It’s Game On as Take-Two Interactive Acquires Mobile Gaming Giant Zynga
$12.7 billion deal will create a diversified video game, interactive, and mobile entertainment giant; popular titles from the two companies range from ‘Grand Theft Auto’ and ‘Red Dead Redemption’ to ‘Harry Potter: Puzzles and Spells’ and ‘Words With Friends.’
‘Encanto’ Wins for Best Animated Feature at 79th Golden Globe Awards
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ latest musical, which tells the story of a family where each child is blessed with a magic gift, except for one, beats out ‘Flee,’ ‘Luca,’ ‘My Sunny Maad,’ and ‘Raya and the Last Dragon,’ to win the season’s first big animation award.
Sony Talent League by THU Finalists Announced
3 teams have been chosen for the 2nd edition of Sony and THU’s creative challenge, each receiving mentoring by leading industry creators, up to 10.000€ in funding and the chance to present their project at the next THU event.
In-Person Kidscreen Summit 2022 Postponed Until Summer
Miami event rescheduled to July 18-21; Kidscreen Summit Virtual to run as planned March 7-11 with full online program including panels, presentations and Q&As.
COVID-19 Sends Pixar’s ‘Turning Red’ to Disney+
With cinema attendance still threatened by the ongoing pandemic, the studio’s highly anticipated new 3D/CG animated feature will skip theaters and head directly to the streamer on March 11.
‘Hilda and the Mountain King’: Why We Love Our Trolls
Director Andy Coyle and executive producer Kurt Mueller talk about their new 2D animated movie special, now streaming on Netflix, that picks up where the Season 2 cliff-hanger finale of the Annie, BAFTA, and Daytime Emmy Award-winning series ‘Hilda’ left off.
Mamoru Hosoda’s ‘Belle’ Hits Theaters January 14
Produced by Japan’s Studio Chizu, the Annie-nominated animated feature tells the heartfelt story of a shy high school student growing up in the age of Social Media; GKIDS is releasing the film in cinemas next week, with IMAX previews beginning January 12.
TwentyOne14 Media Teams with Pat & Mike, Dan Abnett and Team Legend Studios
Group's first project is animated series, ‘The Adventures of Skelly;’ strategic partnership includes former Cartoon Network Studios SVP Brian Miller, and will emphasize shows that feature and target underrepresented BIPOC audiences.
‘Polly Pocket Season 3: Magic Locket Adventures’ Hits Netflix January 9
13 all-new episodes feature our tiny heroine - with magical shrinking powers - and friends Shani and Lila embarking on adventures big and small as they explore the world outside of Littleton; watch exclusive ‘Polly's Putt Putt Pets’ clip.
Cartoon Network Invites Kids Around Asia to Redraw Their World
On January 8, the channel launches its re-energized brand, ‘Redraw Your World,’ that promises to deliver more inclusive programming to wider audiences; campaign partnerships include Crayola, NTUC, and Singapore Chingay Parade 2022.
Crunchyroll Drops ‘Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2’ Trailer
Premiering January 9, new episodes from the show’s fourth and final season follow the emotional journeys of Eren, Mikasa, and Armin as the war for Paradis zeroes in on Shiganshina just as the Jaegerists seize control.
‘Smiling Friends’ Provides Big Laughs in a Small, Suspicious-Looking Package
Creators Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel guarantee that their new animated comedy series, premiering January 9 on Adult Swim, will make you feel better… unless, you know, it doesn’t.
Apple TV+ Drops ‘Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock’ Trailer
A reboot of the 80’s classic, the new series debuts January 21, joining the streamer’s ‘Fraggle Rock’ line-up including the classic series as well as new specials ‘Down at Fraggle Rock,’ ‘Doozer Music’ and ‘Fraggle Songs.’
Disney Junior Sets ‘Alice’s Wonderland Bakery’ Premiere
New animated preschool series, inspired by the world of ‘Alice in Wonderland,’ will launch February 9 with simulcast on Disney Channel, with episodes streaming on Disney+ the same day; Craig Ferguson, Eden Espinosa, Bobby Moynihan, and Ana Gasteyer lead all-star cast.
DreamWorks Drops ‘Gabby’s Dollhouse’ Season 4 Trailer
The live-action hybrid preschool series returns to Netflix February 1 with 8 ‘cat-tastic’ new episodes; show invites kids to turn missteps and mistakes into something creative.
AMC Networks Buys Anime Distributor Sentai
Deal includes company’s HIDIVE anime-focused subscription service and other brands, as well as its library of thousands of hours of popular titles including ‘Akame ga Kill,’ ‘Food Wars!’ and ‘Made in Abyss.’
Podcast EP143: How William Allinson Gets Stop-Motion Gigs in Toronto
The artist shares how he’s built his career working on animated on projects like ‘New Math,’ ‘Dad Fight,’ Canadian Tire spots, and ‘Ultra City Smiths.’
Watch Mary Apick’s Powerful ‘The Cat’ Short
The award-winning filmmaker and activist’s hand-drawn, black and white animated film tells the story of a happy little girl determined to overcome the darkness and oppression consuming her.
‘Dawn of the Monsters’: A Smash ‘Em Up Game Honoring the Origins of Kaiju
13AM’s new 2.5D animated brawler, set to release early this year, is a story-driven, co-operative monster mashup that lets players collaborate to destroy an alien horde and save the planet.
Animation First 2022 Announces Festival Slate
FIAF’s event will be held in-person February 11-13, followed by an online edition from February 14-21; highlights include film premieres, a glimpse at highly anticipated works in progress as well as panels with leading animators.
Watch Cinesite’s ‘The Addams Family 2’ Breakdown Reel and Images
Sole vendor on MGM’s ‘The Addams Family’ sequel used an open-source node-based app, Gaffer, along with Arnold ray tracing renderer to deliver a rich, stylized CG world, delivering over 1248 shots across 93 minutes.
NVIDIA Canvas Update with New AI Model Released
Latest version of tool, which allows artists to quickly turn simple brushstrokes into realistic landscape images, features powerful new AI model based on GauGAN2 research.
NVIDIA Releases Free Version of Omniverse for Individual Creators and Artists
The company’s real-time 3D design collaboration and simulation platform is now available to millions of NVIDIA GeForce Studio creators with RTX GPUs; new Omniverse Machinima and Omniverse Audio2Face platforms also revealed, as well as new platform features and 3D asset marketplaces.
Post Asylum/Element X Tackles A Tale of Two CG Cities
Dallas-based studio creates spots for AMC Networks’ IFC holiday promo and the 2022 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.
Sentai Acquires ‘Teasing Master Takagi-san’ Season 3 and Upcoming Feature
Latest season of show, based on award-winning manga of the same name, will stream exclusively outside Asia on HIDIVE as part of Winter 2022 simulcast season.