Beijing-based Hishow Entertainment has acquired distribution rights in China for European animated feature Tall Tales: The Magical Garden of Antoon Krings, as well as exclusive merchandising rights to the picture. Produced by The Little Prince studios PGS and ON Animation, the film is adapted from the children’s book series Drôles de petites bêtes (“Funny Little Beasts”) by Krings, who makes his directorial debut.
Hishow previously picked up Gaumont Animation’s Ballerina (a.k.a. Leap), giving it a coveted release date during Chinese New Year.
Tall Tales centers on Apollo, a vagabond cricket with a song ever on his lips who sets out to start a new life in the magical garden and gets mixed up with the wrong crowd. The CG adaptation spent six years in look development at ON Animation as the artists sought to capture the original illustrations from Krings’ book.
Drôles de petites bêtes (published by Gallimard) features more than 200 insect characters living in an enchanted woodland. The charming stories have sold more than 20 million copies worldwide.
Tall Tales: The Magical Garden of Antoon KringsTall Tales: The Magical Garden of Antoon KringsTall Tales: The Magical Garden of Antoon Krings
Next month, the first ever Women in Animation World Summit will be held in conjunction with the Annecy International Festival and MIFA. Presented by Women in Animation and Les Femmes s’Animent, with The Walt Disney Studios, the Centre National du Cinéma et de l’Image Animée, the Société des Auteurs et Compositeurs Dramatiques and Hiventy, the day-long event will welcome industry luminaries to share their knowledge and experiences on Monday, June 12 at the Impérial Palace Hotel.
“We are honored to co-host the first Women in Animation World Summit at Annecy, with MIFA’s continued support of our advocacy,” said WIA co-President Marge Dean. “Our big focus for this year is on recognizing and understanding unconscious bias, an achievement which will help everyone work together towards WIA’s goal of bringing equity to creative leadership in our industry by 2025.”
The symposium was partly born out of Annecy’s 2015 event theme honoring women in animation, in which WIA played a key role. This first step has evolved through two years of collaboration with WIA and LFA, according to CITIA Managing Director Michael Marin, Head of Economic Development and MIFA.
“During MIFA 2014, we invited Marge Dean and other women from WIA to present their work promoting women in the animation industry. This inspired a group of women in France to launch a sister organization in 2015, Les Femmes s’Animent,” said LFA President, Corinne Kouper. She added that this year’s summit will be complimented by a series of breakfast meetings throughout Annecy. “We look forward to welcoming everyone interested in our joint efforts.”
Women in Animation World Summit schedule:
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. – Exploring Unconscious Bias: Julie Ann Crommett (Vice President of Multicultural Audience Engagement at the Walt Disney Studios and WIA Chair of Industry Relations) will present an introduction to the topic of “Unconscious Bias.” Julie Ann will be introduced by WIA co-President, Marge Dean.
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – 50/50 by 2025 – How Are We Getting There?: Lindsay Nadler (Director, Human Resources, Walt Disney Animation Studios) will lead a discussion with top industry filmmakers and executives such as Jinko Gotoh (Producer, Warner Animation Group and WIA Secretary), Alison Mann (Vice President of Talent, Illumination Entertainment), Corinne Kouper (Director of Development of TeamTO and president, Les Femmes s’Animent) and Lindsay Watson (Animation Producer, CANUK Productions Ltd. and president, Animated Women UK) on how to reach WIA’s goal of 50/50 gender balance in creative leadership roles within the animation industry by 2025.
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Artist Experience: Moderated by Karen Dufilho (Executive Producer, Google Spotlight Stories), this panel will feature artists from all areas of the animation industry – features, TV, shorts, gaming, VR/AR – such as Dorota Kobiela (co-director, Loving Vincent), Jorge Gutierrez (Writer/Director, ReelFX), Wendy Rogers (VFX Supervisor/Creative Executive, Cirrina Studios), Celine Sciamma (writer/director) and Xin Yu (CEO & Creative Director of ShangHai Left Pocket Studio and ShangHai Left Pocket Media) talking about their experiences in the current animation community.
3:00 – 4:30 p.m. – Developing Diverse Stories: Moderated by Julie Ann Crommett (Vice President of Multicultural Audience Engagement at the Walt Disney Studios and WIA Chair of Industry Relations), this panel featuring Jessica Julius (Creative Executive, Walt Disney Animation Studios), Emilie Blezat (Studio Canal China) and Melissa Cobb (Head of Studio and Chief Creative Officer, Oriental DreamWorks) will be a discussion about developing projects and telling cultural stories with authenticity.
LFA Breakfast Meetings:
At Brasserie du Parc, June 13-16 from 8:30-10 a.m.
Tuesday, June 13 – Women Directors in Annecy: Highlighted speakers include Léa Krawczyk (À Perdre Haleine), Katrin Rothe (1917 – Der Wahre Oktober), Anne Magnusen (The Man Who Knew 75 Languages), Lucrèce Andreae (Pépé le Morse).
Wednesday, June 14 – Women in the Chinese Animation Industry: Highlighted speakers include Jie Chen (Producer, Big Fish & Begonia), Jiajia (director), Xin Yu (CEO & Creative Director of ShangHai Left Pocket Studio and ShangHai Left Pocket Media), Monica Huang (producer), Chao Wang (Annecy graduate student film jurist).
Thursday, June 15 – The Women of My Life as a Zucchini & The Man Woman Case: Highlighted speakers include Armelle Giorennec (producer, My Life as a Zucchini), Marianne Chazelas (first assistant director, My Life as a Zucchini), Kim Keukeleire (director of animation, My Life as a Zucchini), Christel Grandchamp (costume designer, My Life as a Zucchini), Vanessa Riera (costume designer, My Life as a Zucchini), Joëlle Oosterlinck (scriptwriter, The Man Woman Case), Anaïs Caura (writer/director, The Man Woman Case), and Hélène Gendronneau (producer, The Man Woman Case).
Friday, June 16 – Engaged & Emerging Filmmakers dialogue with Bonnie Arnold: Highlighted speakers include Bonnie Arnold (President, DreamWorks Animation), Anca Damian (director, Crulic, The Magic Mountain), Iryna Kosttyuk (producer, Mavka, the Forest Song), Eléa Gobbé-Mévellec (co-director, The Swallows of Kabu) and Dorota Kobiela (director, Loving Vincent).
Nickelodeon has placed the order for a 12th season of 26 episodes for its iconic cartoon SpongeBob SquarePants, the No. 1 animated show for Kids 2-11 and Kids 6-11. The further adventures of eternal optimist SpongeBob, BFF Patrick, Sandy, Mr. Krabs, Plankton and Squidward in Bikini Bottom will premiere in 2019 — the show’s 20th anniversary year. The series greenlight comes on the heels of confirmation of a third SpongeBob SquarePants movie coming from Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies, also due in 2019.
The most-watched animated program with kids for more than 15 consecutive years, SpongeBob SquarePants season 11 will debut on Nick later this summer, featuring the return of fan-favorite characters including Doodle Bob, Bubble Buddy, Man Ray and Cave SpongeBob of internet meme notoriety.
Created and executive produced by Stephen Hilenburg (writer/director, Rocko’s Modern Life), the series features the voices of Tom Kenny (SpongeBob), Bill Fagerbakke (Patrick Star), Roger Bumpass (Squidward), Clancy Brown (Mr. Krabs), Carolyn Lawrence (Sandy Cheeks) and Mr. Lawrence (Plankton). Since 1999, the top-rated toon has welcomed guest stars including Amy Poehler, Mark Hamill, David Bowie, Alton Brown, Johnny Depp, Dennis Quaid, Ricky Gervais, Rosario Dawson, LeBron James, Tina Fey, Craig Ferguson, Will Ferrell, P!nk, Victoria Beckham, Kristin Wiig, Ginnifer Goodwin, John Goodman, Andy Samberg, Johnny Knoxville, Bob Barker, Betty White, Aubrey Plaza, and Jon Hamm.
The network has also issued renewal orders for some of its top-performing animated preschool series: PAW Patrol season 5, Shimmer and Shine season 4, Rusty Rivets season 2, and Nella the Princess Knight season 2. These re-ups contribute to Nick’s largest preschool content pipeline ever, comprising new and returning shows for the 2017-2018 season. Nickelodeon is currently home to four of the top five preschool shows on all TV (12/26/16-04/30/17), led by PAW Patrol on top. Year to date, Nick also ranks as the number-one basic cable network for Kids 2-5–a leading position it has held for the last three years–Kids 2-11 and Kids 6-11.
PAW Patrol season 5 (26 x half-hours produced by Spin Master Ent.) will see the pack of heroic pups — Chase, Marshall, Rubble, Skye, Rocky, Zuma, Everest and Tracker — take to the high seas for Sea Patrol adventures, where they’ll meet a scallywag pirate and his dachshund pal. The curriculum focuses on citizenship, social skills and problem solving.
Shimmer and Shine season 4 (20 x half-hours) will follow the twin genies-in-training as they travel up in the sky and far above the clouds–farther than even a magic carpet can reach–to the wild, exciting area of their genie world known as Zahramay Skies. While there, Shimmer and Shine will encounter sky genies, Zahra-corns, stardust magic, flying dragons and adorable pets with wings in all-new magical adventures. Its social-emotional curriculum highlights the importance of teamwork, resilience and overcoming obstacles.
Rusty Rivets season 2 (26 x half-hours produced by Spin Master Ent.) introduces Rusty’s coolest invention yet, the Mobile Rivet Lab (MRL), which will take his creativity and imagination on the road to new exciting locations. When Rusty, Ruby, Botasaur and the Bits find themselves on the edge of steeper cliffs and in deeper caves, they’ll need to build their way out with the help of some new creatures. Inspired by the maker movement, the show inspires confidence and fuels creativity with a focus on inventing, creating and problem solving.
Nella the Princess Knight season 2 (20 x half-hours) will bring even bigger and bolder adventures to the kingdom of Castlehaven and delve deeper into Princess Nella’s royal lineage. Nella will lead a growing band of friends dedicated to standing up for what’s right, vanquishing enemies by turning foes into friends, challenging expectations and breaking down barriers. She also continues to learn the secrets of her powerful knightly tools, including the origin of her enchanted heart pendant. Social-emotional curriculum promotes self-confidence, inclusiveness and compassion for others.
Continuing coverage of the announcements coming out of the Las Vegas Licensing Expo and related industry this week. Prior snippets can be found here.
+ Activision Blizzard Consumer Products Group for the first time combines the Activision, Blizzard and King properties under one banner at the Expo (booth U202). Interactive entertainment brands include World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, Diabo III, StarCraft , Heroes of the Storm and Overwatch from Blizzard, with licensees including Good Smile (figures), J!nx (apparel), Dark Horse (publishing), Insight Editions (cookbook) and Tokidoki (apparel, accessories). King’s Candy Crush Saga (and its various iterations), with partners likes Amber House (heath & beauty), Ascania (sodas), BakedIn (bake at home kits), InPhase (air fresheners), Rossi (ice cream), Tubz (candy), Little Brown (publishing) and Winning Moves (board games). And Activision’s Call of Duty backed by Bioworld (apparel, accessories), Insight Editions (field manual), DGL (drones), Astro Gaming (headsets), Mattel (collectible construction sets) and Otterbox (mobile/iPad cases); Destiny from Bungie, signed to Bioworld (apparel, accessories), McFarlane Toys (action figures), Mattel (construction sets), Funko (vinyl figures), Razer (gaming accessories), RockLove (jewelry), Concept One (headwear, accessories), Insight Editions (art books, journals), USAopoly (puzzles, playing cards) and KontrolFrek (controller accessories); Crash Bandicoot with its upcoming title N. Sane Trilogy supported by Changes (apparel), Concept One (accessories), Rubber Road (apparel, accessories, mugs, home decor) and Ventue Classics (collectible figures); andSkylanders— which just had its animated series Skylanders Academy re-upped for a third season on Netflix for 2018.
+ Warner Bros Consumer Products has a full to bursting portfolio to carry into this year’s show. The more animated highlights include the upcoming The LEGO Ninjago Movie from Warner Animation Group and LEGO System in theaters Sept. 22; The LEGO Movie spin-off series Unikitty! coming to Cartoon Network; award-winning DC Super Hero Girls multiscreen brand which just got the greenlight for a TV series revamps and classics including New Looney Tunes, Be Cool Scooby-Doo! and WAG’s upcoming SmallFoot feature. WBCP will also flex its film slate with DC’s Justice League and Aquaman, J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One, Dwayne Johnson sci-fi thriller Rampage, Michael Dougherty’s Godzilla 2, and evergreen WB classics.
+ Sony Pictures Consumer Products has appointed Just Play as the Master Toy partner for its upcoming feature The Emoji Movie, in theaters this July, which will see the licensee develop and deliver blind bags, collectible figures, light-up figures and plush. SPCP has secured further first partners in multiple categories: Planet Sox, High Point, Accessory Innovations, AME, Freeze and Bentex (apparel); Thermos, Zak and Franco Manufacturing (housewares); and Ty (toys).
+ Sanrio has announced plans to grow some of its key character brands into new spheres, and introduce new faces to its roster. Hello Kitty is moving into experiential markets with the Hello Kitty Café truck and pop-up, with plans to expand to additional locations and formats. Sanrio is also looking into further food, food service and packaged goods opportunities, including expanding the Hello Kitty Shop at Universal Studios Orlando. Sanrio and Snapchat will continue collaborating, with Hello Kitty and Little Twin Stars themes coming this year. Budge Studios and Swyft Media will develop digital goodies for youngsters, teens and young adults. Hello Kitty is also allied with Lazy Oaf (apparel), Stance (socks), New Era (hats), Nylonmagazine, LootCrate, JuJuBe (bags) and CRAP Eyewear. Hello Sanrio continues to grow since its debut over the holiday season. And coming soon to an (insert consumer product) near you will be Aggretsuko — a red panda who works in the accounting department of a trading company by day, and belts out heavy metal at karaoke in the evenings. Mr. Men Little Miss and Gudetama also remain on top of Sanrio’s in-demand brands list
+ Nelvana Enterprises’ top-performing original animated series Ranger Rob can be found ready for action at booth H214. Just greenlit for a second season, the plucky ranger-in-training has signed ImportsDragon as Master Toy Licensee, with a range of preschooler-friendly vehicles, plush and small figures set to launch in Canada and key European territories in Spring 2018, with a broader roll-out that fall.
+ Zinkia and Digital TV Group have inked a deal encompassing distribution, consumer products, and the development of interactive and edutainment projects for its global relaunch of the adorable Pocoyo brand. Digital TV Group — present in Latin America, Europe, US and Canada — will take over the commercialization of Zinkia’s brands, with the initiative handled by Patricio Rabuffetti and Sebastian Vibes in Madrid, and Rodrigo Piza in Mexico City/Toronto.
Warner Bros. Animation has kicked off production on an all-new animated action-comedy DC Super Hero Girls, charging onto the small screen via Cartoon Network in 2018. Building on the successful home video movies (the latest, Intergalactic Games, just launched), the new adventures of these DC Comics characters feature fresh character designs and stories from Emmy Award-winning producer Lauren Faust (Super Best Friends Forever, My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends).
The series centers on Wonder Woman, Supergirl and Batgirl — a.k.a the not-so-typical teens Diana, Kara and Barbara. Together with their super hero friends, they work to protect Metropolis from some of the most sinister school-aged Super Villains in the DC Universe … while trying to survive school, friends, family and the chaos of trying to have a social life while keeping your powers and secret identity under wraps.
Pals Bumblebee, Zatanna and Green Lantern (Jessica Cruz) are always there to lend an ear, a shoulder to cry on, and a fist to punch with, and the Justice League amp up the fun whether they’re at a concert or taking down a crime ring. But what happens when Diana and her favorite study buddy and fencing partner, Tatsu, can’t agree on how to dole out justice as Wonder Woman and Katana? Or when Barbara finds out her Gotham-Con bestie is Harley Quinn?
Sam Register (Teen Titans Go!, Justice League Action) serves as executive producer.
DC Super Hero Girls launched with home video movies and digital webisodes in 2015, and has been viewed by millions of fans on the official YouTube channel and DC Super Hero Girls mobile app since.
Arnaud Réguillet has joined French studio Vanilla Seed in Angoulême to head its operations and commercial development. Working closely in support of studio director François Perreau, Réguillet is a key addition to the studio’s management strength as it scales up its ability to develop new market opportunities in France and abroad.
Réguillet spent 12 years with Executive Toon Services and Toonalliance (TTK in Canada and France, Caribara in France, Waooh in Belgium), contributing to the production of over 50 animated TV series and films, including Titeuf (Go-N), Lulu Zipadoo (Mondo TV), and The Ollie and Moon Show (Cottonwood Media/Federation). He most recently set up Unique Animation in Angoulême.
Réguillet’s first official duties will include attending the Annecy festival in June under the Vanilla Seed Banner.
Vanilla Seed is currently working on swiftly selling series Pat the Dog (broadcasters include Canal+, Rai, Discovery Kids Latin America, RTBF, VRT, Turner, Disney Channel US) and Helen’s Little School (France Televisions, BBC Kids, Knowledge, TFO, Telequebec, Discovery Kids LatAm); as well as the Sophie la Girafe toy-inspired series for KLB, and the second season of Lassie for Superprod, TF1 and DreamWorks.
The studio has also worked on a number of short films, advertisements, and the Emmy-winning series Jungle Bunch, which currently airs in 180 countries.
The colorful characters of Martha Montoya’s Los Toons will invite viewers in the US and Mexico along on their culture-rich adventures thanks to three new 2D animated specials, created in collaboration with L.A.-based Anáhuac Films for Univision Network. The first is set to debut in September. The trio of toons will be directed by Anáhuac’s Gerry Cardoso (Founder & Producer) and Ricardo Arnaiz (Producer & Director), co-creators of El Americano.
Montoya’s Los Toons Hispanic culture roots lend a unique perspective to her stories, which are told by the creative characters born from Hispanic traditions and locations. Throughout, Martha, Beto and Paolo learn how to balance their parent’s rich traditions with the sometimes confusing melting pot that surrounds them — along with their alter egos Pikito, Mima, and Picarito.
Airing in Spanish and English, the Los Toons specials will seek to engage multiple generations — grandparents, parents and kids — with an evergreen entertainment product that adapts to changing cultural norms and demands in the Hispanic community. Music and graphics that resonate with all ages will help bridge the gap between newly arriving immigrants and their quickly acculturated children, as well as multi-generational families who value their culture and heritage.
The specials will be:
Aventuras de Regreso a Clase – Martha, Beto and Paolo return to school and have to give an oral presentation about their summer vacation. But telling their classmates about their trip to Martha’s grandpa’s house in a small town didn’t sound as exciting as others’ trips to Hawaii and other places. In the end, they learn to appreciate their family vacation.
El Día de Acción de Gracias – The young Los Toons friends are at a loss to describe the American Thanksgiving custom and symbol, since in Hispanic countries a turkey is not part of their traditions…
La Navidad – The traditional Christmas in the U.S. clashes with the traditional and cultural customs and heritage of Los Toons’ Hispanic roots.
Franchise creator Rovio and Columbia Pictures have revealed the official release date for The Angry Birds Movie 2 — the sequel will hit theaters on September 20, 2019, in line with the 10th anniversary of the original game’s release. Sony Pictures Imageworks is producing the animation, in collaboration with Sony Pictures Animation.
The birds’ second theatrical outing will be directed by The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack creator Thurop Van Orman (also an Adventure Time story department vet) and co-directed by John Rice (Rick and Morty; supervising director on King of the Hill). Rice was lead storyboard artist on the first Angry Birds flick and the Hatchlings shorts. Ice Age scribe Peter Ackerman is penning the script. John Cohen is producing.
“We are thrilled to be teaming up again with Sony Pictures after the fantastic cooperation in the first movie, and I can’t wait to experience the new journey in the upcoming film,” Rovio CEO Kati Levoranta said. “Rovio is continuing to focus on creating exciting new stories and experiences around our games, and we’re eager to take fans back into the vibrant Angry Birds world on the big screen.”
The first Angry Birds Movie, directed by Clay Kaytis and Fergal Reilly, opened in May 2016 with a No. 1 box office ranking in 50 countries. The film was a smash hit, totting up $350 million worldwide in ticket sales and spurring a licensed merchandise bonanza on top of the popular mobile games — which have been downloaded more than 3.7 billion times.
You can read Karen Idelson’s story on The Angry Birds Movie from Animation Magazinehere.
Cartoon Network Enterprises has stacked up some hip new licensing partners for its hit animated comedy We Bare Bears. The award-winning series is currently in its third season on Cartoon Network, and is one of the company’s showcase properties at this week’s Licensing Expo in Las Vegas (booth D170).
Among the new announcements, Hot Topic has signed on as the exclusive soft lines retail partner from June through November 2017, featuring an apparel and accessory collection inspired by the series. Other highlights (including those participating in the Hot Topic exclusive range) are:
Mighty Fine for an assortment of t-shirts and tops for juniors, available June 2017. Changes for young men’s tees and tops, available June 2017. Gund with a variety of plush coming in July 2017. Penguin launched new youth titles in late April. Kalan LP for small accessories including buttons, lanyards, key rings and sticker, Fall 2017. Hypnotic Hats for hosiery, Fall 2017.
And Just Funky is on board for beverageware, Fall 2017.
Created by Daniel Chong and produced by Cartoon Network Studios, We Bare Bears follows brothers Grizzly, Panda and Ice Bear as they strive to overcome their wild images to make friends and get along in the modern world, chowing down at food trucks and chasing Internet fame from their Bay Area cave.
‘Hellboy’ Hell Water Cinnamon Whiskey Is Now on Sale
Need something with more a punch to slake your nerd-thirst? Grab a bottle of this small batch, 66.6 proof old-fashioned swiggable inspired by Mike Mignola’s iconic comic-book character, from Dark Horse Comics, XXX Distillery and Prestige Imports ($19.99 per 750ml bottle).
You Need to Watch the Adorable Trailer for Gay Animation ‘In a Heartbeat’
This lovingly crafted, coming-of-age (and coming out) CG short by Esteban Bravo and Beth David was crowdfunded and will be available online for free this summer. And it looks totally sweet, relatable, and charming as all get-out.
On the heels — err, hooves? — of the first teaser trailer, Hasbro Studios is treating fans to a never-before-seen image from My Little Pony: The Movie — and it notable gives the Man 6 entirely different pony tails. The movie arrives in theaters October 6.
Alongside Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Rarity and Pinkie Pie, the pic introduces Princess Skystar (voiced by Kristin Chenoweth) and Queen Nova (Uzo Aduba). My Little Pony: The Movie also features the voices of Emily Blunt, Taye Diggs, Michael Peña, Zoë Saldana, Liev Schreiber and Sia, who also performs an original song.
In their big-screen adventure, the Mane 6 set out to stop a dark force that threatens Ponyville by venturing beyond Equestria, where they meet new friends and tackle exciting challenges with the magic of friendship.
TMS Entertainment USA is sending the latest installment of one of its most popular anime franchises, Lupin the 3rd Part 4, to air on Adult Swim starting June 17. The 26 x half-hour series will appear weekly in the TOONAMI block, a decade after Lupin the 3rd Part 2 graced the Adult Swim airwaves.
In Part 4, viewers will follow master thief Lupin as he attempts to evade MI-6 through Italy. The story that began in San Marino will spillover across that picturesque country as Lupin pursues love and freedom, encountering a motley crew of unique characters in his path and one extraordinary genius of centuries past who steps out of history and into Lupin’s life.
“Lupin is a cool, comedic, and attractive character; I have watched the show since I was a child. The style has not changed and it is still my favorite show. We are so excited about launching on Adult Swim to celebrate the 50th anniversary,” said Masami Tokunaga, Vice President of TMS USA. “We are planning a lot of marketing activities for Lupin’s 50th anniversary, along with this new broadcast and would like to expand Lupin in various ways in the US.”
Lupin the 3rd first appeared in 1967 as a manga series written and illustrated by “Monkey Punch.” This was soon followed by the TV series debut on Japanese TV in 1971, starting off an immensely popular, long-running animation property. The stories follow the escapades of Arsène Lupin III, the grandson and of Arsène Lupin, the gentleman thief of Maurice Leblanc’s series of novels.
On June 5, esteemed auction house Bonhams together with Turner Classic Movies will present “An Important Animation Art Collection, The Property of a Gentleman,” featuring more than 290 Disney animation drawings, storyboards, posters, concept artworks and cels. Amassed over a quarter of a century, the collection encompasses 60-plus years of Disney history from early 1930s shorts, comic strips, and the 1980s feature animation revival.
The collection previewed at Bonhams Los Angeles and will go on display at Bonhams New York from June 2-5. The auction items can be viewed online here.
Highlights include:
– The Mail Pilot (short, 1933) animation drawing in graphite and colored pencil on paper, matted and framed. Estimate: $1,000-1,500
– The Brave Little Tailor (short, 1938) cel of Mickey Mouse in gouache, multi-cel set-up, applied to Courvoisier wood veneer background, Walt Disney label on reverse, matted and framed. $4,000-6,000
– Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) cel of the Queen in gouache, Courvoisier watercolor paper background, matted and framed. $10,000-15,000
– Sleeping Beauty (1959) animation drawing of Maleficent in graphite on paper, matted and framed. $500-700
– Sleeping Beauty cel in gouache, applied to Eyvind Earle watercolor production pan background of the throne room, matted and framed. $20,000-30,000
– Pinocchio (1940) cel of Geppetto, Figaro and Pinocchio in gouache, applied to matching watercolor production background, annotated and initialed, matted and framed. $20,000-25,000
– Pinocchio original concept painting by Gustaf Tenggren, black ink and watercolor on heavyweight paper, inscribed “Pinocchio,” matted and framed. $30,000-40,000
– Dumbo (1941) cel of Dumbo and Timothy Mouse in gouache, Courvoisier airbrushed background, stamped “WDP.” $2,000-3,000
– Cinderella (1950) concept artwork by Mary Blair, gouache on board, matted and framed. $4,000-6,000
Cartoon Network has given its hit alien-action adventure Ben 10 the go-ahead for a second season, as well as new console and mobile games and other immersive initiatives that will bring the young hero and his marvelous watch to all manner of screens. The show has reached nearly 41 million viewers across linear, mobile and VOD since its US premiere in April.
Season 2 will follow Ben Tennyson, his cousin Gwen and their Grandpa Max on the greatest summer vacation ever, as Ben encounters new friends, foes and — of course — aliens. The Ominitrix will also give up some more of its exciting secrets as the adventure continues.
Fans should tune in next Monday, May 29 at 6 p.m. to check out Ben’s new alien transformation: Wildvine, the 10th ET to be featured in the first season. Wildvine will be revealed in two all-new episodes.
Ben 10 is produced by Cartoon Network Studios and created and executive produced by Man of Action Entertainment (Big Hero 6, Generator Rex), with John Fang (Mixels, Generator Rex) as executive producer.
It’s official: Hotel Transylvania: The Series has set its Disney Channel premiere for Sunday, June 25 at 8 p.m.ET/PT. The 26 x 22 min. series is based on the blockbuster film franchise from Sony Pictures Animation, ad is produced in Toronto by Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana studio.
The series centers on Dracula’s teenage daughter, Mavis, and her three closest friends: Hank N Stein, Pedro and Wendy Blob. With Dracula away on “Official Vampire Business,” Mavis finally sees her chance to show her father what she can do. With the help of her friends, she decides to put her brilliant ideas of how to run the Hotel into motion, but Aunt Lydia, Dracula’s older and much meaner sister, will have none of it. While Mavis and friends are ready to let loose and have fun, Aunt Lydia pushes for even more order and tradition at the Hotel.
New episodes will debut every night at 8 p.m. from the premiere til June 29, with Hotel Transylvania checking in to its regular timeslot beginning Sunday, July 9 at 8:30 p.m. The first episode will launch on the Disney Channel app, YouTube and VOD outlets on Tuesday, June 20. Ahead of the series premiere, three new animated shorts following Mavis as daddy Drac prepares to join the prestigious Vampire Council will air starting June 4, and will be available on the app and YouTube channel.
“We are thrilled to be teaming up with Disney Channel to share the visual and epic storytelling of Hotel Transylvania: The Series with audiences worldwide,” said Scott Dyer, President, Nelvana. “Working with our partners at Sony Pictures Animation, we are excited to build on the incredible global success of the franchise and bring the world of Hotel Transylvania to the small screen and family-friendly digital platforms.”
SPA’s Hotel Transylvania first took a bite out of the box office in 2012 in a feature outing directed by Samurai Jack creator Genndy Tartakovsky — it made $358.4 million worldwide after setting a September opening record in the US, and was nominated for a Golden Globe, two VES awards and seven Annie Awards. A sequel, also directed by Tartakovsky, debuted in 2015, breaking the September opening record and marking SPA’s biggest opening. The third feature is due out July 13, 2018.
“We are so excited to expand the Hotel Transylvania franchise into television,” said Rick Mischel, Executive Producer at Sony Pictures Animation. “We look forward to bringing the prequel to audiences worldwide and to sharing the hilarious adventures of a younger Mavis and her monster pals. As we look to the upcoming launch of the original short Puppy! in theaters this summer and Hotel Transylvania 3 in 2018, the television series will keep the franchise fresh and the characters will become a part of families’ everyday lives.”
Hotel Transylvania: The Series is distributed in the US by Sony Pictures Television, while Nelvana Enterprises handles distribution outside the country.
Representatives from Wanda Media, Tencent Pictures, Joy Pictures and U17 gathered together in Cannes to jointly announce the release date of One Hundred Thousand Bad Jokes 2, and to reveal the official poster and a sneak-peek clip. The uproarious sequel to the breakout fantasy-comedy animated feature will bow in Chinese theaters on August 18.
In attendance at the reveal were directors Lu Hengyu and Li Shujie, producers Howard Chen (VP of Tencent Pictures), Christiana Bian (International Business GM of Wanda Pictures), Zhang Jin (CEO of Joy Pictures), Steve Dong (President of U17 Pictures), and IM Global executive David Jourdan.
“Bad Jokes 2 is not only more funny and more crazy, it also brings warmth to audiences. Bad Jokes 2 is more accomplished than the first part in terms of narrative and production.” said director Lu Hengyu.
Tencent’s Howard Chen added, “Bad Jokes 2 can be seen by international audiences, as it has a sense of natural humor that other Chinese animations don’t have. Our only concern is that audiences laugh too much and get abdominal muscle ache!”
Adapted from the online comic series and webtoon of the same name, the original One Hundred Thousand Bad Jokes film arrived in 2014, grossing $17 million at the box office — a record for adult-targeted animation at the time. The stories irreverently parody classic Chinese animation and comics, iconic Japanese anime series and even Western fairy tales. The sequel will introduce two new mythological characters: Dog, God of Tunds; and Chicken, God of Time.
Bad Jokes 2 is written by Han Wu, Lu Hengyu, Li Shujie, Zhao Cong, Sui Jialin and Gao Xinying. The film is co-produced by Toonmax Media, Wanda Media, Alpha Pictures, Tencent Pictures, Joy Pictures, Chengdu Square Culture and Tianjin Xianshan Culture.
One Hundred Thousand Bad JokesDirectors / Characters of One Hundred Thousand Bad Jokes 2One Hundred Thousand Bad Jokes 2
UYoung has announced that a second 52 x 11 min. season of preschool comedy series P. King Duckling has been greenlit. Currently in development, the new batch of episodes are expected to debut in China in the fall of 2018, followed by a global roll out. Meanwhile, several new international broadcasters have picked up the first season, including Hop TV (Israel), E-vision (UAE) and Canal Panda (Spain).
The series had its US premiere on Disney Junior in November 2016 and has existing broadcasting partnerships with Disney Junior in Latin America, India, Korea and Southeast Asia; SVT (Sweden) and YLE (Finland).
The company has also appointed two new licensing agents to P. King Duckling: Biplano will represent the brand in Southern Europe (France, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Croatia), and Tycoon will handle Latin America. These deals follow Shout! Factory’s acquisition of home entertainment and EST rights in North America earlier this year.
“On the heels of a great first season of P. King Duckling on Disney Junior, UYoung remains committed to bringing quality kid’s content to both the Chinese and international markets. We are delighted to greenlight a second season of P. King Duckling, which will see our adventurous trio embark on even greater comic escapades around the world,” said Clara Yang, Vice President of UYoung. “Furthermore, we are thrilled to announce this latest raft of distinguished international broadcasters and licensing agents who are helping P. King spread his wings around the globe.”
Created by Emmy-winning pre-k TV producer Josh Selig (Little Airplane Prod.) in collaboration with UYoung Animation’s GM, James Chen Gu, P. King Duckling follows the adventures of an intrepid yet hapless young duck who with his best friends Chumpkins and Wombat ventures out of the rural hometown of Hilly Hole to explore the world — and leave their own often hilarious mark on it.
Season one is directed by UYoung’s Creative Director, Eddy Bo Fan, and is being Executive Produced by James Chen Gu and Josh Selig. UYoung owns the global TV and licensing rights for the show.
The annual Licensing Expo brings the biggest brands from across the country and abroad to Las Vegas next week, May 23-25. Plenty of animated properties are getting in on the action and continue to inspire fresh product partnerships.
+ American Greetings Entertainment welcomes Funko as its first licensing partner for Netflix Original Series Buddy Thunderstruck, from Stoopid Buddy Stoodios. The residents of Greasepit will be transformed into character plush, vinyl figures, accessories and apparel in time for a Holiday 2017 online and in-store launch. AGE will also spotlight Care Bears, with its35th Anniversary Celebrations (partners include Nordstrom, Land of Nod, Dylan’s Candy Bar, California Donuts and Afters Ice Cream), new Limited Edition Rainbow Heart Bear hitting shelves in fall, and a national holiday Share Your Care Day planned for September 9.
+ LEVEL-5 abby will showcase its entire kids’ entertainment portfolio at the Expo. This includes smash-hit cross-media adventure property Yo-Kai Watch (getting new animated content and games in the near future); the super successful Layton puzzle-mystery game franchise (the latest title, Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy launches first on mobile July 20, followed by a Nintendo release); and its newest cross-media project The Snack World — a tech-infused story following the magical adventures of a boy named Chup which has arrived as a CG animated series in Japan with Nintendo and mobile games, toy line and comic books coming in July.
+ Rainbow (stand D196) will bring color and magic to the show floor with its three fabulous fashion brands. The “next-gen” fairytale reinvention Regal Academy (broadcast in over 100 countries, season 2 in production) has so far signed Auldey Toys (master toy, NorAm), PBS Kids (home video, NorAm), Papercutz (graphic novels, NorAm & anglophone territories), Giochi Preziosi (pan-European master toy), Egmont (publishing, Russia & Poland), Procos (partyware, multi-territory), Zaini (confectionary, pan-Europe), and DTR Fashion with Original Marines and Kellogg’s (Italy). The newest installment in its popular fairy franchise World of Winx is currently airing worldwide on Netflix and on Rai Gulp (Italy), launching soon on TV Zoom (Israel), Karusel (Russia) and Planet Cocuk (Turkey). Rainbow is also shopping its live-action series Maggie & Bianca Fashion Friends.
+ Mondo TV (stand G214) is also making a big push for its first live-action property, Heidi, Bienvenida a Casa, but animation is still key to its activities. Aurora World co-pro YooHoo & Friends is prepping for a Q1 2018 broadcast launch by building up partnerships including Panini SpA (stickers & trading cards, worldwide). Korean prodco CJ E&M’s Robot Trains has so far secured Italian partners Preziosi Food (edibles including Easter eggs, surprise eggs, spreadable cream), Grani & Partners Preziosi Group (collectibles), and Ravensburger (puzzles & memory games). Mondo will also showcase Cuby Zoo, Sissi the Young Empress, Invention Story, Adventures in Duckport, The Treasure Island, Eddie Is a Yeti, Bug Rangers and Nori – Rollercoaster Boy.
+ Xilam has signed on three new licensing agents for its flagship animated children’s property Oggy & the Cockroaches: IMC Licensing for Latin America (excluding Mexico), Active Merchandising in Germany, and Brand4rent in Russia. Agreements have also been renewed with Empire Licensing for Southeast Asia and Discovery Kids in Italy. “Our international expansion is a major strategic priority ahead of the launch of the new season five, and having a presence in these major territories will be key in accomplishing this goal locally.” — SVP of Global Licensing Marie-Laure Marchand.
+ Mauricio de Sousa Productions will aim to build the presence of Brazilian kids’ hit Monica and Friends and its spinoffs during Licensing Expo. At over 50, Monica and Friends started as comics and now spans books, movies, cartoons, game, apps and 3K-plus licensed products. Minimalist, modern and dialog-free, Monica Toy is a short format series which has racked up 215 million monthly views on YouTube, targeting teens and adults. Let’s Play marks the characters’ first iteration aimed at toddlers and preschoolers. And in partnership with Cartoon Network, the characters’ world expands to the rest of the neighborhood in Lemon Tree Street, aimed at kids 7-10 and set to debut in 2018. This brand has an established presence on Cartoon Network LatAm, Playkids app, Google Play, VOD, iTunes and its three YouTube Channels (which reach nearly 320 million views per month, 66% from outside Brazil).
+ The Jim Henson Company inked a five-year agreement with graphic novel and comics publisher Boom! Studios to bring iconic puppet properties The Dark Crystal (now in its 35th anniversary year), Labyrinth, Fraggle Rock and The StoryTeller to the page, as License Global reported Friday. The terms of the deal will result in at least 17 new titles published under the Archaia imprint. A previous partnership resulted in 20 titles inspired by these brands, including in in-process 12 issue Dark Crystal comic series, which will be followed by kids’ book Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal Tales this summer.
+ Licensing Works! has signed a raft of new licensees on for the 75th Anniversary of The Little Prince which will join mater publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in celebrating in 2018. This includes Finn and Emma (infant apparel, sleepwear, bibs, blankets, knit toys, rattles, swaddle gift sets, teethers, stroller accessories, play mats/gyms), Little Unicorn (hooded towel & washcloth sets, fitted sheets, quilts, changing pad covers, swaddles), Storiarts (infant caps & baby blankets, Rizzoli Universe (calendar), Out of Print (bags, tops, socks, onesies, pins, cases), Culturenik (bookmarks, boxed gift mugs, canvas prints, small-format prints), Vinca (earrings & necklaces), Riley Blake (fabric, notions, customizable fabric storybook), Litographs (tees, scarves, posters, bags), Socksmith (men’s & women’s socks), G. Arts (lasercut wood products), Walls360 (lift-and-place wall graphics). Sofitel Luxury Hotels, continuing its 5-year relationship with the book brand, will create programs for young travelers and their families through “Magnifique Family” special offers, in support of the Antoine de Saint-Exupery Foundation for Youth.
Yoohoo and FriendsThe Little PrinceThe Snack WorldOggy and the CockroachesRegal Academy
Baobab Studios is showcasing two new animated virtual reality storytelling experiences at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival and June’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival: a first look at Rainbow Crow, a new series collaboration with musician John Legend which debuted at Tribeca; and ASTEROIDS!, the highly anticipated sequel to the studio’s Emmy Award-winning VR title INVASION! which premiered at Sundance in January.
The first animated VR series inspired by a Native American legend, Rainbow Crow is about a bird with the most dazzling plumage and mellifluous voice, who, after the planet turns dark and cold, must journey far from home to bring light back to the world. Kiowa-Caddo tribal elder, Native American rights crusader and National Urban Indian Council founder Randy Edmonds narrates. The series is executive produced by musician, producer and activist John Legend, who also voices the Rainbow Crow. Rogue One star Diego Luna and Fresh off the Boat’s Constance Wu also lend their voices.
The lovable aliens Mac and Cheez return in ASTEROIDS!, in which viewers take on the role of a helper-bot to the extraterrestrial duo. Along with another robot sidekick, Peas, the fully immersive story takes the user along on a dangerous mission in deep space, where they get a chance to prove their worth when the ship is endangered by teeth-gnashing space-bugs and careening asteroids. Emmy-nominated actress Elizabeth Banks voices Cheez.
Genius Brands International is partnering with Fathom Events for a special one-night cinematic screening of SpacePOP: Not Your Average Princess — a feature-length compilation of season one of the music- and fashion-fueled series — coming to theaters across the US on September 16.
The event screening will also featurig two sneak peeks at SpacePOP season 2, the premiere of all-new music videos, and “a special surprie featuring some of SpacePOP’s biggest fans.” Ticket purchasers will also get a copy of the show’s original music soundtrack, a 20% off coupon from official partner Spirit Halloween, and discounted tickets to promotional partner Six Flags’ Holiday in the Park winter celebration (while supplies last).
“In less than a year since the debut of the SpacePOP brand, we have successfully extended the characters and storylines across multiple online and offline channels, including YouTube, SVOD and OTT platforms, iTunes, PopJam, Musical.ly, and at specialty, mid and mass retailers, to touch virtually every aspect of our audiences lives,” said Stone Newman, President, Global Consumer Products, Worldwide Content Sales & Marketing for Genius Brands. “Releasing SpacePOP on the silver screen is the next frontier to exponentially build upon our fan base.”
Participating cinema chains include AMC, Regal and Cinemark — ticket sales and participating theater locations will be available on FathomEvents.com soon.
Since launching last June, SpacePOP has released over 100 short-form episodes and original animated music videos, adding up to more than 15 million channel views, 50,000+ subscribers and approximately 30,000 hours of viewed programming featuring the intergalactic adventures of the pop princesses. Over 100 licensed products launched at retail last year, which will be built on in 2017 with costumes from Spirit Halloween, DIY activity kits at Claire’s, and dedicated retail sections at Go! stores nationally. Plus, promotional partnerships with Six Flags and Zumba Kids in the US, and media/licensing expansions into Europe and Asia.
