AWN Headline News
GKIDS Announces ‘Lonely Castle in the Mirror’ English-Language Voice Cast
The feature follows Kokoro as she is transported, along with six other students, inside an enchanting castle and invited to play a mysterious game; coming to select U.S. theaters June 21 and 22.
WIA World Summit at Annecy 2023 Recap
In line with the Festival’s celebration of ‘Pride and Diversity,’ the 7th annual Summit, presented both in-person and virtually, boasted an enthusiastic and engaged crowd with a common interest in elevating diversity in animation to achieve authenticity in storytelling.
Nickelodeon Announces ‘Baby Shark’s Big Show!’ Season 3 Renewal
The show’s universe continues to expand with ‘Baby Shark’s Big Show! Fin-Shaking Dance Songs,’ a musical album featuring songs from Season 1 and 2, hitting global streaming platforms June 16.
Epic Games Releases New MetaHuman Animator Feature Set
Latest version of the fast and easy digital human pipeline brings high-fidelity performance capture to MetaHumans.
Disney and Pixar Tease ‘Elio’ Animated Feature
Starring Jameela Jamil, Brad Garrett, America Ferrera, and Yonas Kibreab, the intergalactic misadventure blasts off in theaters Spring 2024.
Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri Presents ‘Migration’ First Look at Annecy 2023
In a surprise appearance, global superstar Pharrell Williams presented Meledandri with the Festival’s distinguished honor, a ‘Golden Ticket’ lifetime accreditation; Oscar-nominated filmmaker Benjamin Renner joined the studio chief in the footage reveal of their upcoming December animated comedy adventure release.
France.tv Acquires Majority Stake in Dwarf Animation Studio
The deal accelerates the public TV subsidiary’s creative hub expansion to the South of France while providing a more robust infrastructure and access to cutting-edge real-time technology.
Composition Media, Black Sands Entertainment Sign Anime Production Deal
88 Pictures Expands to Toronto
India-based animation studio taps veteran industry execs Sabrina Riegel, Nol Meyer and Jean Cloude Nouchy to spearhead first international expansion.
‘The Continental: From the World of John Wick’ First Look Images Released
We catch our first real glimpse of the three-part ‘John Wick’ franchise prequel miniseries, set in 1975, that showcases characters whose assassin shenanigans are sure to thrill when it hits Peacock September 2023.
Netflix Teases ‘Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix’
Created by Adi Shankar, the original anime series mixes alternative Ubisoft characters in homage to the early 90s; the show hits the streamer this coming Fall.
Jorge R. Gutiérrez Announces New Netflix Series at Annecy 2023
During his Tuesday Masterclass, the Emmy and Annie-award-winning director, animator and designer revealed a new, limited series based in the ‘Maya and the Three’ and ‘Book of Life’ mythological Mesoamerican universe.
Netflix Drops ‘Nimona’ Trailer
Based on the New York Times bestselling graphic novel by ND Stevenson, the 3DCG animated film follows Ballister Boldheart, a knight framed for a crime he didn’t commit, and the titular shapeshifter who sets out to help him prove his innocence; coming to the streamer June 30.
Genndy Tartakovsky Goes ‘Nuts’ with ‘Fixed’ Feature Presentation at Annecy 2023
Alongside producing partner Michelle Murdocca, the prolific ‘Samurai Jack’ and ‘Hotel T’ franchise director took the stage, and with a detailed display of artwork, storyboards, layout and finished animation, regaled a packed Petite Salle crowd with how truly funny – and treasured – a dog’s balls really are.
Disney Branded Television Reveals Massive Animation Slate at Annecy 2023
The slew of new projects, sneak-peek debuts, and current series expansion highlights shared with the festival crowd include ‘Disney Junior’s Ariel,’ ‘StuGo,’ ‘Primos,’ ‘Zombie: The Re-Animated Series,’ and ‘Playdate with Winnie The Pooh.’
Disney+ Drops ‘Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire’ Trailer
The all-new action-packed animated sci-fi anthology presents 10 futuristic visions from Africa inspired by the continent’s diverse histories and cultures, created by a new generation of directors drawing on uniquely African perspectives on advanced technology, aliens, spirits and monsters; executive produced by Oscar-winning director Peter Ramsey, it debuts exclusively on the streamer July 5.
Paramount Drops ‘Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie’ Official Trailer
Mckenna Grace, Taraji P. Henson, Marsai Martin, Christian Convery, Kim Kardashian, and Chris Rock head the star-studded guest cast of Nick, Spin Master, and Paramount’s new animated film hitting theaters September 29.
‘Lord of the Rings’ Rights Holder Embracer Group Announces Layoffs, Restructuring
The gaming giant reveals a lofty goal of creating a more self-sufficient and ‘highly cash-flow generative’ company, which means studio closures and yet-undetermined staff reductions.
Lakeside’s ‘Paralegal’ Heads to Annecy 2023
The new adult animated comedy series scores Canadian actor/comedian Bruce McCulloch to voice lead character Marlon Brisk, a local crime lord and spirit medium.
DreamWorks Shares ‘Orion and the Dark’ First Look at Annecy 2023
Nighttime doesn’t have to be frighttime… written by Oscar winner Charlie Kaufman, the 3DCG animated feature tells the story of an average kid and his not-so-average all-consuming fears; coming to Netflix in 2024.
Max Greenlights ‘Hop’ Kids’ Animated Series
Based on ‘Arthur’ creator Marc Brown’s children’s book, the new show is grounded in emotional reality but soars into a fantasy world populated by dragons, trolls, talking banjos, and magic crayons.
Pixar Drops ‘Carl’s Date’ Official Trailer
The theatrical short opens for Disney and Pixar’s ‘Elemental’ on June 16; characters from the Oscar-winning ‘Up’ return to the big screen, with Carl reluctantly diving into the dating scene with the help of this loyal pup Dug.
‘The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story’ Animated Short Debuts at Annecy 2023
Sony Pictures Animation and Sony Pictures Imageworks’ ‘LENS’ program cohort took the stage today in front of a packed Petite Salle crowd for the world premiere of their new film, set within the ‘Spider-Verse’ world; program provides candidates from underrepresented groups an opportunity to produce their own film while gaining valuable leadership experience.
Corus Entertainment Reveals Upcoming Canadian Animation Slate
Nelvana is delivering a number of series and films to kids’ networks YTV and Treehouse including ‘Best & Bester,’ ‘Thomas & Friends: The Great Bubbly Build,’ and ‘Millie Magnificent.’