Malaysia’s Father of Animation Talks about His Passion, State of Animation Industry
71-year-old Hassan Abd Muthalib reflects on his life and career as a self-taught artist and local industry pioneer. “[In the 1960s], I had no clue what animation was. I learnt through trial and error,” he shares with New Strait Times. “Malaysia has progressed well in the global animation industry and become one of the big names for major production houses looking for animators.”
AR Comes to Android with the ARCore SDK
With the SDK preview available now for Unity 2017, Google’s ARCore seeks to democratize augmented reality development for Android by giving developers the ability to build engaging AR experiences without specialised hardware.
VIDEO: Aardman Stop-Motion Expertise Reboots Brantano Footwear
In a call back to its Oscar-winning Creature Comforts, Aardman Animations was tapped by ad agency Mortierbrigade to create a charming, comedic new spot for Belgian footwear brand Brantano themed around the phrase “like a walk in the park.” Director Richard Webber and his team brought to life Stork, Frog and Ladybug for a frank discussion of taste and style in this nature-themed comm.
The much anticipated 30th DC Universe Original Movie Batman and Harley Quinn comes home today via Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Available on Ultra HD Combo Pack (with 4K), Blu-ray Deluxe Giftset (with Harley figure), Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital, the flick follows Gotham’s Caped Crusaders as they bring an unlikely passenger along on the most awkward road trip in cartoon crime-fighting history.
Batman and Harley Quinn is directed by Sam Liu (Batman: The Killing Joke) from an original story by Bruce Timm (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns) with teleplay by Timm and Jim Krieg (Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox). The movie features the voices of Kevin Conroy (Batman), Loren Lester (Nightwing), Melissa Rauch (Harley Quinn), Paget Brewster (Poison Ivy) and Kevin Michael Richardson (The Floronic Man), and comes with a batcave full of extras.
In the clip below, Batman, Harley Quinn and Nightwing square off against a rogues gallery of henchmen from the course of Batman: The Animated Series. Enjoy, puddins!
Batman and Harley QuinnBatman and Harley QuinnBatman and Harley QuinnBatman and Harley QuinnBatman and Harley QuinnBatman and Harley Quinn
European animation producer-distributor Mondo TV has scored a first deal for its new kids’ 3D CG action-adventure Robot Trains in Italy. Produced by South Korea’s CJ E&M, the 32 x 11-min. series will air daily on pay TV channel DeA Junior via Sky, beginning September 4. Mondo handles distribution and licensing for the property in a number of European territories (including Italy and Iberia), the Middle East, Africa and the Pacific.
“Robot Trains is a thrilling, funny and beautifully designed show with an obvious appeal to a pre-school audience,” said Matteo Corradi, CEO of Mondo TV. “I am looking forward to Robot Trains repeating its Korean success in Italy — and many more territories!”
The show is set in Train World, where all the citizens are trains. However, a select few among them are special rains which can transform into robots to embark on exciting missions. Robot Trains has become a hit in Korea, with a strong licensing program covering toys, publishing, home good, back to school, etc. A second season has been announced, for which Mondo TV Suisse will be a co-producer as well as licensing and distribution partner.
“The arrival of Robot Trains in the European market is a cause for celebration. I am sure that this exciting and engaging show, which has been so popular in its home market, will enjoy even more success — both in Europe and beyond,” commented CJ E&M’s VP, Hyunil Park.
4K Media , Konami Digital’s subsidiary which manages Yu-Gi-Oh! outside Asia, has licensed seasons 1-5 of Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters to Tuty, the new 16-hour Czech language channel aimed at kids and teens in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
“Tuty presents an incredible opportunity to introduce and extend the Yu-Gi-Oh! brand to audiences in Eastern European markets,” said Kristen Gray, SVP of Operations and Business & Legal Affairs at 4K Media. “We’re very excited to be partnering with Tuty, premiering Yu-Gi-Oh! from the very first episode of the very first series and growing the brand along with Tuty’s audience.”
“Yu-Gi-Oh! is an evergreen success around the world, regardless of language or culture, and we believe the youngsters of the Czech Republic and Slovakia will also relish this adventurous and engaging anime series,” added Tuty’s Head of Anime Content, Honza Gajdoš.
In another corner of the world, 4K has extended its relationship with Chile’s ETC TV (subsidiary of Bethia Media Group) with the license of Yu-Gi-Oh! GX seasons 1-3, which began airing June 26. The new deal helps ETC meet demand from the strong and growing local fan base following last year’s broadcast of Duel Monsters.
First Pond Entertainment — a film sales and distribution company concentrating on issue-driven narratives centering underrepresented communities — has picked up US rights to Ann Marie Fleming’s feature animation Window Horses, ScreenDaily reports. Produced by the National Film Board of Canada and Fleming’s Stickgirl Productions, the film features the voices of Sandra Oh (also executive producer) and Ellen Page.
Window Horses centers on a young Canadian poet named Rosie Ming (voiced by Oh) who is invited to perform at a festival in Iran — though she’d rather go to Paris. Living with her over-protective Chinese grandparents, she has never traveled by herself. Once in Iran, the stories told by the poets and Persians she meets force her to confront her past as she learns more about the Iranian father she had assumed abandoned her, and the nature of poetry.
Page plays Rosie’s best friend, Kelly; the voice cast also features Don McKellar, Shohreh Aghdashloo and Nancy Kwan. Kevin Langdale, Janet Perlman, Bahram Javaheri and Jody Kramer are among the dozen-plus pedigreed animators who brought the film to life alongside Fleming.
First Pond is planning an Oscar-qualifying theatrical engagement at the Laemmle Music Hall in Los Angeles on September 29, with a limited release to follow. Window Horses premiered last year at Annecy, played in Toronto, and earned awards from the Gijon, Vancouver, RiverRun and Nashville film festivals. The film made its US premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival earlier this year.
The deal was brokered by Oliver Ike for First Pond, James Roberts for NFB and Fleming.
The 9th annual Burbank International Film Festival — running at the AMC Burbank 16 in the “Media Capital of the World” from Sept. 6-10 — has revealed its full programming lineup. The 2017 event will offer a record 180 features and short films, including 25 world premieres, and two dedicated animated short blocks. Visitors can also take in artist tributes, panels, parties, networking events and other festivities.
“With over 60 countries represented, and 25 world premieres, the festival has grown significantly in the U.S. and we are continuing to form new international relationships every year” stated Jeff Rector, president and festival director. “From Hong Kong, to New Zealand, to South Africa, 20% of film submissions are from abroad this year, and the quality of work continues to be extraordinary.”
Special recognition will be given this year to acclaimed actors Veronica Cartwright (Lifetime Achievement Award) and Tippi Hedren (Awareness Award, for animal rights activism), NBC Weathercaster/comedian Fritz Coleman (Garry Marshall Spirit Award, for philanthropy and community impact), and to Oscar- and Emmy-winning makeup artist Michael Westmore.
Full info on Burbank Film Festival’s 2017 animation lineup below. For more on the festival and to purchase tickets, visit www.burbankfilmfest.org.
Couboi Faykand and the Wild West
Director: Diego Raf Diaz
Synopsis: A teenage cowboy named Couboi Faykand takes his child sidekick to a Western bar. When two outlaws arrive, Couboi Faykand challenges them to a showdown. Couboi wins with his trusty whip, and the sheriff gives him some reward money.
Wishing Box
Director: Lizzie Zhang
Synopsis: After years sailing, the pirate Derek and his sidekick monkey finally found a treasure box, and this box is a magic box can make your wishes come true.
Green Light
Director: Seongmin Kim
Synopsis: Green Light is a story about a girl and a robot soldier thrown into the worst situation brought up by the misuse of highly-advanced science technology, trying to restore the land it used to be.
Arpeggio
Director: Adriana Uriguen Garcia
Synopsis: Father and son are inseparable until adolescence threatens their special bond. Both will have to decide how willing they are to keep their relationship from falling apart.
Hope
Director: Michael Scherrer
Synopsis: Hope tells the story of a little boy, who is condemned to spend the time he has left in a prisoners’ camp. The memories of his mother are the only thing keeping him alive.
A Boy and His Beast
Director: Calley Macdonald
Synopsis: A young boy must stop a creature that is terrorizing the countryside in 18th century France. But is it possible that he may be to blame for the beast?
The Killer Buzz
Director: Barry Jackson
Synopsis: The flies compete for the love of a ladybug until things reach cataclysmic proportions.
BLOCK 2 – Sept. 9, 1-2 p.m., Theater 11
Below 0
Director: Itai Hagage
Synopsis: A meteorologist who narrates his experience in the Arctic through a voice recording; and how his life is linked physically and spiritually to nature.
Post No Bills
Director: Robin Hays
Synopsis: On an urban city wall plastered with posters, Noodle Boy must make his way through a series of obstacles and challenges in order to save his crush, Miss Fortune, from the city’s clean up crew.
Stars
Director: Han Zhang
Synopsis: Grandpa and grandson street sellers sell stars in a town near the shore. One night, they run out of the stars…
Digital Romance
Director: Michael Helmuth Hansen
Synopsis: When the computer game “Brutal Bullet” becomes infected by a destructive virus, its hero Kane Skullhead is the key to activating the antivirus. This begins a chase of life and death, which will eventually reach beyond his own world and have him collide with the world of a beautiful ballerina.
Bosatsu – Year of the Dragon
Director: Siddharth Ahluwalia
Synopsis: Fugen Bosatsu has the Bodhisattva status is one of the 8 deities of Buddha, protecting the Dragon and the Snake. He enters Jake’s dreams to guide him towards his true identity. Jake, born in the Year of the Dragon often gets visions from his past. He doesn’t know what they are but somehow feels they are real. He remembers nothing from his past and just seeks answers to his visions.
Rabbit Blood
Director: Yagmur Altan
Synopsis: Just an ordinary day at an old mysterious Turkish country house where its residents have an extraordinary way of brewing tea.
Hanging
Director: Nick LeDonne
Synopsis: An abstracted animated documentary based off of Nick LeDonne’s personal struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts after a near attempted hanging in November 2014. His feelings of depression are personified through a dark luring fog and a loving mother desperately trying to keep her son alive.
T-Bird
Director: Jae Kitinoja
Synopsis: Noticing a barrier that cannot be breached, a small sketch in a notebook struggles to free its bound wings and learn to fly.
Adija
Director: Apollonia Thomaier
Synopsis: A young girl in the Bronx finds escape from an unhappy family life through her graffiti art.
Japan’s Animation Industry Failing to Cultivate Next Generation of Talent Nippon.com‘s culture section dissects the problems behind the country’s impending talent gap — namely, poor work conditions and low wages for young animators making the traditional training ladder unsupportable and insufferable.
Cagayan de Oro Animators to Release ‘Division of Existence’ Anime
Filipino animation collective Xygen CG Works prepare to unveil the 10-minute pilot for their sci-fi action-adventure passion project inspired by Japanese anime (maybe the “next generation of talent” is outside Nippon?).
Northwest Animation Festival’s Best of the Fest 2017
The Portland, Oregon-based festival has curated 13-film lineup of audience favorites for a one-night only show on Friday, September 15 at the historic Hollywood Theatre. The show will include some animated nudity and sexuality, so leave your Dora the Explorer fans with a sitter.
Nikozi Animation Fest Gearing Up in Ancient Georgian Village
The 7th international animation event in one of the country’s last surviving towns from antiquity runs Sept. 1-7. Contemporary and classic local works are on tap, as well as a strong educational focus and visits from producer Olivier Catherin (Kiki de Montparnasse) and enjoys of Annecy Festival, Filmfest Dresden and NFB Canada.
Birdlime by Evan DeRushie; Northwest Animation Festival 2017Bunny Drop from Production I.G
The Walt Disney Signature Edition Blu-ray release of The Lion King is this week (Aug. 29). In case you needed any more convincing, Walt Disney Home Entertainment has released more snippets from the fun and fascinating bonus features. These clips take fans on a virtual visit to the recording booth during production of the 1994 animated classic for a look at the making of the film’s acclaimed songs and scenes.
In the clips, see Nathan Lane (voice of Timon) in action and hear his recollections of performances breakthroughs; check out footage of Whoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin, Jim Cummings (the hyenas), Jeremy Irons (Scar) and James Earl Jones (Mufasa) recording “Be Prepared;” and more delightful nibbles of ’90s voice acting history.
LIMA has released its bi-annual Kidz Global Study, providing a snapshot of children’s favorite brands and characters across more than 40 countries. Calculated from consumer surveys created by Brand Trends, the reports ID the most recognizable kid licenses for both boys and girls across animated entertainment, music, fashion, publishing, etc.
In the United States, the Kidz Global Study found that the top 10 most-mentioned brands across all kids ages 0-14 areBatman, Nike, Spider-Man, LEGO, SpongeBob SquarePants, Mickey Mouse, Harry Potter, Adidas, Barbie and Tom & Jerry. For animated characters & properties, SpongeBobis No.1, with other top toons including Tom & Jerry, Mickey Mouse, PAW Patrol, Peppa Pig, Ben 10, Teen Titans Go!, Adventure Time, Dora the Explorer and Scooby-Doo.
The top licenses by age group vary slightly in their toon taste. Children 0-2 picks included Mickey Mouse, PAW Patrol, Frozen, Peppa Pig (these also made the cut with Children 3-6), Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Cars. Children 7-9 and 10-14 were more into fashion, superhero, toy and game brands overall. SpongeBob is a top pick for three out of four groups (exc. 3-6) while Batman is in the Top 10 across all four age groups.
Across the pond, kids in the United Kingdom overall ranked their top brands as LEGO, Peppa Pig, Nike, Adidas, PAW Patrol, Frozen, Harry Potter, Disney Princess, Minecraft and Spider-Man. The most mentioned toons are Peppa Pig, PAW Patrol, Tom & Jerry, SpongeBob, The Simpsons, Scooby-Doo, My Little Pony, Horrid Henry, Adventure Time and PJ Masks.
Peppa is No. 1 among all brands for children 0-2 and 3-6 — both groups also put PAW Patrol, Frozen and Thomas & Friends in their Top 10s. The littlest ones also named The Gruffalo, with preschoolers adding DreamWorks’ Trolls, Disney Princess and My Little Pony to their faves. Children 7-9’s only top 10 animated title is Horrid Henry, while sophisticated 10-14 year olds prefer Simpsons.
Unsurprisingly, kids in Japan have a much broader appreciation for cartoons and comics with 9 out of the Top 10 overall brands across all ages being animated properties: Doraemon, Anpanman, Yo-Kai Watch, Pokemon, One Piece, Detective Conan, Crayon Shin-chan, Tomica (a diecast model vehicle brand), PreCure and Frozen.
Additional titles making the most-mentioned lists by age include Thomas & Friends, Shimajiro, My Neighbor Totoro, Nontan and Mickey Mouse (0-2); One Piece (7-9 and 10-14); and Assassination Classroom (10-14). Doraemon is a top brand in each age group; Yo-Kai Watch and Crayon Shin-chan make the cut with all but the youngest group.
Notably, kids in Japan and the US also list Disney among their favorite fashion brands.
Epic Games has announced the latest round of Unreal Dev Grants — a $5 million initiative that awards developers no-strings-attached funding for their contributions to the Unreal Engine community. The 15 new grant recipients are working on a range of projects including some promising videogame concepts, and now have a combined extra $200K-plus in cash assistance to continue their work.
The latest round of grants goes to:
TINY METAL from Area 35: Area 35 invites players to join second lieutenant Nathan Gries and his troops in TINY METAL, a turn-based strategy game heading to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PC and Mac later this year. Players help Nathan defend against the invading Zipang army with ground and air units. TINY METAL will be playable in the Indie MEGABOOTH at PAX West, sponsored by Unreal Engine, starting next week! [Video]
Pyotes: Need to Survive by Evgeniy Myasnikov, Filipp Pavlov & Peter Solodov: Pyotes: Need to Survive features a race of extraterrestrial origin whose civilization, on the brink of homelessness, searches the universe for the ideal planet to inhabit. With a mix of adventure and strategy gameplay, Pyotes brings to life original characters and a rich world through high-quality animations and artistic detail. [Video]
Maelstrom from Gunpowder Games: Naval combat meets grim fantasy and magic in Gunpowder Games’s debut title, Maelstrom. Players captain Orc, Dwarf or Human warships and sail the turbulent Abyssal Ocean to tackle single-player challenges and multiplayer skirmishes. Check out their recently launched Kickstarter for more information. [Website]
Bright Memory from FYQD: Set in the future, Bright Memory is a first-person shooter built entirely in Blueprints by Chinese solo developer Zeng Xiancheng. The impressive game combines many action gameplay elements to give players an unforgettable experience and is due out in 2018. [Developer’s YouTube channel]
Decoherence by Efecto Studios: Developed by Colombian independent team Efecto Studios, Decoherence is a battle strategy game in which the player sets up a team of robots and pits them against an opponent’s team. [Teaser Trailer] [Efecto Website]
Five Minutes Rage by Indomitus Games: Five Minutes Rage is a unique 2.5D multiplayer game packed with adrenaline where two teams of “junkbots” battle to the death with cannon shots to throw the ball into the goal. Get more info on this Early Access title at Indomitus Games’ website. [Video]
Project Wingman from RD-B2: Project Wingman is an independently developed combat flight action game with an emphasis on refined gameplay, true-to-its-roots inspirations, and a single-player experience that puts the player in the flightsuit of a mercenary combat pilot in a world on fire. Read more on Abi Rahmani’s developer blog and be on the lookout for the game’s upcoming Kickstarter campaign. [Video]
Giraffe and Annika by KamiPallet: Giraffe and Annika is a 3D adventure game for PC where the player follows the story of the cat-eared girl, Annika, as she explores the mysterious island of Spika. The Blueprint-driven game from KamiPallet features music-based battles with synchronized animations and effects. Giraffe and Annika is due out on PC in 2018. [Video]
Legion 1917: Rise of the Bolsheviks by Sornyak Arts: The debut title from Sornyak Arts, an independent Czech-Slovak studio, Legion 1917: Rise of the Bolsheviks is a story-driven tactical strategy game for PC, Mac and Linux. The hand-painted journey unfolds where the Russian Civil War begins and eventually engulfs the country in flames. Exploration of the land and interactions with characters and objects flows in real time, whereas skirmishes open up a distinct turn-based combat mode. Video]
Project Echo: Knights of the Future by OctoBox Interactive: St. Petersburg-based independent studio Octobox Interactive are making the Western-themed VR shooter High Noon as well as the tactical mech battle game Project Echo: Knights of the Future with UE4. [Twitter] [Video]
Sky Noon from Lunar Rooster: Sky Noon is a first-person shooter with brawler mechanics from New Zealand developer Lunar Rooster. Players are equipped with a grappling hook, a lasso and an arsenal of weapons and abilities. [Website] [Steam page] [Trailer]
LG Tang: Chinese developer LG Tang has been instrumental in supporting the Unreal Engine community in China by translating many tutorials and other informational videos. Find hundreds of LG Tang’s UE4 videos on his [Youku channel.]
Dustin Lee: Dustin Lee has created numerous high-value learning resources for Korean developers covering many aspects of game development in Unreal Engine 4. Find more on his YouTube channel and blog.
Fractal Mob: The Utah-based team at Fractal Mob has always loved foosball and video games but felt a bit underwhelmed when playing modern day foosball video games. A lack of physical input was the primary problem but, even then, something was missing. Foos (videos here) manages to keep the physical input everyone loves while adding crazy arcade elements thanks to their clever use of UE4 in a table-top setting. It’s a fun, exciting and refreshing take on the classic experience. Fractal Mob specializes in virtual reality and real-time visualization, and can be contacted on their website.
“Absolute Elimination” by Scoob: Absolute Elimination is a wildly popular mod for Unreal Tournament. It provides a round-based, team-oriented survival mode to the game inspired by celebrated mods in previous Unreal Engine games. The developer, Scoob, has been maintaining support for the mod for over a year by implementing community feedback, providing version changelists and documenting known issues. Read more about Absolute Elimination on Scoob’s forum thread.
The Viborg Animation Festival is kicking off in just under a month, bringing a week of exciting, engaging events to the central Jutland city. The 2017 edition, running Sept. 25 to Oct. 1, will celebrate 150 years of diplomatic relations between Denmark and Japan with the theme “Kawaii & Epikku” and programs exploring the importance of animation in these disparate but connected cultures.
Japanese classics as well as recent international favorites will screen, from a Studio Ghibli marathon, to Polygon Pictures’ sci-fi Netflix Original Blame!, to Makoto Shinkai’s three-time Japan Academy Prize-winner Your Name. and Sunao Katabuchi’s powerful WWII picture In This Corner of the World (in limited US release now). There will also be a Manga Artist Battle, the Viborg Manga and Anime Museum — featuring pieces from the Kyoto Seika University collection and Kyoto International Manga Museum — and a seminar with Japanese and Western artists on “Manga and Comics: Inspiration and Isolation.”
Additional highlights include a unique live experience, Solar Walk, which combines animation by award-winning director Réka Bucsi with music from composer Niels Marthinsen, jazz singer Susi Hyldgaard and the Aarhus Jazz Orchestra to create an interdisciplinary artistic journey into the puzzling, immense solar system. Uri Kranot’s award-winning VR short Nothing Happens will feature in the Expanded Animation Art Spaces exhibitions, which explore the borders between technology, animation and installation art. And fan art by Danish cartoonists will bring color to the walls at the VAF Sum-Up exhibitions.
Animation professionals can also look forward to a number of informative conferences, focused on new ways to utilize these artistic and technological skills in the healthcare, science and education fields.
Leading markerless 3D facial motion-capture company Faceware Technologies and developer Cloud Imperium Games have announced a new feature coming to first-person space colony sim Star Citizen: real-time, player-driven facial animation which will reproduce players’ expressions on their avatars for the most immersive in-game chat yet. The tech was demonstrated at gamescom in Cologne on Friday.
“This is the first time any game has used this kind of technology to detect and stream the facial movements of players in real-time, and I believe it’s a revolutionary step in gaming,” said Chris Roberts, Chairman & CEO of Cloud Imperium Games. “For the first time, we’ll be able to deliver the full range of human emotion, not just voice.Our players’ facial expressions will be translated onto their avatars’ face. Combine that with a player’s voice correctly positioned in the virtual world, and you have the most lifelike player-to-player communication ever.”
Developed over the last two years, the Star Citizen Face Over Internet Protocol feature was build with Faceware’s LiveSDK, powerd by Image Metrics real-time tech and showcased during SIGGRAPH (read more about it in the October issue of Animation Magazine). Using Faceware’s upcoming facial motion sensor, FOIP can detect hundreds of facial movements in a variety of lighting conditions, which are then instantly streamed onto the CG game character’s face. The tech can be used with a computer’s built-in webcam, though quality of detection may vary.
“We’re seeing more and more interest in this sort of real-time animation, but Cloud Imperium is the first game company to take it to this level,” said Peter Busch, VP of Business Development at Faceware Technologies. “I can’t wait to see the reaction of Star Citizen fans as they chat, in-game, about their next mission, their ships, or what they had for breakfast. Player-driven characters could change multiplayer games forever.”
African Animation Network and Ster-Kinekor Cinema Nouveau have teamed up to launch a new kid-friendly animated short film event in Africa, FupiToons Festival — “fupi” is the Swahili word for “short” — which will run concurrently with DISCOP Johannesburg 2017. The inaugural festival will take place at the Rosebank Nouveau theater in Joburg from Oct. 27-29, with an Industry Premiere night Oct. 26.
“We’re excited about partnering with AAN for the FupiToons Festival. Cinema Nouveau is constantly looking for new and exciting alternative content for our viewers,” said Lola Gallant, Head of Alternative Content, Ster-Kinekor Theatres. “We’re hoping that this is the start of a prosperous partnership, a celebration of African animation excellence, and a festival which can be expanded across our footprint in Sub-Saharan Africa”.
AAN has recruited a talented and experienced leadership team to manage FupiToons. Award-winning Ghanaian filmmaker Comfort Arthur (The Peculiar Life of a Spider, Imagine, Black Barbie) — most recently the winner of the Best Female Director prize at the BlackStar International Film Festival — has been appointed Content Curator & Assistant Festival Director. Clea Mallinson of South Africa, who has also received international attention for her work and won the Animation Du Monde with her Fairy Wheels pitch in 2015, is Content Curator, Assistant Festival Director and Festival Editor. And Zeropoint Studios’ co-Founder/Head of Development/Creative Producer Wendy Spinks (South Africa) — whose IP Hatch was runner-up in the Turner Kids’ Animation Pitching Competition at DISCOP Joburg last year — is Head of Content Curation and Festival Director.
A call for entries for the first edition of FupiToons Festival is now open to African animated content aimed at audiences ages 2-12. Submissions can be made online here; the entry deadline is October 2, 2017.
“FupiToons Festival is an African first. Owing to financial constraints, the majority of animation in Africa is short form. This format of animation has never had a platform to engage audience in Africa and that makes FupiToons Festival both relevant and necessary,” said Spinks. “This is something I proudly stand behind!”
An upcoming episode of The Fred Rogers Company’s multiple Daytime Emmy-winning series Peg + Cat will put a musical twist on early mathematics concepts with a troop of special guest stars: Latin Grammy nominated Mariachi Flor de Toloache. New York’s first (and only) all-women mariachi band will lend their voices to “The Mariachi Problem,” premiering September 15 on PBS KIDS.
In this special episode, all seven members of Mariachi Flor de Toloache will play animated versions of themselves in their first ever cartoon cameos. “The Mariachi Problem” will feature original counting songs performed by the band as the help Cat serenade his lady love, Rosana, on a road trip to Mexico.
Mariachi Flor de Toloache — whose latest album Las Caras Lindas was released this spring to positive reviews — join an impressive roster of Peg + Cat guests, which have included prima ballerina Misty Copeland and Grey’s Anatomy star Sandra Oh (who played the President of the United States). The series is created by Jennifer Oxley (Little Bill, The Wonder Pets!) and Billy Aronson (Rent, Postcards from Buster).
Following its home entertainment release in May, the two-hour animated series compilation Vixen: The Movie will be making its broadcast debut. Cut together from two seasons of digital outlet CW Seed’s Vixen, the feature event will air Wednesday, August 30. The program will include interstitial looks at the upcoming third season during commercial breaks.
Vixen follows Mari McCabe, a young woman originally from Africa who grew up as an orphan after her parents were killed by the local forces of greed and corruption. But Mari refuses to succumb to the terrors surrounding her. Using her family’s generations-old Tantu Totem, Mari can access the powers of animals, from the strength of a gorilla to the speed of a cheetah. As the hero Vixen, she fights valiantly to protect the world from threats like those that took her family.
Mari McCabe is voiced by Megalyn Echikunwoke, with series cameos from popular characters including Green Arrow (Stephen Amell), The Flash (Grant Gustin), Black Canary (Katie Cassidy) and The Atom (Brandon Routh).
The Vixen character made her live-action debut after webtoon launched, with Echikunwoke playing Mari in season 4 of Arrow. Her story also ties into Legends of Tomorrow through Mari’s grandmother, Amaya Jiwe (Maisie Richardson-Sellers), which will also welcome Mari’s villainous sister, Kuasa (Tracy Ifeachor) next season, ComicBook.com points out — she was voiced by Anika Noni Rose in Vixen.
Check out the broadcast premiere trailer:
And the movie trailer from its home release earlier this year:
‘Star Citizen’ Adding Real-Time Facial Animation System
Cloud Imperium Games is collaborating with Faceware Technologies (read more about them in the October issue of Animation Magazine) to offer first-of-its kind tech that lets you animate your avatar’s face in real-time when you chat with other players in-game. As long as nobody creates a program that automatically detects whether you’re wearing pants IRL or not, that’s fine.
Emon Animation Company Transfers Artland Ownership Stake to New Company
The Haoliners joint Japanese-Chinese subsidiary has transferred its 51% stake to Levels Co. in Japan, avoiding imminent threats of bankruptcy and allowing Artland to continue operations. Founded in 1978, the shop’s recent credits include TV series Seven Mortal Sins and Mushishi Next Passage.
VIDEO: The SpongeBob SquarePants Anime – OP 1
YouTuber and consummate genius Narmak has delivered what you didn’t even know your heart was crying out for: a dramatic, violent, anime-inspired opening sequence which relocates Bikini Bottom in the weeaboo universe. Be sure to check out Narmak’s Channel for more mash-ups, like the two-part “Attack on Ogre” saga…
Acamar Films’ animated preschool property Bing is cuddling up even snugger with master toy partner Fisher-Price, growing the alliance which first began in 2014.
“Our relationship with Fisher-Price is at the heart of our growing Bing licensing program, and the toy line will continue to contribute to Bing’s success as we extend not just in the UK but also internationally,” says Bethan Garton, Acamar Films’ Head of Licensing. “Fisher-Price has a great team working on Bing, and we want to take this opportunity to thank them for their hard work so far in delivering best-in- class toys to little Bingsters.”
Since the original agreement was put in place, the Bing toy line has received strong retail distribution and support across key accounts — including grocers, high street and specialist retailers. Fisher-Price recently launched a new feature plush and TV driver, Toilet Train Bing — in alliance with Acamar, a strong marketing plan will support the newest bunny buddy’s launch leading up to the 2018 holiday season.
“Acamar has been a fantastic collaborative partner and we see tremendous global potential with their Emmy Award-winning show Bing,” said Lauren DeFeo-Duchene, VP, Global Marketing for Fisher-Price Licensed Pre-School. “We look forward to working closely with Acamar as we expand the Bing toy program into new markets around the world.”
Gamescom 2017 wrapped up in Cologne Thursday night with the presentation of this year’s awards. Sweeping the event was the Nintendo Switch title Super Mario Odyssey, which snagged the coveted Best of Gamescom Award, the consumer-voted Most Wanted Award, and three of the juried categories.
Also among the winners were multiple nominees Destiny 2 from Activision Blizzard — with two wins), Assassin’s Creed (Ubisoft), Middle-earth: Shadows of War (Warner Bros. Interactive), Ni No Kuni II (Bandai Namco). You can see the full list of nominees here.
Winners:
Best of Gamescom Award: Super Mario Odyssey, Nintendo
Best Add-On/ DLC: Battlefield 1: In the Name of the Tsar, Electronic Arts
Best Booth: Electronic Arts Gamescom Booth 2017
Best Console Game – Sony PlayStation 4: Assassin’s Creed Origins, Ubisoft
Best Console Game – Microsoft Xbox One: Middle-earth: Shadows of War, Warner Bros.
Best Console Game – Nintendo Switch: Super Mario Odyssey, Nintendo
Best PC Game: Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Koch Media
Best Mobile Game: Metroid: Samus Returns, Nintendo
Best Role Playing Game: Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom, Bandai Namco
Best Racing Game: Forza Motorsport 7, Microsoft
Best Action Game: Super Mario Odyssey, Nintendo
Best Simulation Game: Project CARS 2, Namco Bandai
Best Sports Game: PES 2018, Konami
Best Family Game: Super Mario Odyssey, Nintendo
Best Strategy Game: Mario & Rabbids Kingdom Battle, Ubisoft
Best Puzzle / Skill Game: God’s Trigger, Techland
Best Social / Online Game: Destiny 2, Activision Blizzard
Best Casual Game: Hidden Agenda, Sony
Best Multiplayer Game: Destiny 2, Activision Blizzard
Best Virtual Reality Game: Fallout 4 VR, ZeniMax
Best Hardware: Xbox One X, Microsoft
“Most Wanted” Consumer Award: Super Mario Odyssey, Nintendo
Indie Award: Double Kick Heroes, Head Bang Club
Submission Deadlines for 2017 Oscars Approaching!
Get your movie-making rears in gear! Deadlines to submit your work for consideration in the 90th Academy Awards are coming up fast: Animated Short and Foreign Language Film (Oct. 2), Animated Feature (Nov. 1), Original Score and Original Song (Dec. 1). Complete rules at oscars.org/rules.
Visual Effects Society: Rule & Procedures for 16th Annual VES Awards
While largely unchanged from last year, applicants should note updated definitions for Supporting VFX in Features and TV, as well as the Outstanding Model category. The awards show is set for February 13, 2018.
“It’s Africa’s Time for Animation”
Triggerfish’s Vanessa Sinden talks the animation studio’s (Zambezia, Stick Man) plans to help lead the African animation vanguard into the lucrative, growing global industry with Forbes.
VIDEO: Marvel’s ‘Spider-Man’ Sneak Peek: “Osborn Academy”
Get a first look at the next episode of Disney XD’s newly launched Spidey show, guest starring Cameron Boyce as Herman Schultz (a.k.a. Shocker!). “Osborn Academy” premieres Saturday, Aug. 26 at 7 a.m. ET/PT.
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: Animation and VFX Graduate Traineeship 2017-2018
Screen Training Ireland and Animation Skillnet are seeking applicants for the third iteration for the hugely successful program, which will run October 16, 2017 through March 30, 2018. Submit your application by Friday, Sept. 8, 2017!
John Lasseter (left) takes a selfie with Honorary Oscar recipient Hayao Miyazaki (center), Toshio Suzuki and guests at the Governor’s Awards in 2014. [Photo: Academy of Motion Pictures]
Building on the success of 2015’s inaugural Force Friday, Disney and Lucasfilm have announced Find the Force, a global augmented reality event rolling out on Force Friday II (September 1) to commemorate the worldwide launch of new products inspired by Star Wars: The Last Jedi, in theaters December 15.
The pop-up AR treasure hunt aims to unite fans around the world in the battle against the dark side in a unique three-day event at over 20,000 retail locations across 30 countries. As fans shop new The Last Jedi products, they will have the opportunity to activate the AR experience featuring Star Wars characters, including fan-favorites and new surprise additions from the film.
“Force Friday II is a major milestone in the countdown to Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Star Wars has always championed new technology, and we are excited that augmented reality will allow fans to experience the universe in a whole new way,” said Kathleen Kennedy, President of Lucasfilm.
Here’s how to take part in Find the Force Sept. 1-3: First, download the Star Wars App (those who already have the app will need to download the latest version, available now). Then, visit any one of 20,000 participating retail locations to find a graphic that contains the Find the Force logo. When you scan the graphic using the Star Wars App, you’ll reveal a character, who through augmented reality, will appear in the room with you. You can then take photos, record videos, and share the experience on social media. Come back each day to reveal new characters (15 in total across the program’s three-day run).
Fans in select markets who share their snaps and videos using #FindtheForce and #Sweepstakes that weekend can enter to win the ultimate Star Wars experience: Tickets to The Last Jedi premiere!
“Force Friday II puts fans right at the center of the action using augmented reality to bring our characters to life like never before. The technology theme continues in the Star Wars: The Last Jedi product line, which is our most innovative yet – we can’t wait for fans to see what’s in store.” said Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media.
![John Lasseter (left) takes a selfie with Honorary Oscar recipient Hayao Miyazaki (center), Toshio Suzuki and guests at the Governor’s Awards in 2014. [Photo: Academy of Motion Pictures]](https://www.dev.animationmagazine.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/john-lasseter-post2.jpg)
