ACE Canada’s ‘Ostinato’ to Debut at Spark Animation 2023
The animated short’s creative team, part of the immersive career excel-erator program, along with Netflix and Women in Animation Vancouver, will present their film’s world premiere, including a Q&A and panel, at the festival, which runs November 13 – December 31.
Watch: DreamWorks ‘Dew Drop Diaries’ Season 2 Trailer
The 3DCG preschool series about a tiny fairy family of ‘Dew Drops’ is back with 12 all-new episodes, turning everyday challenges into extraordinary adventures next month.
Apple TV+ Shares ‘The Velveteen Rabbit’ Trailer
Based on the famed children’s book by Margery Williams, the live-action animated hybrid tells the story of a child who, with his new favorite toy, discovers lifelong friendship and a world of magic; the family holiday series streams November 22.
Starz to Lay Off Over 10% of Workforce in Upcoming Lionsgate Split
The planned restructuring, which includes cutting business ties in the U.K. and Australia, is meant to ‘align our organization with the growth areas of the business and to prepare us for our next chapter as a standalone company,’ says CEO Jeffrey Hirsch.
Skybound Entertainment Relaunches Iconic 'Spike & Mike’s Festival of Animation'
Submissions now open for short films from creators in the U.S., Canada and U.K.; festival details still to be worked out, but awards will include project stipends, acquisitions, and development opportunities.
Podcast EP 231: Ed Hooks with Master Tips on ‘Acting for Animators’
The NY actor turned teacher discusses how DreamWorks’ 1996 request shifted his life path and kicked off his 30+ year career training animators.
Production Underway on ‘Badjelly’ Kids’ Animated Series
Mukpuddy Animation, Sphere Animation, and Cantilever Media team up on the show, based on the beloved 1973 story from legendary comedian Spike Milligan, starring the ‘Harry Potter’ film franchise’s Miriam Margolyes OBE; debut set for 2025.
2nd Annual Children’s & Family Emmy Nominees Announced
Lots of great animation being recognized - ‘Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures,’ ‘The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special,’ and ‘I Am Groot’ among top nominees; the award’s ceremony to be revealed next week.
All-Star Animated ‘Ozi: Voice of the Forest’ Sells to Signature for U.K., Ireland
The 3DCG feature follows teenage orangutan Ozi’s journey across the rainforest to find her parents and stars Laura Dern, Amandla Stenberg, Donald Sutherland, Djimon Hounsou, RuPaul, Dean Charles Chapman and Rachel Shenton.
Delicious Seconds: Nick Orders ‘The Tiny Chef Show’ Season 2 Plus 2 Holiday Specials
The Annie Award-winning stopmo series starring culinary social media sensation Tiny Chef will return to Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. channels beginning with the ‘Fwendsgiving’ special on November 20 and ‘Tiny Chef's Marvelous Mish Mesh Special’ on December 4.
Sanrio Celebrates ‘Hello Kitty’ 50th Anniversary with Cavalcade of Digital Content
In anticipation of this major milestone on November 1, 2024, the coming year will be filled with ways to celebrate in both the digital and physical worlds, including an AR app, short animations on TikTok, monthly promotions in My Hello Kitty Cafe on Roblox, and a presence in the digital world of Zepeto.
Walt Disney Animation Studios Production Workers Vote to Unionize
After the studio refused to recognize their organization efforts this past March because of issues with job titles, 63 employees, including coordinators, managers, and supervisors, have now successfully voted to join The Animation Guild.
The Gorgeous and Graphic ‘Blue Eye Samurai’ Arrives
Creators Amber Noizumi and Michael Green’s period drama of a mixed-race sword master living a life in disguise and shame while seeking vengeance in Edo-period Japan expertly mixes live-action and animation production know-how in a beautifully stylized new series, now streaming on Netflix.
Foundry’s Katana 7.0 Now Available
Latest version includes USD updates and VFX Reference Platform 2023 support with new USD scene manipulation, muti-threaded live rendering and Optimized Geolib3-MT Runtime.
GKIDS Drops Miyazaki’s ‘The Boy and The Heron’ English Trailer
The all-star English voice cast includes Christian Bale, Dave Bautista, Gemma Chan, and Willem Dafoe; Studio Ghibli’s latest film kicks off November 22 in LA and NY with special preview engagements, followed by nationwide U.S. and Canadian release in December.
16th ACM SIGGRAPH Asia Brings the CG World Together
A gathering place for technical and creatives in research, science, art, animation, gaming, interactivity, education, and emerging technologies, the annual conference and exhibition on computer graphics and interactive techniques comes to Sidney, Australia, December 12-15.
Sesame Workshop Launches ‘Bea’s Block’
The new preschool ‘kindness adventure’ follows 5-year-old Bea and her two best friends as they hop their way through their diverse and inclusive Blocktown neighborhood; series now available on Sky Kids platforms in the U.K. and Ireland.
Netflix Drops ‘Blue Eye Samurai’ Episode 1 Sneak Peek
Streamer shares trailer, ‘Behind the Animation’ short, and an entire episode, all ahead of show’s highly-anticipated November 3 debut; the adult animated debut; the adult animated series, set in Edo-period Japan, tells the story of a master of the sword who lives a life in disguise seeking revenge.
Nelvana Secures ‘Builder Brothers Dream Factory’ International Deals
Inspired by the HGTV series starring real-life ‘Property Brothers,’ Drew and Jonathan Scott, the animated series centers on friends, family, school, and community – and really big dreams.
Disney to Purchase Remaining Stake in Hulu from Comcast
The company expects to spend approximately $8.61 billion by December 1 for Comcast/NBCU’s 33% stake in the streamer, minus the anticipated outstanding capital call contributions payable by NBCU to Disney, with final amounts to depend on assessment of fair equity value.
Ellen Doherty Talks Fred Rogers’ Legacy and the Future of Writers' Neighborhood
22 years after the final episode of ‘Mister Rogers' Neighborhood’ aired, Fred Rogers Productions continues its mission to create quality kid’s content with a slate of award-winning series and its innovative, eight-week program for emerging BIPOC writers that focuses on how to build and sustain a career as a freelance writer in children's media.
2nd CAPE Animation Directors Accelerator Class Announced
Program, which kicked off at Lightbox Expo, includes a month of in-person and virtual sessions; participants are paired with high-level animation industry mentors while developing and honing creative and leadership skills.
Netflix Drops ‘The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday’ Trailer
The streamer brings a whole lot of BAD home for the holidays as the ‘Bad Guys’ get naughty and Christmas celebrations come to a halt; the 3DCG special premieres November 30.
Claynosaurz Releases ‘Claynos’ Teaser Trailer
The 3DCG short tells the origin story of the colorful stylized dinosaurs inhabiting the studio’s IP; following 2 months of concept development, the team tapped Autodesk Maya and Arnold, using the Conductor cloud-based rendering service, to complete the film.
Hulu, Peacock Renew DreamWorks' ‘Fright Krewe’ for Second Season
From creators Eli Roth and James Frey, the studio’s first-ever animated horror series for older kids, about a group of misfit teens trying to save New Orleans from a demonic threat, scores a Season 2 pickup.
