A trio of top talents have been confirmed to voice star in Universal Pictures’ upcoming CGI/live-action hybrid comedy Strays:
Will Ferrell (The Shrink Next Door, The LEGO Movie, Megamind),will play an abandoned dog who teams up with other stray pups — one of which will be voiced by Oscar winner Jamie Foxx (Spider-Man: No Way Home, Soul, Rio) — in order to get revenge on his former owner, voiced by Will Forte (HouseBroken, The Great North, America: The Motion Picture).
The pic is directed by Josh Greenbaum (Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar) from a script by Dan Perrault (American Vandal). Greenbaum is also producing with Erik Feig (Picturestart), Louis Leterrier, Phil Lord & Chris Miller and Aditya Sood, with Jessica Switch and Lord Miller’s Nikki Baida as exec producers and Picturestart’s Julia Hammer serving as co-producer.
Overseeing the project for Universal are SVP of Production Development Jeyun Munford and Director of Development Tony Ducret. The project is now in post-production.
Amazon’s twisted superhero series The Boys — based on the comic book by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson — is expanding into the adult animation universe with a new series dubbed Diabolical. The eight-episode anthology was confirmed in a video message featuring star Karl Urban (Billy Butcher) during one of Amazon Prime Video’s virtual Comic-Con Experience panels.
Set in the same storyworld as The Boys, Diabolical will comprise unique episodes dreamt up by a broad spectrum of scribes tapped by both series’ exec producers Eric Kripke, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg — who cited The Animatrix as a key inspiration for the nearly-complete project. Writers include Awkwafina, Eliot & Ilana Glazer, Simon Racioppa, Justin Roiland & Ben Bayouth, Andy Samberg and Aisha Tyler, as well as comics creator Ennis, Rogen and Goldberg.
“We gathered together some incredible creators and we gave them one rule… just kidding, there’s no rules,” said Kripke. “They blew the doors off it, delivering eight completely unexpected, funny, shocking, gory, moist, emotional episodes. You think ‘The Boys’ is nuts? Wait ’til you see this.”
Additional exec producers on the animated series are Racioppa, James Weaver, Neal H. Moritz, Pavun Shetty, Ori Marmur, Ken F. Levin, Jason Netter, Garth Ennis, Darick Robertson, Michaela Starr, Loreli Alanís, Chris Prynoski, Shannon Prynoski and Ben Kalina.
Produced by Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures Television, with animation studio Titmouse, Kripke Enterprises, Original Film and Point Grey Pictures, Diabolical is slated to premiere in 2022.
Heading into its third season, The Boys won four prizes at this year’s inaugural Critics’ Choice Super Awards (including Best Superhero Series) and has earned several Primetime Emmy and Creative Arts Emmy nominations (including Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Special Visual Effects).
Genius Brands International, Inc., following the pending acquisition of Canada’s WOW! Unlimited Media Inc. and strategic investment in Germany’s Your Family Entertainment AG (YFE), has unveiled a bold new block of children’s animated series and expanded distribution for its international channels. The new lineup and branding is spearheaded by Kartoon Channel! Worldwide’s new Managing Director Paul Robinson, who previously served as Managing Director of Walt Disney Television International and Senior Vice President Disney Channel Worldwide.
Genius Brands Chairman & CEO Andy Heyward stated, “With his background as Managing Director of Walt Disney Television International and his successful history setting up children’s content delivery systems worldwide, there is nobody in my opinion more qualified than Paul Robinson to build value for this company and create the next great global children’s distribution system.”
The new block on the YFE International channels will be branded Kartoon Genius! and will deliver positive entertainment for children, underscored by safety and enrichment.
Kartoon Genius! will air every morning on Genius Brands International’s new channel footprint across Europe, the Middle East and Latin America, and is the first step in enhancing the quality and range of content on YFE’s existing platforms.
“I am pleased to announce the first global initiative to enhance and deliver even better content and experiences to kids, families, and our affiliate partners across international markets through Kartoon Genius!, a daily block of top quality, exclusive, branded, first-run animated content, that will be defined by being not just entertaining, but also by being safe and enriching,” commented Robinson. “In today’s world, more than ever, parents want to know that what their kids are watching on television is safe. We hear this over and over again, and Genius Brands is committed to fulfilling it not only as a producer, but also now as a global broadcaster through Kartoon Channel! Worldwide. There will be no violence, no inappropriate language, images, negative role models or stereotypes.
“Kartoon Channel! in the U.S. has embraced these messages, which we plan to now elevate globally to the next level through our expanded lineup and increased distribution footprint across Europe/Middle East/Africa, Asia-Pacific and South America. We believe that there is no other global channel system for children out there delivering this level quality of curated safe content today.”
The new Kartoon Genius! global lineup will include first run and exclusive content, led by:
Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger; themes: health, exercise and nutrition.
Rainbow Rangers: protecting the environment
Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaires Club: financial literacy for kids
Albert: answering kid’s questions, such as the origins of life and how things work
Space Yoghurt: creative problem solving and teamwork
Kids Songs: have fun, sing together and get up and dance
ReBoot: adventures around the first fully computer-generated characters
Robinson continued, “Kartoon Channel! Worldwide plans to grow the existing footprint of its YFE international channels by partnering across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australasia with pay TV platforms that currently don’t carry the channel and need a high quality, safe children’s channel. Additionally, as Kartoon Channel! has done in the U.S., we plan to expand distribution in the international markets on connected devices, smart TVs, tablets and mobile devices, with access through Android TV and Apple TV, as well as AVoD, SVoD and FAST channels in international markets.”
Heyward added, “This launch immediately follows and builds upon the Company’s pending acquisition of WOW! Unlimited Media and strategic investment into YFE, as one of Europe’s largest distributors and broadcasters of high-quality programs for children and families. YFE brings a global award-winning streaming and broadcast footprint on satellite, cable, OTT and terrestrial networks — providing us a streaming foothold outside the United States, in Europe and the rest of the world. The vision of YFE’s CEO Stefan Piech, and the broadcast experience of COO Bernd Wendeln, enriches the Genius Brands’ management team and helps position the Company to become the leading children’s content provider and broadcaster in the future.”
A squad of pint-sized heroes with super-sized special powers are ready to come to the rescue on Netflix next month in the new kids’ series Action Pack. The 10 x 11′ CG animated series is created by Grey’s Anatomy alum Bill Harper, produced by OddBot Inc. in Los Angeles with animation by ICON Creative Studio in Canada.
Action Pack is the story of a group of heroic kids — Treena, Watts, Wren and Clay — who use their incredible super powers as they take on the biggest threats in Hope Springs, implement the lessons taught by Mr. Ernesto at the Action Academy, and fulfill their ultimate mission of bringing out the good in everything, even in villains!
OddBot’s President & Creative Director, Chris Hamilton, serves as exec producer and showrunner. Shea Fontana (DC Super Hero Girls, Polly Pocket) is story editor on the series.
Action Pack features the voices of Nevin Kar as Clay, Oscar Reyez as Watts, Sydney Thomas as Treena and Julieta Cortes as Wren.
After running over into an unscheduled fifth day of dealing on Friday, the Animation Guild, IATSE Local 839 (TAG), and the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers (AMPTP) have broken off contract negotiations without reaching an agreement.
Alexandra Drosu, who heads communications for the 4,600+ member Guild, told Deadline: “We will have to continue negotiations in the New Year, though no date has been set.”
TAG’s efforts are based on pattern bargaining, building off the AMPTP contract that IATSE managed to ratify in November, which did not include the animation contingent. Key issues on the table include equitable contracts for animation writers and better compensation for streaming projects.
Negotiations for the Animation Guild had already been delayed, having originally been scheduled for June but postponed to allow IATSE to come to its own agreement with the producers.
Learn more about TAG at animationguild.org or follow @animationguild on Twitter.
A new anime original will be introducing Netflix viewers to a colorful twist on a post-apocalypse next year in Bubble, premiering April 28, 2022. The thrilling new feature takes place in an alternate Tokyo where the laws of gravity have been broken due to bubbles that manipulate this force of nature. The official teaser debuted today, offering a first look at this curious action flick.
Bubble brings together some of the most popular and talented creators, featuring director Tetsuro Araki and WIT Studio, the forces behind the hugely popular Attack on Titan anime. The movie features a screenplay by Gen Urobuchi (Puella Magi Madoka Magica), character designs by Takeshi Obata (Death Note) and music by Hiroyuki Sawano (Promare).
“I’ve been working on this project quietly for many years, but I’m happy to finally unveil it,” said Araki. “I did what I’m best at to the best of my ability alongside many familiar faces. A lot of exciting pictures have surfaced. I hope you enjoy what we’ve created! While it will definitely feature exhilarating action and beautiful background art, I hope that I can also take everyone to even more unexpected places this time. I can’t wait to share it with everyone!”
Urobuchi added, “It all started with wanting to make something interesting with Mr. Araki. I thought about playing around with a typical mermaid story: Instead of a girl ending up as bubbles after falling in love, why not have a bubble fall in love and transform into a girl? With this idea in mind, we put together a really great team, starting with Mr. Obata. It was an exciting experience where we had all these ‘bubbles’ coming together to create a giant ‘wave.’”
The story is set in Tokyo, after bubbles that broke the laws of gravity rained down upon the world. Cut off from the outside world, Tokyo has become a playground for a group of young people who have lost their families, acting as a battlefield for parkour team battles as they leap from building to building. Hibiki, a young ace known for his dangerous play style, makes a reckless move one day and plummets into the gravity-bending sea. His life is saved by Uta, a girl with mysterious powers who appears suddenly. The pair then hear a unique sound audible only to them. Why did Uta appear before Hibiki? Their encounter leads to a revelation that will change the world.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced feature films eligible for consideration in the Animated Feature Film, Documentary Feature and International Feature Film categories for the 94th Academy Awards.
Twenty-six features are eligible for consideration in the Animated Feature Film category for the 94th Academy Awards. Some of the films have not yet had their required qualifying release and must fulfill that requirement and comply with all the category’s other qualifying rules to advance in the voting process.
To determine the five nominees, members of the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch are automatically eligible to vote in the category.Academy members outside of the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch are invited to opt in to participate and must meet a minimum viewing requirement to be eligible to vote in the category.Films submitted in the Animated Feature Film category also qualify for Academy Awards in other categories, including Best Picture.
All eligibility lists by category can be viewed at oscars.org/94thFeatureEligibility.Complete 94th Academy Awards rules can be found at oscars.org/rules.
The Cartoons on the Bay 2021 children’s television & transmedia festival (runningDecember 3-8 live in L’Aquila, Italy and digitally) has announced the Pulcinella Award winners of its 25th edition. The festival is promoted by Italian broadcaster Rai and organized by Rai Com, with Roberto Genovesi as artistic director.
2021 Pulcinella Awards
Clockwise from top left: The Game Catchers, Gigablaster, AquaTeam – Sea Adventure, Nina & Olga, Little Nightmares II (center)
TELEVISION
Best Preschool TV Series:The Game Catchers (Rai Ragazzi, Studio Bozzetto) Best Upper Preschool TV Series:Nina & Olga (Rai Ragazzi, Enanimation, Mondo TV Producciones Canarias) Best Kids TV Series: Gigablaster (Gloob, Copa Studio, Estricnina Desenhos Animados) Best Interactive Multimedia Work:Little Nightmares II (Tarsier Studios) Best Live/Hybrid TV Series: Whatsanna (KidsMe srl) Best TV Series Pilot: AquaTeam – Sea Adventure (Rai Radiotelevisione Italiana, GraFFiti Creative) Best Short Film Award: Mila (Rai Ragazzi, Pixel Cartoon, IbiscusMedia, Cinesite, Aniventure)
Mila
FEATURE FILMS
Best Film: Wolfwalkers (Cartoon Saloon) Best Film Direction: Trash (Al One) Best Animation: Absolute Denial (Bridge Way Films, Absolute Denial Films) Best Script:Felix and the Treasure of Morgäa (10th Ave Productions) Best Sound Track: Yaya and Lennie – The Walking Liberty (Mad Entertainment, Rai Cinema)
Clockwise from top left: Felix and the Treasure of Morgäa, Trash, Yaya & Lennie – The Walking Liberty, Absolute Denial
The UNICEF Award was assigned to the Swiss production Only A Child (Amka Films Productions).
The Hall of Fame honor for 2021 was bestowed on claymation creator Fusako Yusaki.
Emmy Award-winning French animation production and distribution company Dandelooo is set to adapt the hugely successful children’s book series Gaston’s Emotions to television.
Based on the enchanting books written by author and illustrator Aurélie Chien Chow Chine and published by Hachette Enfants, an imprint of Hachette Livre France, the books featuring an adorable unicorn have sold over 900,000 copies in France alone over the past three years, and have been translated into 24 other languages.
Gaston is a young unicorn who is a little different: He has a rainbow-colored mane which is magical. His mane changes color as soon as a strong emotion overwhelms him such as anger, sadness or even joy, for example.
The preschool comedy series which teaches children to identify emotions and manage them effectively is currently being developed by Aurélie Chien Chow Chine, Chloé Sastre and Romain Gadiou. Dandelooo will hold worldwide distribution rights to the animation series.
Gaston’s Emotions
“Coming from the world of animation, it’s a real dream to imagine my little unicorn Gaston coming to life,” the author shared. “And I am delighted that this precious and first step is in the expert hands of Dandelooo whose artistic sensibility I like very much. A colorful adventure awaits us!”
Born in Paris, Chine worked for 10 years in animation on series and feature films such as Les Lascars (Canal +) and Lou! Journal Intime (Studio Canal). She created the character of Gaston the unicorn, who has appeared in 17 Gaston’s Emotions books since February 2018.
Emmanuèle Pétry Sirvin, Co-Founder of Dandelooo, added, “At Dandelooo we fell in love with Gaston who’s not just unique but cute too, thanks to his humor, spontaneous charm and true kindness. With all his great qualities, it’s probably why so many children love him as their best friend. We are proud to be chosen by its creator as the production company to develop the concept, make this series happen and bring Gaston to life.”
Dandelooo’s other productions include the hybrid preschool series The Treehouse Stories (season 4 in production), which won an International Emmy Kids Award in 2017,
Chico Chica Boumba and the animated feature film Houdini. The company has just delivered Stinky Dog (52 x 11′) to France Televisions and TV3 Catalunya, and the
TV special Mum is pouring rain (Annecy 2021 Jury Award for TV Special) to Canal+, is now in production on the preschool series Billy the Cowboy Hamster (52 x 11′) and is about to start production for The Upside Down River (8 x 26′), based on the novel
Leading animation producer-distributor Cyber Group Studios (Zorro The Chronicles, Gigantosaurus) has acquired the audiovisual adaptation rights to the bestselling Phobos adventure books for a serialized science fiction reality series for young adults in both animated and live-action formats. The new show will be based on the books by award-winning French screenwriter/author Victor Dixen and adapted for TV and digital platforms.
“It is an honor to collaborate with the talented Victor Dixen and to have the chance to adapt Phobos for audiences everywhere,” said Pierre Sissmann, Chairman & CEO of Cyber Group Studios. “Phobos delivers an extraordinary experience for readers with captivating themes, fascinating adventures and a strong visual identity that will translate beautifully onto the screen.”
“I am delighted to team up with Cyber Group Studios to adapt Phobos for a worldwide audience, ” said Dixen. “They’ve got the talent and high standards to take this story to a new dimension and as an artistic consultant, I look forward to being part of this incredible team.”
“This upcoming adaptation is a real testament to the success of this saga and the immense talent of Victor Dixen,” added Glenn Tavennec, Editorial Director at Éditions Robert Laffont, publisher of the popular Phobos book series.
Phobos is a dystopian/space sci-fi saga that imagines the very first mission to Mars in which the astronauts are teenagers taking part in a reality TV series. The story follows six boys and six girls, each living in two separate bays of a spaceship, who have six minutes each week to seduce and make their companion choices under the unblinking eye of the onboard cameras. They are the contenders in the Genesis program, the world’s most incredible speed-dating show in history, intended to create the first human colony on Mars.
A true space epic with many twists and turns, the saga also addresses important current themes such as the power of the media, international finance, human nature and its ambitions, as well as protection of the environment.
A hit in France and in international markets, the five-book Phobos series has already been translated into English, Dutch and Polish. It has received numerous awards, including the prestigious Imaginales and Chimères prizes in 2016. It also received a 4.05 rating on Goodreads and has a global fan base that continues to grow around the world.
Disney animation icons Ron Clements and John Musker (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Hercules, The Princess and the Frog, Moana) are moving out of classic fairy tales and folklore into their modern equivalent: the tales of comic-book superheroes. The three-time Oscar-nominated duo have joined forces with writer Celeste Ballard (Space Jam: A New Legacy, Wrecked) for an animated feature based on DC’s The Metal Men being produced by Warner Animation Group.
Clements and Musker have written the treatment for the film, details of which have not been revealed as yet, and are set to produce (and possibly direct). Craig Peck is executive producing, and WAG Exec VP Allison Abbate (BAFTA-winning producer of The Iron Giant, Corpse Bride, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Scoob!) is overseeing for the studio.
L-R: John Musker, Ron Clements, Celeste Ballard (inset, courtesy Kaplan/Perrone Ent.)
The Metal Men revolves around the brilliant scientist William “Doc” Magnus, who combines chemistry and robotics to create a team of six highly advanced androids whose powers and personalities reflect their specific metal makeup (platinum, gold, iron, lead, tin and mercury). Created by Robert Kanigher and Ross Andru, the team debuted in 1962 and had its own comics, later popping up throughout the DC Universe comics and animated series The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure, Batman: The Brave and the Bold and Cartoon Network’s DC Nation Shorts.
Over the weekend, Sony Pictures Animation surprised fans by dropping a first-look teaser for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One) — the hotly anticipated sequel to its groundbreaking, Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA and seven-time Annie Award-winning 2018 animated feature Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
The spot opens on young hero Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) relaxing in his room, when from across a vibrantly colored portal, Gwen (Hailee Steinfeld) quite literally drops in. We are then transported to the glitchy, sketchy, electrified-comic-book world of the Multiverse, where Miles’ spidey persona has a run-in with Spider-Man 2099, a.k.a. Miguel O’Hara (Oscar Isaac).
The official synopsis promises “an epic adventure that will transport Brooklyn’s full-time, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man across the Multiverse to join forces with Gwen Stacy and a new team of Spider-People to face off with a villain more powerful than anything they have encountered.” Overall, this first look has given both Marvel fans and animation lovers plenty to talk about, and another stunning swing on the web to look forward to.
As preivously announced, the sequel is being directed by Soul co-director Kemp Powers, Joaquim Dos Santos (The Legend of Korra) and Justin K. Thompson (production designer, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse), the latter making their feature directorial debuts. Across the Spider-Verse (Part One) is written by Oscar-winning duo Phil Lord & Chris Miller with Dave Callaham (Wonder Woman 1984). This summer, SPA also announced that Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Issa Rae (Insecure, Hair Love) would be joining the cast to voice Jessica Drew, the first iteration of Spider-Woman introduced in 1977.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One) is slated to hit screens in premium formats and IMAX, exclusively in movie theaters, on October 7, 2022.
Peacock has announced it is expanding its animated programming with a full season order of the all-new original YA fantasy series Supernatural Academy, produced by 41 Entertainment (Kong: King of the Apes, Tarzan and Jane, Super Monsters). The 16 x 30′ show is adapted from the best-selling book series by Jaymin Eve. In addition to the Peacock premiere set for January 20, the series voice cast was revealed.
“It is so incredible to see my original story come to life in this high-quality animation project,” said Eve. “I am so grateful to both Peacock and 41 Entertainment for believing in me and I am sure that all of the fans of the books are anxiously marking January 20th in their diaries.”
Supernatural Academy chronicles an otherworldly adventure of sisters marked at birth. One twin sister was raised in the Supernatural world, confident and popular. The other was raised in the human world, an offbeat outsider. Now they’re about to be reunited at the Supernatural Academy, and neither one of them is thrilled about it. These adversarial twins will have to learn to get over their differences and trust each other in order to save themselves — and save the world!
Supernatural Academy
Meet the Cast & Characters:
Larissa Dias (Supernatural, Falling Skies, Hallmark’s When Calls the Heart) as “Jessa Lebron.” Jessa is a popular Wolf Shifter in her junior year at the Supernatural Academy. She has everything a girl could ever ask for including a supportive father and four best friends with their own unique supernatural skills.
Gigi Saul Guerro (Marvel Super Hero Adventures, Into the Dark: CULTURE SHOCK, Super Monsters, Nina’s World) as “Mischa Jackson/Lebron.” Raised by a single mom with a tendency to move from place to place, Mischa has never fit in anywhere. The timid, creative and sweet natured girl transforms after realizing her mother has hidden who she truly is for 16 years.
Vincent Tong (Ninjago, Ice Age: Adventures of Buck Wild, The Dragon Prince) as “Maximus.” Max is a natural leader as proven through his watchful eye on his younger brother Braxton.
Cardi Wong (Are you Afraid of the Dark?, Supergirl) as “Braxton.” Brax is the lovable, goofy and smooth talker of the group.
Supernatural Academy
Shannon Chan-Kent (You, Woke, Good Trouble, Life Sentence) as “Elda Kristov.” Elda is the daughter of the Headmaster of the Supernatural Academy and sees Jessa as her main rival for Queen Bee status.
Bethany Brown (Charmed, The 100) as “Terra.” Terra is Jessa’s lifelong bestie. Terra’s unique power of sorcery perfectly rounds out the group’s supernatural abilities.
Brian Drummond (Mega Man: Fully Charged, The Willoughbys) as “Headmaster Kristov.” Kristov proves himself to be manipulative, villainy, and self-righteous as he plots against the Lebron twins from the moment they are reunited.
Barbara Kottmeier (Supernatural, Motive, Falling for Vermont) as “Lienda Jackson/Lebron.” Lienda is the true definition of a mother. She is a strong woman who has sacrificed her supernatural ability and a life with one of her twin daughters, solely to protect her family.
Supernatural Academy
Alessandro Juliani (Battlestar Galactica, The Magicians, Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce, The 100) as “Jonathon Lebron.” As head of the World Council and the Alpha Wolf of the Lebron pack, Jonathon not only has a civic duty but a paternal instinct to save the realms and his daughters.
Ali J Eisner (Fraggle Rock, Gisele’s Big Backyard) as “Jae.” A Faerie whose music has the literal charm to soothe savage beasts and create new life.
Diana Kaarina (The Hollow, Barbie, My Little Pony, Strawberry Shortcake) as “Santra.” As the new history teacher at Supernatural Academy, Santra is the intelligent, compassionate and confident guide that students can rely on.
Kathleen Barr (Sabrina: Secrets of a Teenage Witch, My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, Johnny Test) as “Yufon.” Yufon is a powerful and stern member of the World Council.
Supernatural Academy
Supernatural Academy is executive produced by Allen Bohbot, directed by Steve Ball, animation directed by Jody Prouse, developed & written for TV by Gillian Horvath and features an original theme song composed by John Majkut. ICON Creative Studio in Vancouver provides the animation services.
Supernatural Academy premieres Thursday, January 20, 2022 on Peacock.
Annecy Contrechamp Award-winning feature Bob Spit – We Do Not Like People, directed by Brazilian filmmaker Cesar Cabral, is bringing animated attitude to the Laemmle NoHo Theater on December 15. A stop-motion blend of documentary, comedy and road-movie, the story centers on Bob Spit: an old punk trying to escape from a post-apocalyptic desert that is actually, a purgatory inside the mind of his creator, a cartoonist going through a creative crisis.
The story is freely inspired by the life and work of one of the most celebrated Brazilian cartoonists of all times, Angeli, who became famous in the 1970s for creating political cartoons in the midst of Brazil’s military dictatorship. In the ’80s, he migrated to daily strips, using an acid sense of humor to represent Brazil’s society, day-to-day life and customs. Angeli had editorial success with his monthly magazine Chiclete com Banana, which sold over 120 thousand copies per edition. During his time, the cartoonist created some of his most famous characters: the bohemian diva Rê Bordosa, the hippie pair Wood & Stock, and the punk Bob Spit.
Bob Spit – We Do Not Like People
Director Cabral has a degree in Cinema from ECA-USP. He began his career as a stop-motion animator in 1998 and co-founded the animation company Coala Filmes in 2000. He directed the short films The Re Bordosa Dossier (2008), which won more than 70 awards in Brazilian and international film festivals, and Storm (2010), which screened in the official selections of prestigious festivals such as Annecy, Hiroshima, Havana and Sundance. Cabral created and directed two seasons of the young adult stop-motion series Angeli The Killer, selected for Annecy 2018 and broadcasted by Canal Brasil.
Bob Spit – We Do Not Like People features the voices of Milhem Cortaz (Elite Squad, A Wolf at the Door) as Bob Spit, actor-musician Paulo Miklos (O Invasor, rock band Titãs) as the desert-dwelling Kowalski Brothers, Grace Gianoukas (Orgulho e Paixão) as “junkie diva” Rê Bordosa, musician-comedian André Abujamra (Estômago, A Grande Família) as charlatan guru Rhalah Rhikota, Laerte, Hugo Passolo and Angeli himself.
Distributed by Outsider Pictures, Bob Spit – We Do Not Like People will screen at the Laemmle NoHo 7 in North Hollywood, Calif. Tickets will be on sale soon atlaemmle.com.
Zinkia, the Spanish creator of the Pocoyo series, has reached an agreement with Canarian animation studio KOYI Talent to acquire 100% of its business. The operation incorporates three new brands into Zinkia’s catalog and a purchase option for a fourth, as well as a studio located in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. In addition to producing its own content, this site will also take on work for third parties, capitalizing on tax incentives for the Canary Islands.
The acquisition consolidates Zinkia as a leader in the animation sector in Spain and Europe, and also enhances the company’s growth. Founded in 2002, Zinkia specializes in producing audiovisual and interactive content aimed at a family audience distributed through various platforms and devices, including television, VOD, YouTube, apps and more.
Joining the company’s portfolio will be KOYI’s traditionally animated preschool series, Bumpy the Bear(52 x 7′). Production work is scheduled to start next spring, based on an agreement currently being finalized with a U.S. company and the likely participation of Spanish public broadcaster TVE, which selected it during its recent tender for co-production series.
Another project included in the deal is Ghost Bros, a series aimed at audiences aged 6-8, created by Yellow Kingdom (Chorch Edelstein) and WeDoo Studio (Emi Ordás). The series follows the hilarious adventures of two orphans adopted by a dysfunctional family, whose main purpose is to make everyone happy — because otherwise, they will have to return to the place they escaped from, the “great beyond.”
In addition, KOYI Talent’s integration into Zinkia includes a feature film script and a purchase option for the IP of the brand Bugsted.
Zinkia’s strategy for 2022 also encompasses the start of production work on Pocoyo’s fifth season, as well as new special episodes for YouTube and digital platforms. The creators of Pocoyo are also working on a new title they will unveil at February’s Kidscreen Summit.
“The acquisition of KOYI Talent enables Zinkia to continue with its expansion and growth plans, consolidating our presence in the Canary Islands and broadening our production business area through the possibility of providing international services,” said Alberto Delgado, CEO of Zinkia. “At the same time, we are diversifying our assets by incorporating new properties to our catalog, which will facilitate significant growth in coming years.”
In response to the new Omicron variant, the Japanese government announced on Nov. 29 that the country will bar all international business and leisure travelers for one month. However, SIGGRAPH Asia 2021 was already preparing for the event to continue with very few international speakers and attendees physically present due to the stringent processes in place to obtain travel visas into Japan. Event organizers have confirmed that the computer graphics confab will go on as planned from Dec. 14-17 live at the Tokyo International Forum and online.
“Although we are currently facing the challenge of the spread of a new variant of COVID-19, we have decided to hold SIGGRAPH Asia 2021 as scheduled while making utmost efforts to ensure the safety and security of all visitors, presenters and management staff,” said Shuzo John Shiota, SIGGRAPH Asia 2021 Conference Chair
and President of Polygon Pictures. “This is the first hybrid event where you can physically communicate with and experience the presentations of many of the world’s leading professionals in computer graphics and interactive technologies, as well as academic researchers and practitioners. Please join us with the conference theme ‘LIVE’!”
The conference has also just announced its line-up of invited speakers, which include leading figures of animation, visual effects and CG technology from around the world:
Sean Walker, Visual Effects Supervisor, Weta Digital
Kazuya Hayashi, Technical Director – Film / Animation, Unity Technologies Japan
Yoichi Ochiai, Director of R&D – Center for Digital Nature, University of Tsukuba
Robyn Luckham, Global Head of Animation, DNEG Animation
Lindsey Olivares, Production Designer / Lead Character Designer, Sony Pictures Animation
Rory Cheyne,Production Designer, Foundation
Taylor Moll, VFX Supervisor, DNEG Animation
Daniel Holden, R&D Scientist, Ubisoft Divertissements
Mike Lasker,VFX Supervisor, Sony Pictures Imageworks
And many more!
Clockwise from top left: Sean Walker, Lindsey Olivares, Mike Lasker, Taylor Moll, Kazuya Hayashi, Rory Cheyne
These talented creatives and brilliant innovators will share their insights in a variety of panels, talks, technical presentations and demos. Some highlights of the conference program include Featured Sessions diving into the visuals of top film and series projects of the year, including Sony Pictures Animation’s The Mitchells vs. the Machines, Vivo and Wish Dragon, Locksmith Animation’s Ron’s Gone Wrong, Denis Villeneuve’s Dune, Marvel’s Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Adult Swim/Crunchyroll’s Blade Runner: Black Lotus, Isaac Asimov’s Foundation (Apple TV+), Toei Animation’s Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac, DNEG Animation’s short Mr. Spam Gets a New Hat. Attendees can also get the scoop on the Unity Anime Toolbox, getting started with virtual production and R&D for Anime Production.
In addition to the main conference program, SIGGRAPH Asia 2021 have put together a fine line-up of Exhibitor Talk sessions by leading companies such as Amazon Web Services, Carpe Diem Solutions, ELSA Japan, Huawei CBG/OS LAB 3D team, IMAGICA Group, NHK Art, SideFX, Toyota Motor Corporation and more! Register to hear from them on their latest innovative products and developments! View the Exhibitor Talks’ schedule here.
And of course, there will be the can’t-miss Computer Animation Festival, which recently announced the award-winning films as Twenty Something (Best in Show), Le Retour des Vagues (Best Student Project), Les larmes de la Seine (Best Student Project) and Only a Child (Jury Special).
SIGGRAPH Asia 2021 will be held in compliance with any COVID-19 regulations from the government, local authorities and the MICE industry to ensure the safety and well-being of all attendees, and take into consideration the government’s ‘Basic Policy on Countermeasures for Infectious Diseases Caused by Novel Coronaviruses.’ TIF has also partnered with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and related organizations to further prevent the spread of COVID-19 at the venue. Onsite safety and hygiene measures such as temperature screening, mandatory masks to be worn at all times, hand sanitizers to be placed at entrances, social distancing and more, will be implemented.
This month, Cartoonito has an inspiring programming lineup for preschoolers on HBO Max and Cartoon Network with an all-new series about an owl with big ideas, an epic locomotive competition and fun new episodes of kids’ favorites. These new offerings bring to life Cartoonito’s mission to be a space where individuality and originality are celebrated and creativity and compassion are championed by teaching young viewers about the power of resilience, having courage in the face of adversity, and learning to be comfortable in your own skin.
To reinforce important Humancentric Learning skillsets, Cartoonito released a new brand spot today reminding preschoolers that the path to becoming a great leader and game changer begins with them. Cartoonito aims to help little ones on their journey to becoming the best version of themselves by offering fun, engaging and relevant storytelling that empowers them to embrace their uniqueness, believe anything is possible, treat others with kindness and stand up to unfairness. You can watch the spot featuring toddlers being “wild, weird and wonderfully funny” here.
Odo
The new animated series Odo centers on the title character: a little owl with big ideas! At the Forest Camp for Young Birds, Odo and his best friend Doodle positively tackle every challenge, no matter how big — and believe that everything is possible… often with unexpected outcomes! Odo is the most courageous and determined preschool owl you’ve ever seen. Soar through the first 13 episodes, streaming now on Cartoonito on HBO Max.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=gux5t6bZUlM
Thomas & Friends: Race for the Sodor Cup
The one-hour mini-movie event Thomas & Friends: Race for the Sodor Cup premieres Monday, December 27 at 9 a.m. ET/PT on Cartoonito on Cartoon Network. Race for the Sodor Cup promises little ones an action-packed adventure introducing new characters, a collection of new songs and plenty of train-racing fun — making it a perfect mini-movie event to enjoy this holiday break.
Produced by Mattel Television, this one-hour special follows Thomas’ new super-fast friend, Kana, who is convinced that her speed is all she needs to win the Race for the Sodor Cup — a racing competition which draws trains from all over the world. But when she ends up paired with Thomas, Kana discovers it takes much more than speed to really be a champion.
In this month’s new Sesame Street episodes, streaming Thursdays, Gina helps a yellow Labrador Retriever train for a career as a service dog, Oscar gets ready for a noisy Grouch concert, and the letter “M” goes missing from the neighborhood:
Dec. 2 “Sesame Street Art Museum” — Everyone is making a painting to hang in Sesame Street’s art museum. Rudy wants to paint a rainbow, but he can’t make the perfect purple. What if he mixes the red and blue paint a little bit at a time? (Guest: Kacey Musgraves)
Dec. 9 “Bug Scouts” — Bug Scouts Elmo, Abby and Cookie Monster try to help Artie the Ant carry a crumb, but it’s too heavy. This is a problem! They wonder if there’s another way to move the crumb. What if they break the crumb into smaller pieces so it won’t be as big and heavy?
Dec. 16 “Doggie Job Search” — Brandeis, a yellow Labrador Retriever, is looking for a job on Sesame Street, so Gina trains him for a career as a service dog.
Dec. 23 “The Grouch Band” — Oscar is getting ready for a virtual Grouch concert with the noisiest and most annoying instruments. Elmo’s Shaky Shake instrument isn’t noisy enough for the concert. What if he adds more rocks and blocks to his jar?
Dec. 30 “The Letter M Mystery” — The letter “M” goes missing all over Sesame Street, and it’s up to Nina and the gang to find it.
The Not-Too-Late-Show with Elmo continues with the furry red “host-with-the-most,” co-host Cookie Monster and the rest of the Sesame Street crew. This month’s new episodes present songs and games with celebrity guest stars from movies, TV and music every Thursday, leading up to the season finale on Dec. 30.
Dec. 2 “Sway Bhatia/Tori Kelly” — The studio is abuzz for Bug Day as actor Sway Bhatia drops by to play games and learn all about insects. Then, it’s buggy boogie time with singer Tori Kelly!
Dec. 9 “Shahadi Wright Joseph/Madison Reyes” — After grabbing his best stickers and crayons for Arts and Crafts Day, Elmo shows off his creativity with actress Shahadi Wright Joseph and singer Madison Reyes.
Dec. 16 “Tamron Hall/Brandon ‘Taz’ Niederauer” — Elmo jams out for Musical Instrument Day with journalist Tamron Hall and guitarist Brandon “Taz” Niederauer.
Dec. 23 “Big Bird/Kelvin Dukes” — Elmo’s new friend Ryan puts his skills to the test against Big Bird and Kelvin Dukes, while Grover helps Baby Bear open his brand-new restaurant!
Dec. 30 “Isaiah Russell-Bailey/James Monroe Iglehart” — Isaiah Russell-Bailey and James Monroe Iglehart show Elmo just how much fun chores can be, while Grover does his best to help Rosita clean up the studio.
The Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF) kicked off this week, held in the virtual ATF Online+ format as part of the ongoing Singapore Media Festival 2021, presenting a robust selection of more than 600 hours of stories across 160 titles from across Asia. And, as in the rest of the world, animation has grown its presence at the market.
Alex Player
Of course, original made-with-Singapore content takes center stage, with works from 41 local media companies showcased in the country’s virtual Pavilion (presented by the Infocomm Media Development Authority). Among the animation projects on offer are Alex Player (Bee Prod./Cyber Group Studios/Webedia), a co-production with France and Italy produced with an Unreal Engine real-time pipeline and mo-cap, which centers on a pre-teen esports contender.
2049+ Voice of Rebirth
Taiwanese animation has a robust presence at the show. One of the buzzworthy projects coming off the island is 2049+ Voice of Rebirth, an animated spin-off of furustic mini-series 2049, currently streaming and airing on multiple platforms/channels in the region. Timed to ATF/SMF, multi-Golden Bell Award and Gold Remi (WorldFest Houston) winner Xanthus Animation Studio (www.facebook.com/xanthus.ltd) presented the series in a premiere press conference. Set in Taiwan 30 years in the future, the series will explore social issues such as the use of AI, housing justice and the application of smart technology in elder care.
2049+ Voice of Rebirth
Produced by Xanthus, Taiwan Mobile’s myVideo streaming service and Greener Grass Production, with original songs produced by HIM International Music Inc., 2049+ Voice of Rebirth centers on temple youth Wei (voiced by J.C. Lin), who discovers the benefits of being a “nail house” (holdout) when his grandfather urgently needs funds to pay for medical bills. In order to get more money out of property developers, Wei teams up with Rainy (Janice Yan), a girl opposed to community reconstruction, to apply for historical landmark status for the temple his grandfather left him. From performing traditional religious ceremonies to participating in a global singing and dancing competition, Wei and Rainy’s efforts to enhance the value of the temple capture the attention of the public. As their relationship grows over time, they also find themselves torn between family, friendship and even love. Watch the teaser.
Who’s Our Sub Today?
Boutique studio Dottodot (www.dottodot.tv) is spotlighting its MIFA Pitches-selected series Who’s Our Sub Today? (13 x 12′), a fantastical 2D comedy about a class of unruly students learning how to survive school with the most peculiar lineup of substitute teachers on campus. The project is currently in development. Watch the promo here.
My Favorite Towels
Taipan-based international 2D/3D shop Studio iLYA (studioilya.com) is ready to clean up more deals for its newest series, My Favorite Towels (26 x 11′) — a 3D CGI preschool show which follows the imaginative adventures of five animal friends created out of ordinary household towels, who come to life when the humans are out of the house.
Happy Lusasa
Lusasa Animation is entering the ring with its debut series Happy Lusasa, set for release in 2022. Based on the internationally popular IP which has spawned more than 100 licensed products with over 50 companies, the show for kids 6-12 centers on MiluEgg and the other cute characters inspired by traditional Taiwanese street food who populate Lusasa Town. Watch the trailer.
Pigsy Express
Always a rich vein, the Chinese language classic “Journey to the West” is cited as inspiration for Pigsy Express, a new movie in the works at Taiwan’s studio2 ANIMATION LAB (studio2.com.tw) to be extended via TV series, comics, AR (Pigsy ARush), a mini album and Tik Tok. Directed by Li-Wei Chu (Barkley the Cat), the movie is a near-futurist tale about a plucky pig courier and his animal coworkers as they compete with a drone-delivery mega corporation. Watch the trailer.
DNAxCAT
Tokyo-based Yukin Trading, a Japanese IP service provider for the Chinese market, is hoping more feline fanatics will fall for its animated series based on its popular DNAxCAT characters (https://twitter.com/DNAXCAT). First introduced in an online forum in 1998, the cats became the mascots of Taipei Underground Street in 2012 and launched their animated series in Taiwan in 2015, followed by Japan in 2019, where DNAxCAT has broadcast for 100 weeks on Chiba as of November 28. DNAxCAT takes place in the cat kingdom of King Kuzo, where hundreds of cats with unique appearances and personalities share their happiness and their misadventure. The property has also launched an NFT game. Watch select episodes on YouTube.
The Snow Queen and Princess
Russia also has a strong presence at ATF, having built a reputation with audiences in Asia. ROSKINO CEO Evgenia Markova pointed out that this year there are almost 80 projects representing the country, vs. 60 last year.
Wizart Animation is presenting Backpack, a new series about the unusual inhabitants of four-year-old Grisha’s backpack; comedy series Tin’s Firebots; and several family features including The Warrior Princess and The Snow Queen and Princess (The Snow Queen 5).
Russia’s oldest, iconic toon house SMF Studio offers preschool series Rockoons, comedy series The Adventures of Peter and Wolf, the adventures of extraterrestrial hamster Ziggy in Coolics, magical cat tale Meow Magic and Monsikids, already successfully broadcast in China.
Paravoz Animation Studio is pitching Spaceport to potential co-production partners. The pre-teen comedy series, currently in development, follows the adventures of three outsiders in space.
Also participating are
ATF Animation Pitch 2021
The ATF Animation Pitch competition, open to individuals, students and small to medium sized companies with fresh kids’ animation concepts, aims to spotlight projects that showcase “Asian originality” fit for export and development within and without the region. The 2021 finalists will be judged by a panel of industry pros: Brenda Bisner (CCO, A Parent Media/Kidoodle.TV), Carlene Tan (Director of Original Production & Development, Kids – APAC, WarnerMedia), Catie Asip (Asst. Director of Content, PBS KIDS), Gourav Rakshit (COO, Viacom18 Digital Ventures), Dr. Hendy Lim (Director of Content Business, Indonesia Entertainment Group), Manman Chen (COO & Creative, WEKIDS) and Pinot Borian (Acquisitions, Vidio). The finalists are:
Gustav, the Forest Keeper | Kanaban Graphics Ltd (Japan)
Rita Peters: 1.19 Meters | One Animation Pte Ltd (Singapore)
Future Bros | One Animation Pte Ltd (Singapore)
Gugug! in a Durian Farm | PT Aneka Cahaya Nusantara (Palari Films) (Indonesia)
Monkey & The Bananas | Parijat Animation Films Pvt Ltd (India)
Galeo of the Seawalkers | Studio Amarana (Indonesia)
The ATF conference offers panels and keynotes online through Friday, December 3. ATF Online+ will be available until June 30, 2022. More info at www.asiatvforum.com.
DeAPlaneta and Planeta Junior, both Planeta/De Agostini Group companies, are coming together under the brand DeAPlaneta Entertainment. This merger of the two companies is due to a strategic reorganisation that aims to consolidate their leadership in the entertainment segment, to articulate their business model more efficiently and to be more agile in order to respond to the new needs of a global, multi-channel market. Its activity will be focused on three main areas: fiction content, content for children & families and interactive products.
This merger is described as a response to the transformation processes in the entertainment sector, where the boundaries between audiences and genres have blurred, where global markets are being served and where companies tend to adopt business models that promote a direct relationship with their audience.
“The entertainment industry is a growing and constantly changing sector. DeAPlaneta Entertainment is a company prepared to compete in international markets with a global concept,” said Ignacio Segura, CEO of DeAPlaneta Entertainment. “Nowadays, it is necessary to move towards a new business model that involves diversification, finding new ways to meet the needs of users, occupying solid positions at more points in the value chain and being big. With this merger we will become a more competitive player.”
DeAPlaneta Entertainment will continue to focus on the production or distribution of quality content with memorable stories to excite all kinds of audiences beyond traditional screens. Nowadays, users are looking for liquid experiences (audiovisual, physical and digital) that combine creativity, technology and innovation.
The new company brings together more than 20 years of experience producing and distributing content with a global reach. From fiction and animated films and series and licensed products to live shows, video game competitions and, more recently, NFT development and presence in the metaverse.
DeAPlaneta Entertainment has had numerous successes in the different entertainment sectors, including the release of the popular titles The Physician, the Saw saga and the Oscar-winning The King’s Speech, 12 Years a Slave and The Pianist in Spanish cinemas, as well as the creation of TV series such as Ana Tramel. The Game.
For children and family audiences, DeAPlaneta Entertainment manages and produces series such as Miraculous Ladybug, Milo, Gormiti, Heidi and Maya the Bee, generating different audiovisual content and licensed products for audiences all over the world.
In the interactive arena, the company continues to expand and explore new areas, and has organized high-profile events such as the eCopa RFEF and the national FIFA 21 benchmark tournament, with the support of the Royal Spanish Football Federation.
The Animation Guild, IATSE Local 839 (or TAG) is engaging in its final planned day of negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers today, hoping to build on the recent IATSE Basic Agreement and leverage the increased demand for animation during COVID-19 production shutdowns. TAG negotiations were initially planned for June, but were postponed until IATSE and AMPTP could reach their agreement.
Entering this week’s collective bargaining ring, TAG told members it would be fighting with the benefit of ‘pattern bargaining’, pointing out that “when employers agree to a change that could benefit members of more than one Union, other IATSE Unions are often able to incorporate this change into their respective Collective Bargaining Agreements as well.”
Key issues in the Guild’s negotiations include more equitable contracts for animation writers and for workers on streaming productions — the latter has been a key battleground for other IATSE Locals this year. Animation writers under TAG contracts are paid less than those covered by the Writers Guild, earning about a quarter less for minimums ($9,099) than the low end of WGA minimums ($12,290-27,100). Nor do TAG writers receive primary residuals for their projects.
The pandemic’s demands on animation talent only added to the long-standing sting, as TAG/WGA dual member Bill Wolkoff (Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts, Star Wars Rebels) told The Hollywood Reporter: “The fact that entertainment mostly ground to a halt over the pandemic with the exception of animation [and] animation writers rooms largely stayed working and got a lot of these companies through the pandemic really shed an even brighter light on the contributions that animation writers [make].”
Over the course of the week, TAG has been encouraging members and non-member supporters to don TAG tees and show solidarity on social media using #NewDeal4Animation. Learn more about TAG at animationguild.org or follow @animationguild on Twitter.
