina Machado, Matthew Rhys, Nico Santos and Janelle James, this season’s voice guest stars will include Maria Bamford, Paget Brewster, Nicole Byer, Margaret Cho, Kether Donohue, Cole Escola, Victoria Moroles, Randall Park and Paul F. Tompkins, among others. Fans can catch up on Season 2 on HBO Max starting Friday, June 24.
https://youtu.be/XQcXrv6YQa8
HBO Max has ordered adult sci-fi drama series Scavengers Reign from top-notch studio Titmouse. Set to premiere next year, the series is being unveiled at Annecy this week, and follows the surviving crew of a damaged deep space freighter who are stranded on a beautiful yet unforgiving planet … which they begin to learn the true nature of as they try to survive long enough for escape or rescue.
The series is co-created and exec produced by animator-writer-directors Joe Bennett and Charles Huettner. Benjy Brooke serves as supervising director; executive produced by Chris Prynoski, Antonio Canobbio, Shannon Prynoski and Ben Kalina for Titmouse; co-executive produced by Sean Buckelew and James Merrill for Green Street Pictures.
GKIDS has unmasked a stunning new preview for Inu-Oh, the latest genre-defying anime feature from visionary Japanese director Masaaki Yuasa(Ride Your Wave, Lu Over the Wall, Mind Game) and his studio Science SARU (produced in collaboration with Asmik Ace). The film is being presented at the Annecy Festival this week, following a world premiere at the Venice Int’l Film Festival and North American premiere at Toronto Int’l Film Festival.
Featuring character design by manga artist Taiyo Matsumoto (Tekkonkinkreet, Ping Pong the Animation), the musical animated feature tells the story of the friendship between the legendary 14th century Noh performer Inu-oh, and the blind biwa player Tomona. As the two rise from hardship to stardom through their creative partnership, they also come to break each other’s curse.
Avu-chan, lead vocalist of J-rock group Queen Bee, and Mirai Moriyama provide the lead character voices. Inu-Oh arrives in U.S. theaters on August 12.
On the bootheels of new production art reveals during the film’s Annecy Festival session, Puss in Boots: The Last Wishhas unsheathed a new trailer and official poster!
In this spot, we see Puss (Antonio Banderas) attempt to reinvent himself as a mild-mannered, not-constantly-dying house cat at the home of “Mama Luna”. However, he is quickly thrust beck into whisker-curling action when Goldilocks (Florence Pugh) and the Three Bears rumble his hideout, with a scrappy therapy dog (Harvey Guillén) and the inimitable Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek).
The long-awaited follow-up to the 2011 Academy Award-nominated blockbuster, The Last Wish is directed by Joel Crawford and produced by Mark Swift, the creative team behind DreamWorks Animation’s smash, The Croods: A New Age. The film’s executive producer is Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri. In theaters Dececmber 22.
Today, Disney Television Animation, Disney Junior and Disney Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) took to the stage at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival to announce new productions and show exciting sneak peeks at the upcoming slate of new original animated series to air on Disney+ and other Disney-owned platforms in 2023 and beyond.
The presentation was led by Hélène Etzi, Country Manager & Head of Media for The Walt Disney Company France and managing director of Disney Channels France, along with Orion Ross, VP of Original Programming – Animation for The Walt Disney Company EMEA. They welcomed Ayo Davis, President of Disney Branded Television; Meredith Roberts, EVP of TV Animation, Disney Branded Television; and Alyssa Sapire, SVP of Original Programming, Disney Junior, to present on some of the Disney Branded Television projects that are currently in production.
Titled “Everyone Has a Story,” the presentation included the announcement of a season two greenlight for the hit Disney+ series Monsters at Work. The new season is set to debut in 2023 and will feature the return of the series’ star-studded voice cast, including Billy Crystal (Mike Wazowski), John Goodman (James P. “Sulley” Sullivan), Ben Feldman (Tylor Tuskmon), Mindy Kaling (Val Little), Henry Winkler (Fritz), Lucas Neff (Duncan) and Alanna Ubach (Cutter). S2 is executive produced by Emmy Award winner Kevin Deters (Prep & Landing, Olaf’s Frozen Adventure).
Chip ‘n’ Dale: Park Life, which features Chip and Dale and their adventures living in the big city, has also been renewed for a second season, which will find the much-loved duo joined by other iconic Disney characters, including Donald and Pluto, in bigger and bolder stories.
Additionally, it was revealed that a new animated series inspired by Disney’s popular music-driven movie franchise ZOMBIES is in production at Disney Television Animation and the EMEA Original Productions team announced the greenlight for the epic adventure series Dragon Striker and spooky comedy The Doomies.
The presentation also included the announcement of season three renewals for Disney Junior megahits Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends and Mickey Mouse Funhouse, and additional episode orders for some of Disney Television Animation’s upcoming series, including Hamster & Gretel, Kiff, Hailey’s On It and Primos.
“The announcements out of Annecy today further cement Disney as THE leader in animation,” said Davis. “These new series represent the very best from our teams at Disney Television Animation and Disney Junior. They build upon Disney Branded Television’s commitment to work with incredible storytellers, whose diverse voices not only allow our young audiences to see themselves reflected on screen but help them better navigate their world.”
Additional announcements and first looks included the upcoming Disney+ African sci-fi anthology Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire‘s exclusive new artwork reveal and casting, including Florence Kasumba (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever), Nigerian star Kehinde Bankole (Blood Sisters) and South African rapper Nasty C (Blood & Water); an exclusive first look at the new preschool series Kiya and the Kimoja Heroes, about community heroes inspired by the traditions and cultures of southern Africa and produced by Entertainment One, Frogbox and Triggerfish Animation; and the announcement that after five hit seasons, PJ Masks: Power Heroes will feature preschool icons Catboy, Gekko and Owlette as they are joined by an expanded crime-fighting team to take on even bigger challenges in an all-new series.
Series Greenlights
Dragon Striker
Dragon Striker
Produced by: Cybergroup Studios and La Chouette Compagnie for Disney EMEA | Creator/Producer: Sylvain Dos Santos | Director: Charles Lefebvre | Head Writer: Paul McKeown
When the world’s most popular sport combines with magic, awesomeness escalates quicker than a dragon-powered strike! In this action-packed adventure full of comedy and high-stakes sports drama, elite players have a magical signature move they can use on the pitch. Twelve-year-old Key is a farm boy fanboy who can only dream of entering the famous school where the greatest players train before joining the big leagues — until he discovers he has his own ultra-powerful spell and may even be the legendary “Dragon Striker.” Key joins a team of hapless underdogs who band together to take on the school champions, all the while fighting to prevent an ancient evil from resurfacing.
The Doomies
Produced by: Xilam Animation for Disney EMEA | Producer: Marc du Pontavice | Director & Co-Creator: Andrès Fernandez | Co-Creator: Pozla (a.k.a. Rémi Zaarour) | Head Writer: Henry Gifford
When best friends Bobby and Romy mistakenly open up a gateway to another world, they turn their sleepy coastal town into a hotspot for terrifying creatures of doom. Roped into an epic supernatural mystery, they will cross paths with the so-called “Chosen One” and do battle with both literal and inner monsters. The Doomies is a spooky comedy that combines thrills, chills and surprises with character-driven comedy from an odd couple of ordinary teens engulfed by extraordinary circumstances. Its fast-paced humor and high-stakes action take place in a quirky French town in the heart of Brittany, imagined with moody flair and graphic style.
Orion Ross, Vice President of Animation, Disney EMEA, commented: “The Doomies and Dragon Striker are the first part of a new slate of animated originals we’re developing in EMEA for global family audiences on Disney Channel and Disney+. These ambitious, premium series will introduce the work of leading creators from our region to the world, and we are both honored and inspired to be working with this new generation of storytellers.”
ZOMBIES: The Re-Animated Series
Produced by: Disney Television Animation | Executive Producers: Aliki Theofilopoulos, Jack Ferraiolo, Gary Marsh, David Light, Joseph Raso
Every day is a surprise at Seabrook High — whether you’re a cheerleader, a zombie, a werewolf or even a vampire! ZOMBIES: The Re-Animated Series invites us into the daily lives of Zed, Addison, Eliza, Willa and the entire Seabrook crew. This gang may have figured out each other, but they haven’t quite figured out how to survive high school. Get ready for more musical fun and new friends as Seabrook becomes the #1 destination for all kinds of mythical monsters looking for a fresh start. And this means some pretty wild adventures — from the cafeteria to the football field — because sometimes the scariest thing you have to face is high school.
Series Renewals
Chip ‘n’ Dale: Park Life Season Two
Produced by: Xilam Animation for Disney EMEA | Producer: Marc du Pontavice | Directors: Jean Cayrol, Frédéric Martin, Khalil Ben Namaane | Head Writer: Nicole Paglia
Chip ‘n’ Dale: Park Life stars Disney’s much-loved chipmunk underdogs in a non-verbal, classic-style comedy, following the ups and downs of two little creatures living life in the big city. Combining the traditions of slapstick cartoons with contemporary, comedic character-driven narratives, season two introduces huge new adventures for the two tiny troublemakers. Nervous worrier Chip and laid-back dreamer Dale are joined in their perpetual pursuit of acorns by Donald, Pluto, Butch and other iconic Disney characters as they face down bullies, great and small.
Monsters at Work Season Two
Produced by: Disney Television Animation | Executive Producer: Kevin Deters | Producer: Melissa Kurtz | Supervising Director: Stevie Wermers
Monsters at Work is inspired by the world of Pixar’s Academy Award-winning Monsters, Inc., and introduces new monster characters alongside returning favorites. In season two, Tylor’s journey as a Jokester and his friendship with Val face the ultimate test. When new doors of opportunity unexpectedly open at rival energy company FearCo, Tylor’s co-workers at Monsters Inc. begin to question where his loyalties truly lie. As his Laugh Floor partnership with Val is pushed to the brink, Tylor must discover where he really belongs. The series’ star-studded cast—including Billy Crystal (Mike Wazowski), John Goodman (James P. “Sulley” Sullivan), Ben Feldman (Tylor Tuskmon), Mindy Kaling (Val Little), Henry Winkler (Fritz), Lucas Neff (Duncan) and Alanna Ubach (Cutter) — will all be returning for the second season.
Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing FriendsSeason Three
Produced by: Disney Junior and Marvel Studios in association with Atomic Cartoons | Executive Producer: Harrison Wilcox | Supervising Producer: Steve Grover | Co-Executive Producer: Bart Jennett | Co-Producer/Story Editor: Becca Topol
The first full-length Marvel series for preschoolers, Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends follows the adventures of Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy and Miles Morales as they team up with Hulk, Ms. Marvel and Black Panther to defeat foes like Rhino, Doc Ock and Green Goblin and learn that teamwork is the best way to save the day.
Season two of the hit series premieres this August and will include the addition of Iron Man/Tony Stark (voiced by John Stamos), Ant-Man (Sean Giambrone), Wasp (Maya Tuttle), Reptil (Hoku Ramirez), Black Cat (Jaiden Klein), Sandman (Tom Wilson) and Electro (Stephanie Lemelin).
Mickey Mouse Funhouse Season Three
Produced by: Disney Television Animation | Executive Producer/Supervising Director: Phil Weinstein | Co-Executive Producer/Supervising Story Editor: Thomas Hart | Producer: Steve Walby
The whimsical animated series Mickey Mouse Funhouse introduces preschoolers’ first pal, Mickey Mouse, and his friends — Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Daisy and Pluto — to Funny, an enchanted talking playhouse who takes the Sensational Six on adventures of all types to unique worlds that inspire the imagination. Designed to inspire kids to expand their creative play, encourage wish fulfillment and impart lessons of friendship and ingenuity, each episode features two 11-minute stories separated by a midway stretch break.
A 22-minute special, Mickey Mouse Funhouse: Pirate Adventure, is set to premiere this August and features legendary pirate Captain Salty Bones (voiced by John Stamos) as he invites Mickey, Minnie and friends to join the biggest treasure hunt ever and see if they can become true pirates.
Additional Episode Orders (Previously Announced Titles)
Hamster & Gretel – Add’l 10 Episodes Ordered Season One now 30 episodes.
Produced by: Disney Television Animation | Creator/Executive Producer: Dan Povenmire | Producer: Brandi Young
From Emmy Award-winning Dan Povenmire (of the beloved global hit series Phineas and Ferb), Hamster & Gretel introduces Kevin and younger sister Gretel, who are about to be bestowed superpowers by space aliens. But something goes awry, and it’s Gretel and her pet hamster (named Hamster) who suddenly have new abilities. Now, protective older brother Kevin must figure out how to work with both Gretel and her pet Hamster to protect their city from mysterious dangers.
Kiff – Add’l 10 Episodes Ordered
Season One now 30 episodes.
Produced by: Titmouse in association with Disney Channel | Creators/Executive Producers: Lucy Heavens and Nic Smal | Co-Producer/Story Editor: Kent Osborne
From South African creators Lucy Heavens and Nic Smal, “Kiff” is set in the bustling mountains where you’ll find animals and magical creatures living happily together, and at the center of it all is Kiff, an optimistic squirrel whose best intentions often lead to complete chaos. Along with her best friend, Barry, a sweet and mellow bunny, this duo takes their town by storm with their endless adventures and zest for life.
Hailey’s On It – Add’l 10 Episodes Ordered Season One now 30 episodes.
Produced by: Disney Television Animation | Creators/Executive Producers: Devin Bunje and Nick Stanton | Producer: Wade Wisinski
Starring Auli’i Cravalho (Moana) as the voice of title character Hailey and Manny Jacinto (Nine Perfect Strangers, The Good Place) as her best friend, Scott, Hailey’s On It, follows Hailey Banks, a risk-averse but resourceful teenager on a mission to complete every item on her long list of challenging (and sometimes impractical) tasks in order to save the world. Hailey will be pushed outside her comfort zone to discover the greatness within as she systematically conquers her fears, whether she is winning a sand-building competition, wrestling a honey badger, eating a raw onion, or facing her ever-growing and complicated feelings toward her best friend, Scott.
Primos – Add’l 10 Episodes Ordered Season One now 30 episodes.
Produced by: Disney Television Animation | Creator/Executive Producer: Natasha Kline | Producer: Philip Cohen
Inspired by creator/executive producer Natasha Kline’s childhood experiences with her extended multicultural Mexican American family, the series introduces Tater, an eccentric 10-year-old girl with big dreams and, unbeknownst to her, a certain “it factor” that makes her exceptional. When her 12 cousins (“primos” in Spanish) move in for the summer, they help her discover just what it is.
More News:
During the presentation, Ayo Davis gave Annecy attendees sneak peeks at the recently announced Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, the first full-length Star Wars series for preschoolers premiering on Disney Junior and Disney+ in spring 2023, as well as Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, which follows the adventures of 13-year-old super-genius Lunella Lafayette and her 10-ton T-Rex, Devil Dinosaur. She also showed a clip from the upcoming Disney Original Documentary Mickey: The Story of a Mouse.
Alyssa Sapire gave an update on the upcoming Disney Junior slate, which includes Eureka!, Firebuds, SuperKitties, Kindergarten: The Musical, Hey A.J. and RoboGobo; and Meredith Roberts spoke about some of the current hits for Disney Television Animation including Big City Greens, The Owl House, The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse and The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.
Orion Ross spoke about the ongoing importance of co-productions and creative partnerships with leading independent studios across the EMEA region on current and upcoming series, including Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir, Ghost Force, The Unstoppable Yellow Yeti and Viking Skool.
Lauren Montgomery (Avatar: The Last Airbender, Voltron: Legendary Defender) is attached to direct an untitled, animated Avatar film currently in development under the Avatar Studios banner announced in February 2021 from Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation. This will be the first of three planned Avatar films.
Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael DiMartino are producing alongside Eric Coleman (Avatar: The Last Airbender, SpongeBob SquarePants).
Avatar Studios is a newly formed division designed to create original content spanning animated series and movies based on the beloved world of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra.
“As original creators Mike and Bryan expand the Avatar universe with us, we’re keeping it all in the family with Lauren bringing the same kind of expert, beautiful work she did on the original series to her new directing duties on the forthcoming theatrical,” said Ramsey Naito, President, Animation & Development, Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation.
Latifa Ouaou, Executive Vice President of Movies and Global Franchises for Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation will be overseeing development on the film, alongside Jason McConnell, Vice President of Animation, Nickelodeon Animation & Paramount Animation.
Montgomery is also known for directing a number of DC animation projects, include the home video movies Superman: Doomsday, Wonder Woman (2009), Justice Leage: Crisis on Two Earths, Superman/Batman: Apocalypse, Batman: Year One and Justice League: Doom.
Other upcoming Paramount Animation titles include this summer’s Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank (July 15), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Animated (August 4, 2023), PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie (Oct. 13, 2023), The Tiger’s Apprentice (Dec. 20, 2023), an Untitled Transformers Animation (July 19, 2024) and the just-announced Untitled Smurfs Animated Musical(Dec. 20, 2024).
The full announcement will be made Thursday, June 16, during a special Nickelodeon and Paramount Animation presentation at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
London-based Lupus Films announced today that they are in development for a series of three films based on the award-winning Storm Whale books by Benji Davies, published by Simon & Schuster.
The Storm Whale Trilogy, three half-hour specials written and directed by Robin Shaw — who also directed Lupus Films’ International Emmy Award-winning TV adaptation of The Tiger Who Came to Tea — will be presented at the Annecy International Animation Festival.
The tender and heart-warming stories for young children explore themes of friendship, love, loneliness and courage. They follow the adventures of Noi, a young boy who lives on a slip of land surrounded by sea. His hardworking, single parent fisherman dad goes out to sea every day in his boat, leaving Noi to spend most of the day outdoors, regardless of the weather, where the island becomes his playground. He has only six sleepy cats and shy sea creatures for company and finds it hard to communicate with his dad.
So, when he finds a baby whale washed up on the beach after a storm, Noi is excited and takes it home to care for it. He tries to keep his new friend a secret, but there’s only so long you can keep a whale in the bath without your dad finding out…
The arrival of the whale is a catalyst that changes Noi’s life, and his relationship with his dad, for the better — the perfect gift from one friend to another. Across the course of the three films — The Storm Whale, The Storm Whale in Winter and Grandma Bird — Noi begins to find his place in the world, and friendship in unexpected places. Tough emotional and physical challenges help him grow from the lonely little boy seen at the start of The Storm Whale into the happier child that emerges by the end of Grandma Bird.
The Storm Whale (Lupus Films)
“I’m so excited to bring Benji Davies’s gorgeous books to the screen. They are already bestsellers and will translate perfectly into wonderful family viewing with real global appeal,” said director Shaw. “As well as being visually stunning, they are tremendously engaging as we follow Noi’s journey from a shy, quiet soul to a happy and self-assured boy. We are sure that kids everywhere will relate to his struggles to communicate his feelings, and his thrilling adventures across the trilogy as he grows his confidence.”
The trilogy is being made by the International Emmy Award-winning team behind the hand-drawn animated TV specials The Tiger Who Came to Tea, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and The Snowman and The Snowdog, reuiniting Shaw and producers Ruth Fielding and Camilla Deakin of Lupus Films.
The score and sound design, inspired by the sea, links the three films together beautifully. Grammy Award-winning composer David Arnold, best known for scoring five James Bond films, will write the music for the trilogy. Arnold also wrote the original score for The Tiger Who Came to Tea, which won the British Animation Award for Best Music.
Fielding, also Joint Managing Director of Lupus Films, commented, “It’s a real pleasure to bring The Storm Whale Trilogy to life on screen. The books look so beautiful and perfectly suit Lupus’s trademark hand-drawn animation style, which really captures their essence. The stories are both poignant and exciting, with truly engaging characters and perilous adventures that are sure to have kids on the edge of their seats, and it’s a joy to watch Noi’s character develop across the three films. I’m sure they’re going to be a huge success.”
Multi award-winning London-based studio Lupus Films was set up by Deakin and Fielding in 2002 and has grown into a leading film and television production company, specializing in high quality family entertainment and adaptations of much-loved works of children’s literature. Lupus Films produced the award-winning animated feature film Ethel & Ernest, based on the autobiographical graphic novel by Raymond Briggs. Their latest production, Kensuke’s Kingdom, is a feature film adaptation of the bestselling children’s novel by Michael Morpurgo.
Bugs, Daff, and the rest of the Looney Tunes gang will give their regards to Broadway in Bye Bye Bunny: A Looney Tunes Musical, coming soon to HBO Max and Cartoon Network.
From Warner Bros. Animation, the original animated family movie event will feature original dynamic song and dance numbers and new orchestrations from the Warner Bros. library of legendary movie musicals. The news was announced during the WBA presentation at Annecy today.
“Bugs Bunny on Broadway? Yes, please!” enthused Amy Friedman, Head of Kids & Family Programming, Warner Bros. “This musical gives off old Hollywood and Broadway vibes while offering a new, modern way to sing along to this one-of-a-kind Looney Tunes movie with the whole family.”
Sam Register, President of Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios, added, “Mayhem and music have helped define the comedic genius of the Looney Tunes for decades. It is a pairing that has created some of the greatest cartoons of our time, and it’s going to be a thrill to add our own musical stamp to these characters.”
Synopsis:
After starring in a long-running Looney Tunes Broadway smash production, an exhausted Bugs Bunny decides it’s time to trade in sold-out shows for life as a regular rabbit. Ever the spotlight opportunist, Daffy Duck attempts to step into the lead role, but his star ambitions are quickly sidetracked when he is kidnapped by an obsessive fan who has more sinister plans for her favorite stage duck. With his ticket to Broadway retirement in danger, Bugs sets off on a rescue mission to find Daffy and, with the help of his Looney Tunes co-stars, hopefully, his joy of performing again.
Bye Bye Bunny: A Looney Tunes Musical features an all-star creative team with screenplay and lyrics by Emmy Award winner Ariel Dumas (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert) and music and orchestration by Pulitzer Prize, Tony and Grammy winner Tom Kitt (Next to Normal).
Veteran animator Brandon Jeffords (Vivo, Smurfs: The Lost Village, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs) serves as director and supervising producer. Sam Register serves as executive producer.
Cartoon Network Studios (CNS) and Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) have set an exclusive multiyear cross-studio overall deal with Emmy Award-winning creator, producer & director Genndy Tartakovsky.
Under his deal, Tartakovsky will develop, create and produce original animated programming at both CNS and WBA intended for a variety of audiences and for all television platforms, including HBO Max, external streaming services, cable and broadcast networks.
The cross-studio overall deal, developed by CNS and WBA, provides creators with maximum creative flexibility to develop original material and access to the extensive character and franchise libraries at each studio.
“My time at Cartoon Network Studios, since its inception, has been the most creatively formative and fulfilling years of my career,” said Tartakovsky. “I now find myself continuing that amazing relationship as well as bringing in Warner Bros. Animation — the home to everything that inspired me to become an animator in the first place. I am beyond excited to see what we do next!”
Tartakovsky is currently in production on Unicorn: Warriors Eternal — an animated supernatural adventure family event series coming soon to HBO Max and Cartoon Network. Season two of his Emmy Award-winning series, Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal, premieres this summer on Adult Swim.
“Genndy is a true visionary who embodies the creator spirit of Cartoon Network Studios,” said Sam Register, President of Cartoon Network Studios and Warner Bros. Animation. “As he continues to push the boundaries of storytelling and animation, we are excited to have a front row seat both here and now also at Warner Bros. Animation.”
Tartakovsky is represented by WME.
Genndy Tartakovsky is an award-winning animation visionary, director, writer and producer (five Emmys, 13 Primetime Emmy nominations). He created Dexter’s Laboratory, Cartoon Network’s first series, during his time at Hanna-Barbera, where he also helped produce and direct another fan favorite series, The Powerpuff Girls. He then moved to Cartoon Network Studios, where he created Samurai Jack and Sym-Bionic Titan as well as produced and directed the beloved animated series Star Wars: Clone Wars. In 2012, Tartakovsky made his feature directorial debut with the Golden Globe-nominated Hotel Transylvania and later directed its two sequels.
In 2017, after a 12-year hiatus, Tartakovsky returned to his roots, bringing back the fan favorite Samurai Jack. His desire to create the greatest action-adventure animated series ever resulted in a show that is cinematic in scope, incorporating action, comedy and intricate artistry and is truly unlike anything else on TV Tartakovsky reunited with Adult Swim for Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal, which debuted in 2019 and features a caveman at the dawn of evolution, a dinosaur on the brink of extinction and their unlikely friendship that becomes their only hope for survival in a violent, primordial world.
Chris Miller [photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images]
Chris Miller (Shrek the Third, Puss in Boots) is attached to direct Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation’s Untitled Smurfs Animated Musical. Like it says on the box, the project will be an animated musical feature film, and is slated for release on December 20, 2024.
Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation have formed a creative partnership with LAFIG Belgium and IMPS, worldwide licensors of The Smurfs — the iconic characters and stories created by Belgian artist Pierre Culliford, known as Peyo. Pam Brady (South Park, Team America: World Police) is writing the script.
Latifa Ouaou, Executive Vice President of Movies & Global Franchises for Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation, is overseeing development on the film, along with Emily Nordwind, Senior Vice President of Development and Production for Paramount Animation.
“We’re thrilled to have such a talented group of people bringing audiences this latest rendition of the beloved Smurfs universe, including the incredible Chris Miller, director of Shrek the Third and Puss in Boots; and writer Pam Brady of Team America: World Police and South Park,” said Ramsey Naito, President, Animation & Development, Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation. “We can’t wait for fans everywhere to see this Smurftastic film.”
Other upcoming Paramount Animation titles include this summer’s Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank (July 15), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Animated (August 4, 2023), PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie (Oct. 13, 2023), The Tiger’s Apprentice (Dec. 20, 2023) and Untitled Transformers Animation (July 19, 2024).
The offiical announcement will be made Thursday, June 16, during a special Nickelodeon and Paramount Animation presentation at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
Cyber Group Studios has teamed up with Nippon Animation to produce a feature-length animated fantasy adventure film based on the classic Japanese TV series, Tico and Friends. The new feature-length film, Nanami and the Quest for Atlantis, marks the beginning of what is expected to be a long-term collaboration between the new co-production partners, which will include several of Nippon Animation’s classic series as well as new properties and initiatives.
“We are honored to partner with Nippon Animation, an historic studio with a rich catalog of superb iconic properties,” said Pierre Sissmann, Chairman of Cyber Group Studios. “We are looking forward to starting this exciting adventure and embarking on a future filled with great projects.”
“We are so excited to work on this project with Cyber Group Studios, which has been producing and distributing a lot of wonderful programs on a global scale. We look forward to giving dreams and excitement to children around the world through this collaboration,” said Kazuko Ishikawa, President & CEO, Nippon Animation.
The new 90-minute movie will be produced as a 3D/2D animation hybrid geared to viewers ages 7-14, co-produced by Nippon Animation and Cyber Group Studios, and should be followed by a brand-new animation series. The original hit anime Tico and Friends premiered on Fuji TV (Japan) in 1994 and broadcast globally, including on TF1 in France plus other global territories such as Germany, Italy, Spain and Korea.
Nanami and the Quest for Atlantis is set in the gold rush era, around 1850, and explores the relationship between humans and nature. The story follows 14-year-old Nanami, her lifelong orca companion, Tico, and her traveling partner, 17-year-old Seira, as they travel the ocean in search of a hidden treasure and discover what is truly important to humankind. During their adventure they will come to understand the answer to the question Nanami’s father, Professor Scott, posed before they left home, “What is more important than material fortune?”
The original Tico and Friends series was directed by Jun Takagi (Penelope, Chibi Maruko-chane). Nanami and the Quest for Atlantis is directed by Hitoshi Takekiyo (After-School Midnighters).
Founded as an animation studio in 1975, Nippon Animation has produced over 130 programs Dog of Flanders, Rascal, Anne of Green Gables, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (as part of the World Masterpiece Theater Series), Chibi Maruko-chan and Penelope.
Founded in 2005, Cyber Group Studios is a leading multi award-winning international producer and distributor of animated programs for an audience ranging from kids and family. The company is based in France, United States, U.K., Italy and Singapore, producing its own content as well as third-party productions that are distributed worldwide on all digital and linear platforms. It also engages in large-scale marketing and consumer products licensing programs of its characters and properties.
Today, Crunchyroll and Toei Animation unveiled additional details for the global theatrical release of Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO, the newest film in the worldwide anime blockbuster franchise, including a new trailer, and new English voice cast. The film will be available in both English dub and subtitled and will arrive in more than 2,300 theaters in the United States and Canada on August 19 with tickets on sale starting July 22. The film will also be released in select U.S. based IMAX theaters.
The English-language voice cast includes:
Kyle Hebert as Son Gohan
Sean Schemmel as Son Goku
Robert McCollum as Son Goten
Christopher R. Sabat as Piccolo & Vegeta
Monica Rial as Bulma
Sonny Strait as Krillin
Eric Vale as Trunks
Kara Edwards as Videl
Jeannie Tirado as Pan
New English voice cast:
Zach Aguilar as Dr. Hedo
Aleks Le as Gamma 1
Zeno Robinson as Gamma 2
Charles Martinet as Magenta
Jason Marnocha as Carmine
Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO, the second film in the Dragon Ball Super franchise, opens in theaters across the globe in all continents. The film arrives on the following dates in the following regions and territories:
August 18 in Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Central America, Ecuador, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay
August 19 in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa, Zambia, Vietnam
August 26 in India, Indonesia
August 30 in Malaysia, Brunei
August 31 in the Philippines
September 1 in Singapore
September 8 in Taiwan
September 15 in South Korea
September 29 in Thailand, Hong Kong, Macao
Additional global release dates for the film will be announced soon.
This is the first truly globally-distributed theatrical release for Crunchyroll and is distributed in North America by Crunchyroll. Internationally, the film will be distributed by Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Synopsis: The Red Ribbon Army was once destroyed by Son Goku. Individuals, who carry on its spirit, have created the ultimate Androids, Gamma 1 and Gamma 2. These two Androids call themselves “Super Heroes”. They start attacking Piccolo and Gohan… What is the New Red Ribbon Army’s objective? In the face of approaching danger, it is time to awaken, Super Hero!
The film, with full commitment and deep involvement from Dragon Ball’s original creator Akira Toriyama, has the legendary manga creator behind the film’s original story, screenplay and character design.
SUPER HERO is directed by Tetsuro Kodama, and the Japanese voice actors for the film include Masako Nozawa (Son Goku, Son Gohan, Son Goten), Toshio Furukawa (Piccolo), Aya Hisakawa (Bulma), Ryō Horikawa (Vegeta), Mayumi Tanaka (Krillin), Takeshi Kusao (Trunks), Yūko Minaguchi (Videl), Yūko Minaguchi (Pan), Miyu Irino (Dr. Hedo), Hiroshi Kamiya (Gamma 1), Mamoru Miyano (Gamma 2), Volcano Ota (Magenta) and Ryota Takeuchi (Carmine).
Don’t miss the 35th Anniversary Issue of Animation Magazine (June-July ’22, No. 321) to read up on Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO. For more information on the film, visit 2022dbs-global.com.
HBO Max Latin America will present a new tale of the Dark Knight with Batman Azteca: Choque de Imperios (Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires), an original animated feature-length film that places the iconic DC Super Hero against the backdrop of the captivating history of Mexico and immerse fans around the world in the exciting culture of Mesoamerica. The announcement was made during a special cocktail event at the 37th edition of the Guadalajara International Film Festival (GIFF).
In the time of the Aztec Empire, young Aztec boy Yohualli Coatl experiences tragedy when his father and village leader, Toltecatzin, is murdered by Spanish Conquistadors. Yohualli escapes to Tenochtitlan to warn King Moctezuma and his high priest, Yoka, of imminent danger. Using the temple of Tzinacan, the bat god, as a lair, Yohualli trains with his mentor and assistant, Acatzin, developing equipment and weaponry to confront the Spaniard invasion, protect Moctezuma’s temple and avenge his father’s death.
Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, Ánima and Chatrone, Batman Azteca: Choque de Imperios is a Particular Crowd film and based on characters from DC. Juan Meza-León (Harley Quinn) serves as director; José C. García de Letona, Aaron D. Berger, Carina Schulze and Fernando De Fuentes as producer; Sam Register and Tomás Yankelevich serve as executive producers.
The film will be produced entirely in Mexico, feature top local talent and showcase the region’s abundant art. Alejandro Diaz Barriga, a consultant specializing in Mesoamerican studies and ethnic history of Mexico and the Andean region, will work with the creative team to ensure that the indigenous representation portrayed in the film is appropriate and relevant.
Currently celebrating its 20th year in business as a leading animation in Latin America and recognized as a global player in the animation industry specializing in children’s programming, Ánima has worked before with iconic characters on projects like Top Cat: The Movie which broke box office records along the way, as with Top Cat Begins which was successfully released in theaters in more than 35 countries.
Grab those hard hats and fasten that tool belt, a Looney construction crew is heading to town! Bugs Bunny Builders, the first Looney Tunes preschool show in over 20 years, premieres Monday, July 25 at 8 a.m. ET/PT on Cartoonito on Cartoon Network and Tuesday, July 26 on Cartoonito on HBO Max. The series will also premiere globally beginning in Latin America on July 26.
Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, the new preschool series is a first of its kind in Looney Tunes history, combining the wackiness, humor, and slapstick of the iconic characters with a modern Humancentric Learning curriculum. The educational framework will promote children’s fascination with building and design, helping preschoolers cultivate essential skills — including self-expression, problem-solving, collaboration, communication, scientific and mathematical thinking — and emphasizing that if you can imagine it, you can build it!
“Filled with the big ideas and idiosyncratic humor of classic Looney Tunes, we think this will be one of the looniest building shows geared towards preschoolers out there,” said Amy Friedman, Head of Kids & Family Programming, Warner Bros. “This show will serve as a great entry point for little ones to observe that anything is both possible and hilarious — and with Lola front and center, this is built equally for girls and boys.”
“Like so many of us, Looney Tunes was a predominant part of my childhood. These iconic characters were a major influence on my personal style of comedy that I have applied throughout my career,” said Abe Audish, supervising producer, Bugs Bunny Builders.“It’s an honor to foster the next generation of Looney Tunes fans and offer them a new series that stays true to the core of each character while adding a fresh, modern spin.”
In Bugs Bunny Builders, Bugs and Lola are managers of the Looney Builders construction crew, comprising Daffy, Porky, Tweety and more familiar Looney faces. Together, the team helps their fellow citizens of Looneyburg with zany building projects. Whether building a thrilling new racetrack or creating an out-of-this-world ice cream sundae, no job is too big or wild for the Looney Builders when they work as a team and utilize their super-looney tools and souped-up vehicles.
The show offers parents the chance to share their favorite Looney Tunes characters with their preschooler while also teaching little ones about the technical, creative, social, and emotional rewards of the building and design process. By watching the Looney Builders imagine, build and fix their extraordinary creations, girls and boys will be inspired to create their own imaginative builds offscreen.
“It’s no mistake that the block corner is one of the most engaging places in the preschool classroom. It’s where curiosity, creativity, and teamwork meet!” said Dr. Laura Brown, curriculum director at Cartoonito. “Drawing inspiration from children’s passion for building, Bugs Bunny Builders supports understanding of the design thinking process (imagine, build, fix) and inspires viewers to think creatively, work together and manage challenges.”
Looney Tunes veteran actor Eric Bauza returns to voice Bugs, Tweety, and Daffy, and fellow Looney Tunes actor Bob Bergen will voice Porky. Chandni Parekh will make her Looney Tunes character debut as Lola. Additional cast members include Jeff Bergman as Sylvester, Alex Cazares as Petunia Pig, and Fred Tatasciore as Taz, among others. Abe Audish serves as showrunner and supervising producer. Sam Register serves as executive producer.
Meet the Looney Builders:
Bugs (Jobs: Crew Co-Leader, Digger; Vehicle: Excavator)— Bugs isn’t the kind of bunny who’s afraid of getting his hands dirty; rabbits are natural diggers after all. He’s a natural born leader with a knack for improvising and still enjoys a good carrot.
Lola (Jobs: Crew Co-Leader, Architect, Mover; Vehicle: Bulldozer) — Lola is the perfect mix of dreamer and doer. She’s also the reason the Looney Builders are always in demand. Thanks to Lola’s artistic eye and trusty tablet, everything the Looney Builders build is an instant landmark.
Daffy (Job: Hauler; Vehicle: Dump Truck) — Daffy is excitable, impulsive, easily distracted and, well … Daffy! Of all the Looney Builders, Daffy is probably the least worried when things go wrong. In fact, he kinda likes it because it makes things more exciting! But when push comes to shove, he can put his bill down and feather up to see the job through.
Porky (Job: Flattener; Vehicle: Steamroller) — Porky is a reliable, well-meaning perfectionist who wants everything to be “Porky Perfect.” He loves following the rules and thinks from a “safety first” perspective. Porky is also a great listener and always has his crew’s backs.
Tweety (Job: Lifter; Vehicle: Crane) — Tweety often asks questions to help clarify things, all while being totally adorable! But don’t let his sweet demeanor fool you, Tweety is just as determined as the rest of them. This canary is always looking out for the little guy, has a cute giggle, and really looks up to Bugs and Lola.
Sylvester (Job: Master Painter; Vehicle: Aerial Lift) — Sylvester is an ornery artist who prefers working alone. He is easily agitated and often keeps to himself. Despite being sthuper confident in his abilities, Sylvester is afraid of heights, which he has to face regularly operating his aerial lift.
Petunia (Job: Mechanic; Vehicle: Tool Truck) — The Looney Builders’ extraordinary construction vehicles need an extraordinary mechanic. Lucky for them, Petunia Pig is at their vehicle service! Petunia is spunky with an infectious snort-laugh. She is a grease-stained gearhead who enjoys making dramatic entrances and departures.
Wile E. Coyote (Job: Inventor; Vehicle: Jetpack) —A self-proclaimed super genius, Wile E. Coyote is always inventing the next gadget to help the Looney Builders with their build. He is always serious, often with deadpan delivery and irritated by many things, including the pesky Road Runner.
Taz (Job: Demolition; Vehicle: Himself) — If you know Taz, then you know his unique skills aren’t right for every job. But when you need something knocked down, destroyed or wrecked … he’s the Tasmanian Devil to call!
Meredith Roberts has been promoted to Executive Vice President, TV Animation, Disney Branded Television, recognizing her outstanding creative and operational oversight of the Disney Television Animation studio during a period of significant growth. The studio has 1,200 half-hours of animated content currently in production for Disney’s streaming and linear platforms. The announcement was made today at the Annecy Festival by DBTV President Ayo Davis, to whom Roberts reports.
“A leader of incredible vision and a true champion of artistic talent, Meredith has set a new bar for Disney Television Animation, building upon the single greatest animation legacy in the world to lead a team that is creating the most innovative, magical animated storytelling in the business,” said Davis. “This well-deserved promotion is in recognition of not only her tremendous leadership and creativity but her ongoing commitment to advancing diverse, inclusive storytelling for audiences everywhere.”
Disney Television Animation, under Roberts’ management since 2018, oversees development and current animated content and production for kids 6-14 and families, including traditional 2D and CG series, movies and shorts distributed around the world via Disney+ and Disney Channel. In 2020, DTVA earned more Daytime Emmy nominations than in its 38-year history. Roberts has been particularly instrumental in solidifying the studio as home for creative talent such as Bruce W. Smith and Ralph Farquhar’s BAR Productions (The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder), Laurence Fishburne and Helen Sugland of Cinema Gypsy and Steve Loter (Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur), Dan Povenmire (Hamster & Gretel, Phineas and Ferb) and Natasha Kline (Primos).
A beacon of Roberts’ accomplishments is the Disney Television Animation Writing Program, which has placed more than 30 junior writers from underrepresented groups into full-time writing jobs at the studio, and last year introduced a mentorship component. Roberts and her team will build on the Program’s success with additional initaitives for storyboard artists and songwriters this year.
With 20-plus years of experience, Roberts is an influential voice across the animation industry. She works closely with her counterparts at Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, Marvel and 20th Television Animation to represent Disney’s leadership in animation — including with ASIFA and Women in Animation, for which she has been in an advisory capacity, and advocacy groups that include Black N’ Animated, LatinX in Animation and the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment.
Previously, she was general manager of Disneytoon Studios (Planes, Tinker Bell/Fairies_. From 2004-07, she was SVP, Creative Affairs, Walt Disney Television Animation, where she helped steer the Emmy-winning hits Phineas and Ferb& and Kim Possible, The Emperor’s New School and Lilo & Stitch. From 2001-04, she was Head of Development, Film and Television, Klasky-Csupo Entertainment.
Nicki Cortese
Passion (passion-pictures.com) today announces hire of executive producer Nicki Cortese as Head of Development for animated features and series. The appointment is part of a bold and rapid expansion by Passion of their long-form animation department, spearheaded by Pixar veteran Executive Producer and Head of Production David Park, and Executive Producer Debbie Crosscup.
A department of PASSION Pictures, the multi-faceted, full-service animation studio overseen by PASSION Founder/Creative Director Andrew Ruhemann and CEO Nick Southgate works across features, series, commercials and gaming. Cortese will focus on creating and developing IP alongside PASSION’s in-house directors and creative team as well as acquiring outside IP before taking the projects to the wider market for distribution, building on the company’s existing successes: Love, Death+ Robots, Headspace (Netflix), 101 Dalmatian Street (Disney) and LEGO City Adventures (Nickelodeon).
Cortese joins ahead of this year’s Annecy Festival, where she led development for the two PASSION projects selected for MIFA Pitches in the TV series and specials category. PASSION is the only studio to have two projects selected for MIFA — Love (3 x 30’s puppet series) and Greetings from the Apocalypse (8 x 30′ 2D sci-fi series).
Cortese has a unique track record of building feature and TV slates for multiple production companies and studios. Prior to joining Passion, Cortese served as the Head of Development for Locksmith Animation, where she worked on Disney’s Ron’s Gone Wrong as well as the upcoming Netflix feature That Christmas. Previously, Cortese had a first-look deal with Awesomeness Films, oversaw the Divergent franchise at Red Wagon and started her career as VP of Weed Road Pictures, leading projects such as Paranormal Activity and Dark Tower.
Mike Rauch
Global creative company and award-winning animation studioBUCK (buck.co) is expanding its Original Animation department. The additions come on the heels of a busy year for the studio that oversaw episodes on Netflix’s award-winning We the People. The team also wrote and directed Night of the Mini Dead forLove, Death + Robots Vol. 3; the trailer for Bored Ape Yacht Club’s Otherside;and a series of shorts to help launch HBO Max’s Cartoonito programming block. BUCK continues to grow year over year, now employing 400 full-time employees, with offices in Los Angeles, New York, Sydney and Amsterdam (opened last year).
Mike Rauch has joined the cutting-edge collective as Head of Original Animation. Co-creator of the Peabody Award-winning animated shorts series StoryCorps, Rauch previously spent five years as a Series Executive at Cartoon Network covering shows such as The Powerpuff Girls, Apple & Onion and Victor and Valentino, as well as recently consulting on development and production of Cartoon Network Latin America’s new lucha libre series Rey Mysterio vs. The Darkness. Prior to that, Rauch formed and ran Rauch Bros Animation for nine years with clients including Nickelodeon, Warner Bros. Animation, Sesame Workshop and the Olympic Channel.
Mike Bertino
Mike Bertino has been named Director, Content & Story. Prior to BUCK, Bertino primarily worked in adult animation, directing on shows such as Inside Job for Netflix and Close Enough for HBO MAX. Before that, he spent several years in the kids animation space, storyboarding and writing on shows such as Nickelodeon’s Sanjay and Craig and Billey Dilley Super-Duper Subterranean Summer for Disney. Both Rauch and Bertino are working closely with BUCK’s Head of Content Development, Jay Brooker.
Cassie Asta
Further bolstering its team as the company expands its operations in key growth areas, Cassie Asta has joined as Animation Development Coordinator. Before landing at BUCK, Asta cut her teeth at talent agencies ICM and CAA prior to joining the crew of Green Eggs & Ham at Warner Bros. Animation for Netflix. Then, at Cartoon Network, she served on the Current Series team covering shows Victor and Valentino and The Fungies! for HBO Max. She also leads a mentorship circle for Women in Animation, providing counsel and community for newcomers to the animation industry. Rauch, Bertino and Asta are all based in BUCK’s Los Angeles studio office.
Ari Rubenstein
BREAK+ENTER (breakenter.io), a Nice Shoes company, has promoted Ari Rubenstein to Creative Director, to lead the studio’s team of VFX supervisors, artists and producers, manage its slate of film and TV projects and set its overall creative approach. A 30-year industry veteran, Rubenstein joined BREAK+ENTER in 2021 as a VFX supervisor and has led its work on several key assignments, including the Prime Video series Outer Range and the independent feature Nanny, winner of the Grand Jury Prize at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. BREAK+ENTER’s other recent projects include The Pentaverate, Russian Doll, Pennyworth and The Many Saints of Newark.
Rubenstein has an impressive array of credits spanning features, television and animation as a VFX supervisor, lead compositor, compositor, match-move artist and technical director. In his new role, his goal is to foster a culture focused on innovation and empowering artists. “I want to build a supportive creative environment in a genuine way,” Rubenstein said. “I do that by being thoughtful and putting myself into the artists’ shoes, understanding why they entered the industry, what they want to achieve, and what keeps them engaged.”
Prior to joining BREAK+ENTER, Rubenstein served as a key artist responsible for look development and supervision at Blue Sky Studios for 15 years, where he worked on scores of animated features for Disney and 20th Century Fox. Over the course of his career, he has worn virtually every hat in the VFX production pipeline and worked at three industry pioneers, Xaos Inc., Tippett Studio and Blue Sky Studios. Rubenstein was also the founder and VFX supervisor/producer of Curv Studios. Among his many notable credits are Matrix Revolutions, Constantine, Charlotte’s Web and Hellboy.
Kelcey Steele
Atlanta-based design and animation studio Primal Screen (primalscreen.com) has promoted several employees recently as they reorganize to optimize production output for their clients. The outfit offers comprehensive design services with in-house capabilities in motion graphics, animation, live action, audio, narrative storytelling, music composition, sound design, gaming and interactive development, creating a one-stop shop experience.
Kelcey Steele has been promoted to Creative Director. She most recently served as Creative Director on multiple Telly Award-winning pieces for Adult Swim and as Lead Compositor on Sesame Workshop’s S Is for Seasons Letter Film. A graduate of SCAD, Steele has proven herself as an animation industry thought leader and presented for Maxon at the 2020 NAB virtual show in New York.
Joe Kubesheski
Veteran animator Joe Kubesheski’ has also been upped to Creative Director. Kubesheski’s extensive body of work recently includes the Gold Telly Award-winning Adventure Time and Ubisoft campaign, PBS Kids’ Jelly, Ben & Pogo series, and the NBA All-Stars Slam Dunk Contest special for Cartoon Network. His considerable animation and design skills range from character and background design to hand-drawn and vector animation as well as illustration.
Kate Leo
Creative producer Kate Leo has joined the studio as a Senior Producer. Leo has worked for industry greats such as Cartoon Network, Wieden + Kennedy, Wunderman Thompson NA (formerly JWT), AKQA, R/GA and Razorfish. Leo has nearly 20 years of experience managing creative teams and has overseen many successful projects for Sesame Workshop, Cartoon Network and Wonder Workshop among many others.
Jen Katanyoutanant
Primal Screen also hired L.A.-based Jennifer Katanyoutanant in the newly updated role of Producer (Games & Experience). She has worked on a broad range of digital projects including web games, virtual reality theater, augmented reality installations, social VR events and other emerging interactive mediums. Her role seeks to elevate the studio’s capacity for interactive and game projects through a multi-disciplinary lens.
Nickelodeon’s Intergalactic Shorts Program 2.0 is opening its search for new and diverse creators from across the globe, focusing on new voices and nurturing their vision for original comedy-driven content with an eye toward representation. Today’s announcement was made by Ramsey Naito, President, Nickelodeon Animation and Paramount Animation.
Originally launched in 2019, Rock, Paper, Scissors marks the first finalized short to be greenlit for series from the inaugural program. In the short, the iconic trio of Rock, Paper and Scissors lovingly compete with one another in this buddy comedy about the joy and messiness of friendship. Nickelodeon will debut Rock, Paper, Scissors during a special Nickelodeon Animation presentation at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on Thursday, June 16.
Six additional projects from 2019 are currently in production at Nickelodeon. More information will be available soon.
“We knew we were onto something special with creators Kyle Stegina and Josh Lehrman and their hilarious characters in Rock, Paper, Scissors, which we are so proud to bring to series,” said Naito. “Finding and growing talent through the process of pitch to hit is what powers our Intergalactic Shorts Program, and we can’t wait to get started finding the next great creator in animation through our program’s just-launched second phase.”
The original Rock, Paper, Scissors short and series are created, written and executive produced by Kyle Stegina (Robot Chicken) and Josh Lehrman (Robot Chicken), with Conrad Vernon (Sausage Party) and Bob Boyle (The Fairly OddParents) serving as executive producers on the series.
Through the 2022 Program, Nickelodeon will accept ideas from a global pool of storytellers and creative visionaries including artists, writers and directors. Shorts will run on Nickelodeon’s platforms and are in the process of being developed into long-form animated series.
Shorts should feature one-of-a-kind, character-driven comedy and surprising storytelling, combining humor with action-adventure, mystery, sci-fi, and more. In line with Nickelodeon’s mission to make the best, original humor-driven content for kids, these creator-driven shorts offer content that is appealing to all members of the family, featuring a co-viewing lens of preschool (K 2-5) and big kids (K 6-11).
Nickelodeon’s Intergalactic Shorts Program launched in June 2019 and was overseen by Kari Kim, Vice President, Animation Development, Nickelodeon Animation, with Conrad Vernon serving as the program’s executive producer and Paul Watling (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) as co-executive producer. Daniel Wineman, Vice President, Animation Development, Nickelodeon Animation and Chris Rose, Vice President, Production & Development, Kids & Family, Global will oversee the 2022 Intergalactic Shorts Program 2.0.
Cyber Group Studios, a leading global producer and distributor of animated series for children and families, best known for its award-winning preschool show Gigantosaurus, has joined forces with multi-award-winning children’s entertainment studio Splash Entertainment to form CyberSplash. The new Paris-based company will create and produce original animated series and feature films for kids and families around the world, benefiting from one another’s strong creative teams and extensive production and distribution networks. Each company will continue to work independently as well.
“We are delighted to join forces with our longtime friend Mike Young and his very talented team at Splash Entertainment to develop fresh, family-friendly content for audiences around the globe,” said Pierre Sissmann, Chairman & CEO of Cyber Group Studios worldwide and Chairman of CyberSplash.
Mike Young, Founder & Chairman, Splash Entertainment, commented, “Film and animation production is a flourishing international business. We are delighted that the exciting new CyberSplash partnership with Pierre, Dominique [Bourse, Chief Operating Officer], Karen [Miller, President & CEO U.S.] and the highly-successful Cyber Group team will provide clients and audiences with shows that are creative and entertaining for worldwide audiences.”
Family Rocks (courtesy of Ananey Studios)
CyberSplash’s debut project is Family Rocks, a preschool series about the first modern family of the Stone Age. The 78 x 7’ digital cutout show is a co-production with the award-winning Israel-based Ananey Studios (Spyders, Greenhouse Academy, Craft Party), part of Paramount Global. The series is set to premiere in 2024.
Karen Miller, President & CEO of Cyber Group Studios USA LLC, added, “We’re very much looking forward to the premiere of Family Rocks, which we know will be a big hit with viewers everywhere.”
“Family Rocks celebrates the notion of a ‘family’ in a quirky and unexpected way. This show is the cornerstone of Ananey’s slate of animated projects, and we couldn’t be more excited about this amazing partnership with CyberSplash,” said Gili Dolev, Head of Animation Development at Ananey and director and creator of the series.
Family Rocks follows the Stone Age adventures of the first-ever modern family, the Quartzes, which includes Mom Rocksan, Dad Tuff and six-year-old twins Pebble and Gemma. As a new modern family, the Quartzes have to figure out everything on their own, and they soon realize that sometimes people have to get things wrong before getting them right — which is all part of the fun — and that ingenuity and creativity win the day. Among the escapades and life-changing discoveries the Quartzes stumble upon are the wheel, fire, music, art and the game, “I spy with my little eye.”
Family Rocks was created and directed by Dolev, a Daytime Emmy Award-nominated director, and BAFTA- and Annie-nominated showrunner and director (CoComelon, Zack and Quack, Powerbirds, Nella the Princess Knight). The series is written by Dolev and Jacqueline Moody (Gigantosaurus, 101 Dalmatian Street, Bob the Builder).
The World Festival of Animated Film – Animafest Zagreb 2022, celebrating the Croatian celebration’s 50th anniversary, came to a close Saturday evening with the award ceremony at SC Cinema.
Laure Gonçalves
The jury of the Grand Competition – Short Film, consisting of Paul Driessen, Les Mills, Alex Dudok de Wit, Ana Nedeljković and Igor Grubić, decided to award the Grand Prix to the Portuguese film Garbage Man (O homem do lixo), directed by Laura Gonçalves, produced by Bando à Parte and BAP.
The jury’s statement reads: “Many things impressed us in this film. The naturalism of the dialog. The warmth and intimacy of the family setting. But most of all, the tenderness with which it tells its story of generosity in the midst of political and economic hardship in Portugal. And also, the monkey.”
For the fifth time in the half-century history of Animafest, the Grand Prix winner also won the Audience Award Mr. M for short film.
Garbage Man
The same jury gave the Golden Zagreb Award for Creativity and Innovative Artistic Achievement to Chilean director Hugo Covarrubias for his film, Bestia (produced by Trebol 3 Producciones and Maleza Estudio).
“Many films at the festival touched on the subject of political violence. But nowhere was the coldness of state brutality more memorably expressed than in the hard, still face of the puppet in this film, whose story evokes the horror of Chile’s fascist dictatorship,” the jury wrote.
The Zlatko Grgić Award for the best first film made outside an educational institution went to the French-Israeli film Letter to a Pig by Tal Kantor (produced by Miyu Productions and The Hive Studio).
“We counted many pigs among this year’s films. A pig can be repulsive and sweet, brutal and smart, and this film places this complex animal at the heart of a richly ambiguous, elegantly designed story with an unusual perspective on the Holocaust,” the jury noted.
Letter to a Pig
Jury members also awarded special mentions: Grubić recognized the Polish-Canadian film Impossible Figures and Other Stories I by Marta Pajek (Animoon/NFB), “because this film takes us on a journey through a post-apocalyptic, deserted city, in which the protagonist reflects on her personal and collective history in the twilight of her life. The theme and the minimalist style, which achieves a strong poetic effect, together raise issues that are becoming even more relevant in the current socio-political time. Have we learned anything as a civilization, or are we going around in circles?” Grubić mused.
Dudok de Wit was particularly impressed by the conciseness and fine malice of Malte Stein’s Thing (Ding; Germany), created in the author’s independent production, “which didn’t make me think so much as feel: disgust, even revulsion; acute anxiety; and elation as I burst out laughing at the end,” he explained.
Animafest 2022 Awards Ceremony
Mills presented his special mention to the French film Swallow the Universe by Colombian filmmaker Louis Nieto (Autour de Minuit). “I’ve never taken acid but I imagine that this is what it would be like. The film is an amazingly vivid journey through a bizarre jungle landscape, very
skilfully executed — it is an astonishingly intense and memorable experience,” said Mills.
Nedeljković, chose the Slovenian-German-French film Steakhouse by
Špela Čadež (Finta Film/Fabian & Fred/RTV Slovenia/Miyu). She pointed out, “This film found an effective and visually strong way to talk about domestic and verbal violence, topics that many people went through, but were never able to talk about.”
Finally, Driessen gave his special mention to Joachim Hérissé’s film Skinned (Écorchée) (Komadoli Studio; France) — a gruelling story about two sisters attached to each other by the leg. “The scary patched-up dolls reminded me of Caroline Leaf’s The Two Sisters. I loved the scene where one of the sisters cuts off her leg and the way the dripping blood is depicted in the style of the overall design,” said Driessen.
My Sunny MaadMichaela Pavlátová
The jury of the Grand Competition – Feature Film, consisting of Olga Pärn, Aya Suzuki and Anastasiya Verlinska, the Grand Prix went to the Czech-French-Slovak film My Sunny Maadby Michaela Pavlátová (Negativ/Sacrebleu Prod./BFILM), “a masterfully directed story that blurs the lines between despair and hope, making one live through the pain of rejection and warmth in acceptance.”
The Feature Film jury decided to award two special mentions. The first goes to the Japanese-French film Dozens of Norths (Ikuta no kita) by Koji Yamamura (Yamamura Animation/Miyu), a stand-out feature portraying surrealist streams of consciousness, never seen before in drawn animation. “A masterfully painted canvas of dreams and fears, disturbing us both with visuals and music,” the jury said.
The second special mention was given to the French-German-Czech film The Crossing (La traverse) by Florence Miailhe (Les Films de l’Arlequin/Balance Film/Maurfilm/XBO Films), “an outstanding showcase of the true potential of animation, accentuating the story through this powerful art form, which emotionally connects its audience with the characters on their journey towards freedom.”
The Crossing also took home the Audience Award Mr. M for feature film.
Butterfly Jam
The combined jury of the Student Film Competition and the Croatian Film Competition consisting of Alexandra Ramires, Jelena Popović and Igor Prassel decided to award the Dušan Vukotić Awardfor Best Student Film to the French-Taiwanese film Butterfly Jam (La Confiture de papillons) by Shih-Yen Huang, made at ENSAD (École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs); a daughter’s personal story using a metaphor of endless deaths of domestic animals to illustrate a relation with her careless father. “Shih-Yen Huang led us skilfully on a
hypnotizing journey through lifeless spaces of their home.” The financial prize of 1,000 euros is awarded by Zagrebačka
This jury gave special mentions to the films Mom, What’s Up with the Dog? (Maman, il a quoi le chien?) by Lola Lefevre (Atelier de Sèvres; France) for a coherently executed, intriguing story about wild instincts of blooming sexuality clashing with unnatural moral taboos of our society; and The Immoral(l’Immoral) by Ekin Koca (La Poudrière; France), because it shows us how damaging passiveness and aggressiveness can be upon the human condition. Using a very efficient minimalistic animation for the theme approached, it tells a story full of black humor which represents a very common way of life.
11Vuk Jevremović
The best film of the Croatian Film Competition was 11by Vuk Jevremović, “for its relentless filigree of lines and colors morphing in wild synchrony with the pressure from the bloodstream and from the stands, for its masterful kinetic exploration of the human, the animal and the ball within the angst of a penalty kick.” He is also entitled to 1,000 euros awarded by the Croatian Film Directors’ Guild.
Special mention went to Jelena Oroz for Letters from the Edge of the Forest (Bonobostudio), for “the originally beautiful art style, smooth animation, perfect editing and rhythmic music accompaniment, but first of all for making kids learn to write, eat a lot of yummy fruits and vegetables and, most importantly, not to be greedy and instead be a good comrade.”
Special mention for the best Croatian minority co-production goes to Tomasz Siwiński’s Love in Times of Coal-Based Economy (Miłość w czasach gospodarki opartej na węglu), co-produced by Letko and Adriatic Animation, for “its visual coherence and the way it approaches the themes with an aesthetic that helps us understand human warmth in the middle of a cold winter, this film leads us to reflect on the weight of an industrial landscape in our evolution.”
Samsara
The winner of the VR Animation Competition was chosen by a jury consisting of Eva Cvijanović, Milen Alempijević and Franziska Bruckner. The award was given to the Taiwanese work Samsara by Hsin-Chien Huang (The Virtual and Physical Media Integration Association of Taiwan) — “this immersive journey through time and space took us to breathtaking parallel universes and expanded our consciousness, creating an exceptionally crafted experience.”
A special mention was given by the jury to the Canadian-Belgian projectMarco & Polo Go Round by Benjamin Steiger Levine (Item 7/Belga Productions), because “some events turn your world upside down.”
Piropiro
The winner of the Films for Children Competition was chosen by a jury consisting of Ema and Jakov Barbarović, Gita Gugo, Lala Spremo and Nika Vrbanić. The jury awarded the main prize to the Korean film Piropiro by Miyoung Baek, “a film with magnificent visuals and animation technique that are well connected: 2D animation and digital
drawing. The central message of the film that really impressed us speaks about how the only thing stopping us in life is fear and ourselves, while the important thing is to try,”said the jury.
A special mention went to the French-Georgian film Franzy’s Soup Kitchen (La Soupe de Franzy) by Ana Chubinidze (Folimage/Pocket Studio), a film with an important message: that it’s more beautiful to share than to keep everything to yourself. “The film has stunning character design, attractive colors, elements of humor and accentuated visual aesthetic,” the jury concluded.
Margit Buba Antauer
Ahead of the awards ceremony, the festival presented its special award, The Heart of Animafest, to Margit Buba Antauer for her half a century of commitment to the World Festival of Animated Film.
“I am seldom speechless, seldom confused, seldom shaken to the core, but that is what happened to me today,” Antauer told the audience. “I once received one award from ASIFA in Annecy, but this one is ours today, among us, and for a festival that is really a part of my life because I gave it so much love and effort. I always hoped to live to see this 50th birthday and what I see today. As long as we have a team like this and as long as there are audiences and authors who love Zagreb and come to it, as long as they are there — we will have a festival. I hope it will last at least another 50 years.”
The 33rd World Festival of Animated Film – Animafest Zagreb will be held June 5-10, 2023.
CARTOON has announced the line-up for the next edition of Cartoon Forum, taking place September 19-22 in Toulouse, France. The 2022 selection comprises 84new projects in TV series, miniseries and specials from independent studios across 19 countries.
CartoonForum’s statistics remain similar to the previous years. Shortlisted from 137 submissions, the selected projects have a total budget of €379.3 million (~$400M USD) with an average cost per project of €4.5M (~$4.7M USD), though the cost per minute of animation production has slightly increased compared to 2021 (€12,879 per minute vs. €11,887 in 2021 – it’s coming back to the level reached before the pandemic: €12,250).
Breakdown of co-productitons at Cartoon Forum 2022
Co-Pros Breakdown:
27 countries in total; 19 main producers plus Canada, Chile, Japan, Peru, Portugal, U.K., Uruguay and U.S. as co-producers.
35 projects (42%) are co-productions, among them 20 projects (24%) involve two or more countries.
Germany, Belgium and France are the most active co-producers in Europe.
The Last Whale Singer | Max | Mervyn’s Album
Project Themes Behind the Scenes
A few familiar names are attached to selected projects: Phil Molloy (creative executive, Bob the Builder) is working as scriptwriter on Max, produced by Submarine (Netherlands) – Marie Beardmore (writer, Angry Birds Toons, Sonic Boom) is now the author and producer of Mervyn’s Album produced by Kick the Door Productions (Spain) – Reza Memari (writer, Richard the Stork) has written the script for The Last Whale Singer Series, produced by Telescope Animation (Germany).
Clockwise: Natu Natu, Phil & Sophia, Next Level: Odyssey, The Tern, Nino Dino (center)
Well-known production companies are presenting their latest TV series, including:
Cartoon Saloon (Ireland)— Natu Natu
Cyber Group Studios (France) — The Tern
Daily Madness Productions (Ireland) — Mildew
Folivari (France) — Nino Dino
Laïdak Films (France) — Round and Round the Wishing Well (a sequel for Mum Is Pouring Rain)
Letko (Poland) — Happy Not Lucky
TeamTO (France) — Next Level: Odyssey
Wiggleywoo (Ireland) — Doopydoo
Wolkenlenker (Germany) — Tiger and Bear
Xilam Animation (France) — Phil & Sophia
My Super Hero Husband | Doom Mates | Best Friends Forever…Stranded!
Three projects previously pitched at Cartoon Springboard made it to CartoonForum: My Superhero Husbandproduced by Addart Production (a.k.a. Funny Tales) (Greece), Best Friends Forever… Stranded!by Peekaboo Animation (Spain) and Doom Mates by Twentytwo Film (Germany).
Supported by the Region Occitanie, Xbo films (France) will present their new TV special project: Marcel, Father Christmas (and the Little Pizza Delivery Boy).
MotorTrend Group, a Warner Bros. Discovery company, today announced the greenlight of Super Turbo Story Time, an all-new adult animated series telling larger than life, untold, (mostly) true stories from the automotive world.
Co-produced by the award-winning animation production company Titmouse (Big Mouth, The Boys Presents: Diabolical, The Legend of Vox Machina) and by MotorTrend Studio, the eight episode series is the first adult animated project in the history of MotorTrend. Super Turbo Story Time is scheduled to premiere on MotorTrend+, the leading subscription streaming service dedicated entirely to the motoring world, in the first quarter of 2023.
“Everyone has a car story, and what we’re developing with our talented partners at Titmouse will bring to life those stories in captivating and creative ways you’ve never seen before,” said Alex Wellen, Global President & General Manager, MotorTrend Group.
In each episode, two hosts gather together to swap their favorite car stories. While one host shares their most unbelievable automotive legend, the other host listens carefully, ready to flag any holes in the story or simply crack jokes from the peanut gallery. Using energetic, stylized animation blended with active interviews with top celebrities and automotive authorities, Super Turbo Story Time will bring each host’s narrative to life in a highly entertaining, informative style.
“Based in truth, the tales told by our guests on Super Turbo Story Time won’t be limited by an embellishment governor. Audiences can expect to be entertained with legendary, unexpected automotive stories full of humor and fronted visually by the very best animation from the remarkable Titmouse team,” said Gabriel VanHuss, series executive producer and VP Digital Programming, MotorTrend Group.
Featured hosts include:
Rob Corddry, comedian, producer and co-host of Top Gear America on MotorTrend+
Actress, producer and car builder Emelia Hartford
David Freiberger, co-host of Roadkill on MotorTrend+
Rapper, actor and songwriter Xzibit
Kristen Lee, automotive journalist and deputy editor of The Drive
Racer and the voice of Formula D, Jarod DeAnda
Jeff Glucker, co-founder and executive editor of Hooniverse
Dave Shuten of Discovery Channel’s Car Kings
Actress and stunt woman of Death Proof, Zoë Bell
Actor, comedian, writer and producer Colton Dunn
“Car history is full of legends, from racing to building, to humiliating Hitler on his home turf, we’ve collected a little bit of everything automotive for Super Turbo Story Time,” said Daniel C. Katz, executive producer for Titmouse. “We’re excited to work with MotorTrend Group to produce the first-ever adult animated series that offers intriguing car stories told by amazing guests and presented in a whole new way with animation.”
Super Turbo Story Time is a co-production from Titmouse and MotorTrend Studio, a division of MotorTrend Group. For Titmouse, Katz (Deep Space 69, Triptank) is executive producer. Chris Prynoski (The Legend of Vox Machina), Shannon Prynoski (Fairfax), Antonio Canobbio (Arlo the Alligator Boy) and Ben Kalina (Big Mouth) at Titmouse will also executive produce from Titmouse. For MotorTrend Group, VanHuss is executive producer and VP Digital Programming, Mike Suggett is Head of Programming & Development and Alex Wellen is Global President & General Manager.
MotorTrend+ is the leading subscription streaming service dedicated entirely to the motoring world. MotorTrend+ offers more than 8,100 episodes of world-leading automotive series and specials including: the all-new Top Gear America, the Emmy-winning docuseries NASCAR 2020: Under Pressure, Keven Hart’s Muscle Car Crew and Motor Mythbusters.
Friday morning during Geeked Week ‘22, Netflix and BioWare confirmed the all-new animated series Dragon Age: Absolution will debut on Netflix this December.
Created in collaboration with BioWare (creators of the award-winning Dragon Age video game franchise), Dragon Age: Absolution is set in Tevinter and features an ensemble of new characters inspired by Dragon Age lore, including elves, mages, knights, Qunari, Red Templars, demons and other special surprises.
The series is being helmed by showrunner Mairghread Scott, whose writing, story and consulting credits include Justice League Dark: Apokolips War, Star Wars Resistance, Guardians of theGalaxy (TV series) several Transformers animated shows and the upcoming Magic: The Gathering.
Red Dog Culture House in South Korea is producing the animation, having worked on previous Netflix projects The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf, Cannon Busters and Love, Death + Robots episode Good Hunting.
Additional details to be announced.
Since debuting in 2009, the award-winning video game franchise has brought players into the world of Thedas with rich stories, unforgettable characters, and beautiful and deadly locales to discover. The next upcoming Dragon Age game, Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, will be a single player focused experience that further builds on this incredible adventure.
