‘Au 8ème Jour’ Takes Best in Show at SIGGRAPH Asia Computer Animation Festival
‘Sopa Fria’ takes the Jury Special award, while ‘Fire’ takes the Best Student Project award in the annual animated film competition; winners and other top contenders to screen at the Electronic Theater next week at the conference, held this year in Tokyo, Japan.
‘Flow’: Cat-aloging Gints Zilbalodis’ Journey of Teamwork and Self Discovery
The Latvian director employs beautifully stylized and detailed 3D animation, somewhat photoreal, somewhat painterly, to tell without words his engaging story about a cat waking up in a world invaded by water, where humans have disappeared, who must belay his instincts and learn to get along with a group of animals in order to survive.
Sony Pictures Sues Wanda Over Failed Purchase Option
The suit, which seeks $49 million (plus interest), was filed earlier this year, alleging Wanda Hong Kong failed to ‘properly engage’ in a 2017 purchase option agreement for Vampire Squid Productions, the ‘Octonauts’ holding company.
SUPERPROD, Coolabi to Develop ‘Beast Quest’ Animated Series
Based on the children’s fantasy book series by Adam Blade, the adaptation will follow the adventures of Tom and Elenna on their quest to protect the Kingdom of Avantia from the evil wizard Malvel.
Bill Plympton’s ‘Slide’ to Screen at SVA
Screenings of the award-winning animated film will be held at the School of Visual Arts Theatre November 25 and December 7; Plympton will also appear at the Big Apple Holiday Con on November 23.
‘Spellbound:’ Making Children of Divorce Feel Seen
Vicky Jenson and Skydance Animation’s new, original fairy tale take on a very real contemporary family dynamic, with a princess struggling to keep up appearances while hiding the fact her parents, the king and queen, have been turned into massive, rampaging monsters, debuts November 22 on Netflix.
Creo Announces Sony Future Filmmaker Awards 2025 Jury
Entries are now being accepted to the competition - jury includes filmmaker Jason Reitman, filmmaker and writer Minhal Baig, 3000 Pictures president Elizabeth Gabler, and director Justin Chadwick; event runs June 2-6, 2025 at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City.
Disney+ Announces ‘Star Wars: Visions’ Volume 3
Lucasfilm’s animated short film anthology has been renewed for a third installment in collaboration with nine Japanese anime studios, set to stream in 2025.
Magnets, Lube and an R-Rating: Adam Elliot Discusses ‘Memoir of a Snail’ at SAVFF
The Oscar-winning director of ‘Harvie Krumpet’ discusses his new, award-winning, decidedly not-for-kids stop-motion feature, including the use of sophisticated magnetic puppets, being forced to play board games as a kid, and how personal lubricant makes the best tears because it can go all day and not evaporate.
Industry Vets Launch ‘Creative Sprouts’ Consultancy
Marion Edwards, Jodie Morris and Chris Rose have partnered on the collective, which offers hands-on creative workshops to give kids’ IP creators tailored, high-impact support.
‘The Queen's Flowers’ Celebrates Hawaii’s Queen Lili’uokalani’s Legacy of Love and Forgiveness
Ciara Leinaʻala Lacy’s new short, her first animated film, is a magical take on a touching, true story about the island nation’s last ruling monarch, known for her kindness, spare candy, and ever-present butterfly brooch, overthrown and imprisoned by U.S.-led forces in 1893, and a young girl who used to sneak into the Queen’s garden to steal the beautiful flowers.
The Felons Return in ‘The Bad Guys 2’ Trailer
Everyone’s favorite bad guys kind of gone good are back in DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming animated comedy about a crackerjack crew of animal outlaws, now-reformed, who get hijacked into a high-stakes, globe-trotting heist, masterminded by a new team of criminals: The Bad Girls; coming summer 2025.
31 Animated Features Eligible for Academy Awards Consideration
Academy members will vote to determine five nominees for best animated feature film award at the 97th Oscars; films also qualify for other categories including best picture.
Netflix Drops ‘Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl’ Final Trailer
Aardman’s highly-anticipated stop-motion animated feature, which follows Wallace’s new invention - Norbot, a ‘smart’ gnome that seems to develop a mind of its own - releases in theaters December 18 and hits the streamer January 3, 2025.
Digitoonz Spain, Morgana Studios Partner on ‘YugiBao’ IP
The two companies will co-own and co-develop the property’s multi-platform universe, based on the original NFT collection of 1,600 handcrafted 3D characters designed by Morgana Studios.
Voice Actor and Voice Director Dan Hennessey Passes at 82
The veteran artist, best known for his roles as Braveheart Lion in the ‘Care Bears’ animated series and Chief Quimby in ‘Inspector Gadget,’ as well on shows like ‘Star Wars: Droids,’ ‘Rock & Rule,’ and ‘Beetlejuice,’ died on November 13 due to Parkinson’s disease complications.
Al Jean Talks ‘The Simpsons’ Short ‘The Most Wonderful Time of the Year’
The iconic show’s long-time executive producer and showrunner shares his thoughts on his team’s latest short film - featuring Sideshow Bob, famous Disney+ villains, and so-called Halloween spirit - as well as his love of the format, and the important role shorts play in the franchise’s universe since the move to Disney.
Head Back into Riley’s Mind in the ‘Dream Productions’ Trailer
Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, and Lewis Black are among the stars returning to the frenetic, fun world of Oscar-winning ‘Inside Out’ for this all-new series about how when Riley’s memories need some extra processing, Joy calls upon the Hollywood-ish studio that’s always looking for the next hit dream; debuts December 11 on Disney+.
Apple TV+ Shares ‘Wonder Pets: In the City’ Trailer
The animated preschool series, from Nickelodeon Animation, features heroic characters, a vibrant city, and thrilling musical adventures; hits the streamer December 13.
Tickets for 52nd Annie Awards Now on Sale
ASIFA-Hollywood’s annual celebration of excellence in animation is set for February 8, 2025 at UCLA’s Royce Hall; tickets include the pre- and post- receptions and ceremony.
The Blasting Company Drops ‘Coal Eyed Birds’ Animated Lyric Video
Watch the latest work, based on the hugely successful ‘Legends of Avantris’ D&D 5th edition folk-horror-adventure, ‘The Crooked Moon,’ from the composers on Cartoon Network’s ‘Over the Garden Wall’ series.
Epic Storyworlds Announces ‘Guiby the Super Baby’ Animated Series
Adaptation of the comic book series, which follows a fearless three-and-a-half-year-old who confronts dark forces, premieres on Télé-Québec, YouTube in 2025, with a complementary Roblox experience.
Converse, LAIKA Team on More ‘Coraline’ Shoes and Apparel
The Converse x ‘Coraline’ collection features five styles of footwear and clothing items, including a t-shirt and hoodie; the collab will be available for purchase beginning November 21.
‘Chicken for Linda’ Now Streaming on The Animation Showcase
The award-winning animated film is now accessible on the streaming platform for free worldwide for industry workers and students, alongside a set of ‘making-of’s and featurettes.
Watch: VTuber BearTrice Kumano’s ‘Nibi-iro Kirameki’ Music Video
Bandai Namco Music Live releases the video, animated by Akio Takami, which features a mix of cell animation, 3DCG, and live performance.
