Tippett Studio, founded by two-time Academy Award-winning artist, animator and filmmaker Phil Tippett (whose VFX work can be seen in legendary films such as Star Wars, Jurassic Park, RoboCop, Starship Troopers and many more) announced today they have expanded into Canada by opening their first satellite office in Toronto, which will be called Tippett Canada.
The operation will house a fully functioning post-production studio, and will be headed by Gary Mundell, President of Tippett Canada and current COO of the Tippett Studio. Tippett Canada will be servicing clients including Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Disney, Showtime, New Line and Legendary, including The Toxic Avenger.
Mundell, who was born in Canada, was promoted from Head of Production to Chief Operating Officer of Tippett Studio in January 2022. As Head of Production and Executive Producer on a range of projects, he has managed teams of over 200 people with budgets of up to USD $100 million.
“Now is the perfect time for us to establish a permanent presence in Canada, which has emerged as a critical hub for the design and development of high-end media,” said Sanjay Das, CEO of Tippett Studio. “Our new studio will serve our marquee clients and strengthen Tippett Studio’s position as one of the world’s leading creators of animation, VFX and location-based experiences.”
Commenting on the move, Mundell noted, “It was somewhat surprising to me that Tippett’s reputation in Canada was good! People want to work for us! The talent base in Toronto is high. I look forward to growing this team over the next few months.”
Gary Mundell, President of Tippett Canada & COO of Tippett Studio
Recent Tippett Studio projects include The Book of Boba Fett and The Mandalorian Season 2 on Disney+, Locke & Key Season 2 on Netflix, and Marvel Studio’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. The studio has recently moved into content production for themed entertainment and partnering with international brands in addition to their leading role as a post production houses.
Studio founder Phil Tippett is the visionary behind some of cinema’s most iconic characters such as Jabba the Hut and the Rancor Monster in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, the Tauntauns and Wampa in The Empire Strikes Back, the Raptor and T-Rex stop motion puppets in Jurassic Park and the ED-209 from RoboCop.
Tippett’s original feature film, Mad God, which will be released on Shudder in the U.S. on June 16, recently world premiered to rave reviews at the prestigious Locarno Film Festival and screened at Edinburgh International Film Festival, Fantasia Film Festival, Sitges Film Festival and many others. The experimental animated project has been 30 years in the making and showcases the visionary’s brilliant mind as it has evolved over the decades.
The company recently announced the promotion of Sanjay Das to CEO and Corey Rosen to EVP of Creative Development. They also rolled out a series of NFTs based on Tippett’s portfolio of artwork on his SuperRare profile page.
Tippett Canada is currently staffing artists in a variety of key creative and production roles including: Look Dev TDs, Environment Artists, Fur/Grooming Lead Artist, CG Supervisor, Lighting Lead, Compositors, Riggers, Texture Artists and FX Animators.
Next-generation content studio Magic Machine and award-winning animation production company Titmouse have secured prolific action writer and creator Derek Kolstad to create and develop the eight-episode (half-hour) series Forgotten Runes Wizard’s Cult, based on the highly successful NFT fantasy property. The studios announced the project in October, and premiered a trailer today.
Kolstad is the creator of the John Wick film franchise, penned the recent Bob Odenkirk breakout film Nobody, andwas a writer on Marvel’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. He is also behind the anime adaptation of Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell for Netflix and iswriting the upcoming Streets of Rage film, based on the classic SEGA video game.
Titmouse’s Chris Prynoski and Magic Machine’s @ElfJTrul, @Dotta and @BearSnake will serve as executive producers alongside Kolstad. Magic Machine’s non-traditional business model, which revolves around granting commercial rights to all of their NFT owners, allows the community to participate in a portion of the proceeds that are generated by the upcoming television series.
Derek Kolstad [photo: Shannon Cottrell]“Derek is the perfect writer to shepherd the Forgotten Runes Wizard’s Cult TV series,” said @ElfJTrul and @Dotta, co-creators of Forgotten Runes. “He is no stranger to world-building, and after our initial talks it was clear he truly understands the universe we are building. With Derek’s writing and the production talent at Titmouse, we are confident this first season of the show will translate to a massive global audience.”
Kolstad added, “I know a member of the Magic Machine team, as years ago we were developing an innovative sci-fi piece for VR. When we reconnected and he floated his newest endeavor, Forgotten Runes, I immediately said ‘I’m in!’ It’s amazing!”
Beyond the television series, Forgotten Runes Wizard’s Cult is in developing on a 10-issue comic-book series due out in July, an on-chain MMORPG launching this summer with Bisonic and investors including Ryan Zurrer and Alexis Ohanian, as well as an entire merchandise program set to roll in late 2022. It also received attention as one of the first four partners announced for Coinbase’s launch of its upcoming NFT marketplace platform.
Magic Machine points out that in the short time since its inception, the Forgotten Runes community (lovingly dubbed ‘the Cult’) has become one of the most committed and creative in the NFT space with art, stories, animation, music and a variety of creative content generated daily. The ‘Runiverse’s launch into the broader media space is bolstered by the founders’ strong backgrounds in storytelling, art and code.
The first Forgotten Runes character collection was composed of 10,000 unique Wizard NFTs — token holders not only own the Wizard’s image, but also the rights to develop that character’s lore and biography. (forgottenrunes.com)
Derek Kolstad is represented by APA, Circle of Confusion, and the law firm of Behr Abramson Levy Johnson.
Gurihiru (the Eisner Award-winning artist team behind Superman Smashes the Klan and the highly anticipated Ultraman: Another Gene) and Samuel Sattin (the acclaimed novelist and co-writer of Crunchyroll’s Essential Anime) are reinventing Osamu Tezuka’s beloved character Unico for a new generation of readers with an all-new 162 page manga, titled Unico: Awakening (ユニコ: 目覚めのおはなし).
Octas Inc.’s ambitious Kickstarter campaign for Unico: Awakening launched May 1, and fans can rest assured the book will be available soon in both English and Japanese, having quickly exceeded the project’s $50,ooo goal with 500+ backers. Rapidfire donations were fueled by beautiful reward items created by acclaimed artists.
Osamu Tezuka’s Unico is the charming story of a young unicorn who enrages the Greek Gods when he inspires humans with his hope and positivity. The Gods punish Unico by banishing him across space and time, until he forgets all he once was. Unico remains constantly on the move, transported from era to era, where he must escape the Gods again and again, only to have his memory erased anew. The only thing saving Unico from oblivion is the mysterious Spirit of the West Wind, who feels sorry for Unico and tries her best to protect him.
“Unico has the power to make a person happy when they are loved,” said Gurihiru. “I would like to share with others the kindness and strength of Unico, which will never change even as the times change.”
‘Unico Awakening’ (art by Gurihiru)
Unico: Awakening is inspired by Tezuka’s “The Cat on the Broomstick” storyline from the original 1974-76 manga. Gurihiru, who illustrated Avatar: The Last Airbender and It’s Jeff, and Sattin are working in careful coordination with Tezuka Productions in Japan to bring their new vision forward:
In this re-imagining, Unico befriends a stray cat named Chloe, and the two new friends aid an old woman who Chloe mistakes for a witch. When Chloe realizes Unico can do actual magic, she begs him to turn her into a human for a few moments of each day. Unico agrees — so long as Chloe doesn’t lose touch with her feline identity. When a dangerous man and the Goddess Venus set out to destroy Unico, the Spirit of the West Wind must search the ends of the universe for a way to end Unico’s eternal cycle of suffering.
‘Unico Awakening’ print by Tomm Moore
“It is our hope that, in modern times where the world can sometimes seem bleak, we can offer a tale of resilience in homage to the God of Manga’s original messaging of social welfare and eco-consciousness,” said Sattin.
The Kickstarter campaign offers a variety of amazing rewards, including rare 16 x 24 collectible prints by Akira Himekawa(The Legend of Zelda), Junko Mizuno (Ravina the Witch), Soo Lee(Ash & Thorn), Katie Longua (Rok), Peach Momoko(Demon Days) — who contributed three different prints, Kamome Shirahama(Witch Hat Atelier), tokitotokoro(For A Good Man) and Academy Award-nominated animatoin director Tomm Moore(Wolfwalkers).
‘Unico’ picture book
In addition, fans can collectUnico: Awakening Artifacts, a series of limited edition collectibles created by acclaimed American cartoonists, including:
A Unico picture book by Madeline Copp
A 4” X 6” fashion lookbook of Chloe the Cat by Rye Hickman(Moth & Whisper)
Postcard
A Felted Unico and Chloe postcard by Amber Padilla(The Secret Garden on 81st Street);
A Temperance Tarot card by Julia Reck
A 5” X 7” mini-comic by Steenz(Heart in the City)
Octas Inc. is also offering an array of exclusive rewards including a t-shirt featuring Junko Mizuno’s Unico design and original Gurihiru shikishi drawings.
Setting the stage for next month’s Licensing Expo 2022, Toei Animation Inc. together with U.S. agent Crunchyroll released the latest Dragon Ball franchise report— a comprehensive look at the success of their collective licensing efforts. Over the last 14 months, Toei and Crunchyroll executed a record high total of 37 license agreements (18 new licenses and 19 renewals).
The 18 new agreements will result in an exciting variety of merchandise for fans of Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super series as well as, for the first time ever, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, the new feature film scheduled for release this summer. New branded goods include apparel from Bioworld, Hypland and NTD, statues and games from Oniri Creations and Mattel, plushies from Youtooz, housewares from Just Funky, stationery from Trends International and Insight Editions, and gifts and novelties from Monogram International and Hallmark. Renewals for DB, DBZ, DBGT and DBS include Party City, FIGPIN Collect Awesome, Boston America, Uncanny Brands, Bioworld and Trends International.
Apparel and accessories were once again top categories for the franchise. While demand for mass market apparel continues to be strong, streetwear has now become the hot consumer apparel segment — a trend that began in 2018 with Primitive Skateboarding’s highly-successful “Primitive X Dragon Ball Z” collection and subsequent “Primitive X Dragon Ball Super” in early 2021. In December, DJ Steve Aoki’s Dim Mak followed with “Dim Mak X Dragon Ball Z,” a limited edition streetwear collection that included t-shirts, hoodies, bomber jackets, hats and tote bags. And now L.A.-based Hypland joins this list with a ground-breaking collection showcasing DB, DBZ and DBS: Super Hero and featuring a mix of apparel and merchandise, including t-shirts, hoodies, outwear, skateboards, tapestries and bags. In late 2021, FILA launched “Dragon Ball Super X FILA,” a limited footwear collection featuring seven character-inspired styles — a first for Dragon Ball Super and only the second footwear collection ever for the franchise.
JumpStart, the parent company of Neopets, will be proudly hosting a charity auction, debuting a 25-piece collection of Neopian art featuring characters from the beloved game. The auction will go live on GiveSmart on Monday, May 9, and will end on Sunday, May 15, 2022. The full collection from the Neopets private vault includes fine art paintings with luxe frames, large standees and high-quality special posters that have adorned the walls of JumpStart Games headquarters.
“The rich history and vibrant lore of Neopets over the past two decades has culminated in a collection of fine art pieces, posters, and standees from past conventions and events. While the Neopets team greatly treasure these beloved art pieces, we decided that we would part with a selection from our private vault to benefit charity,” said Michaela Thompson, Marketing Manager of Neopets. “Given the injustices, suffering, and inequity prevalent in the world’s current climate, we wanted to raise money for charities close to the hearts of both our team and our users, while simultaneously sharing this glimpse of iconic Neopets history with the fans. We will proudly distribute 100% of the auction’s proceeds to the selected charities, and we will continue to stand by our convictions to support those in need — which I think we can all agree is a core Neopian value.”
Black Is Beltza II: Ainhoa
Fermin Muguruza & Harkaitz Cano’s graphic novel about dsicrimination, race and radicalism gets a second adult animated feature extension in Black Is Beltza II: Ainhoa. This installment follows Ainhoa, the daughter of Manex and Amanda, and travels the global historical landscape of the 1980s, traversing Lebanon, Afghanistan, Algiers — and an insurgent Basque Country shaken by heroin. Directed by Muguruza, the sequel opens in theaters across Spain on September 30 through Barton Films.
Produced by Talka Records & Films, the film is also written by Muguruza with Cano and Isa Campo. LoturaFilms (Donostia, Spain) and Draftoon (Rosario, Argentina) again produced the animation, co-producing this time with Lagarto Films (Buenos Aires). Imanol Zinkunegi is the animation director and Beñat Beitia repeats as art director together with Marina Omedes and Karin de Kroo from the Nueveojos studio (Barcelona).
Mattel has launched a virtual Masters of the Universe experience, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: You Have the Power! on Roblox. The game invites Roblox players and MOTU fans alike into the world of Eternia, where they can compete in PvP battles as their favorite characters, inspired by the Netflix animated series He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.
Developed by Gamefam, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: You Have the Power! s a free-to-play RPG available through Roblox on Xbox One, PC & mobile for players of all ages. Players can join the fray as one of many Masters of the Universe, battling against their friends and other players in unique Eternian locales. They can also collect and upgrade additional Masters and their cosmetics, and explore Castle Grayskull to uncover its many mysteries.
My Love Affair with Marriage
Film Fund Luxembourg is touring the festival circuit with several high-profile animated co-pros. At Cannes, a special session will introduce Little Nicolas – Happy as Can Be (dir. Amandine Fredon & Benjamin Massoubre, Bidibul Prod.) while Signe Baumane’s My Love Affair with Marriage (Antevita Films) heads to Tribeca’s Narrative competition, where the XR episodic Missing Pictures (Clément Deneaux, Wild Fang Films) is up in the Immersive section. Little Nicolas and Love Affair are also screening in competition at Annecy.
Luxembourgish animation is also making the cinema rounds. European audiences can catch the Greek mythology adaptation Icarus from writer-director Carlo Vogele (Iris Prod.) and Ari Folman’s highly anticipated reimagined Holocaust tale Where Is Anne Frank (Samsa FIlms, Doghouse Films).
Icarus
Fans of Aang and co. can rejoice as Season 2 of hit podcast Avatar: Braving the Elements premieres today. From Nickelodeon and iHeartMedia, the official companion podcast for Avatar: The Last Airbender and Legend of Korra‘s second season (40 episodes) follows as hosts Janet Varney (the voice of Korra) and Dante Basco (the voice of Prince Zuko) move on to re-watch Book 2 of Avatar: The Last Airbender, which sees the introduction of beloved characters including Azula, Toph, Ty Lee and Mai.
Joining Varney and Basco this season as guests are Jack De Sena (the voice of Sokka), Grey DeLisle (the voice of Azula), Cricket Leigh (the voice of Mai) and James Sie (the voice of Cabbage Merchant). Original series creators and co-chief creative officers of Avatar Studios, Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko return to share how they felt when the original series was renewed for a second season. Additional guest stars will be announced in the coming months. Find it on iHeart or wherever you get your podcasts!
Paramount Pictures and director Jeff Fowler team up with Academy Award-winning VFX studio MPC to bring a fully CGI Sonic to life in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, which rolled into theaters this spring and became one of 2022’s biggest box office hits ($161 million in the U.S. & Canada, $323.7M worldwide as of May 1).
Picking up a year after the events of the first movie, the sequel finds Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) eager to prove that he has what it takes to be a true hero. His test comes under fire when Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) returns with a new partner, Knuckles (voiced by Idris Elba), in search of a mystical 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 sequel ramps up the explosive action with the arrival of Knuckles, voiced by Idris Elba.
MPC VFX supervisors Matt Jacobs and Etienne Daigle, alongside VFX producer Hayden White, led a global crew of 1,300 artists, creatives, technologists and support teams, to complete over 1,400 shots for the movie. MPC’s main areas of work revolved around Sonic himself, as well as the new characters Knuckles and Tails. The team also worked on a multitude of environments and explosive scenes, including a thrilling snowboard chase in the mountains of Siberia, Sonic and Knuckles’ epic (and destructive) fight scenes, mystical temple environments, a giant Death Egg Robot and a host of prop assets, including drones, Buzzbomb robots and spaceships.
‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’ features epic showdowns between Knuckles and Sonic, seen here in the digitally crafted Owl Temple.
Having worked on the first film, MPC had been well-acquainted with the Sonic universe and the design of the character himself. However, with the introduction of several new characters and expanded environments in this storyline, MPC’s challenge was to stay true to the canons of the game and what fans have come to love while building on a larger universe and story.
“Having come from an animation background himself, director Jeff Fowler was extremely passionate about the performance aspects of the work,” said Jacobs. “Eric Guaglione, MPC’s animation director on the show, did a great job taking Jeff’s direction and guiding the team of animators to craft the amazing performances — and blistering speeds — you see throughout the movie.”
New characters Tails and Knuckles had to match visual langauge of the CG Sonic.
Working in collaboration with the MPC Character Lab, the team was also tasked with the exciting prospect of bringing to life the well-known characters of Knuckles and Tails. Creating in the same animation design language as Sonic and utilizing learnings from the first movie, the team worked on an array of sequences and bespoke looks throughout the storyline, including FX-heavy explosive battles.
Another significant challenge for the team was in crafting the giant Death Egg Robot towards the end of the movie. Here, Dr. Robotnik uses his powers to destroy his surrounding environment to create a giant robot resembling himself and attack Sonic. Working again in collaboration with MPC’s Character Lab, the team referenced the original video-game designs as a base, but stylized and animated to function in real-world photography.
The MPC team created Dr. Robotnik’s enormous Death Egg Robot as well as the fuzzier characters.
“As iconic as the characters were in the movie, the team was parallelly superpowered with artists heavily ideating on how to craft multiple environments and FX,” said Jacobs, noting that the Owl Temple and Emerald Chamber were two of the most exciting challenges for the team. “Our Environments team had several huge tasks on their hands, but these were the two environments that relied most heavily on taking concept art and turning it into our sets. There was less to draw on from direct scans and photographs, so these were much more of an empirical approach to the creative challenge.”
The Technicolor Creative Studio network of studios has been a proactive partner for the films, with additional marketing materials for the iconic franchise being delivered by advertising VFX studio The Mill, who teamed up with McDonald’s to advertise Sonic the Hedgehog-themed happy meals.
The CG characters had to stay true to their original game designs, while blending with live-action environmenets and co-stars, like James Marsden (right).
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 raced to the top of the box office charts, scoring the biggest weekend opening ever for a video-game film adaptation. “The MPC team globally did a fantastic job of rising to the occasion to complete some incredible VFX, especially having worked amidst a global pandemic,” Jacobs beamed. “We’re so proud to see our hard work on the big screen.”
Fans can look forward to even more action-packed adventures with the Blue Blur, as SEGA and Paramount have confirmed Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is in the works, as well as a spin-off series featuring Knuckles (with Elba set to reprise the roll) punching up the Paramount+ lineup in 2023.
Moving Picture Company (MPC) is a global creative studio with a single goal, to make any vision a reality. With decades of storytelling experience, MPC pushes the limits of what is technologically and artistically possible to tell visually stunning stories. MPC continues to lead in an ever-evolving industry, building authentic and long-lasting connections with audiences across all channels.
Disney-Pixar’s supersized, super cute, super awkward coming-of-age rampage Turning Red has arrived on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD today! To celebrate, here’s a sneak peek at one of the super fun bonus features.
Exclusive to the Blu-ray release, fans can discover an alternate ending in which Mei (voiced in the movie by Rosalie Chiang) finds herself sitting next to her 4*TOWN dream-idol Robaire (Jordan Fisher) on a flight to California and has… some… feelings.
Directed by Domee Shi (Bao), Turning Red is now available on disc and digital formats nationwide. Details of the home release and all the poof-worthy bonus features can be found in our previous coverage here.
“Robutton” Deleted Scene images:
All images courtesy of Pixar Animation Studios / Walt Disney Studios
In the newly unleashed trailer for Warner Bros. Pictures’ summer caped-caper, DC League of Super-Pets, fans are introduced into the daily life of spoiled super-dog Krypto (Dwayne Johnson) — just before things get a lot more complicated.
John Krasinski voices Superman in ‘DC League of Super-Pets’
When Clark Kent/Superman (John Krasinski) is cornered by a nefarious, kryptonite-wielding rodent (voiced by Kate McKinnon), it sets off a chain of events that will see Krypto stuck with a pack of accidentally suped-up shelter animals, on a mission to save the Justice League!
WB also released new images tied to the action-comedy trailer to tide fans over until the film hits theaters in July..
Synopsis: Krypto the Super-Dog (Johnson) and Superman (Krasinski) are inseparable best friends, sharing the same superpowers and fighting crime in Metropolis side by side. When Superman and the rest of the Justice League are kidnapped, Krypto must convince a rag-tag shelter pack — Ace the hound (Kevin Hart), PB the potbellied pig (Vanessa Bayer), Merton the turtle (Natasha Lyonne) and Chip the squirrel (Diego Luna) — to master their own newfound powers and help him rescue the Super Heroes.
The pint-sized supervillain Lulu (voiced by Kate McKinnon) appears in the new trailer for ‘DC League of Super-Pets’
LEGO movie veteran writer/consultant Jared Stern makes his animated feature directing debut on the film, which also stars Marc Maron, Thomas Middleditch, Ben Schwartz and Keanu Reeves.
Stern’s creative team includes production designer Kim Taylor (The LEGO Ninjago Movie) and editors David Egan (Game Night, Vacation) and Jhoanne Reyes (Teen Titans GO!, Young Justice). The music is by Steve Jablonsky (the Transformers films). Stern wrote the screenplay with frequent collaborator John Whittington, based on characters from DC, Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.
DC League of Super-Pets
The film is produced by Patricia Hicks, Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia and Jared Stern. The executive producers are John Requa, Glenn Ficarra, Nicholas Stoller, Allison Abbate, Chris Leahy, Sharon Taylor and Courtenay Valenti. Warner Bros. Pictures Presents A Seven Bucks Production.
DC League of Super-Petswill be released by Warner Bros. Pictures in theaters internationally beginning July 27 and in North America on July 29.
With some welcome positive news from Netflix’s kids’ toon division, VP Animation Series John Derderian shared in a blog post this morning a new sizzle reel, offering a sneak peek at upcoming season and series premieres! (Read on to check out the new footage, fresh out the toon oven.)
Derdarian noted that the lineup mixes thrilling action, breaktaking adventure and plenty of laughs with familiar characters. “Netflix is the home of your favorite characters,” wrote the veep. “Our kids’ animated series can excite imaginations, stir emotions and make spirits soar.”
The streamer has announced returning faves, including a new interactive special Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous: Hidden Adventure — which should help fans bid the campers goodbye as the final season debuts in July — new episodes of The Cuphead Show!, Sharkdog and He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. The sizzler also offers first-look footage from:
Daniel Spellbound
Daniel Spellbound (20 x 22′), created by Matt Fernandes (Dino Ranch); produced with Boat Rocker Studio and Industrial Brothers.
Synopsis: In modern-day New York City, magic is real… it’s just hidden from the public by sleight of hand and misdirection. But Daniel Spellbound knows where to find it – as a tracker of magical ingredients he makes his living selling rare goods to sorcerers and wizards for their spells. But when he discovers a strange ingredient, Daniel catches the attention of dangerous alchemists and he suddenly must test his skills on an adventure around the globe, while the magical world hangs in the balance!
Dead End: Paranormal Park
Dead End: Paranormal Park(previously titled DeadEndia), based on the graphic novels by Hamish Steele and the web short Dead End, produced at Blink Industries London.
Synopsis: The series follows 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!
‘Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous’ Season 5
Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous Season 5 (Final Season, July 21), the Annie Award-winning Netflix/DreamWorks Animation/Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment series based on the blockbuster Jurassic World film franchise; Scott Kreamer and Aaron Hammersley (Kung Fu Panda; Legends of Awesomeness) are EPs/showrunners; Zack Stentz developed the series.
Synopsis: In Season 5, the arrival of Kenji’s father, Mr. Kon, renews hope of a rescue for the campers. But as the nefarious plans of Mantah Corp. come into focus and one of the Camp Fam turns on their own, the others must band together if they want to save the dinosaurs and ever make it home.
Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous: Hidden Adventure(Interactive Special) finds the campers, desperate for food, working together to find a hidden stockpile. They must risk everything to uncover clues in search of its location, ultimately exposing previously unknown secrets of Isla Nublar.
Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight
Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight, based on the hit franchise from DreamWorks Animation and once again starring Jack Black as the voice of Po. (Read all about the show in the upcoming June/July issue of Animation Magazine! Subscribe today.)
Synopsis: hen 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.
My Dad the Bounty Hunter
My Dad the Bounty Hunter, created by Oscar-winning director Everett Downing (Hair Love) and Patrick Harpin (story artist, Hotel Transylvania 3), production services by Dwarf Animation Studios.
Synopsis: The action-comedy series follows the toughest bounty hunter in all the galaxy, a man with razor sharp skills but also a secret — his family on Earth has no idea what he does for a living. So when his two kids accidentally hitch a ride into outer space and crash his latest mission, they discover that their average Dad’s job is anything but boring. Dodging dangerous aliens and laser fights galore, this family bonding time goes to the extreme. Wait until Mom finds out…
Sonic Prime
Sonic Prime (24 eps.), produced with SEGA of America and WildBrain, with Man of Action Entertainment (Ben 10, Big Hero 6) as showrunners and executive producers.
Synopsis: Aimed at kids, families, and long-time fans draws upon the keystones of the brand and features the “Blue Blur” of video game fame in a high-octane adventure where the fate of a strange new multiverse rests in his gloved hands. Sonic’s adventure is about more than a race to save the universe, it’s a journey of self-discovery and redemption.
We Lost Our Human
We Lost Our Human (Interactive Special), created by Rikke Asbjoern and Chris Garbutt (Pinky Malinky), voice starring Ben Schwartz and Ayo Edebiri.
Synopsis: Experience the story from the perspective of self-involved cat Pud or loving, hyperactive dog Ham, as they wake up one day to find that their human (and all humans) have disappeared from Earth! Desperate to find their owner, these two homebound pets venture out into the world for the first time to discover strange mysteries, meet bizarre creatures and maybe — with the audience’s help — save the universe along the way!
“These new series and new seasons build on the success of our kids animated series. Cocomelon, The Cuphead Show!, Gabby’s Dollhouse, Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous and Sharkdog have all appeared more than once on Netflix’s Top 10 weekly global list of the most popular titles across 190 countries,” added Derderian.
McDonald’s U.S.A. has joined forces with WEBTOON, the world’s largest digital comics platform, to shine a light on Asian Pacific American (APA) voices through a weekly comic series called “Drawing on Heritage.” Set in the digital comic-book world, four popular APA WEBTOON artists bring to life their powerful and intimate experiences through creative stories that celebrate and acknowledge the diverse community for APA Heritage Month (May).
“It means so much to tell my story knowing people might relate to my own Asian American experience — especially on such a widely read platform like WEBTOON,” said artist Chelsey Han, a.k.a. uru-chan on WEBTOON. “And I’m thankful to work with McDonald’s, a brand that is enjoyed by people in many cultures. As a Chinese-American, navigating two cultures wasn’t always easy, but I’m so proud of where I came from because it made me who I am today.”
Throughout the “Drawing on Heritage” series, uru-chan and fellow artists instantmiso, Kris Nguyen and Quimchee, share personal stories tied to their cultural identities, including ways to keep in touch with family abroad, experiencing a “lunchbox moment” when classmates reacted to traditional Asian school lunches, and even the role McDonald’s played in their own upbringing.
“APA Heritage Month is an opportunity for WEBTOON to uplift our many APA creators and their heritage stories that together help make up our broader community,” said David Lee, Vice President of Content for WEBTOON. “McDonald’s is a brand that so many cultures share in common and one that often shows up organically in series on WEBTOON and in anime — and we are honored to partner with them to spotlight these stories of creativity, joy, and resilience that will inspire audiences around the world.”
Fans can read about some of the most pivotal moments in these artists’ journeys every Sunday at 4 p.m. EST through May 22, on the WEBTOON platform:
Available now– instantmiso (Eaternal Nocturnal and Siren’s Lament creator) gives us background into how her love for food and connection to her Filipina heritage, all started with her grandma.
Sunday, May 8 – uru-chan (unOrdinary creator) will express the difficulties of growing up between two cultures — something many APA youth can relate to.
Sunday, May 15 –Kris Nguyen (Cape of Spirits creator) uses familiar characters from their original series to tell a story of friendship, fandom and growing up.
Sunday, May 22 –Quimchee (I Love Yoo creator) will take you on a journey around the world and dig into the sacrifices of people from immigrant families.
“We are proud to partner with WEBTOON to be a megaphone that is helping educate people about the APA experience,” said Veronica Thompson, McDonald’s Director of Multicultural Strategy. “This Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and every day, we’re honored to help celebrate this community and their many passions through partnerships like this, and more.”
To cap off 2021, McDonald’s made its first foray into the metaverse by teaming up with popular APA gaming collective, OfflineTV, to co-create an exclusive metaverse pop-up experience for fans around the world that were unable to attend the in-person Los Angeles pop-up. And earlier this year, McDonald’s collaborated with fashion trailblazer Humberto Leon to create a virtual zodiac art collection for Lunar New Year. Through these innovative initiatives, McDonald’s is leaning into technology to feed and foster the APA communities it serves.
And at the end of APA Heritage month, McDonald’s will commemorate historic APA figures through illustrative artworks to be featured at the 626 Night Market in San Francisco, which runs from May 27-29, to further highlight and celebrate the contributions and influence of the APA community.
To channel your “main character energy” and share your APA heritage stories, use #DrawingOnHeritage on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook through May 31.
A rollicking, exuberant ode to the power of the movies, the critically acclaimed animated feature Pompo the Cinephile will make its home entertainment debut on digital platforms June 28 and as a Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack on July 12 from GKIDS, distributed from Shout! Factory, with numerous bonus features! Pre-order now at ShoutFactory.com or GKIDS.com.
Bonus Features:
Audio Commentary by the Director and Crew
Feature-length storyboards
Character design gallery
Trailers and spots
Based on the popular manga series by Shogo Sugitani, Pompo the Cinephile made its North American premiere at Fantasia (nominated for the Satoshi Kon Award) and screened at Sitge, Sydney and Animation Is Film before being nominated for Best Independent Feature at the 49th Annual Annie Awards.
Synopsis: Pompo is a talented and gutsy producer in “Nyallywood,” the movie-making capital of the world. Although she’s known for B-movies, one day Pompo tells her movie-loving but apprehensive assistant Gene that he will direct her next script: a delicate drama about an aging and tormented creative genius, starring the legendary and Brando-esque actor Martin Braddock, and a young actress seeking her first break. But when the production heads towards chaos, can Gene rise to Pompo’s challenge, and succeed as a first-time director?
Tickets are on sale now for screenings of Hayao Miyazaki’s cherished feature Ponyo, the second film in the lineup for Studio Ghibli Fest 2022 — GKIDS and Fathom Events proudly continue their collaboration this year to deliver a slate of seven timeless animated classics from the legendary Studio Ghibli to U.S. cinemas.
The film will be shown in both original Japanese and English dubbed versions. In addition to the full feature, audiences will get to view an all-new selection of exclusive footage from the 2005 documentary Hayao Miyazaki and the Ghibli Museum, available to view for the first time outside of Japan.
Tickets for Ponyo and the rest of Ghibli Fest 2022 can be purchased online by visiting GhibliFest.com, FathomEvents.com, or at participating theater box offices (subject to change).
Ponyo screenings:
Sunday, May 15 – 3 p.m. Local Time (English Dubbed)
Monday, May 16 – 7 p.m. Local Time (Japanese with Subtitles)
Wednesday, May 18 – 7 p.m. Local Time (English Dubbed)
Tickets are also on sale for fan preview events for Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko, the latest feature from lauded Studio 4°C (Children of the Sea, Tekkonkinkreet, Mind Game, MFKZ), and esteemed director Ayumu Watanabe (Children of the Sea). Presented by GKIDS in partnership with Fathom Events, the engagement will run at cinemas nationwide on Thursday, June 2, followed by a limited theatrical release by GKIDS starting June 3.
Exclusive to the Fathom Events screenings, on addition to the full feature, audiences will see an introduction to the film by Watanabe and creative producer Sanma Akashiya, as well as the theatrical debut of GKIDS’ latest acquisition, the all new anime short series Deji Meets Girl, from director Ushio Tazawa.
Tickets available at FathomEvents.com, NikukoMovie.com and participating theater box offices (subject to change); on-sale date may vary based on location, so check back often.
Synopsis: Brash single mother Nikuko is well-known for her bold spirit, much to the embarrassment of Kikuko, her pensive yet imaginative daughter. In contrast to her mother, Kikuko wants nothing more than to fit in as she navigates the everyday social dramas of middle school. Life in the harbor is peaceful until a shocking revelation from the past threatens to uproot the pair’s tender relationship.
Strategic Heights Media (startegicheights.com) has been named the public relations agency of record for veteran animation producer, showrunner and writer, Carl Jones (@iamcarljones). Through his studio, Martian Blueberry (co-founded with Love Barnett), Jones develops content with a primary focus on animation. The company represents a collective of progressive minds, with innovative ideas and talent, that reach far beyond the boundaries of tradition. Strategic Heights Media will manage overall publicity efforts and media strategy for Jones and the studio.
Over the past decade, Jones has made a name in cutting-edge animated comedy, serving as co-exec producer on Adult Swim’s The Boondocks, the first Cartoon Network program to win a Peabody Award and be nominated for a NAACP Image Award, and as EP/head writer of Black Dynamite. Recently, he served as an EP on the animated reboot of Good Times for Netflix (Fuzzy Door/ACT III) and Young Love, based on the Oscar-winning short Hair Love, from HBO Max and Sony. Jones’ animation credits also include Freaknik: The Musical (co-creator), Legends of Chamberlain Heights (producer/writer) and The Jellies!
Serving a variety of entertainment endeavors including advertising, episodic TV, films, Web3, and music videos, Martian Blueberry recently announced the upcoming release of their highly-anticipated NFT, Bubblegoose Ballers, with Web3 native creative technology and entertainment studio Wagmi Beach.
Erik Bernard
Director Erik Bernard and screenwriter, director, comic-book creator and actor/voice actor Kevin Grevioux, from the Underworld franchise, are teaming up to form Origin Filmworks in a move backed by Bondit Media Capital. The creative tandem will be producing high-quality, low-budget genre films in a niche market that will extend to comics, television, video games and beyond. The banner will also launch with a debut NFT collection at Cannes Film Festival via Kármán Line Studios.
“Kevin is a creative genius that I am very excited to work with and learn from him,” said Bernard, who wrote and directed the upcoming film Free Dead or Alive. “I’ve been a fan [of Grevioux’s work] since Underworld. We both bring different expertise to genre projects.”
Kevin Grevioux
“Bernard is a rare combination of creative talent and business acumen who really has a keen eye for good projects and an intense love of genre,” said Grevioux. “He knows how to get things done.”
Besides writing the original screenplay for Underworld, Grevioux’s writing credits include 2014’s I, Frankenstein and his directorial debut, the upcoming action/thriller King of Killers. Grevioux also has penned comics and animation for his own Darkstorm Comics, as well as the industry powerhouses Marvel and DC Comics. His animation VO credits include Young Justice, The Batman and Cannon Busters. Grevioux is repped by Brent Johnson of One Entertainment. Bernard is represented by Espada PR & Entertainment & Rebel 6 Films.
Laléh Chloé Sahraï
Superprod Group (superprod.net) has appointed Laléh Chloé Sahraï as Head of Recruitment & Talent Development, following the rapid organic growth of the group’s studios in Paris, Angoulême and Milan, which now employ nearly 600 people in total. Superprod is currently in production on seven series and two feature films, both animation and live action, and will be attending the MIFA market at Annecy 2022 for its next recruitment campaign.
With several years of experience in the digital and animation production sectors (BUF, Illumination Mac Guff), Sahraï held many leadership roles before turning to recruitment in 2020. In the new post, her mission is to strengthen the studio’s relationships with various animation, art and graphic design schools, foster loyalty among the group’s talent, and support talent in their career development. “The animation sector is highly competitive, so it is essential to recruit and retain the best talents in order to produce further creative and ambitious projects,” Sahraï noted.
Under the leadership of Human Resources Director Nicolas Gressent, Superprod’s HR team intends to consolidate the group’s network through various tools and training programs, including a initiatives to develop talents and managers; technical & linguistic courses; conferences/campaigns on issues such as diversity & inclusion and mental health; and a new recruitment platform plus HRIS software for better long-term support.
Nice Shoes (niceshoes.com) has promoted Jason Farber and Beth Fitzpatrick to Executive Producers, after serving as Co-Heads of Production, during which time they demonstrated outstanding talent and worked collaboratively to unify the team, driving a cohesive advertising offering. As EPs, the duo will work to elevate the studio’s end-to-end services through their respective departments, continuing to forge strong relationships with colleagues and clients alike.
Jason Farber
Over his 16-year tenure at Nice Shoes, Jason Farber has been involved in a number of full scope projects that underscore his suitability to the role of EP, overseeing color, beauty, VFX compositing and CG. He has also been a part of the studio’s evolving relationship with major automotive companies, with remits spanning versioning, color, CG and cleanup responsibilities. In his new role as Executive Producer of Color and Finishing, Farber will heighten his focus on providing a first-class experience for all Nice Shoes clients. He will also be working more directly with talent to help showcase their skills and develop their careers.
Beth Fitzpatrick
Beth Fitzpatrick has acquired a comprehensive knowledge of the workings of Nice Shoes, having collaborated with the studio as both a member of the team and as a client at Homestead, Cut and Run, Final Cut, Prodigious and Harbor Picture Company. By the time she joined Nice Shoes in early 2021, she had over 20 years of experience in commercial and short-form post-production, including offline, 2D, 3D, video finishing, and audio finishing. Fitzpatrick has honed her talents working with some of the industry’s top agencies, brands and talent on iconic creative work, such as Gillette’s 2021 NFL spot, featuring a Deion Sanders deepfake created using AI video technology. Fitzpatrick will now lead Nice Shoes teams As Executive Producer of2D Animation & Editorial.
Award-winning creative company The-Artery (the-artery.com) has added two VFX and tech innovators to its growing roster. The appointments feed into the studio’s growth as it amplifies its feature film VFX work, fostering relationships with major studios like Paramount and Warner Bros., as well as collaborating with streaming players Netflix and Amazon Studios.
Elad Offer
Elad Offer has been named Executive Creative Director/Head of 2D, bringing over 20 years’ experience as a VFX supervisor, producer and Flame artist. Leveraging his passion for technology and background in visual storytelling, Offer has created content for brands like Apple and Microsoft, working at agencies and VFX houses The Mill, Method / Company 3 and Framestore. Offer has also worked on Hollywood feature films including Pearl Harbor, Moulin Rouge and Get Smart, as well as music videos for Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Missy Elliot, Britney Spear, and as part of the MTV Video Music Award-winning team for Outkast’s “Hey Ya.”
Yuval Levy
Yuval Levy, The-Artery’s newly appointed VFX Supervisor / Director, NYC, boasts two decades of VFX experience, spending half that period moving up the ranks at Gravity New York (formerly RhinoFX) from CG Supervisor/Head of CG to VFX/Digital Supervisor and Creative Director. Along the way, he lent his talents to hit movies such as The Adjustment Bureau, The Other Guys and Crazy Stupid Love. On the advertising side, Levy made his mark with the well-known, long-running Ford F-150 campaign – which he designed, directed and supervised for the Ford Motor Company – alongside work for BMW, Mercedes and Coca-Cola. He also spent five years in Toronto, supervising commercials and documentary films for National Geographic and The History Channel. Levy has also collaborated with artist Clifford Ross on The Digital Wave and other experimental/experiential projects.
Charlotte Quintanar [ph.courtesy Erin Saldana], Juliette Béchu (top), Fatimah Abdullah (bottom), David Grindle
More Exec Moves & Artist Honorees:
Superights (Superprod Group) welcomes Juliette Béchu as Sales Manager & Acquisitions, covering Asia, Australia and New Zealand from the Paris office. She reports to Deputy GM Nathalie Pinguet.
Fatimah Abdullah (Series Producer and animation enthusiast at 9 Story Media Group) has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Atlanta Film Society, organizers of the Atlanta Film Festival + Creative COnference.
The Orange County Registerannounced the film/animation winners for its Orange County Artist of the Year 2022 high school competition, naming St. Margaret’s Episocopal School junior Charlotte Quintanar the finalist in animation & VFX; her explanatory videos are already used by NASA as resources for young students and teachers!
David Grindle has been appointed the next Executive Director of SMPTE; he is set to join the media & tech org at the conclusion of his 12-year tenure as exec director of the U.S. Institute for Theatre Technology.
Attendees are in for a truly triumphant return to a fully-live edition at the 2022 Annecy Festival. At today’s press conference held at the CNC, festival director Mickaël Marin, and artistic director Marcel Jean presented highlights of the 46th edition to be held from June 13-18 and announced the Official Selection of feature films.
“I’d like to remind you of the state of mind in which we have worked these past few months. I know we all had our hearts set on meeting again fully, totally, on reconnecting with the soul of this festival composed of encounters and sharing, to once again spark that movie theater throb,” said Marin. “We imagined this year’s festival as a fireworks of creativity and diversity in order to display the vibrant power of a cinema that we are so proud to serve.”
Jean added, “The Festival’s 2022 selection is diversified and surprising. It bears witness to the vitality of animation and to the outstanding development of worldwide production over the course of the past few years. The qualities and quantities are such that one feels almost cramped for space in the world’s largest animation festival!”
Tough decisions were made to narrow down the roughly 100 feature films submitted for consideration; at last, Jean and his committee selected 10 titles for the Feature Films in Competition program (in alphabetical order):
Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman
Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman by Pierre Foldes
Miyu Productions, Cinéma Defacto (Canada, France, Luxembourg)
“This may very well be the most eagerly-awaited animation feature of the year! Adapted freely from several of Haruki Murakami’s short stories, the film is highly unique, its structure honoring the traits of the novellas which inspired the filmmaker.” — Marcel Jean
Charlotte
Charlotte by Eric Warin & Tahir Rana
January Films, Walking the Dog, Les Productions Balthazar (Belgium, Canada, France)
“The all too short life of the German-Jewish painter Charlotte Salomon, who died at 26 in Auschwitz, is portrayed in this gripping movie which explores an outstanding artistic temperament swept up in the whirlwinds of History.”
Goodbye, DonGlees!
Goodbye, DonGlees! by Atsuko Ishizuka
Kadokawa Pictures (Japan)
“Goodbye DonGlees! released in Japan in February is both a story of friendship and of rite of passage. Funny, moving, close to nature, a film which will delight anime fans.”
The House of the Lost on the Cape
The House of the Lost on the Cape (Misaki no Mayoiga) by Shinya Kawatsura
DAVID Production (Japan)
“A meticulous adaptation of Kashiwaba’s novel, this feature film rekindles memories of the tragic 2011 earthquake and ensuing tsunami. Although the make-up of this film’s first few minutes may appear relatively conventional, the rest is definitely full of surprises with segments of it on the cusp of experimental.”
The Island
The Island by Anca Damian
Aparte Film (Romania, France, Belgium)
“Using her unique and always surprising style, Anca Damian, winner of the 2012 Feature Film Cristal, freely revisits the myth of Robinson Crusoe, treating viewers with a dive into her baroque realm.”
Little Nicholas – Happy as Can Be
Little Nicholas – Happy as Can Be by Amandine Fredon & Benjamin Massoubre
Bibidul Productions, Onyx Films (France, Luxembourg)
“Using animation to redraw Sempé’s strokes and add color to the artist’s drawings was certainly a great challenge. A challenge taken up by a talented team that never took the easy way out and that ensures we feel right at home with Goscinny’s verve and Sempé’s agility. A major popular movie which — we do trust — will easily bridge the generation gap!”
No Dogs or Italians Allowed
No Dogs or Italians Allowed by Alain Ughetto
Les Films du Tambour de Soie (France, Italy)
“Jasmine was the revelation of the 2013 Annecy Festival. Now, nearly 10 years later, Alain Ughetto is back with a film that again draws deeply from autobiography, a film in which the narrative device is once again built on representation of the film’s production resources. Annecy Festival is thrilled to renew its acquaintance with this too-rare auteur.”
My Love Affair with Marriage
My Love Affair with Marriage by Signe Baumane
The Marriage Project, Locomotive Production, Antevita Films (U.S.A., Latvia, Luxembourg)
“One of the great forces of contemporary feminist animation, here Signe Baumane offers us a second feature film pursuing an approach that’s both unique and consistent. It is equally intimate and drole, without forgetting the joy brought us by the songs interspersed throughout the story.”
Nayola
Nayola by José Miguel Ribeiro
Praça Filmes (Portugal, Belgium, Netherlands, France)
“Political and social, José Miguel Ribeiro delves into Angolan history to relate the fate of three women from the same family, a tribute to the struggle of brave Angolan women whose lives are imprinted with the violence of history. This is a highly successful passage from short formats to feature film by a reputed short filmmaker.”
Unicorn Wars
Unicorn Wars by Alberto Vazquez
Abano Producións, Uniko Estudio Creativo, Autour de Minuit, Schmuby Productions (Spain, France)
“Prolific and gifted, the Spaniard Alberto Vazquez favors us with his second feature film, so striking with its visual opulence, its generous staging and its originality. A pleasure not only for the eyes but for the spirit as well!”
There are also 10 films competing in the Contrechamp category:
Aurora’s Sunrise
Aurora’s Sunrise by Inna Sahakyan
Gebrüder Beetz Filmproduktion, Bars Media, Artbox Laisvalaikio Klubas, VS! (Germany, Armenia, Lithuania)
“In this animated documentary so impeccably directed by Inna Sahakyan, Aurora Mardiganian, star of silent movies, comes back to life to tell the story of the genocide she survived. This is a work which draws its breath from the winds of history.” — Marcel Jean
Chun Tae-il: A Flame That Lives On
Chun Tae-il: A Flame That Lives On (Tae-il-i) by Jun-pyo Hong
Myung Films (South Korea)
“This is a film that sweeps us into the heart of the Seoul tailors’ labor struggles. Of classic composition, this moving social drama is sourced in the true story of one of the labor movement’s most emblematic figures.”
Dozens of Norths
Dozens of Norths (Ikuta no Kita) by Koji Yamamura
Yamamura Animation, Miyu Productions (France, Japan)
“A regular of the Festival, Koji Yamamura brings us a contemplative and enigmatic first feature which builds languid fascination while his neat graphics unfold subtly. Definitely a film to discover.”
Home Is Somewhere Else
Home Is Somewhere Else by Carlos Hagerman & Jorge Villalobos
Brinca Animation Studio, Shina Global (U.S.A., Mexico)
“Another animated documentary here focused on the fates and dreams of young Mexicans migrating to the U.S. Three stories with as many graphic and technical styles, a film of burning topicality.”
Khamsa – The Well of Oblivion
Khamsa – The Well of Oblivion by Khaled Chiheb
D-CLIK (Algeria)
“What bliss to welcome an Algerian feature film to this competition for the very first time! Leisurely, contemplative and almost esoteric, Khamsa reminds us of Laloux at times and of Laguionie’s Gwen and others… In the end, the result is eminently personal and promises beautiful tomorrows for North African animation.”
My Grandfather’s Demons
My Grandfather’s Demonsby Nuno Beato
Sardinha Em Lata, Marmitafilms, Caretos Film (Spain, France, Portugal)
“A real swoop down into the family novel, My Grandfather’s Demons surprises by its transition from one technique to the next, as well as by the density of its discourse on roots and the impact of the latter on our social relationships.”
The Other Shape
The Other Shape (La otra forma) by Diego Guzman
Hierro Animación, Smith & Smith (Colombia)
“This year, the honor of representing South America in the Contrechamp category goes to Colombian Diego Guzman. He offers us a dialogue-free futuristic film, an intriguing trip through a hallucinatory world.”
Silver Bird and Rainbow Fish
Silver Bird and Rainbow Fish by Lei Lei
C Ray Studio, Chinese Shadows (U.S.A., Netherlands)
“The Chinese artist Lei Lei is back, with this teeming feature where he explores his family past, creating a kind of huge surrealistic collage dotted with pop art references. First shown in Rotterdam, Silver Bird and Rainbow Fish is one of the most singular objects of the 2022 Annecy selection.”
Quantum Cowboys
Quantum Cowboys by Geoff Marslett
Fit Via Vi (U.S.A.)
“Now, here is a very strange Western in which the director uses rotoscoping and adds elements of time travel. An eye-opener for the selection committee and a film we want to share today with festival-goers.”
Yaya e Lennie – The Walking Liberty
Yaya e Lennie – The Walking Liberty by Alessandro Rak
Mad Entertainment S.p.A. (Italy)
“For his third representation in Annecy competition, the Italian Alessandro Rak is back with a lighthearted film, an ecological sci-fi fable. At times Yaya e Lennie seems as if it is transposing Of Mice and Men into a post-apocalyptic scene.”
Minions: The Rise of Gru
Of course, visitors to Annecy will also be treated to the latest Despicable installment of Illumination’s mega-hit franchise with Minions: The Rise of Gru as the festival’s opening film. Marin and Jean also revealed more exclusive first-looks and big screen treats in the Screening Events program, including:
The first footage from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One), directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson
The first footage from Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, directed by Joel Crawford of DreamWorks
The first footage from Ernest and Celestine, a Trip to Gibberitia, directed by Jean-Christophe Roger and Julien Chheng of Studio Folivar
The feature film My Father’s Secrets by Véra Belmont
Walt Disney Animation Studios presents a look ahead at Strange World, plus the studio’s Chief Creative Officer and Oscar-winning director/writer of Frozen & Frozen 2, Jennifer Lee, will receive Annecy’s Honorary Cristal Award
Special screening of Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear, with director Angus MacLane and producer Galyn Susman in person
Special screening of The Sea Beast, directed by Chris Williams and produced by Netflix Animation.
Plus, festival-goers will discover tomorrow’s next big animation sensation with sneak peeks from 15 projects currently taking shape in the WIP program; including eight feature films, three series, three XR experiences and one short film.
Learn more and register to attend the Annecy Festival 2022 (June 13-18) at annecy.org. Attending the show? Be sure to pick up our extra-special 35h Anniversary Issue of Animation Magazine!
Production workers at award-winning production house ShadowMachine have unionized to join The Animation Guild, IATSE Local 839 (TAG), and begin collective bargaining for their first agreement.
Katerina Agretelis, a retakes coordinator at the studio, commented, “There have been times where I felt that I’d have to leave this industry because of the way production workers in particular are undervalued. It’s time to make a change and join forces with the artists at TAG to work towards a more sustainable animation industry!”
According to TAG Organizer Ben Speight, this is the fifth organizing victory for TAG in the last five months, beginning with the historic announcement in early January, when animation workers at Titmouse New York studios overwhelmingly voted to join The Animation Guild — the first time animation workers and production staff in New York have been represented by a union in more than three decades.
The ShadowMachine bargaining unit of 37 production workers includes the following titles: production manager, post-production supervisor, writer’s assistant, production assistant and coordinator.
“Production and artists must stand on equal ground to successfully make a show and to create an inviting studio culture that encourages all the people involved to want to return and do it again,” said Melissa Lam, design coordinator. “I voted ‘yes’ for recognition, appreciation and respect for production workers, because I know that it will benefit the future of the animation industry as a whole.”
Subject to an independent verification of the authorization cards, ShadowMachine will voluntarily recognize The Animation Guild, Local 839 as the exclusive bargaining representative of the group.
“By ShadowMachine recognizing our union, they can show that they are interested in caring for their production workers as much as they do their artists and be pioneers for the industry by being the third studio to allow production workers to be recognized by The Animation Guild,” noted production manager David Welser.
This win comes as TAG is still in its longrunning negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), seeking better pay and more benefits for animation writers, animators, storyboarders, artists and production workers under its #NewDeal4Animation mission.
“Having experience in both the TV and feature sectors of animation, I can confidently say that it is time for a change,” commented ShadowMachine production manager Ryn Soorholtz. “For too long, Production has been left behind when it comes to wages, benefits and workers’ rights. These issues are not specific to ShadowMachine, but to the industry as a whole. It’s because I love working at ShadowMachine, that I want to make sure we can work here sustainably.”
Established in 1999 by Alex Bulkley and Corey Campodonico, ShadowMachine produces across multiple media for film, TV, commercials and music videos out of its locations in Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon.
Having worked on acclaimed stop-motion and 2D series such as Robot Chicken, The Shivering Truth, BoJack Horseman and Final Space, ShadowMachine is currently working on high profile titles including Tuca & Bertie S3 for Adult Swim (Summer), Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio for Netflix (December), Little Demon (FXX), Jimmy Fallon’s 5 More Sleeps ’til Christmas (Universal), the Strange Planet series (Apple TV+) and the Clone High revival (HBO Max).
The Animation Guild, also known as Local 839 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), was founded in 1952. The labor union represents more than 6,000 artists, technicians and writers in the animation industry, advocating for workers to improve wages and conditions.
As the monstrous Spirit Tortoise awakens, Naofumi and his comrades must reunite to protect the world in The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2, which will debut its English Simuldub this Wednesday, May 4 at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT on Crunchyroll and Funimation.
Stephen Fu voices Naofumi in S2 of ‘The Rising of the Shield Hero’
With ADR direction by Steve Staley (Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story), The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 English dub cast includes:
Stephen Fu (Wonder Egg Priority) – Naofumi Iwatani
Erica Mendez (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba) – Raphtalia
Brianna Knickerbocker (The Seven Deadly Sins) – Filo
Amber Lee Connors (Komi Can’t Communicate) – Ost Horai
Dawn M. Bennet (Black Clover) – Eclair Seaetto
Sean Chiplock (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind) – Kyo Ethnina
Brianna Knickerbocker voices Filo, who can transform from a bird-like monster to a winged human girl.
Based on the original manga written by Aneko Yusagi and illustrated by Seira Minami, adapted from the light novel of the same name written by Aneko Yusagi, The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 is directed by Masato Jinbo (Restaurant to Another World) and animated by studio DR Movie (Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles).
Dawn M. Bennet dubs the noble, pink-haird knight, Eclair.
Season 2 official synopsis: Learning that other nations are enduring the Calamity Waves, Naofumi vows to fight. But before he can begin, word comes that the massive Spirit Tortoise is free. Left unchecked, this rampaging monster could destroy the world. He assembles companions Raphtalia and Filo and a few new allies, one of which reveals scary news — this was no accident. Someone deliberately unleashed the legendary beast!
New subtitled episodes of The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 2 are simulcast from Japan on Wednesdays at 6 a.m. PT on Crunchyroll and Funimation.
Tubi announced it has renewed the hit comedy, The Freak Brothers, its first-ever original animated series, for a second season, which is slated to premiere in December 2022. Based on Gilbert Shelton’s cult classic underground comix, the toon delivered nearly twice as many viewers as the #2 series on the platform in its first seven weeks (11/14 – 1/3).
The Freak Brothers will return with eight new episodes featuring its all-star voice castwhich includes Woody Harrelson, John Goodman, Pete Davidson and Tiffany Haddish. The series is produced by WTG Enterprises and distributed by Lionsgate.
“We’re excited to bring back our favorite trio of Freaks — and their trippy pet Kitty — for another wild season,” said Adam Lewinson, Chief Content Officer, Tubi. “The Freak Brothers has received overwhelming reception since its debut in November and has been a key driver in our growing adult comedy offering, cementing Tubi as a destination for adult animation.”
Today’s renewal of The Freak Brothers highlights the platform’s continued dedication to expanding its adult comedy collection and delivering fan-favorite originals. The far-out toon chronicles the escapades of a trio of stoner anti-establishment characters and their cat who wake up from a 50-year nap after smoking a magical strain of weed in 1969, and must adjust to life with a new family in present-day San Francisco.
“We’re pleased to continue our ‘trip’ with FOX and Tubi on a hilarious second season of the Freak Brothers,” said Lionsgate President of Domestic Television Distribution Ryan Lowerre. “With a fresh and inventive spin for their second season, Freewheelin’ Franklin, Fat Freddy, Phineas T. Phreakers and Kitty are ready to continue to grow the show’s audience.”
The Freak Brothers is based on comic-book legend Shelton’s The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers. Critiquing the Establishment, while satirizing counterculture at the same time, the comics sold more than 45 million copies in 16 languages and was hailed by The Comics Journal as “One of the 100 Greatest Comics of the Century.” Starburns Industries and Pure Imagination Studios, the studios behind Rick and Morty and The Simpsons “Brick Like Me,” handled the animation for Season 1.
“We’re thrilled to embark on another even more freaky trip with Adam Lewinson, Rachel Koehler and the fantastic teams at Tubi, FOX and Lionsgate. And we’re most excited for our fans to twist one up and enjoy Season 2,” said executive producer Courtney Solomon.
Executive producer Mark Canton noted, “The success of Season 1 helped lay the foundation for this awesome new Freak Brothers audience, and Season 2 will be full of hilarity and surprises for our Super Freak army.”
The Freak Brothers is executive-produced by Courtney Solomon (After, Mr. Church, Cake) and Mark Canton (Starz’s Power Universe, 300, Den of Thieves), along with award-winning showrunners Alan Cohen and Alan Freedland (King of the Hill, American Dad!). Woody Harrelson, Tiffany Haddish, Pete Davidson, Adam Devine, Blake Anderson, Gilbert Shelton and Manfred Mroczkowski also serve as executive producers on the series.
A super-heroic selection of animated delights is ready to spring into action across WarnerMedia’s Cartoonito preschool block, Cartoon Network and HBO Max lineups this month!
Produced by Sesame Workshop, the new animated preschool series Sesame Street Mecha Builders reimagines Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Abby Cadabby as robot heroes-in-training who use their STEM superpowers to solve wacky, larger-than-life problems. Animated in a dynamic 3D style, the series introduces children to critical thinking and STEM concepts like simple machines, force and properties of matter, illustrated with help from the Mechas and their unique powers. Whether they’re using a wedge to split a giant banana or learning how to measure cables for a zipline through the trees, these friends are truly unstoppable!
The series premieres on Cartoon Network’s Cartoonito on Monday, May 9 at 8 a.m. ET/PT. Mecha Builders will join the block on HBO Max on May 10. (If you missed the full episode sneak peek, catch it here!)
Kicking off the month, buckle up because everyone’s favorite baby bear brothers are gearing up for more magical escapades. Baby Grizz, Panda, and Ice Bear continue searching for the perfect home in all-new episodes of We Baby Bears starting Monday, May 2 at 6:00 p.m. ET/PT. Soaring through worlds unknown, the brothers find themselves taking on jobs as sheepherders, pet owners and perhaps the most magical of all, tooth fairies.
Plus, stay super all month-long with DC Super Heroes! The world-saving adventures begin Saturday, May 14 with the network premiere of Aquaman: King of Atlantis. Catch all three episodes of the acclaimed miniseries as one epic special event beginning at 4 p.m. ET/PT. Then, enjoy more Aquaman with a special Arthur Curry-centric episode of Teen Titans Go! at 6:45 p.m. ET/PT.
After the Teen Titans find Aquaman, they’ll be back for a Teen Titans Go! premiere week, debuting a new episode every day beginning Monday, May 23 leading into the network premiere of Teen Titans Go! & DC Super Hero Girls: Mayhem in the Multiverse on Saturday, May 28 at 6 p.m. ET/PT. The TV movie event will also be available on Digital, Blu-Ray and DVD from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment beginning May 24.
We Baby Bears
Cartoon Network May schedule:
Sunday, May 1
6 p.m. ACME Night: Crazy Rich Asians
Monday, May 2
8:20 a.m. Cartoonito: Bing“Cake” — Bing is having a cake party today, and is excited to show Sula the raspberry he decorated the cake with especially for her. But it’s hard for Sula to see, so what happens when Bing tilts the cake a little too far?
9 a.m. Cartoonito: Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go“Ghost Train” — Percy has to deliver the mail on Halloween when everyone knows the legendary Ghost Train comes out! Thomas rolls along to help Percy face his fears, but when a “real” Ghost Train appears… things get almost spooky.
6 p.m. We Baby Bears“Sheep Bears” — The Bears get jobs as sheepherders on an idyllic farm.
Tuesday, May 3
6 p.m. We Baby Bears“Ice Bear’s Pet” — Ice Bear attempts to keep a giant owl monster secretly as a pet.
Wednesday, May 4
6 p.m. We Baby Bears“Dragon Pests” — The Bears and Squatter Otter crash a couple’s swanky pad while they’re out of town.
Thursday, May 5
6 p.m. We Baby Bears“No Land, All Air!” — The Bears find themselves in a world of dogfighting planes and floating airships.
Friday, May 6
8:30 a.m. Cartoonito: Lucas the Spider“Sleeping Dogs/Skunked/Arlo and the Snake” — Lucas and Findley discover a cake, and they try to keep Avocado asleep so everyone can have some./ Avocado gets skunked. Thankfully, Lucas helps her laugh at the situation./ Lucas has to convince Arlo that the garden hose isn’t a snake.
6 p.m. We Baby Bears“Tooth Fairy Tech” — In order to earn enough money to buy a house, the Bears work as tooth fairies.
The Amazing World of Gumball
Sunday, May 8
6 a.m. The Amazing World of Gumball Mother’s Day Marathon — Spend Mother’s Day with the Watterson family as Gumball, Darwin and Anais celebrate their mom all day long.
6 p.m. ACME Night: Aquaman
Monday, May 9
8 a.m. Sesame Street Mecha Builders *Series Premiere* “They Sent Us a Pie/Dust in the Wind” — A giant pie is sent to Pretty Big City to stop an asteroid… but the Mechas and friends have eaten the whole thing!/The Singing Stone Heads are ready to perform at the Museum, but when they open their mouths, they sneeze instead of sing!
“Mecha Builders Pull Together/Lift Up and Lift Off” — Ranger Nat is stuck at the bottom of the crevice, and Mecha Abby gets stuck in a branch trying to save him./Zee is ready to launch his rocket into space, but when the launchpad breaks, the rocket is launched into the farm instead.
“That Old Time Rock Rolls/Make Like a Banana Split” — When Big Old Boulder rolls down the hill towards the museum, Berta needs the Mechas help to keep it stable./It’s Food Day in Pretty Big City, but the Mechas need to help when the banana atop the banana split statue is not split!
“Magnet Mayhem/Stop That Train” — The magnet crane at the construction site accidentally turns on, sucking up all the metal, including the Mecha Builders!/Roof is delivering eggs to Marwyn at the Train Station, that is, until the train pulls into the station and can’t stop!
“Picture Perfect Park Party/Sun Block” — Hero Celebration Day is finishing with a slideshow of everyday heroes, that is, until the projector screen rips./Pretty Big City is cooling off with an ice slide in the park, but the situation gets slippery when the slide starts melting.
Tuesday, May 10
8:20 a.m. Cartoonito: Bing “Not Yours” — Bing’s helping Flop pick up groceries in Padget’s shop today. And while Flop is paying, Bing picks up a lolly and puts it in his pocket. But what happens when Flop explains to Bing that he has stolen the lolly?
9 a.m. Cartoonito: Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go“Hide and Surprise!” — While playing hide and seek with Percy, Diesel accidentally gets stranded on a barge that floats out to sea, where it becomes a group effort to rescue him.
Friday, May 13
8:30 a.m. Cartoonito: Lucas the Spider “Crack In the Tank/Big Mouth/Art From the Heart” — When Dimples and Weebiscuit’s tank leaks, they are put into new homes. They learn to accept change so long as they are together./ Dimples is worried about a tank decoration of a shark in her new aquarium. Appearances can be deceptive./ Lucas turns teacher as he tries to teach Maizie how to paint. When she thinks she’s no good, Lucas encourages her to find inspiration.
Aquaman: King of Atlantis
Saturday, May 14
4 p.m. Aquaman: King of Atlantis *Network Premiere* — It’s Aquaman’s first day on the job as King of Atlantis and he has a lot of catching up to do! Luckily, he has his two trusted royal advisors to back him up: Vulko, the scholar, and Mera, the water-controlling warrior princess. As he faces unscrupulous surface dwellers, elder evils from beyond time, and his own half-brother’s attempts to overthrow him, Aquaman must rise to the challenge and prove to his subjects and himself that he’s the right man for the throne!
6:45 p.m. Teen Titans Go!“Finding Aquaman” — While searching for a missing Aquaman, the Titans find themselves at the mercy of Black Manta.
Sunday, May 15
6 p.m. ACME Night: Rampage
Monday, May 16
8 a.m. Sesame Street Mecha Builders “Roll Chickens Roll/Ramp Up, Up, and Away” — Farmer MacBarm is hosting the Sunny Field Farm Chicken Roll, but the race gets off to a slow start when the chickens don’t roll./Ranger Nat can’t wait to see Pinecone’s Comet, that is, until his telescope falls to the bottom of a cliff.
“Yip Yip Book Book/Stick To It” — It’s the Pretty Big All City Read and Izzy and Barb are ready, that is, until all the books go missing!/Pretty Big City finds itself in a sticky situation when the factory starts spewing super-sticky slime everywhere!
“The Treasure of Treetop Woods/The Zee Mobile” — Ranger Nat’s hike turns to adventure when he finds a treasure map. The only problem is that he can’t read it./Zee and MacBarm are setting up their corn maze with the help of Zee’s Zee Mobile… that is, until it breaks down inside the maze.
“That’s The Way the Windmill Blows/Mecha Machine Makers” — The windmill isn’t turning, which means Sunny Field Farm has no power. The windmill needs to turn again so Zee can launch his rocket!/ Izzy and Timmy are making a bird caller for Grandma, but have trouble connecting pieces of their machine.
“The Need For Feed/The Zipline Sisters of Treetop Woods” — MacBarm is bringing food to his hungry chickens, that is, until all of the food falls out of his truck./Grandma and her twin sister want to recreate their old zipline act, but quickly discover that the zipline no longer exists!
Tuesday, May 17
8:20 a.m. Cartoonito: Bing “Mine” — Bing and Pando are on their way home from the beach! And when Pando goes back to Bing’s house to collect Bullabaloo, they decide to play one last game before bedtime – Hide and Seek. But where will Pando hide?
9 a.m. Cartoonito: Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go“Pop a Wheelie” — Thomas and Diesel take a friendly competition too far and put an important delivery rescue at risk as they race across Sodor.
Friday, May 20
8:30 a.m. Cartoonito: Lucas the Spider “Lucas and His Friends/The Owl That Said Why/Happy Burpday” — A series of 6 shorts introducing all of Lucas’s friends and ending with a song. / Arlo keeps asking questions! Lucas learns to be more patient. / Lucas discovers a slice of cake and decides to throw a surprise party for Findley.
Sunday, May 22
6 p.m. ACME Night: Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
Teen Titans Go! “Finding Aquaman”
Monday, May 23
8:20 a.m. Cartoonito: Bing “Lunch” — Bing and Sula are chefs today and helping Amma and Flop make lunch. It’s Sula’s favorite: Easy Peasy Pasta! But, what happens when lunch is served and Bing sees all the ingredients mixed up together?
9 a.m. Cartoonito: Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go“Goodbye, Ghost-Scaring Machine” — Percy announces he’s giving up his Ghost Scaring Machine – he’s too old for it now. It soon becomes clear that the machine is good for more than just “scaring ghosts.”
6:45 p.m. Teen Titans Go! “Whodundidit?” — While housesitting at Wayne Manor, the Titans must unravel the mystery of the clogged toilet.
Tuesday, May 24
6:45 p.m. Teen Titans Go! “Sweet Revenge” — Robin starts working at an ice cream shop to get revenge on Joker’s Gelato for denying him a free birthday scoop.
Wednesday, May 25
6:45 p.m. Teen Titans Go! “Porch Pirates” — After their package is stolen, the Titans must join a crew of porch pirates to get it back.
Thursday, May 26
6:45 p.m. Teen Titans Go! “A Sticky Situation” — Sticky Joe’s search for a can opener leads to a series of wacky adventures.
Friday, May 27
8:30 a.m. Cartoonito: Lucas the Spider “The Legend of Big Butt/Arlo Needs a Nap/Everyone’s a Critic” — Lucas sets off to find the legendary monster, Big Butt, who roams the garden at night. / A sleepy Arlo avoids taking a nap, worried that he’ll miss out on any fun. / Lucas struggles when his web-making skills are criticized.
6:45 p.m. Teen Titans Go! “The Perfect Pitch?” — Having watched everything on TV, the Titans decide to make their own show.
Saturday, May 28
6 p.m. Teen Titans Go! & DC Super Hero Girls: Mayhem in the Multiverse *Network Premiere* — With the help of an ancient Kryptonian power, Lex Luthor unites the world’s Super-Villains to capture all of Earth’s Super Heroes, until… only the DC Super Hero Girls are left to stop the Legion of Doom. Our heroes must cross dimensions to rescue their fellow Super Heroes from the Phantom Zone, but a fortuitous wrong turn leads them to Titans Tower – where they find much-needed allies in the Teen Titans. The young Super Heroes discover their combined strength – and usual comic relief – are essential to save the day in this blockbuster event!
Sunday, May 29
6 p.m. ACME Night: Space Jam
Monday, May 30
8:20 a.m. Cartoonito: Bing “Woof” — Bing and Flop are in the park, when a doggie called Sunshine comes to play catch with them! Bing loves playing with Sunshine, but what will happen when Bing realizes he can’t keep Sunshine?
9 a.m. Cartoonito: Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go“More Cowbell” — Thomas is elated when he finds a cowbell on the side of the tracks, until his friends start hogging it.
Teen Titans Go! & DC Super Hero Girls: Mayhem in the Multiverse
HBO Max May animation schedule:
Thursday, May 5
Cartoonito: Sesame Street“The Pie Caper” — Elmo and Abby are visiting the farm today and just helped Farmer Todd make a pie. They wait for the pie to cool and help Farmer Todd with some chores. When they return, they see that their special treat is gone. Someone has eaten their pie! Elmo and Abby become detectives and look for clues to figure out that Cookie Monster ate their pie.
Saturday, May 7
We Baby Bears — All aboard the magical box! Baby brothers Grizz, Panda and Ice Bear are headed for never-bef0re-seen worlds and meet unexpected friends along the way. Having first aired on Cartoon Network the week of May 2, catch the five episodes on HBO Max beginning Saturday, May 7.
Tuesday, May 10
Cartoonito: Sesame Street Mecha Builders — The first five episodes stream May 10 followed by another episode drop on May 17.
Thursday, May 12
Cartoonito: Sesame Street“Haymobile” — Elmo and Abby are helping Farmer Todd feed the cows. They need the tractor to carry the heavy hay, but the tractor is broken. This is a problem! They wonder if there’s another way to bring the heavy hay to the cows. What if they use something with wheels, like the wagon, and pull the wagon together to move the hay? Let’s try! It works. They didn’t give up, and they brought the hay to feed the cows.
Thursday, May 19
Cartoonito: Sesame Street “Chickens on the Farm” — Big Bird is visiting his chicken friend, Lottie, at the farm. Lottie hasn’t been able to lay an egg because the nesting box isn’t comfy and cozy. This is a problem! Big Bird wonders if there’s something they can use to make the nesting box comfier and cozier. What if they use hay? Let’s try! It works. Big Bird makes the nesting box comfier for Lottie. It’s so comfy that Lottie lays an egg!
Thursday, May 26
Tig n’ Seek Season 4 — In season four, Tiggy and his inventive kitty Gweeseek head out on more wacky journeys through Wee-Gee city. With the help of his adorable partner, Tiggy always gets to the bottom of any situation headed his way. Tune into season four for more oddball adventure.
Cartoonito: Sesame Street “Fairy Tale Haircut” — It’s storytime, but Rapunzel is missing from the storybook! Abby poofs Elmo and herself into the storybook to find Rapunzel stuck in a sea of her own hair. Abby and Elmo help Rapunzel figure out how to keep her hair from getting in the way so she can be what she really wants to be: a gymnast.
A Rockin’ Ride: Buckle up and get ready to blow your mind all over again as Sony unleashes Heavy Metal (1981) on 4K UHD for the first time! With visuals and new, immersive soundtrack OKed by the late producer Ivan Reitman, the epic adult sci-fi anthology comes with a new retrospective featurette and comes bundled in the limited edition SteelBook with a Blu-ray copy and Blu-ray debut of Heavy Metal 2000, both with legacy bonus features — a truly radical retro gem. [SPHE | $35]
Into the Deep: If you missed the cracking cartoon mini-series Aquaman: King of Atlantis on HBO Max, worry not: Warner Bros. has re-cut the action-packed tale into a feature-length film for Digital and DVD! The original story reimagines the DC Super Hero (voiced by Cooper Andrews) as a newbie ruler warming up to the throne. With the help of royal advisors Vulko (Thomas Lennon) and Mera (Gillian Jacobs), Aquaman must deal with unscrupulous surface dwellers, evils from beyond time and his own scheming half-brother. Y’know, typical new job stuff. [WBHE | $15]
Note: Since Issue 320 was published, the release date has been pushed to June 21. A:KA is available for pre-order from major retailers.
Jaeger Masterpiece: Can’t get enough kaiju? Legendary Comics’ new graphic novel collection Pacific Rim: Ultimate Omnibus expands the epic mythology of Guillermo del Toro’s blockbuster franchise, bringing together the NYT bestselling Tales from Year Zero (written by Travis Beacham), Tales from the Drift (Joshua Fialkov), Aftermath (Cavan Scott), Amara (Scott & Zhang Ran) and the brand-new Blackout (also by Scott) in a deluxe set. Featuring stellar art by the likes of Marcos Marz, Marcello Miaolo, BigN and Nelson Dániel, the whopping 568-page hardcover collection brings fans into the world of the movies and hit Netflix anime series in a whole new way. [Simon & Schuster, $100]
Anime Enlightenment: Speaking of the great Japanese art, this month welcomes two new titles that look like library staples for any otaku. Out April 26 from Crunchyroll, Essential Anime: Fan Favorites, Memorable Masterpieces and Cult Classics [$24] is an insightful guide to 50 influential works from across the 20th & 21st century. Authors Patrick Macias (editor of Otaku USA) and Samuel Sattin (Wolfwalkers graphic novelist) offer commentary on the history and legacy of anime, recommendation lists and hundreds of beautiful images on this tour from Astro Boy to Demon Slayer, Akira to Tekkonkinkreet, Sailor Moon to Princess Mononoke and so much more. (Find a store at IndieBound.)
Meanwhile, arts journo Cristian Campos’ 1,000 Ideas by 100 Manga Artists [Chartwell, $20] goes beyond the glut of “how to draw” books to delve into the why and wherefore of manga. Artists, cartoonists and illustrators from around the globe answer questions about their work, inspirations, relationship with manga and creative advice alongside a bounty of artwork, sketches and photos. Dig in!
Imp of the Sun
Andean Adventure: Writing from Animag‘s “Portland Office” (a.k.a. my apartment), this reviewer can always use more sunshine — even if it’s just on screen. The new indie action-platformer Imp of the Sun sends gamers on a fast-paced quest through punishing battles to defeat the Four Keepers and retrieve the stolen power of the Sun. Created by Peruvian studio Sunwolf, the gorgeous hand-drawn game environments are inspired by indigenous cultures of the region. Players have compared the title to Metroidvania Ori, but the challenging fights may be more reminiscent of Cuphead — a beautiful, if somewhat brutal, gaming experience! (Watch the trailer.) [Fireshine Games, Console & Steam Download, $20]
On a Roll: Spring also saw the eagerly awaited release of Fandom’s Tales of Xadia: The Dragon Prince Roleplaying Game, which brings the magic, lore and adventure of the Emmy-winning Netflix series to your party’s tabletop. Already an ENNIE winner, the RPG is built with the Cortex Prime system and features an official storyline that bridges the gap between S3 & S4 of Aaron Ehasz and Justin Richmond’s acclaimed animated series. The handbook is packed with 300 pages of stunning artwork, expansive lore and guidance from Narrative Lead Dan Telfer (longtime DM of the Nerd Poker D&D podcast). Go ahead, treat yo’ elf. [talesofxadia.com | Physical & Digital, $50; Digital Only $25]
Stuff We Love is now the monthly Must Have list. To find previous reviews from the print edition of Animation Magazine, use the tag below or type “Stuff We Love” into the AnimationMagazine.net search bar.
Comic-Con International (Comic-Con) announced that the Eisner Awards judges have selected six individuals to automatically be inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Awards Hall of Fame for 2022. Trophies will be presented in a gala awards ceremony held during Comic-Con in San Diego, on the evening of July 22.
These inductees include two deceased comics artists: EC founder/publisher Max Gaines (who devised the first four-color, saddle-stitched newsprint comic in 1933) and writer Mark Gruenwald (legendary Marvel Comics editor); two pioneers of the comics medium: British illustrator Marie Duval (co-creator in 1867 of the British cartoon character “Alley Sloper,” considered the first recurring cartoon character); cartoonist Rose O’Neill (creator of The Kewpies in 1912); and two living legends: Filipino American artist Alex Niño (DC, Marvel, Warren, Heavy Metal etc.) and artist P. Craig Russell (best known for Elric, his adaptations of opera to graphic novels, and his collaborations with Neil Gaiman, including on The Sandman, Coraline, American Gods and Norse Mythology).
The judges have also chosen 17 nominees from whom voters will select 4 to be inducted in the Hall of Fame this summer. These nominees are:
Howard Chaykin, creator of “Cody Starbuck” (Star*Reach), graphic novel pioneer (The Stars My Destination, Empire), artist of the first Star Wars comics.
Gerry Conway, co-creator of Marvel’s “The Punisher” and “Ms. Marvel”, DC’s “Power Girl” and “Killer Croc.” Wrote the death of Gwen Stacy and pioneering crossover Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man.
Kevin Eastman, co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Founder of Tundra Publishing. Former owner and publisher of Heavy Metal.
Steve Englehart, 1970s Marvel writer hired by DC to revamp their core characters. Creator of Coyote, Scorpio Rose, The Djinn and The Night Man. Writer for the Street Fighter, GI Joe and Team Atlantis animated series.
Moto Hagio, shoujo manga pioneer. Creator of Heart of Thomas, A Drunken Dream, They Were Eleven and Otherworld Barbara. First woman comics creator to receive the Japanese Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon. Helped shape the style of symbolic backgrounds used in manga today.
Larry Hama, writer/artist/editor/actor whose titles include G.I. Joe, Wolverine, Avengers, Conan, Batman, Wonder Woman, X-Men, Spider-Man and many more.
Jeffrey Catherine Jones (1944-2011) creator of recurring comic strips in National Lampoon ( Idyl) and Heavy Metal (I’m Age), artist for Creepy, Eerie and Vampirella, and cover painter for more than 150 books. In the late 1990s, she undertook medical gender affirmation and embraced life as a woman.
David Mazzucchelli, regular Daredevil artist who worked on Frank Miller’s Born Again arc as well as Batman: Year One. Created the anthology Rubber Blanket and award-winning graphic novel Asterios Polyp.
Jean-Claude Mézières (1938-2022), co-creator of Valerian and Laureline; concept artist on major motion pictures including Luc Besson’s The Fifth Element.
Grant Morrison, comics writer whose many credits include Doom Patrol, Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth, New X-Men, All-Star Superman; his most recent projects include Happy! (Image), adapted as a TV series on Syfy.
Gaspar Saladino (1927-2016), a letterer and logo designer for more than 60 years on titles including Swamp Thing, The Flash, Hellblazer, Green Lantern, Batman, Teen Titans, Metal Men and The Avengers.
Jim Shooter, editor-in-chief of Marvel (1976-1987) and founder of Valiant Comics, Defiant Comics and Broadway Comics. Shooter began his career selling stories to DC Comics at just 14 years old.
Garry Trudeau, creator of the comic strip Doonesbury, published in over 400 newspapers nationwide. The first comic artist to win the Pulittzer Prize, and a strong advocate for cartoonists’ rights.
Ron Turner, founder of San Francisco-based label Last Gasp (1970), publisher, distributor and wholesaler of underground comix and books. Publisher of Slow Death, Wimmen’s Comix and Weirdo.
George Tuska (1916-2009), artist for the Iger-Eisner Studio, Harry A Chelser Studio, Crime Does Not Pay, Doc Savage, Scorchy Smith, Buck Rogers, Ghost Rider, X-Men and the daily Superman (until 1993).
Mark Waid, writer/editor for Amazing Heroes, The Flash, Captain America, Fantasic Four, Superman: Birthright. Former editor-in-chief/CCO of BOOM! Studios, currently publisher for Humanoids.
Cat Yronwode, writer, editor and comics scholar who penned the long-running “Fit to Print” column in Comics Buyer’s Guide; author of The Art of Will Eisner and Women and the Comics (with Trina Robbins). Editor-in-chief of Eclipse Enterprises, which published Miracleman, The Rocketeer and Zot!.
More information on the nominees can be found here. The deadline for voting is May 11. (New voters must have registered by May 5 in order to be invited to the ballot.)
The 2022 Eisner Awards judging panel consists of comics writer/editor Barbara Randall Kesel, author/art historian Kim Munson, writer/editor/journalist Rik Offenberger, librarian Jameson Rohrer, comics journalist/historian Jessica Tseang and retailer Aaron Trites.
Eisner Hall of Fame 2022: Judges’ Choices
Max Gaines
Max Gaines (1894–1947) devised in 1933 the first four-color, saddle-stitched newsprint pamphlet, a precursor to the color-comics format that became the standard for the American comic book industry. He was co-publisher (with Jack Liebowitz) of All-American Publications, a seminal comic-book company that introduced such enduring fictional characters as Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, and Hawkman. He went on to found Educational Comics, producing the series Picture Stories from the Bible. He authored one of the earliest essays on comic books, a 1942 pamphlet titled Narrative Illustration, The Story of the Comics. After Gaines’ death (in a motorboating accident) in 1947, Educational Comics was taken over by his son Bill Gaines, who transformed the company (now known as EC Comics) into a pioneer of horror, science fiction and satirical comics.
Mark Gruenwald (portrait by David Banegas)
Mark Gruenwald (1953–1996) was hired by Marvel Comics in 1978 and stayed there until his death. During his tenure, he worked on a variety of books before becoming their executive editor and keeper of continuity for much of the 1980s. Gruenwald had a knack for remembering every bit of minutia about Marvel Comics. The publisher even opened up a challenge for readers to stump him but had to discontinue it when it became clear nobody could beat him. Gruenwald is most recognized for his work on a new team of heroes known as the Squadron Supreme. The Squadron’s characters had been around, but Gruenwald decided to focus on a new set of the heroes in an alternate reality. The Squadron Supreme received a 12-issue miniseries and is considered a precursor to highly popular deconstructionist superhero parables like Watchmen, Kingdom Come and The Boys. Sadly, Gruenwald died of heart failure in 1996. He had long told his wife he wanted his ashes to be a part of his work. When Squadron Supreme was collected into a trade paperback, his ashes were mixed into the ink.
‘Heavy Metal’ art by Alex Niño (image courtesy HA.com)
Alex Niño was among the Philippine comics artists recruited for U.S. comic books by DC Comics editor Joe Orlando and publisher Carmine Infantino in 1971. Niño’s earliest DC work was drawing stories for House of Mystery, Weird War Tales and other supernatural anthologies, as well as the jungle-adventure feature “Korak” in Tarzan. He moved to the U.S. in 1974. Over the next several decades, Niño drew all types of stories for DC, Marvel, Warren (Creepy, Eerie, Vampirella), Heavy Metal, Byron Preiss, Dark Horse Comics and other publishers. Starting in the 1980s, Niño branched out into movies and video games, doing design work and concept art for Hanna-Barbera, Sega and Walt Disney Pictures (Mulan and Atlantis). Niño received an Inkpot Award in 1976.
‘Norse Mythology cover art by P. Craig Russell
P. Craig Russell has spent 50 years producing graphic novels, comic books and illustrations. He entered the comics industry in 1972 as an assistant to artist Dan Adkins. After establishing a name for himself at Marvel on Killraven,Dr. Strange and Elric, Russell began working on more personal projects, such as adaptations of operas by Mozart (The Magic Flute), Strauss (Salome) and Wagner (The Ring of the Nibelung). Russell is also known for his Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde series and his graphic novel adaptations of Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman: The Dream Hunters, Coraline, Murder Mysteries and American Gods. His most recent project has been Gaiman’s Norse Mythology for Dark Horse. Russell received an Inkpot Award in 1993 and has won several Harvey and Eisner awards.
‘Ally Sloper’ panel by Marie Duval
Pioneer Marie Duval (1847–1890) was born Isabelle Emilie Louisa Tessier in Marleybone, London in 1847. Tessier was one of the first female cartoonists in Europe. Her fame rests on her contributions to the Ally Sloper comic pages created with her husband Charles Henry Ross in the comic periodical Fun, and reprinted in a shilling book, Ally Sloper: A Moral Lesson (full title: Some Playful Episodes in the Career of Ally Sloper late of Fleet Street, Timbuctoo, Wagga Wagga, Millbank, and elsewhere with Casual References to Ikey Mo) in November 1873. This work is often called “the first British comic book.” The idea of a recurring, familiar cartoon character — so basic to comics and cartoons as we know them now — appears to have begun with Ally Sloper. The wildly popular character (a hard-drinking working class shirker) is thought to have inspired both Charlie Chaplin’s Tramp persona and W. C. Fields. Besides Ally Sloper, Marie Duval drew a range of comic fantasies (“caricatures”) for the magazine Judy, a Victorian rival to Punch.
‘Kewpie’ suffrage poster | Rose O’Neill
Pioneer Rose O’Neill (1874–1944) was an American cartoonist and writer who, at a young age, became the best-known and highest-paid female commercial illustrator in the United States. A four-panel comic strip by O’Neill were featured in a September 19, 1896, issue of Truth magazine, making her the first American woman to publish a comic strip. She earned her international fame and fortune by creating the Kewpie, the most widely known cartoon character until Mickey Mouse. Her Kewpie cartoons, which made their debut in a 1909 issue of Ladies’ Home Journal, were made into bisque dolls in 1912 by J. D. Kestner, a German toy company. The dolls became immediately popular and are considered to be one of the first mass-marketed toys in the United States.
HBO Max will promote its Asian American and Pacific Islander Voices collection to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, starting May 1 — amplifying AAPI stories and talent by featuring curated content available on the platform, in addition to the three winning films from the HBO Max Asian Pacific American Visionaries Short Film Competition, directed by up-and-coming AAPI directors.
HBO Max’s collection pages also include Anime and More Global Animation, an anime-centric page which also includes content from Studio Ghibli. During this year’s AAPI Heritage Month, HBO Max will launch the Ani-May initiative, which includes a celebration of iconic anime moments old and new, fashion from Asian animation, Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time and other episodes influenced by anime. In addition, an original meditative rainfall video from Makoto Shinkai’s Weathering With You and a new Adult Swim episode of Ambient Swim inspired by ’90s anime will be featured.
The animation collection includes:
Studio Ghibli / Hayao Miyazaki: Earwig and the Witch (2020), From Up on Poppy Hill (2011), Howl’s Moving Castle (2004), Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989), My Neighbor Totoro (1988), My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999), Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984), Ocean Waves (1993), Only Yesterday (1991), Pom Poko (1994), Ponyo (2008), Porco Rosso (1992), Princess Mononoke (1997), Spirited Away (2001)
Anime movies:Promare (2019), Masaaki Yuasa‘s Night Is Short, Walk on Girl (2017) and Ride Your Wave (2019), Erick Oh‘s short Namoo (2021)
Anime series:Death Note, Food Wars!, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Hunter x Hunter, In/Spectre, Inuyasha, Jujutsu Kaisen, KonoSuba, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, Kill La Kill, Kiznaiver, Mob Psycho 100, Noblesse, Rokka -Braves of the Six Flowers-, The God of High School, The Promised Neverland
Plus Cartoon Network series We Bare Bears and We Baby Bears.
DCanimation (highlighting Asian-American creators like Fan Cathy Yan, Jay Oliva and Sam Liu): All-Star Superman (2011), Batman and Harley Quinn (2017), Batman vs. Robin (2015), Batman: Assault on Arkham (2014), Batman: Bad Blood (2016), Batman: Gotham by Gaslight (2017), Batman: Soul of the Dragon (2021), Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 1 & 2 (2012), Batman: The Killing Joke (2016), Batman: Year One (2011),Catwoman: Hunted(available 5/10), Green Lantern: The Animated Series (2011), Justice League Dark (2017), Justice League vs. Teen Titans (2016), Justice League vs. The Fatal Five (2019), Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths (2010), Justice League: Gods and Monsters (2015), Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013), Justice League: War (2014), Reign of the Supermen (2019), Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay (2016), Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2010), Superman: Red Son (2020), Thor: Tales of Asgard (2022 HBO), Teen Titans: The Judas Contract (2017), The Death of Superman (2018), Wonder Woman: Bloodlines (2019)
Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie
Netflix recently revealed release dates and more details for its summer movie slate. IN addition to the previously announced launch of Chris Williams’ The Sea Beast on July 8, the season will have at least one animated highpoint: the eagerly awaited premiere of Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie on August 5. Based on the 2D animated Nickelodeon toon (2018-20), the pic was previously announced as part of the streamer’s 2021 animation slate.
Per that announcement, the movie will see the Ninja Turtles faced with their greatest challenge yet when a mysterious stranger arrives from the future with a dire warning. Leo is forced to rise and lead his brothers, Raph, Donnie and Mikey in a fight to save the world from a terrifying alien species … the Krang! Ant Ward and Andy Suriano are set to direct, and Haley Joel Osment is joining the series cast. Nickelodeon Animation Studios is producing.
Nature Cat
Following its announcement of its “Explore the Outdoors” themed lineup — featuring Alma’s Way, Elinor Wonders Why and Cyberchase — PBS KIDS has revealed the episode titles for a spate of brand-new Nature Cat episodes. As part of the nature appreciation programming event, Nature Cat, Hal, Squeeks and Daisy will embark on a week of exciting outdoor adventures, helping all sorts of friends along the way!
The gang will discover the sounds of the woods to find the soundtrack for a Nature Dance Party, track a scent on the wind to find a spot that holds a special memory, look for answers as to why leaves fall, and embark on a wild river ride filled with rapids, floods and dams. Tally ho!
“Nature Dance Party/Bad Dog Bart Junior” – Premieres May 9 (Repeat May 13)
“Rock Clues/Sweet Scent” – Premieres May 10
“Leaf Fairy/Midge Over Troubled Waters” – Premieres May 11
“Nature Nap Dilemma/Wild Rivers” – Premieres May 12
Kung Fu Wa!
Federation Kids & Family and China’s UYoung Media announced deals with Discovery Kids in Latin America and U.K.’s POP for the kids’ animated action-comedy series, Kung Fu Wa! UYoung finalized the LatAm deal, and Federation, which handles worldwide distribution outside of China and LatAm, brokered a deal with Narrative Entertainment for POP. Kung Fu Wa! (52 x 11’, kids 6-9), co-produced by Chinese internet conglomerate Tencent Video and leading Chinese kids’ entertainment company UYoung, is a fun, endearing which combines the pizzazz of girl power, kung fu, comedy, action and more.
The series follows the adventures of a curious eight-year-old girl named Tee Zee who always dreamed of going on adventures and exploring wonderful places, and then one day she finds an odd-looking sock in her mother’s laundry that… talks… and was originally a Kung Fu Master from another world charged with guarding an ancient scroll. When the Master came through a vortex into Tee Zee’s time, his powers were weakened, and he was transformed into a sock. However, when the little girl puts the sock on her foot she transforms into a super heroine! Together, they must complete Kung Fu Wa’s mission and follow the ancient scroll to defeat evil and protect their world.
Crunchyroll is delivering a treat for fans in Italy with the premiere of the very first Italian dubs this Spring, complementing Crunchyroll’s biggest anime season on record. Earlier this month, Crunchyroll announced the full slate of dubbed anime heading to the platform with 25 series streaming for fans in a mix of English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German and Russian.
Anime series receiving Italian dubs this season include:
The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 1: This beloved dark fantasy isekai follows Naofumi Iwatani in his journey to become the shield hero. Italian fans will be delighted to catch up on season 1 dubs, while catching the season 2 simulcast each week.
My Dress-Up Darling: In this bright rom-com, two opposite worlds collide as one shy boy and a popular girl find a connection via cosplay!
Ranking of Kings: In a series that has won awards and the hearts of global anime fans, Prince Bojji, who is unable to hear or speak, sets off on an adventure to prove that he’s a worthy heir…with the help of a shadow named Kage.
Viacom18 is celebrating the stellar performance of Nickelodeon in India, where the franchise enjoys a cumulative network share of 32% for kids’ TV. Nickelodeon today delivers the highest reach week to week (48 million kids) boasts of the largest home-grown content library thanks to the launch of 11 successful IPs in 11 years. The pioneering franchise continues to top the charts with two channels, with Nickelodeon at No. 1 and Nickelodeon’s SONIC at No. 2 for FY22. And there is more to come!
Nick will roll out new stories from fan-favorite toons with all new episodes of Rudra, Shiva, Motu Patlu and Chikoo aur Bunty, as well as many made for TV movie premieres. This will include Motu Patlu & the Secret of Devil’s Heart, premiering May 29, and the first ever crossover for two super cool characters in Shiva-Rudra vs. Pirates of Universe, which premiered Sunday and is available to stream on Voot Kids.
SONIC is set to bring back the fun and thrills with new episodes of Golmaal Jr, Pakdam Pakdai, Pinaki and Happy The Bhoot Bandhus. Further catering to the ever-growing content demands of its young viewers, the summer season will introduce a new adventure-filled ‘smurfiness’ with the much-loved international franchise: The Smurfs CGI series will entertain kids with comic capers starting this June.
Independent U.K. animation studio A+C marks 15 years of stop-motion artistry, growth and success in 2022. Founded in 2007 by director Dan Richards in his dad’s shed, the shop has evolved into a leading source for highly crafted, unique animated content for global brands like LEGO, National Geographic, Trivago and Cadbury.
“I am very proud. Fifteen years is a milestone worth celebrating,” said Richards. “Over the last 15 years, we have acquired vast experience and are always learning new approaches to ensure our clients get the best results. Nevertheless, it has been quite the journey to get where we are now.”
After setting up shop with “little more than a box of Plasticine, a camera and a big vision” (as well as, apparently, a beneficent parent!), Richards built A+C into a small but growing startup which, by 2009, was ready to move into cushier digs: a shipping container in Whitstable.
A+C continued to grow its reputation, and finally relocated to a lofty Victorian property in the historic seaside resort town of Margate in 2014. Formerly a girls’ school, The Old Laundry location now houses three animation production studios, a model-making workshop, a motion design studio and an edit suite.
“We have had to take the good with the bad at a time of great change,” Richards confessed. “Still, we have managed to build a strong team in Margate, which deliver world-class animation. So, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my colleagues, our business partners and friends for their valuable support over the last 15 years, and we are looking forward to many more.”
To celebrate the milestone, in May A+C will release 15 for 15 — a series of the studio’s favorite works — culminating in a party at the Margate studios for local creatives and clients. Artist James Dyer will be live drawing a celebration piece in the courtyard, guests can sculpt-a-selfie with a stockpile of Plasticine in the props studios, and local businesses will be providing food and drinks.
Cheers to that!
Learn more about A+C and keep up with their work at aplusc.tv.
A+C 15th anniversary illustration, featuring front-and-center Founder Dan Richards and Archie, the official studio dog.
