Animation Magazine

Author: Mercedes Milligan

  • Global TV News: 9 Story, Gaumont, Komixx, Marblemedia, Portfolio, SLR, Splash

    Global TV News: 9 Story, Gaumont, Komixx, Marblemedia, Portfolio, SLR, Splash

    9 Story Media Group has secured multiples licenses for the animation/live-action hybrid series Monkey See Monkey Do (26 x 11, preschool). The second season has sold to Turner’s Cartoonito (UK), AMC Networks (Central Europe) and Hop! (Israel). Seasons 1 & 2 have sold to Pixel TV (Ukraine). The series is a co-production with Smartoonz (Israel) and Title Entertainment (Canada) for TVO.

     

    Monkey See Monkey Do
    Monkey See Monkey Do

    Gaumont Television has finalized a major broadcast deal with German pubcaster ZDF for Belle and Sebastian (52 x 13, kids 6-8), the HD 2D reinvention of the classic 1960s show from Cecile Aubry. The series is a co-production with PVP Group (Canada). ZDF joins previously announced buyers M6 (France), Piwi+ (France), Radio Canada, VRT (Belgium), RTBF (Belgium) and RTS (Switzerland).

    Komixx Media Group in the UK announces that CBeebies has come on board as primary broadcaster for Dog Loves Books (52 x 7, kids 4-6) — an animated series based on the award-winning books by Louise Yates. The show is being developed by Melanie Halsall for Komixx and head writer Alan Gilbey.

    Dog Loves Books
    Dog Loves Books

    Marblemedia and Atomic Cartoons have entered into a development project with Corus Entertainment’s Teletoon on a new animated comedy series, Captain Cornelius’ Cartoon Lagoon. Based on the webseries by Pat-Man Studios, the show follows the weird and wacky submarine adventures of Captain Cornelius and his crew as they scour the lagoon for the best (and worst) cartoons ever. Robert Pincombe (Jimmy Two-Shoes) and Shelly Hoffman (Camp Lakebottom) are showrunners.

    Captain Cornelius' Cartoon Lagoon
    Captain Cornelius’ Cartoon Lagoon

    Portfolio Entertainment in Canada and UK-based Giggle Media announce a development deal with Corus Entertainment’s Teletoon for a new animated comedy series, Invasion of the MooFaLoo (26 x 11, kids 6-11). Created by Steve Garratt, the show follows three genetically modified, rocket-powered sheep defending the world from an alien cow invasion. Teletoon recently commissioned another series, Freaktown, from Portfolio.

    SLR Productions has partnered with Telegael, Super RTL, ZDF Enterprises and Network Ten to produce a new animated detective comedy, Lexi & Lottie (26 x 22, kids 6-9). The original concept from SLR centers on twin girls who, along with their pet mouse and journalist friend Fred, put their heads together to solve crimes and outwit the crooks. SLR’s Suzanne Ryan and Telegael’s Paul Cummins serve as EPs, with SLR’s Jo Boag as creative director, Melanie Alexander as script producer and Greg Ingram as director.

    Lexi & Lottie
    Lexi & Lottie

    Splash Entertainment has acquired worldwide distribution rights from Cepia LLC (ZhuZhu Pets) for Journey to Glo E, a 45-minute animated TV movie about a girl named Lilly who embarks on a journey to a magical land inhabited by quirky creatures, and learns to harness the power of her imagination in order to save her sister from a terrible villain.

    Journey to Glo E
    Journey to Glo E
  • ‘Inside Out’ & ‘World of Tomorrow’ Take Home Annies

    ‘Inside Out’ & ‘World of Tomorrow’ Take Home Annies

    The 43rd annual Annie Awards unfolded Saturday evening at UCLA’s Royce Hall. Among the top honors were Pixar’s Inside Out, which won the Best Animated Feature prize as well as 11 other categories — including Outstanding Music (Michael Giacchino), Outstanding Editing (Kevin Nolting), Outstanding Production Design (Ralph Eggleston), Outstanding Voice Acting (Phyllis Smith as “Sadness”), Outstanding Writing (Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve, Josh Cooley) and Best Directing (Pete Docter).

    This year marked the first time out for the new Best Animated Feature – Independent category, which went to Ale Abreu’s Boy and the World (in theaters now through GKIDS). Don Hertzfeldt was given the Best Animated Short prize for World of Tomorrow (also up for the Oscar). Best Animated Special Production went to He Named Me Malala.

    Other key wins went to Tumble Leaf, Wander Over Yonder, The Simpsons and The Revenant. Taha Neyestani won the Student Film category for ed, earning props for Sheridan College. This year’s Juried Award recipients included Winsor McCay honorees Joe Ranft (posthumously), Phil Roman and Isao Takahata, and the June Foray award went to Don Hahn.

    Click here for the complete list of 2016 Annie Award recipients.

    Inside Out
    Inside Out
  • Super Bowl 2016 Movie Spots

    Super Bowl 2016 Movie Spots

    The television commercial smorgasbord that is the Super Bowl has come and gone, and this year was no different in that spots for hotly anticipated films factored in to the ad lineup. In case you were refilling the dip bowl and missed one, here they are in all their Game Day glory.

    10 Cloverfield Lane
    https://youtu.be/IhdJkFH7K38
    10 Cloverfield Lane comes out March 11 © Paramount Pictures

    Alice Through the Looking Glass
    https://youtu.be/lCp0Cd16hrs
    Alice Through the Looking Glass comes out May 27. © Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

    Deadpool
    https://youtu.be/1JcaAlQbEwU
    Deadpool comes out February 12 © 20th Century Fox

    Independence Day: Resurgence
    https://youtu.be/g5K0lKrebqg
    Independence Day: Resurgence comes out June 24. © 20th Century Fox

    Jason Bourne
    https://youtu.be/_gBnmKOixDM
    Jason Bourne comes out July 29. © Universal Pictures

    The Jungle Book
    https://youtu.be/C4qgAaxB_pc
    The Jungle Book comes out April 15. © Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

    Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War
    https://youtu.be/0L7iH3foZU0
    Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War comes out May 6. © Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

    The Secret Life of Pets
    https://www.youtube.com/embed/hz8VOiTgcW4
    The Secret Life of Pets comes out July 8. © Universal Pictures / Illumination Entertainment

    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows
    https://youtu.be/5VpUTb3Ex_8
    TMNT: Out of the Shadows comes out June 3. © Paramount Pictures

    X-Men: Apocalypse
    https://youtu.be/mnu06cIUpMs
    X-Men: Apocalypse comes out May 27 © 20th Century Fox

    Deadpool
    Deadpool
  • Daily News Bytes

    Daily News Bytes

    Orphan Black Production Company Launches Animation Division
    Temple Street Productions forms Boat Rocker Media to oversee businesses including Toronto animation studio.

    Gia DeLaney Joines Newly Formed Boat Rocker Media
    Former American Greetings Properties exec named VP of global sales and licensing for new outfit.

    Annecy Animation Fest Announces 12-Part Spotlight on French Animation
    “The Mirror Effect” program covers pioneers Emile Reynaud and Emile Cohl through to modern masters Jean-Francois Laguionie and Michel Ocelot.

    Cartoon Network Unveils Game Jam for New Property
    Indie developers are invited to extend the brand for newly launched mobile game OK K.O.! Lakewood Plaza Turbo.

    Box Office: The Revenant Tops $300 Million Globally
    Meanwhile, The Martian passes $600 million and Star Wars: The Force Awakens becomes the third film in history to top $2 billion worldwide.

    Orphan Black
    Orphan Black
  • Torque Opens Studio Doors in Hartford

    Torque Opens Studio Doors in Hartford

    Award-winning digital artists Lawrence Jones and Jason Vega have launched a new studio Hartford, Connecticut called Torque. The new shop specializes in the creation of vfx, animation, motion graphics and VR experiences for the commercial, entertainment and TV industries.

    “It is becoming very clear that the broadcast advertising industry is in need of a unique creative and technology company that will create integrated advertising solutions,” says Jones. “The broadcast arena is screaming for creative and innovative ways by which brands and networks can leverage the latest tech to empower engaging storytelling. Our new creative company will offer clients cost effective and impactful solutions that deliver the messages they wish to present to their target audiences at a fraction of the typical industry fees.”

    Torque is launching with its first commercial campaign, “Keep Moving” for Orthopedic Associates of Hartford. The 60-second spot incorporates effects work and motion graphics into live-action footage to illustrate the stress of old injuries on the body. Torque was commissioned by RW/JD Connect to provide concept, previz, production, post and finish for the spot.

    Lawrence Jones and Jason Vega
    Lawrence Jones and Jason Vega
    Torque's "Keep Moving" for the Orthopedic Associates of Hartford
    Torque’s “Keep Moving” for the Orthopedic Associates of Hartford
  • CBBC, BBC WW Announce ANIM8 Shortlist

    CBBC, BBC WW Announce ANIM8 Shortlist

    CBBC and BBC Worldwide have revealed the shortlist of entries that will go into the second stage of the channel’s animation pilot scheme ANIM8, with the aim of finding the next big thing in UK animation. This first-ever, nationwide search invited pitches from independent artists, studios and companies and received close to 300 entries from animators, writers, designers and storyboard artists across the country.

    These submissions have been narrowed down to eight entrants that will go into further development with the support of CBBC and BBC Worldwide. The projects will be assessed again in March, with select entrants continuing along the multistage development process, including a pitch to channel teams. The last pitch standing will go into pilot production and will be announced in April.

    See bbc.co.uk/anim8 for more details. The eight continuing projects are:

    Princess Sparkly Pants
    Stephanie Wahlstrom

    Sandy Claws
    Alex Collier, Oddball media

    Mystery soup
    Hannah Jacobs, Victoria Manifold

    Peeled Prawn & Shaved Sheep
    Vincent James & Karina Stanford-Smith
    Fat Cat City Films

    Stinky Badger
    Terri Langan
    Flix Facilities

    Barry Swish the corduroy fish
    Luke Bridgeman & Hannah George

    Intergalactic Cat Tricks
    Phil Corbett

    Dogstar
    Mark Oswin & James Griffiths

    ANIM8
    ANIM8
  • Players Get Animated for Cartoon Network’s ‘NBA All-Star Jam’

    Players Get Animated for Cartoon Network’s ‘NBA All-Star Jam’

    As part of Turner’s exclusive coverage of NBA All-Star 2016 in Toronto (Feb. 11-14), Cartoon Network is getting in on the action by featuring NBA All-star starter LeBron James (of the Cleveland Cavaliers), three-time NBA All-Star Paul George (Indiana Pacers), three-time NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers) and two-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers) in guest roles on fan-favorite animated series.

    On Thursday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. ET/PT, LeBron James will make an animated guest appearance on hit action-comedy toon Teen Titans Go! The episode, “The Cruel Giggling Ghoul,” sees the Titans on a trip to an amusement park to see James, only to get caught up in solving a mystery.

    Then at 7 p.m. that Thursday evening, tune in to CN original series We Bare Bears to see Paul George, Kyrie Irving and Damian Lillard voicing characters in a new episode titled “Charlie Ball.”

    CN will also air special segments during some of its top shows beginning Feb. 11, and kids can use the CN Sayin’ app to send in video questions to their favorite players to be featured on-air. Additionally, sports-themed episodes of CN series will be available on VOD and TVE. Highlights from the special Teen Titans Go! and We Bare Bears episodes will be on YouTube, the app, cartoonnetwork.com and VOD.

    Cartoon Network
    Cartoon Network
  • Clip: ‘Turbo FAST’ Season 3 Glides to Netflix

    Clip: ‘Turbo FAST’ Season 3 Glides to Netflix

    The Turbo FAST crew are assembling to become the Greatest Snail-Bobsledding team ever – begin training montage! Watch an all-new season of Turbo FAST, on Netflix February 5! © DreamWorks Animation Television

    Season three of DreamWorks Animation’s shelltacular Turbo FAST comedy kids series is making its way at super snail speed to Netflix streaming today (Feb. 5). The 2D spinoff series is currently nominated for the 2016 Annie Award in the Outstanding Achievement, Character Animation in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production.

    Synopsis:

    In Season 3, Turbo and the crew quit racing on the track when they become obsessed with a fantasy racing league, compete in a bobsled race against a Jamaican chicken team and let a reality show wreak havoc.  The world’s funniest snails must contend with hard-partying toilet frogs, a gang of outlaw crickets, truck-robbing cargo bandits, a perfect poodle moth and so much more in this outrageous comedy!

    Turbo FAST
    Turbo FAST
  • Exclusive Clip: ‘Mickey Mouse: Dancevidaniya’

    Exclusive Clip: ‘Mickey Mouse: Dancevidaniya’

    The brilliant artists at Disney Television Animation have crafted a stunning winter wonderland for the newest Mickey Mouse short series installment: “Dancevidaniya.” Premiering today (Feb. 5) on Disney Channel, all the action takes place in sumptuous, snow-speckled Russia, incorporating elements of old world charm set to the music of the Kalinka folk dance.

    In “Dancevidaniya,” Mickey squares off for an old fashioned dance battle against Peg Leg Pete in order to rescue his dear Minnie from the villain’s clutches.

    Mickey Mouse - Dancevidanaya
    Mickey Mouse – Dancevidanaya
  • Market Watch: Kidscreen Summit

    Market Watch: Kidscreen Summit

    The pre-Kidscreen chaos continues, and the TV animation business is abuzz with new project announcements, partnerships and sales. Here’s a quick study sheet to review before you head off to the Summit in Miami:

    Anima Kitchent and Televisa will team up to produce preschool series Cleo and Cuquin (52 x 7) based on international brand The Telerin Family created by Jose Luis Moro Escalona.

    Awesome Media & Entertainment is developing its Princess Ponies book franchise for TV, having appointed media exec Peter Sussman to the board to spearhead the project. The UK company is also publishing four new holiday-themed titles in the series. Music video clips, Acostador app, books and digital content are part of the companies’ transmedia brand strategy.

    Cloth Cat Animation in Wales is bringing four development projects to the event: Little Oaks (upper preschool), Polly & Hax (high-action series), School Rule (comedy for kids 5-8) and Lunar Lodge (intergalactic comedy-action-adventure for preteens). MD Jon Rennie and head of animation development Adam Bailey will attend the show, with producer Ben Cawthorne of collaborating interactive development studio Thud Media.

    FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment has inked a raft of free TV sales for the new Danger Mouse series. New broadcast partners include ABC (Australia), Channel 4 (New Zealand), Legardere channels (France), RTE (Ireland) and MBC (Middle East), on top of the multi-territory Netflix deal which kicks in this spring. FMK handles global TV and licensing rights; Jazwares is master toy partner.

    Guru Studio has signed five new international deals, extending Justin Time’s distribution to over 200 countries. The time-traveling preschool series has sold to Presto (Australia), E-vision (Middle East, North Africa), Discovery Kids (Southeast Asia) and is gaining reach in the UK through Sony Pictures Television’s Tiny Pop service and is set to air on 24-hour Spanish-language pre-k network VMe Kids in the US starting April 4. New episodes are in production.

    Hoho Entertainment has entered a co-production deal with Grid Animation in Belgium to produce a 26 x 5 series of toon vlogs for multimedia girls’ fashion brand Mimi and Bibi, created by Dan Good (Wissper) and aimed at girls 6-10. The vlogs will air on UK’s Totally Tween website, with Hoho seeking digital platform and broadcast partners at the Summit.

    Radical Sheep and Corus Ent.’s Teletoon are developing a new animated comedy, Sprinkle and the Sweet Sugar Magics, created by comedian and writer Stephanie Kaliner. The 11-minute comedy for kids 6-9 centers on a shy girl named Cara whose life is changed by a magical, living, jelly-filled donut. Radical Sheep reps will be attending the Summit.

    Technicolor Animation Productions and TF1 in France will co-produce a new CG Monchhichi series in collaboration with Sekiguchi in Japan. Based on the hit 1970s toy character, the 52 x 11 will comprise magical adventures and positive stories that appeal to kids and adult fans of the brand. PGS Entertainment handles international media distribution.

    Zodiak Kids Studios has secured a commission from France Televisions for new animated series Lilybuds (52 x 11). The playful garden-themed CG toon will be produced in France and will be bolstered by a strong digital presence, including an online world. Zodiak will be bringing animated shows The Ranch and Magiki (commissioned by Lagardere’s Gulli in France and DeAgostini’s Super in Italy) to Kidscreen.

    Danger Mouse
    Danger Mouse
  • Exclusive: ‘Boy and the World’ Concept Art from GKIDS

    Exclusive: ‘Boy and the World’ Concept Art from GKIDS

    We are delighted to be able to share with you a collection of vibrant, revealing concept art from Ale Abreu’s Academy Award nominated Boy and the World — which is playing in select U.S. theaters today. Additional openings will take place across North America throughout February and March. (A complete list of theaters can be found at www.boyandtheworldfilm.com.)

    Synopsis:

    Cuca’s cozy rural life is shattered when his father leaves for the city, prompting him to embark on a quest to reunite his family. The young boy’s journey unfolds like a tapestry, the animation taking on greater complexity as his small world expands. Entering civilization, industrial landscapes are inhabited by animal-machines, with barrios of decoupage streets and shop windows and flashing neon advertisements that illuminate the night. The story depicts a clash between village and city, hand crafted and mechanized, rich and poor – and throughout the tumult, the heart and soul of the people beats on as a song.

    Boy and the World
    Boy and the World
    Boy and the World
    Boy and the World
    Boy and the World
    Boy and the World
    Boy and the World
    Boy and the World
    Boy and the World
    Boy and the World
    Boy and the World
    Boy and the World
    Boy and the World
    Boy and the World
    Boy and the World
    Boy and the World
    Boy and the World
    Boy and the World
    Boy and the World
    Boy and the World
  • Daily News Bytes

    Daily News Bytes

    The Women of ‘Kung Fu Panda 3’: Girlpower in the World of Animation
    Leslie Combemale mulls over the appointment of Melissa Cobb as Prez of Oriental DreamWorks and the studio’s strong track record of assigning women to key posts.

    Central Africa’s 1st Gaming Studio Is Creating Games that Embody African Myths and Culture
    Kiro’o Games in Cameroon combines local passion for superhero comics and ancient traditions in artistic, action-packed projects.

    YouTube Red Unveils First Originals
    Debuting Feb. 10 are new titles from PewDiePie, Rooster Teeth and AwesomenessTV.

    GIRAF12 Submissions Now Open
    Calgary fest wants your film that “pushes the boundaries of animation in unexpected ways” by July 15, 2016. Event is set for Nov. 26-29.

    IndieCrowdFunder Files with the SEC for Title III
    Entertainment equity crowdfunding platform seeks to take advantage of the 2012 Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act.

    Kung Fu Panda 3
    Kung Fu Panda 3
  • Global TV Sales Rundown

    Global TV Sales Rundown

    There have been a flurry of sales announcements ahead of the Kidscreen Summit, which kicks off in Miami next week. Here’s a rapid-fire rundown of all the goings-on filling up our inboxes right now, in alphabetical order by title:

    Dukes of Broxstonia (Sticky Pictures, Australia) has been sold by the Australian Children’s Television Fund to German home entertainment company Nipponart. All three seasons will be released on DVD/Blu-ray in German speaking countries, with episodes available online throughout Europe.

    Floogals (Zodiak Kids Studios’ The Foundation, UK) has been picked up by YLE (Finland), Canal Panda (Portugal), MBC (Middle East). The 53 x 11 hybrid series just launched on Sprout in the US, where Brand Activation Consulting has been named consumer products agent. Discover Kids represents consumer products rights for Latin America.

    Masha and the Bear (Animaccord Animation Studio, Russia) will air on Televisa’s Channel 5 (Mexico). Spin-off Masha’s Tales has launched on Netflix in several territories, including UK, US and Canada. And Warner Bros. Italy reports Masha and the Bear: Friends Forever performed well in local theaters, with an audience of 700k.

    Thomas & Friends: Sodor’s Legend of the Lost Treasure (Mattel & HIT Ent., UK) will be released in 5,000 theaters in China Feb. 20. The special Mandarin dub release is a first for Mattel and Hit. Release is being handled by Huaxia Film Distribution. The Thomas series is available in China on all major digital platforms.

    Winnie & Wilbur (Winduna Ent., UK) has secured a co-production deal with Discovery Kids Latin America, which grants exclusive broadcast, digital and L&M rights for the brand to the company in LatAm territories. The 52 x 11 2D series based on the Winnie the Witch books is in pre-production and due to bow on Discovery Kids Latin America and Channel 5’s Milkshake (UK) in 2017. King Rollo Films is production partner, Jetpack Distribution handles worldwide rights.

    Winx Club (Rainbow, Italy) season 7 is slated to air on Karusel in Russia, premiering this month. The new season has a strong environmental message and introduces the Fairy Animals, at risk from an evil shape-shifter.

    Wissper (m4e, Germany) has picked up additional European broadcasters. Free TV platforms RTL Telekids (Netherlands), YLE (Finland), SVT (Sweden), LRT (Lithuania); and Pay TV channel MiniMini+ (Poland). Channel 5’s Milkshake (UK) is commissioning broadcaster, and the show has already sold to Nick Jr. (US) and Discover Kids (LatAm). The 52 x  7 CG show is a co-production of Dan Good’s Absolutely Cuckoo, m4e, Telegael, Discreet Art Prod. and BASTEI Media.

    Masha and the Bear
    Masha and the Bear
  • Sinking Ship Ent. Acquires Picture Box Distribution

    Sinking Ship Ent. Acquires Picture Box Distribution

    Sinking Ship Entertainment, producers of the Daytime Emmy-winning series Dino Dan and Odd Squad, are padding their distribution capacity by acquiring Picture Box Distribution. Per the deal, Picture Box partners Marilyn Kynaston and Kate Sanagan are joining Sinking Ship to lead distribution and sales efforts.

    The two companies have a strong history of partnership, having worked together on Sinking Ship’s debut series This Is Daniel Cook and on the recently launched girl-lead STEM series Annedroids.

    “Kate and Marilyn have always felt like a part of the Sinking Ship family” said J.J. Johnson, partner at Sinking Ship Entertainment and former intern of Sanagan. “They’re risk eager, creative thinkers who represent shows with their hearts as much as their minds – we’re absolutely thrilled to have them both officially onboard.”

    “We are excited to be joining the amazing crew at Sinking Ship” said Kate Sanagan. “Sinking Ship creates some of the most interesting and innovative children’s programming in the world and we’re looking forward to representing all of these series internationally.”

    Annedroids
    Annedroids
  • Sprout Snaps Up ‘YaYa & Zouk’

    Sprout Snaps Up ‘YaYa & Zouk’

    Distribution360, a marblemedia company that monetizes content across existing and emerging platforms, has secured sales of over 260 episodes to broadcasters and digital platforms across North America — including a deal which will see its latest animated preschool property YaYa & Zouk (78 x 5) air on Sprout, NBCUniversal’s 24-hour preschool network.

    Produced by ToonDraw Prod. in association with Societe Radio-Canada and YOOPA, YaYa & Zouk is set to premiere in the U.S. early this year on Sprout. The series (from the creators of Toopy and Binoo), centers on the titular sister-brother duo as they get themselves into hilarious situations exploring real and imaginary worlds through creative play. The sale was negotiated by Kirsten Hurd, Director of International Sales and Acquisitions at D360.

    Other recent deals secured by D360 include the sale of Chocolate Liberation Front’s The New Adventures of Figaro Pho (39 x 7) to BBC Kids Canada; Victory Arts’ mixed-media series Alphabet Stories (26 x 1’30”) and spacey pre-k title YOUniverse (26 x 2’15”) to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s SVOD service Curious World.

    D360’s SVP of International Sales and Acquisitions Diane Rankin and Kirsten Hurd will be attending Kidscreen Summit, in the Marti Suite.

    YaYa & Zouk
    YaYa & Zouk
  • Hiroshima Animation Fest Calls for Entries

    Hiroshima Animation Fest Calls for Entries

    Organizers of the 16th Hiroshima International Animation Festival announce they are now accepting entries for the 2016 edition. The biennial event, taking place from August 18 to 22 this summer, is the only festival in Asia endorsed by ASIFA and is co-organized by ASIFA-Japan and the City of Hiroshima.

    The festival accepts independent, sponsored and student films covering all animation techniques and genres, as well as TV series episodes, commercials, educational pieces and music videos.

    Submissions are accepted via mail only and must be entered by April 1, 2016, using the official entry form and shipping label which can be found along with complete regulations online at: http://hiroanim.org/en2016/e03compe/3-01e.html

    Hiroshima Animation Festival
    Hiroshima Animation Festival
  • Nick Animated Shorts Names 2015 Selections, Opens Submissions

    Nick Animated Shorts Names 2015 Selections, Opens Submissions

    Nickelodeon has opened submissions for the 2016 global Animated Shorts Program, accepting entries through April 15. The annual program, overseen by network development executives, accepts domestic and international pitches for consideration for development into animated shorts for Nickelodeon and Nick Jr.

    Additionally, the network has named the 22 projects from last year’s Animated Shorts Program which will progress into short film development and potentially will appear on Nickelodeon airwaves, on nick.com or on the Emmy-winning Nick App. These 22 were selected from nearly 950 worldwide pitches.

    Among the 2015 selectees are Max Wittert’s Best Baddies, plucked from Nick’s first-ever open call at last year’s Small Press Expo. Also, Rikke Asbjoern’s My Friend Pancake, which follows the fantastic adventures of young Hazel and her best friend, a giant talking cat named Pancake, as they explore a mystical, living forest where the rules of nature don’t apply.

    “We continue to garner terrific worldwide response from our Animated Shorts Program, and we look forward to working with this new creative group to develop and bring to life original characters, innovative content and kid-inspired storylines across all of our Nickelodeon platforms,” said Russell Hicks, Nickelodeon’s President of Content Development and Production.

    For a full list of the 2015 selectees, click here.

    Complete guidelines for submitting your pitch to the Animated Shorts Program 2016 can be found at www.nickshortspitches.com.

    My Friend Pancake
    My Friend Pancake
  • Bugs and Daffy Voice Actor Joe Alaskey Dies

    Bugs and Daffy Voice Actor Joe Alaskey Dies

    Joe Alaskey, a prolific voice performer who played classic cartoon characters such as Looney Tunes’ Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety Bird and Sylvester the Cat, died Wednesday February 3 at age 63 from cancer.

    A New York native, Alaskey was known as an incredibly gifted mimic, and he brought his love of performing from live acting into the world of animation in the 1980s. He voiced Foghorn Leghorn and Yosemite Sam in Who Framed Roger Rabbit, later taking over the roles of Daffy and Bugs in the 1990s following the death of the legendary Mel Blanc. During this period he played other popular WB characters like Marvin the Martian, Droopy the Dog and Tiny Toon Adventures’ Plucky Duck.

    Alaskey was one of the most prolific and in-demand voice actors throughout the ‘90s and 2000s. Outside the Looney Tunes world, he inhabited the roles of Stinkie for Casper in the film and TV series, Grandpa Lou Pickles on Nickelodeon’s Rugrats, and various guest spots on popular animated series and videogames throughout the decades. Among his final roles were Droopy in direct to video Tom and Jerry: Spy Quest and Green Loontern in the LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham game.

    In 2009, Alaskey published his memoir That’s Still Not All Folks! and more recently penned the fiction titles Frater Dementis, a horror novel, and Queasy Street Volume One, a fantasy short story collection.

    Joe Alaskey
    Joe Alaskey
  • Shout! Bringing ‘Long Way North’ to U.S. Theaters

    Shout! Bringing ‘Long Way North’ to U.S. Theaters

    Shout! Factory and Urban Distribution International have entered an exclusive deal to distribute European animated feature Long Way North in the United States. A theatrical release through Shout! Factory Kids is slated for fall 2016, with Shout! Factory in possession of U.S. distribution rights for broadcast, VOD, digital and home entertainment as well.

    Long Way North (Tout en Haut du Monde) is directed by Rémi Chayé (The Secret of Kells) and produced by Sacrebleu Prod. (Madagascar, Carnet de Voyage), Maybe Movies (Ernest & Celestine) and Norlum Studios (Song of the Sea). The film won the Audience Award at the 2015 Annecy International Animated Film Festival, and has screened at top festivals around the word. Long Way North will have its North American premiere at the New York International Children’s Film Festival (Feb. 26 – March 20).

    Long Way North is set in late 19th century Saint Petersburg, where Sasha, a young daughter of the Russian aristocracy, dreams of the Great North and anguishes over the fate of her grandfather Olukine — a renowned scientist and Arctic explorer who has yet to return from his latest expedition to the North Pole. But Sasha’s parents have already decided her fate with a betrothal arrangement. Defying them, Sasha runs away from home on an incredible quest to the North in search of Olukine and his ship.

    The English language voice cast features Chloé Dunn, Vivienne Vermes, Peter Hudson, Antony Hickling, Tom Perkins, Geoffrey Greenhill, Claire Harrison-Bullett, Bibi Jacob, Martin Lewis, Tom Morton, Leslie Clack, Kester Lovelace and Damian Corcoran. French voice cast include Christa Théret, Feodor Atkine, Thomas Sagols, Rémi Caillebot, Audrey Sablé, Fabirn Briche, Gabriel Le Doze and Boris Rehlinger.

    Rémi Chayé directs from a script written by Claire Paoletti and Patricia Valeix; co-producers are Jean-Michel Spiner, Claus Toksvig Kjaer, Frederik Villumnsen; executive producers are Ron Dyens and Henri Magalon.

    Long Way North
    Long Way North
  • Weird Al Yankovic Stars in Disney XD’s ‘Milo Murphy’s Law’

    Weird Al Yankovic Stars in Disney XD’s ‘Milo Murphy’s Law’

    Legendary satirist and Grammy-winning recording artist Al Yankovic (a.k.a. “Weird Al”) will provide the voice of the titular hero for Disney XD’s Milo Murphy’s Law — an animated comedy series from Phineas and Ferb creators Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh.

    Premiering this fall, Milo Murphy’s Law (previously tiled “Mikey Murphy’s Law”) introduces Milo, the fictional great-great-great-great grandson of the Murphy’s Law namesake who set down for the ages that “anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.” Yankovic will voice Milo and sing the opening theme song as well as original tunes throughout the series.

    The lead cast also features Sabrina Carpenter (Girl Meets World) and Mekai Curtis (Kirby Buckets) as Milo’s pals Melissa Chase and Zack Underwood. Povenmire and Marsh will also voice pistachio protectors Vinnie Dakota and Balthazar Cavendish.

    Additional voices are provided by Christian Slater as the school crossing guard and Milo’s foe Elliot Decker, Vanessa Williams as Zack’s mom Eileen, Sarah Chalke as science teacher Mrs. Murawksi, Jemaine Clement as TV’s Dr. Zone, Mackenzie Phillips as Principal Milder, Chrissie Fit as classmate Amanda Lopez, Vincent Martella as classmate Bradley Nicholson, Diedrich Bader as Milo’s dad Martin, Pamela Adlon as his mom Brigette, Kate Micucci as his sister Sara, Dee Bradley Baker as his dog Diogee, Gregory Michael Cipes as classmate Mort Schaeffer, Michael Culross as high school teacher Kyle Drako and Kevin Michael Richardson as Coach Nolan Mitchell.

    Povenmire and Marsh’s creative team includes Phineas and Ferb colleagues Robert F. Hughes (producer and director), Scott Peterson (story editor) and staff writers Joshua Pruett, Dani Vetere and Martin Olson. The series is produced by Disney Television Animation.

    Synopsis:

    The series follows Milo Murphy, who is the personification of Murphy’s Law where anything that can go wrong will go wrong. Suffering from Extreme Hereditary Murphy’s Law condition (EHML), Milo always looks to make the best of the cards he’s been dealt and his endless optimism and enthusiasm can turn any catastrophe into a wild adventure. Armed with knowledge, a backpack full of supplies and his fearless friends, Melissa and Zack, Milo is always prepared for every possibility. Together, he and his friends will learn that it’s all about a positive attitude and not to sweat the big stuff… and it’s all big stuff.

    "Weird Al" Yankovic
    “Weird Al” Yankovic