It seems like the 89th Oscars just happened, but the Academy and ABC Television Network have already lined up the key dates for the 90th awards season — plus ceremony dates for the following three ceremonies.
Key dates for the upcoming Oscars:
Saturday, November 11, 2017 – Governors Awards
Friday, January 5, 2018 – Nominations voting opens
Friday, January 12, 2018 – Nominations voting closes
Tuesday, January 23, 2018 – Oscar Nominations Announcement
Monday, February 5, 2018 – Oscar Nominees Luncheon
Saturday, February 10, 2018 – Scientific and Technical Awards
Tuesday, February 20, 2018 – Final voting opens
Tuesday, February 27, 2018 – Final voting closes
Wednesday, February 28, 2018 – The Oscar Concert
Sunday, March 4, 2018 – 90th Oscars
Oscar ceremony dates:
90th Oscars – March 4, 2018
91st Oscars – February 24, 2019
92nd Oscars – February 23, 2020
93rd Oscars – February 28, 2021
Nickelodeon will be bringing back everyone’s favorite megalomaniacal alien with an all-new, 90-minute Invader Zim TV movie from original series creator Jhonen Vasquez, marking the third toon property from the net’s library to get revitalized for today’s audience. The 2D project, produced by Nickelodeon in Burbank, will continue the inept wanna-be space menace’s misadventures, with original voice stars from the early 2000s series.
The Invader Zim movie will follow perpetually desperate, delusional Zim as he concocts a new, potentially Earth-destroying plan to finally prove his worth and win him the respect he deserves from his Irken leaders, the Almighty Tallest.
The voice cast will welcome back Richard Horvitz as Zim; Rikke Simons as his malfunctioning (but adorable) robot servant GIR; Andy Berman as his human arch-enemy, Dib; and Melissa Fahn as Gaz, Dib’s menacing younger sister. Additional casting will be revealed in the coming months.
The original Invader Zim series launched in 2001 to critical acclaim, and quickly became a cult hit. The show received a Primetime Emmy Award and an Annie Award for individual achievement in animation (which went to storyboard artists Kyle Menke and Steve Ressel, respectively).
Nickelodeon has previously announced new TV movie projects for other hit toons, Hey Arnold!: The Jungle Movie — coming this year — and Rocko’s Modern Life. The network is also putting together a live-action movie based on Legends of the Hidden Temple.
Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana has announced at MIPTV that it is teaming up with Frederator Studios (part of WOW! Unlimited Media) for a fourth season of digital platform hit Bravest Warriors — the property’s first to be made for broadcast. In addition to the buffed up 52 x 11 min. season produced by Nelvana Limited in Canada in association with Frederator, complementary digital content will also be delivered. Season 4 of Bravest Warriors will debut on Teletoon in Fall 2018.
All existing Bravest Warriors episodes produced by Frederator are also now available for license outside the US.
“Bravest Warriors‘ modern take on space exploration represents a new wave in animation,” said Scott Dyer, President, Nelvana. “We look forward to sharing the fantastic stories and signature cheeky humour of the series to new audiences and existing fans on a variety of platforms.”
The series follows four teenage heroes-for-hire in the year 3085 as they warp through the universe to save adorable aliens and their homeworlds, using the power of their emotions. Launched on YouTube in November 2012, the series rapidly grew an online fan base totaling 150 million views, 1.5 million likes, and over a billion minutes watched. Bravest Warriors was the 2013 Shorty Award winner for Best Web Show and the Online Film and Video (Animation) Honoree at The Webby Awards in 2015.
Graeme Jockic (Stanley Dynamic) is joining the voice cast as Chris, alongside returning cast members Liliana Mumy as Beth, John Omohundro as Danny, Ian Jones-Quartey as Wallow, Tara Strong as Plum, Michael-Leon Wooley as Impossibear, and Sam Lavagnino as Catbug. The series was created by Pendleton Ward (Adventure Time).
“We’re thrilled to partner with Nelvana to expand the global reach of Bravest Warriors and heighten the potential of the series we’ve loved for five years,” said Fred Seibert, President, Frederator Networks.
Learn more by stopping by Nelvana’s MIPTV booth at R7.N3.
New York and San Francisco-based content creation and production company BODEGA has launched a new animation division under the leadership of Executive Producer Bill Hewes, who brings over two decades of producing experience spanning animation, live action, VFX and design to the post.
“BODEGA is a thriving, integrated content creation studio that produces compelling work across all platforms,” said Hewes. “I’m excited to lead their move into animation and introduce new talent to the roster. Our animation directors run the gamut from narrative storytelling, to design and illustration. From 2D to 3D, hand drawn, stop motion and mixed-media techniques, it’s a perfect fit.”
The division’s initial roster consists of London studio HU_SH, led by Lydia Russell and Ru Warner; and NYC design shop Mr. Wonderful. HU_SH recently delivered commercials and large-format display for Prudential Global Investment Management, and a Ben & Jerry’s commercial through Mekanism. Mr. Wonderful has just completed a series of co-branded assignments for Nickelodeon, and motion design work for the Kardashians on E!
Hewes has previously collaborated with Russell and Warner at th1ng/th2ng, and will be offering HU_SH’s diverse talent slate to the US market — including Oscar-nominated filmmaker Sylvain Chomet (The Triplets of Belleville), renowned animation director and artist Will Barras, and award-winning filmmaker Kirk Hendry, as well as Alon Ziv, Nerdo, Chris Weigandt, Light + Mathematics, Dave Anderson, Julien Bisaro and Woodwork. He’s also worked with FilmTecknarna and Digital Kitchen in the course of his career.
“I have known Bill for many years and to have the opportunity to work side-by-side with this well-respected EP and bring these amazing animation directors to BODEGA really expands the artistic potential of what we offer,” said BODEGA EP Clint Goldman. “We are making a long-term commitment to animation and these additions complement our growing family.”
Talking ‘Rocket & Groot’, Marvel Animation with Skottie Young and VP Stephen Wacker SyfyWire‘s Trent Moore gets the scoop on the warmly received new web shorts. “I like the kind of ambiguity that [Rocket] had, as far as what line of good he was. He was the hero, but I liked that line and the weird little arrogance and insecurity, and all the things that go along with him. What I didn’t realize I’d have as much fun with was the dynamics between those two as buddies,” says Young.
CROWDFUND: Flip Book Animation Kit
LAIKA animator Andy Bailey has crafted an ideal kit to create original flip book cartoons, including perfectly sized paper packs and LED light pad. (Think of it: a light board you can fit in the pocket of your laptop case!) Plus, backers get an exclusive flip book made by Bailey.
Ewen Farr’s Brilliantly Lo-Fi and Super Skilful Hip-Hop Video Animation Creative Boom highlights the artist’s distinctive styling of “Dorchester” by SonnyJim (feat. Quelle Chris) — a rotoscoped ride through the city somewhere between a Warhol print and a Dada watercolor. (Song in video contains NSFW lyrics.)
Crunchyroll Adds ‘GRANBLUE FANTASY The Animation’
The epic fantasy RPG adaptation from A-1 Pictures and directed by Yuuki Itoh launched for streaming over the weekend, available to members in North America, Central America, South America, Australia, New Zealand, UK and Ireland.
Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures’ seventh animated feature Despicable Me 3 will receive a grand debut with a World Premiere screening during the Annecy festival. The highly anticipated sequel will play Wednesday, June 14 at 8:30 p.m. in English with French subtitles.
The latest entry in the Despicable Me franchise continues the adventures of Gru (voiced by Steve Carrell), Lucy (Kristen Wiig), their adorable daughters and the Minions, and introduces new characters like ’80s child star turned super villain Balthazar Bratt (Trey Parker) and Gru’s long-lost twin, Dru.
Despicable Me 3 is directed by Pierre Coffin & Kyle Balda, co-directed by Eric Guillon, and written by Cinco Paul & Ken Daurio. Illumination CEO and founder Chris Meledandri and Janet Healy produce. More on the film here.
The film will have a wide release in France on July 5, featuring the voices of Gad Elmaleh (Midnight in Paris) and Audrey Lamy (Christophe Gans’ Beauty and the Beast). The picture opens in the US on June 30.
Frederator Studios, a WOW! Unlimited Media company, has entered an agreement with Recursion Media and Eisner Award winner Faith Erin Hicks to develop an animated series base on her The Nameless City graphic novels. The in-process trilogy centers on two teenagers — withdrawn Kaidu and street-smart Rat — who cand together to save their home from a tragic 30-year cycle of war.
“I have always been a giant nerdy fan of animation. In the ’90s whenever a new Disney animated movie came out, I was the kid sitting in the front row on opening night, singing along with every song (belated apologies to the rest of the people watching the movie with me). As an adult I remain a giant nerdy fan of animation, so to get the chance to see the characters of The Nameless City in animated form is absolutely thrilling,” said Hicks.
Frederator and Recursion are developing a 12 x half-hour, 2D animated miniseries which will cover the events of all three books. The first four episodes are due in 2018.
“Frederator Studios’ cartoon philosophy for nearly 20 years is to support the vision of creators with distinctive points of views,” said Eric Homan, VP of Development at Frederator. “Faith’s wonderful storytelling is just one of the reasons we’re fortunate to be part of this project. We’re eager to follow her creative lead on The Nameless City.”
The Nameless City trilogy is being published by First Second Books, with the second book The Stone Heart available Tuesday, April 4. Faith Erin Hicks (faitherinhicks.com) is a writer and artist living in Vancouver whose graphic novels include the Eisner-winning The Adventures of Superhero Girl. She is represented by Bernadette Baker-Baughman of Victoria Sanders & Associates.
Faith Erin Hicks (photo credit: Ted Pritchard / The Chronicle Herald)The Nameless City
Zodiak Kids has taken on distribution rights for aquatic action-adventure series Sammy & Co from STUDIOCANAL, and will launch the brand-new second season at MIPTV this week at Stand C20.A, outside the Palais. Zodiak is repping both 52 x 11 seasons.
The 3D CG-animated preschool series is a follow-up of the successful feature films A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventures and Sammy’s Great Escape, both produced by STUDIOCANAL’s partner, nWave.
“We are thrilled to partner with Zodiak Kids on one of our most iconic family brands,” said Katrina Neylon, EVP Sales and Marketing for STUDIOCANAL. “Since we first released Sammy, STUDIOCANAL’s first animated 3D feature film, the franchise has grown considerably and we could not have wished for a better partner to look after our favourite turtle and his friends.”
Sammy & Co centers on Sammy and Shelly’s granddaughter, Ella, and her brave soulmate Ricky. They live in a coral reef village, along with their friends Annabel the octopus and Pipo the flute fish, pretty gang leader Strass and outspoken seahorse Big Boss. Together they follow the call of adventure out into the wide ocean, questing for a shark tooth, launching a lobster farm rescue and facing giant squid while learning about friensdhip, respect and nature.
“We are delighted to add Sammy & Co to our catalogue of preschool programming — we think this series has strong international appeal,” said Zodiak’s VP of Sales, Acquisitions and Co-Productions, Julia Rowlands. “The show teaches children universal values through an array of humorous characters and action packed adventures in the underwater world.”
In case you missed it, Adult Swim pulled the most heartwarming April Fool’s Day prank ever by airing a brand-new episode of Rick and Morty on Saturday. And if you did miss it, just tune in any night this week for encore broadcasts at 10 p.m. ET/PT. More new episodes are coming in late summer, but in the meantime you can relive the madness at adultswim.com.
The network as also announced that Mike Tyson Mysteries will return for a third season beginning Sunday, May 14. The new adventures will find The Baddest Man on the Planet and his crew — adopted Korean daughter/total buzzkill Yung Hee, filth-bird Pigeon, and spectral sot Marquess — will tackle even more mysteries. Highlights include a retelling of their Very First Mystery, a mystery so complicated that Mike gives up, a trip to the carwash, and dinner a neighbour’s house!
Mike Tyson Mysteries is produced by Warner Bros. Animation and stars Iron Mike himself, Norm Macdonald (SNL), Rachel Ramras (MAD) and Oscar winner Jim Rash (The Way Way Back, Community). Sam Register (Teen Titans Go!, MAD, The Looney Tunes Show) serves as executive producer with Hugh Davidson (MAD, The Looney Tunes Show, Robot Chicken) and Jeff Siergey (Tom & Jerry: Back to Oz) as producers.
Global content producer and brand creator Rainbow — the studio behind Winx Club and Regal Academy — has let the details of its newest property out of the bag. The project is a CG-animated preschool series for boys and girls titled 44 Cats (52 x 13 min.), and boasts a multi-million dollar budget.
“We are very proud of our brand-new property, 44 Cats!” says Iginio Straffi, President and CEO of Rainbow. “It is not just a high quality production show, but a perfect mix of educational contents and comedy, as a good preschool series should be.”
The series centers on a group of cats who act normally when thy are around people, but act just like humans when they are on their own. Just like children, the little cats see the world of adult humans as confusing and full of strange rules. Highlighting themes of friendship and altruism, 44 Cats is driven by the main characters’ love of helping others.
The title is a nod to the beloved tune “Quaranta-Quattro Gatti,” which won a children’s song contest in 1968 and has since become a touchstone of Italian colture — even Pavarotti has sung it.
Portland, Oregon-based, award-winning animation studio LAIKA has named Striker Entertainment its worldwide licensing agent, tasked with developing a global program with best-in-class partners for its film catalog — which includes Oscar-nominated features Kubo and the Two Strings, The Boxtrolls, ParaNorman and Coraline.
“We are thrilled to be embarking into the world of consumer products as LAIKA’s rich, vibrant and colorful themes and characters are perfectly suited for multi-category products including toys, collectibles, apparel, accessories, novelties, paper goods, publishing and seasonal items, as well as digital and interactive games,” said Brad Wald, LAIKA’s CFO and head of business operations.
“We believe there will be a high demand from our fans for LAIKA merchandise of all kinds. And if recent robust results from sales at our shop at the ‘From Coraline to Kubo: A Magical LAIKA Experience’ exhibit at Universal Studios Hollywood are any indication, we are looking at a significant new revenue stream for the company. In the near future, LAIKA’s products will be available in various retail outlets and channels as well as on our website. As with all things LAIKA, everything will be about quality, just like our films.”
Wald previously managed commercial activities for NBCUniveral’s Downton Abbey, including developing a LIMA award-winning consumer products portfolio.
Cartoon Network has unveiled the detail of its hinted at next Adventure Time miniseries, announcing that a new eight-parter chronicling Finn and Jake’s return to the land of Ooo will unfurl in a four-night special event as Adventure Time: Elements, starting Monday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT and concluding Thursday, April 27.
Presaging the miniseries will be a brand new episode titled “The Orb” on Friday, April 21 at 7:$5 p.m., in which our heroes encounter a mysterious orb fresh off their Islandsadventure.
The show’s third miniseries, Elements picks up as Finn (voiced by Jeremy Shada) and Jake (John DiMaggio) return to Ooo, only to find that there have been some radical changes in their absence. Fans will be just as surprised as Finn and Jake to discover what happened to the kingdoms of Ooo while they were away at sea.
The prior miniseries Islands reached nearly 4 million viewers in January, following the phenomenal success of Stakes in November 2015, which ranked as a No. 1 program in its timeslot with all key kids’ and boys audiences. Created by Pendleton Ward and produced by Cartoon Network Studios, Adventure Time has earned six Emmy awards, a Peabody and BAFTA honors.
VIDEO: ‘DanTDM Created a Big Scene’ Official Trailer
Live action/animation hybrid comedy starring on of YouTube’s most popular gaming personalities launches its first six-episode series on the platform and YouTube Kids app for Red subscribers on April 7.
Sony CinemaCon Presentation Details
The company showcased clips from Spider-Man: Homecoming, Blade Runner 2049, The Dark Tower and upcoming animated pics Emoji Movie and The Star, as well as a peek at the Peter Rabbit project in the works.
Netflix is embarking on its first big animated feature project, announcing it will finance America: The Motion Picture, according to Deadline. The R-rated project stars Channing Tatum as the voice of George Washington in tooned-up adventure through revisionist history.
The film is being scripted by animation newcomer Dave Callaham, who penned the Expendables franchise and upcoming Zombieland 2, with adult animation veteran Matt Thompson (Archer, Frisky Dingo, Sealab 2021) directing.
Callaham, Thompson and his Floyd County Prod. partner Adam Reed are producing, as is Tatum with his Free Association partners Peter Kiernan and Reid Carolin, plus Phil Lord, Chris Miller (of LEGO Movie renown) and Will Allegra of Lord Miller.
Netflix Announces R-Rated ‘America’ as First Animated Movie
Animaccord studio and Corus Entertainment have inked a deal to bring global hit series Masha and the Bear to Treehouse, Canada’s No. 1 preschool network. Corus has picked up season one and two of the show, and will begin airing it Saturday, April 15 at 10:30 a.m. ET/PT. The show will air regularly on Sundays at 10:55 a.m.
Masha has already made plenty of friends in Canada thanks to previous debuts on Corus’ kids channel Teletoon (English-speaking) and on Tele Quebec (French-speaking). The Russian toon has been aired in over 100 countries.
Bridging the Gap has opened the call for participants in the third edition of its international animation development/production laboratory. Young professionals and students from are invited to submit their projects (and have a shot at a full scholarship) for the lab, taking place July 16-22 on the Spanish island of Tenerife.
The deadline is April 24. Complete rules and regulations here.
The aim of BTG is to strengthen and promote the “internationalization” of animation projects from all over the world, and foster international partnerships. Young creatives can submit their feature film or series projects in pre-production, development or production for consideration. Short films with feature or series development potential may also be accepted. Organizers will select 12 projects to participate in the lab, which will include conferences and personal consultations with prestigious industry professionals.
Three scholarships are being offered by BTG to selected projects from Latin America and the Caribbean (Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic); North Africa and the Middle Easte (Mauritania, Morocco, Western Sahara, Palestinian Territories); Sub-Saharan Africa (Mali, Niger, Senegal, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique); and the Philippines. The scholarships cover course registration, accommodation, meals, and the flight to Tenerife.
BTG will also offer a full scholarship to one participant from a country not listed above. 3D Wire festival will provide a scholarship for a participant from Spain. And two scholarships will be made available to participants from Tenerife.
The full registration cost is 1,500 euros (about $1,600 USD), which includes the course, accommodation and meals during the program.
Bridging the Gap is supported by the Spanish Cooperation, through the ACERCA Training Program for the Development in the Cultural Sector, the collaboration of the International Latin American Foundation for Public Administrations and Public Policies, and sponsored by Cabildo de Tenerife through Turismo de Tenerife and the Science and Technology Park INtech Tenerife.
Following its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival, family animated feature Rabbit School – Guardians of the Golden Egg has had a strong debut in cinemas, clocking 103,518 admissions in Germany and 16,575 admissions in Austria during its first week of release (March 16-22), where it came in as No. 4 in the weekly charts — in spite of the very strong opening of Beauty and the Beast.
With a total of just over 120,000 admissions in German-speaking territory, trade magazine Blickpunkt:Film has dubbed the Easter-themed adventure a “smash hit.” And German distributor Universum Film has increased the number of prints from 409 to 468 to meet demand.
Rabbit School – Guardians of the Golden Egg is set to open in France on April 5 through Gebeka Films, and has been sold by Sola Media to over 30 territories so far: Poland, CIS, UK, China and Korea included. “We are extremely happy for the results in Germany and wish the rest of the world will enjoy the same success,” says Tania Pinto Da Cunha of Sola Media.
Directed by Ute von Münchow‐Pohl, Rabbit School centers on a young urban rabbit named Max who gets stuck in an old-fashioned Easter Rabbit school when it is surrounded by a clan of clever foxes who want to take over the holiday. With the help of cute bunny Emmy and the instruction of the mysterious Madame Hermione, Max learns not only the secret magic of Easter bunnies, but also where he truly belongs.
The 3D/CG feature is produced by Dirk Beinhold and Akkord Film. Sola Media handles worldwide sales. More on the film here.
Madrid-based Ánima Kitchent announces that Spanish broadcaster RTVE has acquired its animated preschool series Cleo & Cuquin (52 x 7 min.). New TV show and transmedia brand is co-produced with Televisa, MAI and Selecta Visión, based on the iconic Familia Telerín cartoon created by José Luís and Santiago Moro in the late 1970s.
The series shows little kids tackling big adventures as young Cuquín’s curiosity leads to mishaps and mix-ups, and big sister Cleo (with the other siblings) dig Cuquín out of trouble the only way kids know how: by playing! They pretend to be astronauts, gardeners, detectives, monsters or whatever they need to be to complete their mission.
Familia Telerin was a very popular cartoon aired by TVE in the ‘70s and ‘80s, and featured the song “Vamos a la cama” (Time for bed), which became part of the bedtime routine for a generation of children in Spain and in Latin America.
Víctor M. López, CEO of Ánima Kitchent, said: “TVE was always the Familia Telerín’s home, so we never doubted for a second that Cleo & Cuquín would be aired on Clan, in addition to the fact that the channel is clearly the number one choice for this kind of content.”
Cleo & Cuquin originally launched on the Familia Telerin YouTube channel, totting up over 400 million views and a million subscribers in just a year and a half. In addition to the updated and meticulously designed new TV show, the brand comprises The Bedder app, online content, and music video clips.
European children’s and youth entertainment company Planeta Junior will be showcasing two fresh animated series for young viewers at next week’s MIPTV market. The titles are both co-productions with other top international toon players: Magiki and Pio Rocks!
Magiki (52 x 11 min.; Ages 3-6) is a new animated series based on the DeAgostini collectibles which have sold over 17 million units in Europe. The show follows the adventures of inquisitive, adorable Billie, who uses her magic key to escape from her sisters’ tiring problems into an enchanted world accessible through her toy box: Magiki. With her best friend Truman by her side, Billie is transformed into a modern princess in Magiki, with her toys as her royal court. Magiki is produced by Planeta Junior, Zodiak Kids Studios (France), Albachiara and DeAgostini Editore.
Pio Rocks! The Series (52 x 11 min.; Ages 6-9) is a 3D CG series based on the online phenomenon “Pulcino Pio,” which scored over 1.5 billion hits on YouTube. The show combines comedy with plenty of music and kid-friendly adventures. Pio Rocks! is written by Romain Van Liemt (Sonic Boom, Pirate Express, Robin Hood: Mischief in Sherwood), with characters by animation and publishing artist Pedro Bascón (Pocoyo, Jelly Jamm). Planeta Junior co-produces with Rai Com, DQ Entertainment and Gruppo Alcuni.
Trivandrum, India-based animation and entertainment company Toonz Media Group announces the launch of Toonz Games, a new global division that will develop titles for a variety of platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows, and others. The venture is headed by Sunil A.P., who brings nearly two decades of gaming and animation industry experience to the post.
The new division will create games based on international IPs such as Smighties and Rat a Tat, conceive original ideas exclusively for games, and explore new opportunities to create unique projects.
“Toonz always believes in entertaining the world in the newest and most innovative ways. I believe Toonz Games holds immeasurable potential to take entertainment, in general, and gaming, in particular, to a totally new level. Toonz promises to create entertainment with a soul,” said P. Jayakumar, CEO, Toonz Media Group.
Toonz Games will operate out of a state-of-the-art studio at Trivandrum’s Technopark. Sunil A.P. will lead a veteran team of creators at the division, which will utilize the studio’s existing talent pool of game artists, animators and programmers. The games branch will tap the latest technologies, including AR and VR, to create exciting experiences for all ages.
