Binocular Briefs - July 2024
AWN's latest survey of under-the-radar animated shorts currently travelling the festival circuit or new to online viewing.
Skydance Reveals ‘New Paramount’ Vision Ahead of Merger Finalization
David Ellison, who will be named Chairman-CEO if the deal goes through, stressed that moving forward, the company will be a ‘confluence of art, first and foremost, working hand in hand with technology.’
Netflix Drops ‘Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie’ Trailer
The 3DCG animated adventure follows Sandy Cheeks and SpongeBob SquarePants as they head to Texas to save Bikini Bottom from a villainous plot; debuts August 2.
The Animation Guild Sets Art Auction to Benefit Mutual Aid Fund
‘Unique and United’ exhibit at Gallery 839 features an auction of multimedia works by TAG members to be held on Thursday, July 11.
7 Animated Features to Compete at OIAF 2024
The Ottawa Animation Festival releases its official list of feature films in competition that includes Annecy 2024 Cristal Award winner ‘Memoir of a Snail,’ Jury Award winner ‘Flow,’ and the Contrechamp Grand Prix winner ‘El sueño de la Sultana;’ the event runs September 25-29.
A Look Back at Danish Animated Kids’ Series ‘John Dillermand’
Just discovered hilarious 2021 ‘Last Week Tonight with John Oliver’ segment spotlights the controversial public broadcaster DRTV’s stop-motion show that follows the eponymous middle-aged man with a prehensile penis that can extend several meters long.
Legendary Producer Jon Landau Passes at 63
The Oscar-winning producer of the hugely successful 'Titanic' and the 'Avatar' film franchise and longtime producing partner to James Cameron at Lightstorm Entertainment passed away on Friday after a battle with cancer.
Exclusive: Happy 25th ‘SpongeBob SquarePants!’ Anniversary Artwork
Nickelodeon previews brand-new key art and shares an interview with stars Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence, Rodger Bumpass, Clancy Brown, and Mr. Lawrence; the celebration kicks off July 13 with the ‘Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards’ hosted by SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick.
Augenblick Studios Celebrates 25 Years with a Musically Charged ‘City Island’ Season 2
The Brooklyn-based studio’s founder and his talented team of artists, musicians, and songwriters channel all that was memorable from the cartoons they watched as kids along with the creative skills they’ve developed on adult animated projects over the last 2+ decades for a new season of the hit PBS KIDS series, which launches today, July 5.
Mercury Filmworks and Blue Spirit Launch Seraphim Animation Pipeline
The new system blends 2D and 3D techniques, promising to blur the line between concept art and production.
How Yoshiaki Nishimura’s ‘The Imaginary’ Reflects Studio Ponoc’s Noble Mission
The new 2D animated film, directed by Yoshiyuki Momose, explores the intersection of imagination and reality, advancing the studio's efforts to create deeply emotional and innovative works for children that can influence adults as well.
Bejuba! Entertainment Acquires ‘Animixies’ Worldwide Distribution Rights
Trailer released for the 3DCG animated kids’ series that follows 2 intrepid young zoologists who explore a newly discovered Island with the help of its inhabitants, the fantastical creatures named Animixies.
2D Software Provider CelAction Promises Ethics in AI
The animation production technology company jumps into the fray with promises of ethically supported and trained AI to protect the work of artists and programmers.
Skydance, National Amusements Reach Tentative Paramount Acquisition Deal
Talks are more than back on… the purchase will not be finalized until it is reviewed by the special committee of Paramount’s board of directors, with a 45-day period to shop around for other bidders.
Wacky Mayhem is Back in ‘Despicable Me 4’
Director Chris Renaud talks about Illumination’s latest entry in the biggest global animated franchise in history – and its storied brand of silly cartoon fun – as the first ‘Despicable Me’ film in 7 years hits theaters today, July 3.
Crunchyroll Lands North American Rights to ‘Kizumonogatari -Koyomi Vamp-‘
Supernatural vampire compilation film from Aniplex of America to receive one-day-only release in North America, Mexico and Australia beginning in August.
DNEG Group Secures $200M Investment
The United Al Saqer Group’s fund infusion accelerates company’s diversification from service provider to content production and AI-powered technology partner, bolstering expansion of Prime Focus Studios’ content creation efforts, start of new tech division Brahma, and launch of visual experience hub in Abu Dhabi.
Cineverse, 9 Story Launch Free ‘Garfield’ Channel on Sling Freestream
The ‘9 Story Presents: Garfield and Friends Channel’ offers all seven seasons of ‘Garfield and Friends,’ which includes 121 22-minute episodes, along with 12 specials and two direct-to-video titles.
Outfit7 Releases ‘Talking Hank's Adventure Guide: Island Living’ YouTube Series
Produced in collaboration with Brazilian company Hype, the show follows Hank as he learns survival skills and discovers the magic of island wildlife; the premiere episode is live now.
Trailer: ‘Kite Man: Hell Yeah!’ Debuts on Max July 18
The ‘Harley Quinn’ spinoff from Warner Bros. Animation is executive produced by Dean Lorey, Justin Halpern, Patrick Shumacker, Kaley Cuoco and Sam Register.
Nickelodeon Drops Trailer for ‘The Creature Cases’
Animated preschool series created by head writer and producer Gabe Pulliam and produced by Sony Pictures Television - Kids makes its linear debut.
Angry Birds Mystery Island’: New Look, New Characters, New Fun
On the latest Rovio series, Titmouse, with help from Snipple Animation and Yearim Productions, finds the right visual bridge between the property’s 3DCG films and flat 2D games, with layered depth and lighting that makes the action pop while maintaining some cartoony plasticity and feel; now streaming on Amazon Kids+ and Prime Video.
Netflix Announces Cast of ‘Terminator Zero’ Anime Series
Rosario Dawson, André Holland, Sonoya Mizuno, and Ann Dowd join previously announced Timothy Olyphant in the series, set to debut August 29.
Beyond the Boundaries of Animation: Anifilm - 7 – 12 May 2024 Liberec, Czech Republic
Visiting Anifilm for the first time since the festival moved from Trebon to Liberec, changes were immediately apparent!
VOLT Studios Creates Brand Spot for Hobby Farmer’s Switchel
SWITCHEL UP campaign launches VOLT’s 3D capabilities and kicks off Switchel’s summer tour.
