Animation Magazine

Author: Mercedes Milligan

  • SIGGRAPH 2022: ‘The Seine’s Tears’ Named Best in Show in Firts Hybrid Computer Animation Festival

    SIGGRAPH 2022: ‘The Seine’s Tears’ Named Best in Show in Firts Hybrid Computer Animation Festival

    SIGGRAPH 2022 announces the award winners and lineup of 25 short films, cinematics, scientific visualizations, visual effects breakdowns and more set to appear in the first hybrid edition of the Computer Animation Festival Electronic Theater this August.

    Highlighting the best in computer graphics storytelling, the Electronic Theater will premiere in-person at the Vancouver Convention Centre on Monday, August 8 and is available via separate ticket. Virtual access to the show will open on Tuesday, August 9.

    A qualifying festival for the Academy Awards®, the SIGGRAPH 2022 Electronic Theater received over 325 submissions, which the expert jury whittled down to a lineup that spotlights work from 10 countries — including Sweden, Taiwan, France, the United States and China. In addition to juried selections, the festival will showcase a mixture of curated bonus content.

    “The Electronic Theater is back,” exclaimed SIGGRAPH 2022 Electronic Theater Director Darin Kyoichi Grant, of Animal Logic. “I am thrilled to be bringing back the in-person show this year and am even more thrilled to introduce the jury’s incredible selections to our global audience, which offer an incredibly diverse array of content types and storytelling perspectives. For virtual viewers, don’t worry: We have not forgotten about you and are committed to upgrading the virtual viewing experience with more ways to watch and more time to watch.”

    Juror Michela Ledwidge, of Mod, added, “The variety of submissions my fellow jurors and I reviewed was awe-inspiring, whether that was pandemic-era visualizations or deep, heartfelt stories. It was extremely difficult to make our final decisions — all who submitted should be proud of what they presented.”

    From a pool of nine student and 16 professional studio productions, including world premiere short films from Marza Animation Planet Inc. and Tsinghua University, the 2022 award winners are:

    Best in Show — The Seine’s Tears
    Pôle 3D | Yanis Belaid | France
    Synopsis: Algerian workers take to the streets in October of 1961 to protest the mandatory curfew imposed by the Police prefecture. Directing team: Yanis Belaid, Eliott Benard, Nicolas Mayeur, Etienne Moulin, Hadrien Pinot, Lisa Vicente, Philippine Singer, Alice Letailleur

    https://vimeo.com/pole3d/leslarmesdelaseine

    Jury’s Choice — The End of War
    Tsinghua University | Lei Chen | China
    Additional information to come.

    Best Student Project — Yallah!
    Rubika | Nayla Nassar | France
    Synopsis: Beirut, 1982. As Nicolas prepares to flee his hometown, torn apart by an endless civil war, he crosses the path of Naji, a reckless teenager determined to go to the Swimming Pool. Trying to protect the young man, Nicolas finds himself pulled into a surreal race against war, all for the mere freedom of going swimming. Directing team: Nayla Nassar, Édouard Pitula, Renaud de Saint Albin, Cécile Adant, Anaïs Sassatelli, Candice Behague.

    Catch a preview of the award-winning projects during an exclusive Electronic Theater Directors’ Panel webinar on Wednesday, 25 May over Zoom. Registration for the webinar is open now, and the 1-hour event starts at 10 a.m. PDT.

    Tickets to access the Electronic Theater can be purchased separately, added to any registration, and are included at the Full Conference and Full Conference levels. Learn more and register for SIGGRAPH 2022 at s2022.SIGGRAPH.org/register.

    SIGGRAPH 2022 will be held in Vancouver, BC from August 8-11.

  • Spanish Animation Showcases Its Strength at MIFA in Annecy

    Spanish Animation Showcases Its Strength at MIFA in Annecy

    Under the Animation from Spain brand, ICEX Spain Trade & Investment will attend the Annecy International Animation Market (MIFA) from June 14-17 , the event for professionals held in parallel to the prestigious Annecy Festival. In a format that brings back full in-person attendance, this year’s MIFA will occupy almost 8,000 m2 in Annecy’s iconic Impérial Palace Hotel, which will host nearly 100 activities and conferences and more than 150 stands.

    The Spanish pavillion organized by ICEX will be the MIFA headqurarters for a healthy lineup of studio delegations: 3 Doubles Producciones, 4 Cats Pictures, Ánima Kitchent Canarias, Animazing Producciones, Armenteira Producciones, Fernando Cortizo Prod., Hampa Studio, Imagic Telecom, Morgana Studios, Most Wanted Studio, Mr. Klaus Studio, Simple Cloud, Studio Kimchi, Sygnatia, Terremoto A.I.E., The Frank & Barton Company and TV On; as well as the public entity Canary Islands Film, the Clúster Audiovisual de Navarra and the Gran Canaria and Tenerife Film Commissions.

    alberto and justine
    Alberto Vázquez | Justine Bannister

    ICEX has planned a series of activities for the promotion and networking of Spanish companies, their projects and content, which are included in the official MIFA 2022 agenda. The showcase Animation from Spain: Spanish Animation Industry in the Spotlight will highlight the region’s potential with the latest figures provided by the Libro Blanco de la Animación, with outstanding guests noted for their talent and career as Alberto Vázquez (director of Unicorn Wars, making its World Premiere at the Annecy Festival) and a panel with the participation of representatives of producers, technical services companies and also international studios that have relocated to Spain due to the facilities and resources offered.

    Taking place Thursday, June 16 at 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. in the Salon Impérial, the panel moderated by international animation consultant Justine Bannister will also include:

    • Nathalie Martínez, Producer and Director of Wise Blue Studios, representing the animation production companies.
    • Fernando Viñuales, CMO & COO of SummuS Render, representing the technical services companies.
    • Hervé Dupont, Managing Director of Fortiche Production, as a case study of an international company that has established a production facility in Spain thanks to its incentives policies and tax advantages.

    pitches 3

    There will also be two pitching sessions: European Women’s Associations Pitch – Projects from Spain, Africa and France, specifically for projects led by female talent and organized in collaboration with ICAA and the French association Les Femmes s’Animent. Taking place Weds., June 15 from 13:45-15:15 in the Ravel room, the session will present:

    • Zoey Oceans (26 x 13’, kids 7-9 y.o.) by Studio Kimchi. Presented by Carlota Pou, producer, and Anna Espinach, scriptwriter.
    • Rock Bottom (80’, +35 y.o.) by Alba Sotorra SL. Presented by Alba Sotorra, producer, and Itziar Etxarri, line producer.

    pitches 1

    The Animation from Spain Partners Pitches, will see 10 projects in search of co-production partners presented by their authors and producers to the international audience gathered in Annecy. Scheduled for June 16 from 15:30-16:30 in the Ravel room, the pitch session led by Tania Pinto Da Cunha (Partner & VP, Pink Parrot Media – Canada) will present the following projects:

    • Feature Films
      • Little Big Boy – 4 Cats Pictures
      • Girl and Wolf – Caretos Film A.I.E.
      • I Wish – De Miranda Animation Studio
      • DinoGames – Dr. Platypus and Ms. Wombat
      • Me, a Monster? – Mission Planet Earth – Most Wanted Studio
      • Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake – Terremoto A.I.E.
    • TV Series
      • Moles – Armenteira Prod., Big Bang Box
      • The Wawies – Imagic Telecom
      • Sex Symbols – TV On
      • My Brother Is a T-ReZ – Mr. Klaus Studio

    pitches 2

    At its stand, ICEX will take the opportunity to distribute the latest edition of the Who Is Who Animation from Spain 2022 guide, a promotional tool that includes national animation production and distribution companies, as well as tech companies related to the animation and VFX sectors.

    More information on Spain’s MIFA activities and Annecy screenings can be found in the complete, updating program at annecy.org.

  • Tencent Video Pounces on New CG Series ‘Shasha & Milo’

    Tencent Video Pounces on New CG Series ‘Shasha & Milo’

    Banijay Kids and Family today announces that Zodiak Kids and Family France and South Korean studio Pingo Entertainment are co-producing a new high-quality CGI action-comedy animation series, Shasha & Milo
    (26 x 22’) with broadcast partners Tencent Video (China).

    “The teams at Zodiak Kids and Family France and Pingo Entertainment are creating a visually striking, high-end series that is already generating huge broadcaster interest,” said Benoît di Sabatino, CEO, Banijay Kids and Family. “With a unique concept, exciting storylines and strong characters with global appeal, we strongly believe Shasha & Milo will quickly establish itself as a standout brand in the kids entertainment space.”

    The series features 12-year-old twins Shasha and Milo, as they juggle school and home lives with a secret new role as the Crescent Island Guardians. Imbued with the power to transform between human, cat and a formidable hybrid form, Shasha and Milo are tasked with protecting Crescent Island from the dark forces that lurk beneath it… while navigating the daily complexities of preteen life.

    “We are delighted to work with the talented partners and introduce the dazzling adventure of Shasha & Milo to our audience,” commented Selina She, Director of Kids’ IP Development & Programming Center, Tencent Video. “Its unique and irresistible mix of gripping storylines, spirited characters, intriguing plots and relatable preteen life is going to have a strong appeal to our young viewers.”

    Production on Shasha & Milo has begun. Benoît di Sabatino, Gary Milne and Hee Seok Shin serve as executive producers, with Seul Gee Yoo as co-director & creative producer and Hyeong Min Kim as co-director.

    Pingo Entertainment’s CEO, Hee Seok Shin, added, “As the directing and
    production is being done in South Korea, Pingo Entertainment is committed to delivering an entertaining show to all of our viewers worldwide.”​

    Zodiak Kids and Family Distribution own international distribution rights to the series.

     

  • ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’ Speeds to Streaming & Home Video

    ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’ Speeds to Streaming & Home Video

    Paramount+ and Paramount Home Entertainment today announced that the global hit movie Sonic the Hedgehog 2, from Paramount Pictures, will be available to stream on the service beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, May 24, in the U.S. and Canada. The film will also be available to rent and purchase across digital platforms from Paramount Home Entertainment.

    Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will arrive on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD August 9. In addition, fans can also purchase both the new movie and original hit hybrid film in a 2-Movie Collection on Digital or Blu-ray.

    Fans purchasing the Digital, 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray releases will find they are packed with nearly an hour of bonus features (TBA), headlined by an all-new, exclusive animated short entitled Sonic Drone Home, featuring Sonic, Tails and Knuckles.

    For fans looking to play the games that started it all, Sonic Origins, an all-new multi-game collection, will be coming out on June 23, starting at $39.99 USD on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, the Nintendo Switch family of systems and PC.

    Sonic 2

    Synopsis: Produced by Paramount Pictures in association with SEGA Sammy Group; an Original Film/ Marza Animation Planet/ Blur Studio production, the world’s favorite blue hedgehog is back for next-level adventure featuring an all-star cast.

    After settling in Green Hills, Sonic (Ben Schwartz) is eager to prove he has what it takes to be a true hero. His test comes when Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) returns, this time with a new partner, Knuckles (Idris Elba), in search of an emerald that has the power to destroy civilizations. Sonic teams up with his own sidekick, Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey), and together they embark on a globe-trotting journey to find the emerald before it falls into the wrong hands.

    The cast also features Tika Sumpter, Natasha Rothwell, Adam Pally, Shemar Moore and Lee Majdoub.

    Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is directed by Jeff Fowler, screenplay by Pat Casey & Josh Miller and John Whittington with story by Pat Casey & Josh Miller. The film is produced by Neal H. Moritz, p.g.a., Toby Ascher, p.g.a., Toru Nakahara, Hitoshi Okuno, and executive produced by Haruki Satomi, Yukio Sugino, Shuji Utsumi, Nan Morales, Tim Miller.  The film is licensed internationally by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

  • 1st Niigata Int’l Animation Film Festival to Be Held in Japan Next March

    1st Niigata Int’l Animation Film Festival to Be Held in Japan Next March

    In a special announcement from Cannes, details of the first annual Niigata International Animation Film Festival were revealed. Organized by the NIAFF Executive Committee, produced by film distributor/cinema operator Eurospace and anime production outfit Genco — with applications in for support from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Agency for Cultural Affairs — the inaugural edition is planned for March 17-22, 2023. 

    With a focus on commercial animated features, NIAFF aims to create a prestige meeting place between culture and animation, showcasing movies produced for theaters, streaming platforms and even feature length works remounted from TV series on equal footing.

    “VOD has changed the way we watch movies and the codes of cinema. The seventh art has become accessible and mobile. The experience of watching a film at home is different from the one in a movie theater, where time, space and reactions are shared,” commented Program Artistic Director Tadashi Sudo. “Our ambition is to honor every animated film, whether it is shown in theaters, on VOD services or on television. We refuse to rank anime by the form of its exploitation. Creativity and storytelling are at the heart of our festival.”

    Animated films are now being produced all over the world; in Asia, Europe, America, Africa, the Middle East and Oceania. Each country produces works that vary greatly in style, carrying different stories and cultural values. Previously intended for children and fans, animation is becoming increasingly popular around the world. In this context, and while the major animation events tend to be centered in Europe and North America, NIAFF seeks to give animation a proper platform every year, in the heart of Asia, by creating a place for meeting, exchange and transmission that brings new perspectives to the world.

    NIAFF will invite universities, studios and other organizations dedicated to animation together to organize events such as training workshops, conference on the international industry and market, and seminars. The festival will also explore new theories in the world of animation, covering topics rarely discussed on the international level and creating a space for critical thinking.

    Mamoru Oshii
    Mamoru Oshii

    “An animated film is a fiction film, but the ways of producing and shooting are incomparable. Animation is a completely different discipline, the differences are multiple: between the acting and the drawing of the animator, between the role of the director of a fiction film and that of an animation film,” said director Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell, Innocence, Sky Crawlers), who serves as jury president for the 1st NIAFF. “I would add that Japanese animation is a very special exercise…”

    The festival organizers emphasized that animation is a representative culture of Japan, and must be valued, maintained and developed in the country. Japan has long been a hub of animation in East and Southeast Asia and must have an international animation film festival to promote creation, training of talents, circulation of works, encourage the birth of collaborations and promote animation as a whole.

    As a port city on the Sea of Japan, Niigata was the largest city in Japan in the 19th century. It remains a major hub between China, Korea and Russia. Its rich nature, culture and history, as well as its proactive approach to creativity, attract many people. Many leading manga artists and animation creators were born there. Japan’s first full-color animated
    feature film, Hakujaden (The White Snake) was created by Niigata natives Hiroshi Okawa and Koji Fukiya, at the Toei animation studio.

    In 2012, Niigata City established the “Manga and Anime City Development Concept” to enhance the city’s appeal as a manga city, promote it nationally, support the sustainable development of manga and anime-related industries, and revitalize the city.

    Furthermore, with the development of new production methods and the recent changes in lifestyle due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people working in animation production are moving outside of Tokyo and new studios are being created. Japan currently has a record number of 400 students training to become animation and manga artists at vocational schools and professional universities across the country.

    manga house
    The Niigata City Manga House

    Niigata is already home to…

    • The Niigata Anime/Manga Festival, which attracts about 50,000 visitor/year.
    • The Niigata City Manga and Anime Information Center, which promotes the joy of manga and animation
    • The Niigata City Manga House, a manga library with a collection of 10,000 volumes.

    In addition to Sudo, an animation journalist, and Oshii, the inaugural festival is being led by Festival Director Shinichiro Inoue (former Editor-in-Chief of Newtype), Secretary General Taro Maki (Genco producer, In This Corner of the World, Mobile Police Patlobar) and Chairman Kenzo Horikoshi (Eurospace producer, Annette, Like Someone in Love). The Executive Committee is presenting NIAFF in collaboration with Kaishi Professional University and Niigata University (TBC).

    The program will comprise a feature film Competition (10-12 films), a Global Trends overview of contemporary animation from around the worlds (8-10); The Future of Animation awards for people and works that have contributed to the evolution of animation; the Manga Gaze, exploring the relationship between animation and comics; Retrospectives highlighting international artists and artistic movements; Academic Program (industry seminar & conference) and Educational Program (symposiums & workshops).

    Outside the main program, attendees will be able to enjoy an Opening Ceremony, live Animation Song performances and Projection Mapping around the venue, with the motif of the animation work on offer. Special exhibitions such as “A History of Animated Clothing” are also being considered.

    The NIAFF film competition will be open for submissions from November 2022, overseen by a selection committee including international critics. 

  • Amazon Orders 2 Seasons of Cirocco Dunlap’s Sci-Fi-Com ‘The Hospital’

    Amazon Studios today announced that it has ordered two seasons of The Hospital, a new sci-fi animated comedy created by Cirocco Dunlap and executive produced by Maya Rudolph, Natasha Lyonne and Danielle Renfrew Behrens through Animal Pictures. Shauna McGarry will also executive produce. Keke Palmer, Greta Lee, Kieran Culkin, Sam Smith, Rudolph and Lyonne will voice aliens in the series with more voice cast to be announced.

    Titmouse (Big Mouth, The Legend of Vox Machina, Fairfax) is handling the animation.

    Announced in development in January 2020, The Hospital will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide at a yet to be announced date.

    “Cirocco is a total original. Brilliant and wildly talented with an utterly singular voice and boundless imagination,” commented Rudolph, Lyonne and Renfrew Behrens of Animal Pictures. “She’s also ridiculously funny and finds the most unexpected ways to make you laugh while exploring complex existential questions! It has been a thrill to watch her nurture the seed of an idea and grow it into two seasons so beautifully.”

    Synopsis: The Hospital is a completely original concept that follows Sleech and Klak — aliens, best friends and intergalactically renowned surgeons — as they tackle anxiety-eating parasites, illegal time loops and deep-space STIs. Risking their careers to take on a remarkable case, they put existence itself in jeopardy. Although considering their dismal personal lives, oblivion might be an improvement.

    “Working with Animal Pictures, Amazon Studios and Titmouse to create a show that prominently features unsexy alien sex has been one of the best experiences of my life,” said Dunlap.

    The Hospital cast
    L-R: (top) Keke Palmer, Greta Lee, Natasha Lyonne [ph: Jason Merritt/Getty], (bottom) Maya Rudolph [ph: Mary Ellen Matthews], Kieran Culkin [ph: Taylor Hill/Getty], Sam Smith

    Keke Palmer (Alice, Hustlers, Nope) will voice star as Dr. Klak, a brilliant, multi-eyed surgeon who spends her down time feeding her sentient plants, obsessively reviewing past failures, and watching hit show My Lover, My Clonewith her best friend Dr. Sleech.

    Greta Lee (Past Lives, The Morning Show) will voice star as Dr. Sleech, a reckless, cocky surgeon whose main saving graces are her genius, her well-oiled lizard tail, and her unconditional love for her best friend Dr. Klak.

    Natasha Lyonne (Russian Doll, DC League of Super-Pets) will voice star as Nurse Tup, a playful nihilist with chameleon flesh who thrives in the chaos of the Hospital. Nurse Tup expertly navigates every accidental apocalypse created by renegade doctors Sleech and Klak, and looks good doing it.

    Maya Rudolph (Saturday Night Live, Big Mouth) will voice star as Dr. Vlam, a robot intern who has been alive for at least 20,000 years. She’s had every career you can think of — king, thief, stay-at-home mom of 500 — and is a true testament to hard work. All you need to succeed is roughly 850 years of free time.

    Kieran Culkin (Succession) will voice star as Dr. Plowp, a surgeon, an empath and an adult experiencing puberty. He has a love-hate relationship with Sleech, constantly feels everyone’s feelings, and has four identical brothers with whom he shared an egg.

    Sam Smith (singer/songwriter – Spectre, Pitch Perfect 2) will voice star as Dr. Azel, a galactically-renowned surgeon with ambiguous morals and six well-manicured feet.

    “The Hospital is the perfect example of the fresh and unique programming we get so excited to deliver to our global Prime Video customers,” said Vernon Sanders, Head of Global Television at Amazon Studios. “Cirocco’s humor and clever characters will entertain in any galaxy. We are thrilled to have this special project join our growing adult animated slate.”

    Dunlap (Russian Doll, Man Seeking Woman) created The Hospital and will serve as showrunner and executive producer. McGarry (BoJack Horseman, Tuca & Bertie) will also executive produce, along with Rudolph, Lyonne and Renfrew Behrens. Shannon Prynoski (Fairfax), Chris Prynoski (The Legend of Vox Machina), Antonio Canobbio (Arlo the Alligator Boy) and Ben Kalina (Big Mouth) will executive produce from Titmouse. Artist Robin Eisenberg, instrumental in creating the visual style of the series, will co-produce and serve as production designer.

    Prior to developing The Hospital, Dunlap’s credits include Russian Doll, Baymax!, Big Mouth and Man Seeking Woman. Dunlap’s short film Everything Is Okay screened at South by Southwest in 2018.

    Eisenberg is a Los Angeles-based artist who has amassed a large following online for her depictions of aliens doing relatable things. She has created art and collaborated with clients such as Vans, Adobe, Apple, Thrasher and Adult Swim.

  • Sneak Peek: ‘Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed’ Rocks on HBO Max June 30

    Sneak Peek: ‘Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed’ Rocks on HBO Max June 30

    Calling all rock stars, fashion icons and naked mole rat lovers! Mo Willems’ fan-favorite Naked Mole Rat, Wilbur J. Mole Rat, Jr., will emerge from his underground tunnel for a stunning CGI-animated hour of “underground” music and comedy Thursday, June 30, on Cartoonito on HBO MAX for Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Underground Rock Experience!

    The special will also debut later on Cartoonito on Cartoon Network to knock your socks on as it reminds us that authenticity is the best accessory.

    Based on Willems’ New York Times best-selling picture book, Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed (Hyperion) and sold-out theatrical rock experience (Seattle Children’s Theater, The Alliance Theater, venues nationwide), this animated rock opera strikes a power chord about accepting others. The musical event is accessorized by a fun and funny tale about a sensitive, curious and rockin’ Naked Mole Rat named Wilbur (voiced by Jordan Fisher) who “scandalously” decides to (gasp!) get dressed!

    The message of authenticity and accepting others are in perfect harmony with Cartoonito’s Humancentric Learning Framework. Find out what happens when Wilbur’s newfound love of rocking outfits rocks Naked Mole Rat society to its core…

    Additional voice cast members include Yvette Nicole Brown as Grande, a member of Mole Rat society’s popular crowd and front mole of the Tunnel’s Rock Band “The Mole-ing Stones”; Kate Micucci as Tall, a rule-follower with a heart of gold; Kevin Michael Richardson as Venti, a big lug that needs just two things in life: rocking out with his bandmates and being stark raving naked!; Carol Kane as Grand-Mah, the larger-than-life-but-smaller-than-expected matriarch of the Mole Rat society; Ron Funches as Les Pants, the Weather Mole; Thomas Lennon as Stark Naked, the Newscaster; and Jenna Ushkowitz as a jammin’ Secret Service Mole.

    Willems and Mr. Warburton co-wrote the script with original tunes by Willems (lyrics) and Deborah Wicks La Puma (music). Willems and Mr. Warburton executive produce alongside Stampede Ventures’ Greg Silverman and Jay Judah, with OddBot Animation Studios serving as animation house. Megan Alrutz is producer on behalf of the Mo Willems Workshop. Songs are produced by Dan Petty, Doug Petty and Michelle Lewis.

    You can read all about the new special in the well-dressed 35th Anniversary issue of Animation Magazine (June/Jully ’22, No. 321), available soon!

  • Trailer: ‘The Croods: Family Tree’ Goes Out on a Limb for S3

    Trailer: ‘The Croods: Family Tree’ Goes Out on a Limb for S3

    From executive producers Mark Banker and Todd Grimes — who produced and developed The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants, respectively — join the Croods and Bettermans on their adventures when six all-new episodes of DreamWorks The Croods: Family Tree arrive on Hulu and Peacock June 2. Check out the season 3 trailer below!

    The Croods: Family Tree
    The Croods: Family Tree

    Synopsis: Jealous of the Thunder Sisters, the men on the farm undergo a difficult initiation to join the exclusive tribe of women while Eep and Dawn prepare for the ultimate skate-off with the Punch Monkeys to reclaim their skate spot. As Phil sets on a mission to prove he’s a fun guy, the girls adopt a stranded egg that may not be as innocent as it seems.

    Inspired by the blockbuster DreamWorks Animation film The Croods: A New Age, The Croods: Family Tree continues the ever-evolving story of the Croods and the Bettermans as they learn to live together on the most idyllic farm in prehistory. The journey from sparring rivals to unlikely friends is fraught with hilarious misadventures as the two families slowly overcome their differences to turn a tree house divided into a tree home united.

    The Croods: Family Tree
    The Croods: Family Tree

    The series features the voices of Kiff VandenHeuvel as Grug, Amy Landecker as Ugga, Ally Dixon as Eep, AJ Locascio as Thunk, Artemis Pebdani as Gran, Dee Bradley Baker as Sandy, Darin Brooks as Guy, Matthew Waterson as Phil, Amy Rosoff as Hope and Kelly Marie Tran as Dawn.

    The Croods: Family Tree

  • Nelvana Revs Up Development & Licensing Deal with Monster Jam

    Nelvana Revs Up Development & Licensing Deal with Monster Jam

    Nelvana has teamed up with Feld Entertainment to develop a new animated action-adventure kids series, Monster Jam Gears & Galaxies (working title), based on the epic Monster Jam franchise (52 x 11′). Through the deal, Nelvana will not only distribute the new series, but will also represent global merchandise licensing of this series, and exclusively represent the existing Monster Jam brand in Canada and France.

    “Partnering with Feld Entertainment gives us the opportunity to delve into the adrenaline-fueled arena of monster trucks loved by families around the globe,” said Pam Westman, President of Nelvana. “At Nelvana, we are always looking for unique characters and stories that have international appeal and can drive a successful merchandise program, and Monster Jam checks all the boxes! We’re looking forward to engaging with existing fans and bringing in new fans to the edge-of-your-seat entertainment of Monster Jam.”

    In the new series, amazing Monster Jam trucks travel through the universe to rescue “boosters” (working name) — playful, plug-in robots that give the trucks extraordinary abilities — but the race is on! They have to rescue those boosters before they fall into the wrong hands.

    “We continue to expand Monster Jam beyond the live event into more content and consumer touchpoints as our global audience grows,” said Kenneth Feld, Chair & CEO of Feld Entertainment. “Together with Nelvana, we are introducing a new set of Monster Jam trucks and stories that will inspire and delight fans worldwide.”

    A live, action-packed, family-friendly motorsports event operated by Feld Entertainment, the Monster Jam franchise has gained an extensive worldwide reach since its 1992 debut, with events in 32 countries and 60 markets internationally that see around 4 million annual attendees total (based on 2019) and more than 5.7 million followers across all Monster Jam social channels. The global phenomenon connects with a wide fan base, including Millennial and Gen X parents, and children under the age of 12.

    Entertaining kids for over 50 years, Nelvana is a world-leading international producer and distributor of children’s animated and live-action content. Nelvana content airs on Corus Entertainment’s kids channels in Canada and in over 180 countries around the world. The Nelvana library has over 4,800 episodes of programming and has received over 70 major international program awards including Emmys and Canadian Screen Awards.

    nelvana.com

  • Scoob’s Pre-K Debut ‘Scooby-Doo! And the Mystery Pups’ Coming to Cartoonito

    Scoob’s Pre-K Debut ‘Scooby-Doo! And the Mystery Pups’ Coming to Cartoonito

    HBO Max and Cartoon Network announced today the greelinght for the first-ever Scooby-Doo preschool series, Scooby-Doo! And the Mystery Pups. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, the CGI-animated adventure comedy series finds the iconic best pals as camp counselors who lead a “paw”-some new crew on mystery-solving adventures at sleepaway camp.

    The series will join the Cartoonito preschool block in 2024.

    “This show combines everything we love about Scooby — his humor, his loyal friendship with Shaggy, his mystery-loving spirit — all in an innovative and accessible format for preschoolers,” Amy Friedman, Head of Kids & Family Programming, Warner Bros. “Cartoonito parents and caregivers will get to introduce kids to their beloved childhood hero in a totally new way.”

    Sam Register, President, Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios, added: “We are thrilled to finally give preschoolers a version of Scooby to call their own. With plenty of laughs, fun, and clues to chase, this show promises to entertain the youngest of mystery solvers.”

    Synopsis:  As counselors at a lakeside sleepaway camp, Scooby and Shaggy don’t know much about canoes and archery, but they do know how to solve a mystery! In a summer filled with nature hikes, rafting trips and fireside ghost stories, the goofy, good-hearted and can-do duo will share their love for chasing clues with three young camper pups destined to become their own preschool version of Mystery Incorporated.

    Featuring mysteries that will be more kooky than spooky, Scooby Doo! And the Mystery Pups teaches preschoolers about curiosity and the joy of discovery. The show will encourage the audience to solve clues alongside the collaborative trio of pups, exemplifying how much can be accomplished with friends by your side.

    These curiosity and teamwork skillsets align with Cartoonito’s Humancentric Learning Framework — a philosophy that helps children develop their unique potential — by inspiring preschoolers to greet every mystery they encounter with wonder, confidence and cooperation.

    Scooby-Doo veteran voices Frank Welker and Matthew Lillard will lead the cast, playing Scooby and Shaggy, respectively. Mark Palmer (Hello Ninja, Treehouse Detectives) serves as co-executive producer and showrunner with Erik Knutsen as supervising producer. Sam Register also serves as executive producer.

    Scooby-Doo! And the Mystery Pups

  • Young Animator of the Year UK Returns for 2022

    Young Animator of the Year UK Returns for 2022

    U.K. entertainment talent development organizations ScreenSkillls (skreenskills.com) and ACCESS VFX (accessvfx.org) have announced that the popular Young Animator of the Year (YAY UK) program is back for 2022, with a suite of activities planned for the summer.

    YAY UK encourages young people to pursue creative skills to help build the talent of tomorrow, empowering gifted up and comers to create an amazing animation and help launch the creative career of their dreams.

    Teenage animators can join the 3Dami 10-day Summer Studio — supported by the ScreenSkills Animation Skills Fund using contributions from animations productions — as well as entering a competition for the chance to be crowned the Young Animator of the Year UK 2022!

    Giving New Talent a Leg Up

    Winners of previous year’s YAY UK competitions have had quick career success. Josh Palfrey, the winner of the 3D category in 2020, got onto the internship program at a major U.K. character animation studio, Blue Zoo. Palfrey exceeded all expectations in the internship, which quickly led to a full-time job, where he became the studio’s youngest ever 3D artist.

    3Dami Summer Studio

    Applications are now open for the 3Dami Summer Studio, where students work together with animation experts to create every part of a 3D film in just 10 days. 3Dami works with industry mentors to give students all the help and support they need to learn about 3D-asset creation and animation. The event will run across 10 days from July  25 to August 5, 2022.

    Previous students of the 3Dami summer studio have gone on to work at major studios including ILM, The Mill, Blue Zoo, MPC and DNEG.

    yay uk 2021 winners
    YAY UK 2021 winning projects

    YAY UK Competition & Studio Challenges

    YAY UK is hosting a competition challenging teenage artists across the U.K. to make their own short animated films in 2D, 3D,and stop-motion styles. Awards will be given for the Best Young 2D Animator, 3D Animator and Stop-Motion Animator across age groups 11-14 and 15-18. The winner’s films will be screened at Manchester Animation Festival (manchesteranimationfestival.co.uk) in November.

    Entries for the competition can be submitted via the YAY UK website from May 16 until the deadline of September 5, 2022.

    Throughout the summer, YAY UK will also be giving teenagers a range of short creative animation challenges set by some of the U.K.’s biggest animation studios. These challenges will help the artists learn tricks and techniques to devise their stories and create their own animations.

    “The U.K. is one of the best countries in the world at producing animation, and the YAY UK initiative is here to inspire, nurture and celebrate the next generation of talent. There’s such an abundance of eager, young creative animators out there, we can’t wait to see what films they make this year, and who will be crowned Young Animator of the Year!” said Tom Box, Co-Founder of Blue Zoo Animation Studio and Chair of the ScreenSkills Animation Skills Fund.

    Get Involved

    For young animation artists, the YAY UK website has built a community which is safe to share their work and develop their animation skills. Animators can create a profile, upload their work and build an online portfolio where industry professionals can comment and feedback on their work. All posts are moderated to ensure safety and enjoyment for everyone.

    Apply for the 3Dami Summer Studio via the YAY UK website and submit competition entries via the website Competition page. Follow YAY UK on Twitter and Instagram to keep up to date with the YAY UK program. Happy animating!

  • Summer Slate: ‘Eureka!’ Enlightens Disney Junior, Hulu Dates ‘Solar Opposites’ S3, ‘Yu-Gi-Oh! SEVENS’ Debuts & More

    Summer Slate: ‘Eureka!’ Enlightens Disney Junior, Hulu Dates ‘Solar Opposites’ S3, ‘Yu-Gi-Oh! SEVENS’ Debuts & More

    A new season is just around the corner, and the Disney portfolio of broadcast and streaming outlets is warming up for a summer of animated fun.

    Throughout June, youngsters can tune into Disney Channel and Disney Junior for brand new adventures with Alice the Wonderland baker, Jalpur’s super sleuth Mira, Marvel’s Spidey and the Funhouse gang. The month’s lineup features extended length episodes of The Ghost and Molly McGee on June 11 and 18, and the series premiere of the inventive new preschool series Eureka! (which you can read all about in the June/July issue of Animation Magazine) on June 22.

    Yu-Gi-Oh! SEVENS
    Yu-Gi-Oh! SEVENS

    Audiences looking for more battling action can tune into Disney XD beginning June 6 and Hulu beginning June 7 to catch the latest installment of Konami’s hit anime franchise, Yu-Gi-Oh! SEVENS. Yuga Ohdo may seem like any other 5th grader in Goha City, but he’s about to take his favorite game to the next level by inventing a whole new way to duel — Rush Duels; faster and simpler, but with awesome new strategies that make each duel more dynamic than the last!

    Yuga can’t wait to share Rush Dueling with every Duelist out there, but Goha Enterprises — the megacorp that controls the whole city — is having none of it! They’re the ones who dictate how Duels are supposed to be played, so they’re going to use everything in their arsenal to crush this kid! But if they think that’s going to stop Yuga from building his road to freedom — they don’t know Yuga!

    Solar Opposites
    Solar Opposites

    Adult toon fans are also in for a treat, as Hulu recently announced the official launch date for Season 3 of Solar Opposites, the irreverent sci-fi comedy from Rick and Morty creator Justin Roiland and exec producer Mike McMahan. Produced by 20th Television Animation, the outrageous ETs return with 11 new episodes on July 13.

    Solar Opposites centers on a team of four aliens who are evenly split on whether Earth is awful or awesome. Korvo (Justin Roiland) and Yumyulack (Sean Giambrone) only see the pollution, crass consumerism and human frailty, while Terry (Thomas Middleditch) and Jesse (Mary Mack) love TV, junk food and fun stuff.

    In Season 3, this alien team strives to be less of a team and more of a family.

    The Ghost and Molly McGee
    The Ghost and Molly McGee

    Disney Channel / Disney Junior June Highlights:

    Friday, June 10

    7 a.m. EDT (Disney Channel)/4 p.m. EDT (Disney Junior) Alice’s Wonderland Bakery

    • “A Special Blend” – Alice needs to find a special singer for the garden choir. Vanessa Bayer (I Love That for You) and Bobby Moynihan (Mr. Mayor) guest star as Daff and Dill; Lesley Nicol (Downton Abbey) guest stars as Iris; Broadway’s Christopher Fitzgerald, James Monroe Iglehart and Mandy Gonzalez guest star as Thistle, Oliver and Mother Rose, respectively.
    • “The Princess and the Hare” – When Rosa accidentally tears the Queen’s cape, Alice asks March Hare to help them.

    8 a.m. EDT (Disney Channel)/11:30 a.m. (Disney Junior) Puppy Dog Pals

    • “Surf’s Up, Pups!” – When Grace doesn’t have a surfboard for her surfing lesson, the pets set out to find one.
    • “Rock and Roller Pups” – The pups go on a mission to find Grace a disco ball for her birthday.

    Saturday, June 11

    9:30 a.m. EDT (Disney Channel) – Extended Length Episode – The Ghost and Molly McGee

    • “Citizen McGee” – When Molly’s “Mayor for a Day” contest win turns into a “Mayor for Life” gig, she struggles under the pressure.
    • “The Internship” – When Molly interns at Weird Larry’s Pawn Show, she struggles to see the bright side in a shop full of discarded junk. Sean Giambrone (The Goldbergs) guest stars as Reggie, Scratch’s new intern.

    Friday, June 17

    8:30 a.m. EDT (Disney Channel)/12:30 p.m. EDT (Disney Junior) Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends

    • “Catch and Release” – Miles’ Father’s Day fishing trip is interrupted by Doc Ock’s plan to take over the harbor.
    • “Construction Destruction” – Spidey, Hulk and Ms. Marvel get in over their heads when a squirrel wreaks havoc.

    Saturday, June 18

    9:30 a.m. EDT (Disney Channel) – Extended Length Episode – The Ghost and Molly McGee

    • “The Lucky Penny” – Molly and Scratch help Libby improve her luck on Friday the 13th.
    • “Lock, Stock and Peril” – When the McGee’s get locked in the basement, Molly and Scratch seek help, but have trouble remaining focused.

    Monday, June 20

    5 p.m. EDT (Disney Junior) Mira, Royal Detective

    • “The Big Jalpur Wedding Mystery” – It’s the day of a huge, joyful wedding in Jalpur, and Mira and her friends must track down the missing groom so the wedding can go on as planned.

    Wednesday, June 22

    7:30 p.m. EDT (Disney Junior) – SERIES PREMIERE – Eureka!

    • “Tusks, Trouble and All” – Eureka and her friends, Pepper and Barry, free a wooly mammoth.
    • “Absoflutely Fabulous” – Eureka tries to befriend a flute player in her class by inventing a new flute.

    Thursday, June 23

    7:30 p.m. EDT (Disney Junior) Eureka!

    • “Everybody Lava Pizza” – Eureka accidentally unleashes a steam geyser at her mom’s restaurant, which leads to the invention of pizza. Cree Summer (Vampirina) and Kevin Michael Richardson (Family Guy) guest star as Verna and Dima, respectively.
    • “Prehistoric Class Pets” – Pepper’s pet Dipply follows her to school one day, inspiring other pets to do the same.

    Friday, June 24

    6 a.m. EDT (Disney Channel)/12 p.m. EDT (Disney Junior) Mickey Mouse Funhouse

    • “The Fabulous Five (Plus One)!” – Funny takes the friends to the city of Herotropolis, where they can each have their own superpowers.
    • “Mickey Meets Rocket Mouse!” – Mickey’s hero, Rocket Mouse, invites Mickey and friends to join his team of mouse-stronauts. Jaime Camil (Jane the Virgin) guest stars as Rocket Mouse

    7:30 p.m. EDT (Disney Junior) Eureka!

    • “Follow the Sledder” – Eureka invents a vehicle to help her friends get to school faster.
    • “Stinkpod Day” – Eureka is determined to find a use for stinkpods.

    Saturday, June 25

    9:30 a.m. EDT (Disney Channel) The Ghost and Molly McGee

    • “Out of House and Home” – The McGee’s struggle to make ends meet after a hospital trip leaves them nearly broke.
    • “Home Is Where the Haunt Is” – Molly does her best to pretend everything is normal while Scratch protects the house. Natasha Rothwell (Insecure) guest stars as Candace Green, a Brighton realtor, and Thomas Lennon (Reno 911) returns as Mr. Davenport.

     

  • Green Kids Club Options ‘Elee the Mindful Elephant’ to Lakeside Animation

    Green Kids Club Options ‘Elee the Mindful Elephant’ to Lakeside Animation

    Green Kids Club has announced key deals for its award-winning Environmental Heroes book series, authored by company founder Sylvia Medina. The company has optioned the rights for one of its most popular titles in the series, Elee the Mindful Elephant, to Lakeside Animation for the development of a new preschool animated television series.

    Adapted from Medina’s preschool picture book Elee and the Shining Star, the Elee the Mindful Elephant series will be developed by Iouri Stepanov and Lakeside Animation, with Aron Dunn from Treason Media serving as showrunner. David Wollos of The ThinkTank Emporium and Treason Media initially teamed up to adapt the book for television.

    “I’m delighted to be working with Aron again. I knew he had the sensitivity, imagination,and unique ability to help kids find calm in these challenging times through the healing power of laughter,” said Medina.

    “Our prior relationship with Aron has been very productive. So, when he brought Elee to us, we had no hesitation in partnering on this unique and timely project,” said Stepanov.

    Elee the Mindful Elephant follows an easily distracted little elephant making new friends and exploring the African savanna. When faced with too many choices and overwhelmed by emotions, she practices simple mindfulness to calm herself, find focus and tap into her inner strength. The series models mindfulness and resiliency for preschoolers with humor, adventure and simple calming techniques.

    “We are pleased to be working with Iouri Stepanov and his team to bring Elee the Mindful Elephant to a global audience via various media platforms and licensed product opportunities. The sheer potential in all these areas for Elee is a wonderful asset for all concerned and its strategic relationship with Aron,” stated Wollos.

    Dunn said, “Working with Sylvia, David and Iouri individually is a delight. Working with them collectively on such an important project has been honor and a privilege. I’m thrilled to help bring some good into today’s turbulent world. And I know Iouri’s team of amazing artists will create lovable characters that will bring comfort and joy to kids around the world.”

    elee

    GKC has also licensed the book series rights to Storypod to develop and produce audio books. The first two audio books, Elee and the Shining Star and Princess, will be released later this year.

    Storypod’s screenless audio system engages young learners through interactive and educational songs, stories and trivia. The nine titles in the Environmental Heroes series all feature stories about animals and their survival, often with human heroes that help them on their journey. As young readers join in these adventures, they gain a better understanding of the natural world.

    Green Kids Club was founded by environmental engineer Sylvia Median, driven by her passion for environmental issues and helping to protect endangered species. Focused on spreading the word about these issues through storytelling, GKC works with conservation groups such as Elephants Without Borders, Saving the Survivor and Blood Lions . A portion of the proceeds from the Environmental Heroes books are donated to these partner organizations. Books are also donated directly to children to around the world through GKC’s non-profit arm, Love the Wild Foundation.

    Lakeside Animation is a premier Canadian studio that specializes in developing original content, and offering a full suite of production services to domestic and international clients. Founded in 2018, the studio is helmed by CEO Iouri Stepanov (First Squad: A Moment of Truth), CCO Matt Lyon (Arctic Dogs, East End, Total Drama Island), Head of Production Courtney Wolfson (Arctic Dogs, Pirate’s Passage) and Aron Dunn (Pet Shop Zombies, Camp Lakebottom, Insectibles).

    Treason Media is a full service development and production company, founded by creators for creators. Company president Aron Dunn is an industry vet with two decades of experience. He has worked with Cartoon Network, CBC Kids, Corus Kids, CTC, Disney, Nickelodeon and KiKA, and contributed scripts to Super Wings, Taffy, Cupcake and Dinosaur, Rusty Rivets, Pocoyo, Camp Lakebottom, Justin Time and Trucktown. Dunn has also held senior development roles with Breakthrough Ent. and Portfolio Ent.

    The ThinkTank Emporium is an intellectual property consulting and representation agency founded by distribution executive David Wollos and licensing executive Joan Packard Luks. (thethinktankemporium.com)

    greenkidsclub.com  

  • HBO Max & CN Order More ‘Care Bears: Unlock the Magic’ for Cartoonito

    HBO Max & CN Order More ‘Care Bears: Unlock the Magic’ for Cartoonito

    Cloudco Entertainment, owner of iconic entertainment brand Care Bears, is pleased to announce that the beloved characters’ newest 2D animated incarnation, Care Bears: Unlock the Magic, has started production on six new 22-minute specials for the Cartoonito preschool block on HBO Max and Cartoon Network.

    Simultaneously, season 1 of Care Bears: Unlock the Magic (48 x 11’ + 2 x 22’) has been extended into early 2027 for the linear and streaming platforms.

    “Speaking for everyone in Care-a-Lot, we’re excited to bring more joy, magic, adventure, and discovery of Care Bears: Unlock the Magic — as well as the occasional ‘Care Bear Stare’ — to HBO Max and Cartoon Network with these new specials,” said Sean Gorman, President, Cloudco Entertainment.

    Produced by Cloudco Entertainment, Care Bears: Unlock the Magic follows Cheer Bear, Grumpy Bear, Good Luck Bear, Funshine Bear and Share Bear and many others as they embark on a new adventure from Care-A-Lot to the Silver Lining, a beautiful exotic world inhabited by the Whiffles, a group of innocently happy creatures that plant seeds to keep the magical land of Care-A-Lot growing. Throughout the series, the Care Bears use their belly badge powers to spread messages of sharing, caring, friendship, and courage while making sure to have lots of laughs along the way.

    Each new special will be tied to a bigger “mini-movie” moment or theme that raises the stakes for the Care Bears and their compatriots in and around Care-A-Lot. Similar to season 1, the specials will also align with Cartoonito’s Humancentric Learning Framework — an educational philosophy that helps young viewers become the best version of themselves — by teaching preschoolers about kindness and friendship.

    Season 1 of the Care Bears: Unlock the Magic series is also available in the U.K. (Tiny Pop and Sky-TV), Canada (Wildbrain’s Family Channel and Family Jr.), France (Tiji and Gulli), Switzerland (RTS), Israel (Hop!), Brazil (Gloob), Mexico (Televisa), Spanish pan-LatAm (Noggin), Australia (Channel 9), South Africa (ETV), Middle East (E-vision and E Junior), Portugal (Canal Junior and Panda), China (CCTV14) with future worldwide broadcaster deals in the works.

    The Unlock the Magic look has also been integrated into Care Bears-themed merchandise globally, in celebration of the property’s 40th anniversary, taking place throughout 2022.

    Care Bears’ relaunch of Care Bears toys with new master toy partner, Basic Fun!, rolled out at Walmart.com in late 2019 and has experienced great global success in-store at Walmart and Target as well as Amazon.com and a number of other online and brick and mortar retailers across the U.S., U.K. and Canada. New Care Bears’ characters such as Togetherness Bear and I Care Bear have hit top sellers’ lists, with Togetherness Bear being the #2 best-selling girls’ toy at both Walmart.com and Walmart for the month of June 2021.

  • Trailer: ‘Baymax’ Is Back in New ‘Big Hero 6’ Series on Disney+

    Trailer: ‘Baymax’ Is Back in New ‘Big Hero 6’ Series on Disney+

    In celebration of National Streaming Day, Disney+ has released a new trailer and key art for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Baymax!

    Baymax!
    Baymax! © 2022 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

    Streaming exclusively on Disney+ on June 29, Baymax! returns to the fantastical city of San Fransokyo where the affable, inflatable, inimitable healthcare companion robot sets out to do what he was programmed to do: help others. The series of healthcare capers introduces extraordinary characters who need Baymax’s signature approach to healing in more ways than they realize.

    Baymax!
    Baymax! © 2022 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

    “I thought it would be fun to do a Disney+ series with Baymax interacting with normal folks,” said series creator Don Hall, who helmed 2014’s Oscar-winning film Big Hero 6. “In each of our six episodes, Baymax just wants to help someone — and a lot of times they don’t want to be helped. He sets out to fix a physical issue that he’s identified, and in the process, gets to a deeper, more emotional place and can be almost transformative in that role.”

    Baymax! is produced by Roy Conli and Bradford Simonsen. The series’ episodes are directed by Dean Wellins (Eps. 1, 2, 6), Lissa Treiman (Ep. 3), Dan Abraham (Ep. 4) and Mark Kennedy (Ep. 5). Screenwriter is Cirocco Dunlap. Scott Adsit returns as the voice of Baymax. Voice talent featured in episodes include Ryan Potter, Maya Rudolph, Emily Kuroda, Lilimar, Zeno Robinson and Jaboukie Young-White.

    Baymax!
    In episode 4 of ‘Baymax!’, Mbita (voice of Jaboukie Young-White) serves up a family favorite until an unexpected allergy and Baymax push him toward change. © 2022 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

     

  • Exclusive: Animation Block Party Returns to Brooklyn in August

    Exclusive: Animation Block Party Returns to Brooklyn in August

    Dedicated to exhibiting the world’s best animation, the Animation Block Party brand brought together animation festivals and block parties for the first time on September 9, 2004. This summer, ABP returns to celebrate it’s 19th annual festival August 12-13 in Brooklyn.

    The opening night party drops on the evening of Friday, August 12, featuring live animated comedy from Picture This at Union Hall, located at 702 Union St, Brooklyn, NY, 11215.

    Festival screenings will take place all day on Saturday, August 13 at the prestigious Brooklyn Academy of Music, located at 30 Lafayette Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11217.

    Barber Westchester
    Barber Westchester

    Summer program highlights at BAM Film include Malt Adult Presents Barber Westchester and the 15th anniversary of the animated documentary Chicago 10.

    Barber Westchester is a stunning independent feature by the prolific animator Jonni Phillips, and the film is making its New York theatrical debut at Animation Block Party 2022. The film centers on Barber navigating family life, a cult preacher dad, and complicated friendships while getting an internship at NASA only to find out that space is fake.

    Philips will be appearing at the screening in conversation with Malt Adult founder, Sarah Schmidt.Chicago_10

    Chicago 10 follows the Chicago Eight, who were charged by the federal government with various charges related to anti-war and countercultural protests during the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

    The film was directed by Brett Morgan, and the animaiton crew is a who’s who of animation legends, from Dan Haskett to Doug Crane to Tissa David.

    Animation Block Party opens for festival submissions on June 1, 2022 at animationblock.com, with a special focus on student films.

  • GKIDS Says Hello to ‘Goodbye, Don Glees!’

    GKIDS Says Hello to ‘Goodbye, Don Glees!’

    Acclaimed animation producer-distributor GKIDS has acquired the North American distribution rights for Goodbye, Don Glees! Produced by the hitmaker studio Madhouse, the film is the first original feature from writer/director Atsuko Ishizuka, who previously helmed the widely lauded series A Place Further Than The Universe. GKIDS will release the pic theatrically in both the original Japanese  and an all-new English-language dub this year.

    Goodbye, Don Glees!
    Goodbye, Don Glees!

    Goodbye, Don Glees! follows the story of three friends over the course of one summer, as their backyard adventures turn one small incident to a life changing journey. It was domestically released in February 2022, and stars famed Japanese voice actors Ayumu Murase (Shoyo Hinata in Haikyu!!), Natsuki Hanae (Tanjiro Kamado in Demon Slayer), Kana Hanazawa (Akane Tsunemori in Psycho-Pass) and Yuuki Kaji (Eren Jaeger in Attack on Titan). The film is represented internationally by Kadokawa.

    “We were all incredibly moved by Atsuko Ishizuka’s perceptive and fresh take on a classic story of teenage friendship,” said GKIDS’ President David Jesteadt. “We can’t wait for audiences to share this beautiful blend of comedy and drama, set in the days of summer when anything seems possible.”

    Goodbye, Don Glees!
    Goodbye, Don Glees!

    Synopsis: Teen misfits Roma, Toto and Drop call themselves the “Don Glees,” an informal name for their backyard adventures. One day, when the trio gets blamed for a nearby forest fire, they set off into the woods to prove their innocence. As disaster strikes their expedition, tensions flare between the friends as they realize that growing up has taken them on wildly different paths in life.

    Director Atsuko Ishizuka follows up her critically acclaimed series A Place Further Than the Universe with her first original feature film. With luminescent animation and lush backdrops, Goodbye, Don Glees! is a tender coming-of-age story about the fearlessness of being young and the bittersweet journey of self-discovery.

    Goodbye, Don Glees!
    Goodbye, Don Glees!

    The film’s core creative team also including art director Ayano Okamoto (Given, Mieruko-chan) and character designer Takahiro Yoshimatsu (Slayers, Trigun, Ninja Scroll, Overlord) . Madhouse is known for producing the critically acclaimed films of Satoshi Kon, including Paprika, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and Perfect Blue, as well as Mamoru Hosoda’s Summer Wars, Rintaro’s Metropolis and many more.

    goodbyedonglees.com

    Goodbye, Don Glees!

  • Buckle Up! Cartoonito Unmasks the Villainous Voice Cast for ‘Batwheels’

    Buckle Up! Cartoonito Unmasks the Villainous Voice Cast for ‘Batwheels’

    Holy Hubcaps! Cartoonito is revving up for Batwheels, announcing today the DC Super-Villain voice cast lineup. Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin) as Catwoman, Xolo Maridueña (Cobra Kai) as Snowy the Snowcrawler and Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants) asCrash lead the talented cast voicing some of Batman’s most iconic adversaries in the upcoming preschool action-adventure animated comedy.

    The villains will go bumper-to-bumper against the heroes of Batwheels voiced by the previously announced cast led by Ethan Hawke as Batman, Jacob Bertrand as Bam the Batmobile and AJ Hudson as Duke Thomas/Robin. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, the series will race onto Cartoonito on HBO Max and Cartoon Network this fall.

    The Legion of Zoom
    The Legion of Zoom (L-R): Prank, Jetstah, Quizz, Ducky & Snowy

    The evil counterpart to the heroic Batwheels, the Legion of Zoom is a team of sentient vehicles brought to computerized life by Badcomputer, the new ultimate computer of the DC Universe. They, like the Batwheels, are essentially kids with little to no life experience. However, unlike the Batwheels, “The Zooms” are under Badcomputer’s malevolent guidance and often don’t make the best decisions. Prank (the Jokermobile) and the rest of the villainous squad wreak havoc on Gotham City alongside The Joker, Catwoman, Harley Quinn and more of the Caped Crusader’s infamous rogues gallery.

    The complete DC Super-Villain voice cast lineup includes:

    the zooms
    L-R: (top) Griffin Burns, Alexandra Novelle, Josey Montana McCoy, (bottom) Ariyan Kassam, Xolo Maridueña, Tom Kenny

    The Legion of Zoom

    • Griffin Burns (The Addams Family 2) as Prank — The Joker’s favorite ride, Prank is tricked out with all manner of pernicious pranks — confetti cannons, a joy buzzer and the like. Prank is often more interested in having a good laugh at someone’s expense than carrying out a plan.
    • Alexandra Novelle as Jetstah — Harley Quinn’s souped-up ATV, Jetstah displays all of the same obnoxious irreverence as her owner, along with an even bigger, badder giant mallet! Jetstah is full of tricks and loves to mock and tease the Batwheels as they chase her through the streets of Gotham City.
    • Josey Montana McCoy (Genshin Impact) as Quizz — Like his owner, The Riddler’s helicopter loves to befuddle the Batwheels with riddles, but unlike The Riddler’s, his riddles don’t always make sense. Quizz has the ability to skywrite them, broadcast them, and even drop parachuted riddle leaflets from above. As the youngest of the Zooms, Quizz is prone to throwing tantrums, especially when no one can figure out his riddles, even when they’re “sooooooo obvious!”
    • Ariyan Kassam (Great Pretender) as Ducky — The Penguin’s vehicle is an amphibious duck boat. Ducky can travel on land or sea, and is equipped with an array of sneaky surprises like umbrella shields and a squid-ink sprayer. He is a bit of a snob like his owner, and doesn’t always get along with the rest of the Zooms.
    • Xolo Maridueña (Cobri Kai) as Snowy — Mr. Freeze’s snowcrawler is armed with snow blowers and icicle missiles that can freeze opponents in their tracks. But due to his big, clumsy treads, Snowy is the slowest of the Zooms, often lagging behind and becoming the object of derision. Because of the way he’s treated by his teammates, he sometimes thinks about swapping sides and joining the Batwheels, though he would never admit that to the other Zooms.
    • SungWon Cho as Badcomputer — Badcomputer will not rest until he reigns supreme as the most advance computer intelligence in Gotham City — a title threatened by the hyper-advanced Batcomputer. As a being of refined intellect, Badcomputer holds little patience for the humbling antics of the Legion of Zoom, but fueled by his unrelenting jealousy of Batcomputer’s impressive hardware, he’ll have to settle for the tools he has at his disposal. It’s hard to get good help these days…
    • Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants) as Crash — Badcomputer’s robotic minion, Crash is a begrudgingly obedient test dummy tasked with assisting Badcomputer’s evil schemes. Despite being constantly blown to bits (often accompanied by his signature snark and quick wit), Crash is a powerful adversary who can hold his own against the Batwheels.
    TheRogues Gallery
    The Rogues Gallery (L-R): The Joker, Harley Quinn, Catwoman, Mr. Freeze, Toyman, The Riddler, Penguin

    The Rogues Gallery

    • Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin) as Catwoman — The sneakiest of our Super-Villains, Catwoman loves to utilize her stealth and cunning to get her claws on the shiniest of trinkets and baubles Gotham City has to offer. Though she prefers to work alone, Catwoman is no stranger to playing both sides—good or bad—in order toget what she wants.
    • Mick Wingert (What If?) as The Joker — The ultimate prankster, all The Joker wants is to make everyone laugh … No matter how far he needs to go! The Joker revels in pushing Batman’s buttons, and if it means he can sneak off with a few bundles of cash from the bank in the process, even better! The Joker rarely takes anything seriously, but nothing makes his blood boil quite like getting burned by Batman.
    • Chandni Parekh (Big Nate) as Harley Quinn — Harley Quinn is the hyper kid on the block with no boundaries. She’s all about fun all the time — and what’s more fun than dunking on Batman? Nothing! Harley’s got a penchant for fast-paced heists and daredevil antics. Watch out for that mallet!
    • SungWon Cho as The Riddler — The Riddler would probably be respected for his quick wit and clever mind if he weren’t such a nagging know-it-all! He’s a super-nerd that thinks he’s the smartest person in Gotham City, and he’s on a personal mission to make everyone know it.
    • Jess Harnell (Animaniacs) as Penguin — A villain with a bottomless appetite for more, more, more! Penguin is the spoiled man-child of the bunch, always wanting to have the biggest, most ambitious schemes and heists. But with his mega-inflated ego, Penguin is also prone to throwng mega-tantrums when things don’t go his way. He’ll stop at nothing to get things his way — even if it means throwing his fellow Super-Villains under the bus.
    • Regi Davis (Mindhunter) as Mr. Freeze — A grouch and a grinch, Mr. Freeze is the ultimate downer who always seems to wake up on the wrong side of the bed. Just about everything (especially fun, ugh!) annoys his peevish popsicle — so he sees it as his personal mission to ice over Gotham City to make things nice and quiet. You don’t want to end up on the wrong side of his ice cannon (of his signature ice-based puns).
    • James Arnold Taylor (Star Wars: The Clone Wars & Rebels) as Toyman — Toyman loves nothing but playing with the latest and greatest toys — the only problem is, his idea of “toys” increasingly seems to encompass volatile high-technology. All he wants to do is play in peace, but that pesky Batman keeps ruining his playdates. He might be a bit of a choking hazard for the Caped Crusader.
    the rogues
    the rogues L-R: (top) Gina Rodriguez, Mick Wingert, Chandni Parekh, (bottom) Jess Harnell, Regi Davis, James Arnold Taylor

    Previously announced DC Super Heroes joining Hawke’s Batman, Bertrand’s Bam, and Hudson’s Robin include the rest of the Batwheels team: Bibi (The Batgirl Cycle) voiced by Madigan Kacmar,  Redbird (Robin’s Sports Car) voiced by Jordan Reed, The Batwing voiced by Lilimar, and Buff (The Bat Truck) voiced by Noah Bentley — plus Bat-family member Cassandra Cain/Batgirl voiced by Leah Lewis. The Batwheels are cared for by their trainer and mother figure Batcomputer, voiced by Kimberly D. Brooks, and Batman’s robot repairman Mo, voiced by Mick Wingert.

    Synopsis: They are a team of incredible crimefighters who have banded together to oppose evil, combat crime and clean up the streets of Gotham City. They are…okay, they’re NOT Batman and Robin. They’re the Batwheels: an awesome group of sentient super-powered crime-fighting vehicles defending Gotham City alongside Batman, Robin, Batgirl and a host of DC Super Heroes.

    Having just been created by the Batcomputer, our heroes are essentially kids with little to no life experience.  Led by Bam (The Batmobile), the Batwheels — Bibi (The Batgirl Cycle), Redbird (Robin’s Sports Car), The Batwing and Buff (The Bat Truck) — must navigate the growing pains of being a newly formed super team as well as the growing pains that come with just being a kid.  This relatable and aspirational series will follow the journey of this dynamic team as they thrill and entertain with their heroic adventures as well as demonstrate to kids the value of self-confidence, friendship and teamwork.

    Sam Register (Looney Tunes Cartoons) serves as executive producer. Michael G. Stern (Doc McStuffins) serves as co-executive producer, Simon J. Smith (Penguins of Madagascar) is supervising producer and Steven Fink of Bang Zoom Ltd. is producer.

    Batwheels

  • Trailer: ‘Dead End: Paranormal Park’ Summons a Heartfelt, Demon-Possessed Comedy

    Trailer: ‘Dead End: Paranormal Park’ Summons a Heartfelt, Demon-Possessed Comedy

    The official trailer for Dead End: Paranormal Park has arrived! The new 2D animated series is bringing demonic mix ups, friendship and terrifying fun (not to mention an adorable, possessed pug) to Netflix on June 16. Out.com premiered the preview, which you can check out below.

    Dead End: Paranormal Park.
    Alex Brightman as Pugsley in Dead End: Paranormal Park. | Courtesy of Netflix © 2022

    Synopsis: Based on Hamish Steele’s horror-comedy graphic novels DeadEndia and web short Dead End, Dead End: Paranormal Park follows the adventures of Barney, Norma and magical-talking-dog Pugsley, as they balance their summer jobs at the local theme park haunted house while battling the totally real supernatural forces that dwell within it. Together with their guide to the underworld multiplane, a sardonic thousand-year-old demon named Courtney, they’ll face zombie mascots, demonic game show hosts, sleep-sucking witches and the scariest thing of all: their first crushes!

    Produced by Blink Industries, with Steele taking on showrunner duties, the series will also feature a special musical episode with songs written by Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy.

    Dead End: Paranormal Park.
    L-R Alex Brightman as Pugsley, Zach Barack as Barney and Kody Kavitha as Norma in Dead End: Paranormal Park. | Courtesy of Netflix © 2022

    Dead End: Paranormal Park is voiced by cast members Zach Barack, Kody Kavitha, Emily Osment, Alex Brightman, Clinton Leupp (a.k.a. Miss Coco Peru), Kenny Tran and Kathreen Khavari.

    Guest stars include Alan Cumming, Angelica Ross, Crystal Nelson, Kemah Bob, MJ Roridguez, Patrick Stump, Sam Jay, Taylor “Effy” Gibson, Tom Lenk, Z Infante and more…

    Dead End: Paranormal Park.
    L-R: Zach Barack as Barney, Kody Kavitha as Norma and Emily Osment as Courtney in Dead End: Paranormal Park. | Courtesy of Netflix © 2022
  • Rudyard Kipling’s ‘Kim’ Heads to the Big Screen with Cosmos-Maya

    Rudyard Kipling’s ‘Kim’ Heads to the Big Screen with Cosmos-Maya

    Singapore- and India-based animation studio Cosmos-Maya announced today it has selected Rudyard Kipling’s classic novel Kim to be adapted for its next feature-length animated film. Cosmos-Maya has teamed up with Irish animation studio Piranha Bar to co-develop the movie.

    Kipling is one of the earliest modern European writers with connections to India, and his stories showcase strong themes of cultural crossover. Set in 1890s India, Kim is a kung fu odyssey about the eponymous original child spy and his exploits — full of friendship, treachery and adventure. In the story, as external forces attempt to take control of colonial-era India, savvy street kid Kim becomes the apprentice of a Shaolin monk and an unlikely spy for the British Empire in an epic voyage of self-discovery.

    With a cast of many colourful characters — including Colonial British soldiers, treacherous villains and Maddy, another child spy — Kim is an exhilarating adventure full of kung fu action that also has important messages about peace and enlightenment at its heart.

    Award-winning director Ketan Mehta will direct the film. Mehta has directed many landmark historical films like Sardar Patel, Mangal Pandey, Mirch Masala and Maya Memsaab, and has previously received the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. Mehta, James V. Hart and Jake Hart have co-written the screenplay. James V. Hart’s previous credits include Steven Spielberg’s Hook, Francis Ford Coppola’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Robert Zemeckis’s Contact.

    “With Cannes Film Festival about to commence, we couldn’t be more pleased to announce our animated feature film version of the legendary text from none other than Rudyard Kipling. Adapting this timeless tale, much beloved around the globe, is a true honor,” said Anish Mehta, CEO of Cosmos-Maya. “With our co-production partner Piranha Bar, talented director Ketan Mehta, and acclaimed writer James V. Hart, we’re confident this will excite audiences all over the world. We’re looking forward to bringing more partners on board for this brilliant IP, and it’s fantastic that we’ll be able to have these conversations in person at the upcoming festival.”

    Dave Burke, CEO, Piranha Bar, commented,“We are thrilled to be involved with Cosmos-Maya in bringing Kipling’s final and most famous novel to the big screen. Creating the world of Lahore, Kimball O’Hara and the full ensemble of diverse characters has been an incredibly ambitious and successful undertaking for our teams in Ireland and Mumbai. We now set our sights on bringing Kipling’s visually striking and emotionally gripping story of Kim, the original child spy, to life.”

    Kim was originally published as a serial, beginning in 1901. The story has been adapted into live-action films featuring stars like Errol Flynn, Dean Stockwell, Peter O’Toole and Julian Glover, as well as an installment of NBC’s Shirley Temple’s Storybook in 1960. A 2D animated series produced by Italy’s Mondo TV & RAI was released in 2008.

    Founded by internationally acclaimed Indian filmmakers Ketan Mehta and Deepa Sahi, Cosmos-Maya produces high quality 2D and 3D animated content with a focus on creating kids’ IP. The studio is presently working on multiple Indian animation TV series with major broadcasters, including Motu Patlu, Selfie with Bajrangi, Titoo, Eena Meena Deeka and Dabangg. Cosmos-Maya presently has 18 shows on air and 10 in production, including four finished European co-production series and an international animation feature film, Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds. (cosmos-maya.com)

    Piranha Bar is both a production company and a full-service post facility. Its roster of directors and studio of animators, 3D genii, flame artists and production elves all share a passion for effective storytelling. Utilizing  live-action to animation, high-end VFX to origami (and lots in between), the studio is blazing its own production trail while its extensive facilities offer agency, TV broadcast & prodco clients post production services for long-form, short-form and cross platform content; high-end editing, finishing, motion graphics & cutting edge VFX. (piranhabar.ie)