Sony Pictures Imageworks Expands to Montreal
VP of New Business Laura Fitzpatrick to helm new office with Senior VP Producer Doug Oddy stepping into her shoes at the Vancouver studio; the company is currently recruiting for all positions at the new state-of-the-art facility opening in Old Montreal.
Ghost VFX Adds VFX Supervisor Andy Hargreaves
The HPA Award-winning industry veteran brings over 20 years’ experience across commercials, film, and TV with credits on BAFTA Award nominee Emerald City, the Emmy and BAFTA winning series Outlander, and the crime drama Death in Paradise.
Studio 100 Film to Showcase ‘Giants of La Manch’ at Marche du Film, Cannes
From ‘Rio 2’ writer Carlos Kotkin, the animated comedy follows the heir of Don Quixote as he and his friends save their hometown in La Mancha.
LAIKA Ups CMO David Burke to COO
With the additional title, the studio exec’s responsibilities include all aspects of the company’s operations while he continues to lead brand marketing and film development.
‘Nayola,’ ‘The Garbage Man,’ and ‘Ice Merchants’ Lead 2023 Quirino Awards.
Works from Portugal, Spain and Argentina are honored across nine categories at the May 13 in-person gala event and closing ceremony recognizing achievements in Ibero-American animation.
‘Archer’ to Wrap with Upcoming Season 14
The Emmy Award-winning adult animation comedy picks up with Sterling Archer and the Agency finding their way and muddling through with Lana at the helm – final episodes roll out starting this August.
Preymaker Expands West Coast Staff
Creative team hires include Adam Lambert, Roxy Zuckerman, and Michael Reed, with Mattias Andersson joining the studio’s dedicated technology crew.
Tenacious D Releases Animated Music Video for ‘Video Games’
Hard-rocking duo Jack Black and Kyle Gass burst onto the music scene for the first time in years for a video featuring a mix of 2D and 3DCG that takes viewers on an amazing adventure through the worlds of many fan-favorite games.
Meg Foster Joins ‘Masters of the Universe: Revolution’ Voice Cast
The 1987 cult classic live-action ‘Masters of the Universe’ alum returns to Eternia as ‘Motherboard,’ an ancient sorceress of technology; the continuaton of Kevin Smith and Mattel’s Emmy nominated ‘He-Man’ animated series is coming to Netflix in 2024.
Jay Stephens to Publish Limited Series ‘Dwellings’ with Oni Press
The Emmy Award-winning animator and Eisner Award-nominated cartoonist returns to the Harvey Award-winning publisher with a bi-monthly limited series of three oversized, prestige format issues beginning August 2023.
Will Studios Move to AI-Generated Scripts During the WGA Strike?
With negotiations at a standstill and no sign of bending on either side, studios may turn to AI to pen scripts in the absence of Hollywood’s writers.
New Episodes of ‘Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series’ Coming to Netflix
The animated show follows Ash and Pikachu as they compete in the Pokémon World Coronation Series; set to stream this June.
‘Johnny & Me - A Journey Through Time with John Heartfield’ Heads to Annecy 2023
An official selection in the ‘Coutrechamp’ feature film category, Katrin Rothe’s film, mixing documentary and fictional elements, details how the father of political photomontage, protesting against German warmongering, became an enemy of the Nazi state; the festival runs June 11-17.
FIAPF and WIA Announce 2023 ‘Stories x Women’ Program Participants
Initiative provides mentoring and coaching sessions from industry experts to prep women animators from emerging animation communities in Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America to pitch projects next month at Annecy 2023.
IBERMEDIA NEXT Launches Digital Animation Grants at Quirino Awards
Funding for Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian producers co-developing projects with Ibero-American creators provides up to €150,000, and a support program valued up to €95,000 to promote new technology in creating animation; applications now open - submission deadline is August 21.
Animation Producer Cilia van Dijk Lieshout Passes at 81
The Oscar-winning producer, known for films including the Academy Award-winning animated short, ‘Anna & Bella,’ established the Dutch animation distribution company Animated People, was active in the Haarlem artist circuit, and was appointed Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau
NVIDIA’s ‘Meet the Omnivore’ Highlights ‘Sickle Cell Priapism’ Short
California-based Elara Systems harnesses Adobe Substance 3D Painter, Maya, Unreal Engine and NVIDIA Omniverse, connecting 3D pipelines to create AI character-driven 3D medical animations that help raise public awareness through relatable storytelling.
Netflix Drops ‘Human Resources’ Season 2 Trailer
Guest stars Hugh Jackman, Pamela Adlon, Rosie Perez, and Henry Winkler return in the ‘edgier and adult-ier’ ‘Big Mouth spin-off; 10 all-new episodes hit the streamer next month.
Unreal Engine 5.2 Now Available
The new update introduces Procedural Content Generation tools and a Substrate shading system providing artists with new real-time functionality – both showcased in March at GDC’s Electric Dreams real-time demo; also announced Unreal Fest 2023 coming to New Orleans in October.
‘Beetlejuice 2’ in Development at Warner Bros.
The sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 cult classic will star Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice, Jenna Ortega as Lydia Deetz’ daughter, and Justin Theroux in an undisclosed role, haunting theaters September 6, 2024.
Scene from ‘The Little Mermaid’ Teased at MTV Awards
Check out the first ever sneak peek of the iconic boat scene featuring a snippet of the song ‘Kiss the Girl’ before the film swims into theaters May 26, 2023.
Chapman’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts Receives $2.5 million Gift
The anonymous contribution will provide students with the newest industry tools to help better prepare graduates for the continual evolution of technology and content creation.
Russian Official Demands ‘Family Guy’ Ban for Offensive Skit
Chelyabinsk deputy Yana Lantratova calls for a total ban of the series in Russia after claiming a recent episode depicted the city and its people in an unfavorable light.
VFS Announces ‘The Launch Scholarship’
Funding valued up to $158k will support students training at Vancouver Film School programs in film, animation, and design; the submission deadline is May 31.
‘Digman!’ Renewed for Season 2
Ahead of tonight’s Season 1 finale, Comedy Central has ordered another season of Andy Samberg’s adult animated comedy – and provided a sneak peek as well.
