Academy Sets 2025 Dates, Rule Changes, AI Guidelines, and Expands Animated Short Voting
For 98th Oscars, members must now watch all nominated films in a category in order to vote in final award round; each branch will judge films based on the ‘degree to which a human was at the heart of the creative authorship.’
The Line, Riot Games Partner on ‘League Of Legends’ Music Video
In celebration of the upcoming ‘LoL’ season Spirit Blossom Beyond, new short ‘Here, Tomorrow’ showcases themes that blend myth, memory, and the mystical beauty of Ionia.
Disney+ Reveals ‘Maul - Shadow Lord’ Animated Series
The project will feature franchise regular Sam Witwer as Darth Maul and will take place ‘about a year’ after the Clone Wars.
Lucasfilm Announces ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ Theatrical Release
Directed by ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ helmer Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling, the upcoming standalone ‘Star Wars’ universe adventure will debut in theaters May 28, 2027.
Moonbug Entertainment Launches ‘CoComelon Can Help’ Campaign
The year-long campaign, which aims to show how songs can help families through real moments, focuses on potty training, bedtime, and mealtime.
Bill Plympton’s ‘Guard Dog’ Now on YouTube
Inspired by a simple walk in the park, the Oscar-nominated short film first went on tour in The Animation Show, and was preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2015; now remastered and available for free.
Disney+ Drops ‘Light and Magic’ Season 2 Trailer
Watch as ILM stars like Hal Hickel, Doug Chiang, Rob Coleman, Dennis Muren, John Knoll, and the great George Lucas discuss the legendary VFX on some of Lucasfilm’s most memorable movies; all three episodes now streaming.
Universal Drops ‘Jurassic World Rebirth - A Classic Jurassic Park Featurette’
Go behind-the-scenes with new footage from the upcoming badass dino adventure as stars Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, Ruper Friend, and writer David Koepp talk up the film, which hits theaters July 2.
‘God’s Gang’ Celebrates Mini Season Finale, World Autism Month
The multicultural action-adventure animated series has partnered with Autism in Entertainment and Spectrum Laboratory to support ongoing employment opportunities for autistic talent; star Atticus Baldwin to appear at ‘Neurodiversity Night of Laughs’ at the Laugh Factory on April 28.
Apple TV+ Drops ‘WondLa’ Season 2 Clip
Catch a sneak peek of the new, 7-episode season of Skydance Animation’s animated series, based on the 'The Search for WondLa' books by Tony DiTerlizzi, that premieres April 25.
Exclusive: See Covers of ‘Rick and Morty vs. The Universe’ #1
The first of a 4-issue mini-series with 3 top secret unannounced tie-ins hits July 9, as the ‘Rick and Morty’ comic book event kicks off, led by the deviant psyches of comics mastermind and multiple Emmy Award–nominee Daniel Kibblesmith, artistic annihilator Jarrett Williams, and a host of special guest talents.
‘Rick and Morty 10th Anniversary Deluxe Omnibus Library’ On the Way
A special pre-order Kickstarter is underway for the 5-hardcover volume, 2000+ page, portal-hopping insanity-filled limited-edition collection of 100 iconic Omniversal adventures, including special 2-volume ‘Unreprintable Rick and Morty’ set.
Marvel Drops New ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Trailer
When even our heroes aren’t sure the world is safe, you know things have really gone sideways… a ravenous Galacticus plans to devour the entire planet in the long-awaited reboot of the studio’s seminal “First Family” franchise, coming to theaters July 25.
Cannes’ Annecy Animation Showcase Lineup Revealed
5 titles to be highlighted as part of the Festival de Cannes’ Animation Day on May 18: ‘Julián,’ ‘Sunny,’ ‘Ana, en passant,’ ‘Dante,’ and ‘Mu Yi and the Handsome General.’
Aardman Announces Yearlong Partnership with Young BAFTA Program
The initiative will provide opportunities for young talent, including direct engagement with the studio’s creative team and a platform to explore creative careers; support for animation talent continues through the Aardman Academy.
Animayo Gran Canaria Presents 20th Edition Preview
Running May 7-10, the event will feature more than 40 guests and keynote speakers participating in 14 masterclasses, 15 educational talks, five workshops, six premieres and screenings, three auteur presentations, five school stands, 20 talent booths, two exhibitions, and 18 hours dedicated to recruitment, portfolio reviews, and signings.
Andy Serkis, T’Nia Miller, Iris Onyejiuwa Join ‘A Lamb’s Stew’ Cast
Produced in Blender, the special is created, written, and helmed by Joeri Christiaen and follows Billie, a young lamb determined to prove sheep are as brave as other animals.
Exclusive Clip: ‘Sneaks – Everybody Has a Price’ with Anthony Mackie, Martin Lawrence
All-new animated family film follows a misguided designer sneaker, Ty, who knows no life outside his velvet-lined shoe box, as he braves NYC to rescue his sister shoe stolen by a shady collector; hits theaters April 18.
Netflix Drops Release Date, First Look at Genndy Tartakovsky’s ‘Fixed’
The famed ‘Dexter’s Laboratory’ and ‘Samurai Jack’ creator’s first adult animated feature about a dog, Bull, who finds out he’ll be neutered in the morning, shelved at Warner Bros., finds a new home; debuts August 13.
‘Lulu Is a Rhinoceros’ Family Musical Special Coming to Apple TV+
Based on the children’s book of the same name by father-daughter duo Jason and Allison Flom, the animated pop music event is all about kindness, acceptance and embracing one’s true self.
Assemblage Entertainment Expands with ‘Mikros India’ Leadership Team
Following the recent closure of Technicolor Creative Services’ Indian operations, the core set of executives have joined the Cinesite group partner studio.
DreamWorks Animation Drops ‘Forgotten Island’ Release Date
All-new original animated feature, written and directed by ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’s Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, will hit theaters September 25, 2026.
Toho Group Unveils $105 Million ‘Godzilla’ Franchise Investment
Company’s new 3-year plan also includes $490 million for producing a range of projects, including films, animation, theatrical plays, and digital games as part of broader efforts to expand its global entertainment business ahead of its 100th anniversary in 2032.
Scanline VFX Shares ‘Back in Action’ VFX Breakdown Reel
With a team led by VFX supervisor Jan Krupp, the leading visual effects company delivered 235 shots on the Netflix adventure-comedy about 2 former CIA spies who are dragged back into the world of espionage when their cover is blown.
2025 Quirino Awards for Animation Program Released
The Co-Production and Business Forum, Futures Lab, International Meeting of TV Channels, and Women in Ibero-American Animation roundtable all aim to promote the development, co-production, and distribution of animation across the Ibero-American region; run May 8-10 in Tenerife.
