Academy Announces Date Change for 94th Oscars
Ceremony moves to March 27, 2022; film eligibility window returns to standard December 31 deadline, though requirements remain unchanged from 2021 awards.
Next PreVIEW Set: A Conversation with ‘Luca’ Director Enrico Casarosa
Join a conversation with the director and creative team behind Disney and Pixar’s upcoming animated feature; the free June 21 event is offered in partnership with OGR and Pixar Animation Studios.
Academy Cuts 2021 New Member Expansion in Half
Noting the need to ensure proper staffing and infrastructure to support ongoing growth, the Academy announces invitee limits while reaffirming goals to cultivate membership that reflects the diverse film community.
‘The BeatBuds, Let’s Jam!’ Will Soon Rock Out on Nick!
Co-produced by Scooter Braun’s SB Projects, new musical animated preschool series based on the kids’ music duo, The Beatbuds, features an original song each episode; show premieres June 7 with new episodes airing daily during the Nick Jr. Beat Bash week-long programming event.
Amazon Buys MGM for $8.45 Billion
Deal gets e-commerce and streaming giant extensive library of more than 4,000 films and 17,000 TV shows, including ‘Rocky,’ ‘The Pink Panther,’ ‘Tomb Raider,’ and a part of ‘James Bond.’
Epic Announces Unreal Engine 5 Early Access
Now available for game developers, latest major release, expected to ship in early 2022, includes numerous new groundbreaking features including Nanite virtualized micropolygon and Lumen global illumination systems.
Speakers Announced for 5th Women in Animation World Summit
Program lineup and list of presenters revealed for this year’s event, presented in collaboration with the Annecy International Animation Festival and Mifa 2021 hybrid editions, viewable beginning June 14; this year’s theme is ‘The Business Case for Diversity.’
Snipple Inks Deal with Disney Television Animation
Studio signs on as a production partner on ‘The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder’ for Disney+; scores £6m funding from growth investor BGF.
Festival Stop Motion Montréal 2021 Issues Call for Entries
The event, running September 10-19, is accepting short film projects using puppet animation, object animation and/or pixilation; deadline for submissions is July 2.
Crunchyroll and Sentai Announce Home Video Slate
Fan favorites coming to DVD, Blu-ray, and digital include ‘Noblesse,’ ‘Onyx Equinox,’ ‘Haikyu!! To the Top,’ and ‘Keep Your Hands off Eizouken!’
Dialing In the Stylized Italian Riviera Waters of Pixar’s ‘Luca’
Effects supervisor Jon Reisch drew on his experience as a guitarist to develop ocean wave simulation controls, much like sliders on an equalizer, to hit director Enrico Casarosa’s mark for an expressive, lyrical Japanese woodblock look, in the studio’s upcoming animated feature.
9th CEE ANIMATION FORUM ONLINE April 26 – 29 and May 4-6, 2021
This year CEE online was spread over two weeks. 26 – 29 April was devoted to the pitching competition while the industry events were on 4 – 6 May.
Special Events Set for Annecy Festival’s 60th Celebration
At Annecy 2021, first time screenings, masterclasses, and keynotes include a look back with ‘Mémoire d’une minute,’ a shorts collection for Annecy award-winning directors; a masterclass presented by Walt Disney and Kugali animation studios; and a keynote by Terrence Malick about VR ‘Evolver – Prologue.’
‘Migrants,’ ‘Meerkat,’ and ‘I am a Pebble’ Take SIGGRAPH 2021 Computer Animation Festival Honors
Short films from Pôle 3D, Weta Digital, and ESMA are the big winners among 37 works, including two world premieres, selected for this year’s virtual Electronic Theater, coming August 9.
‘The Boss Baby: Family Business’ Gets Simultaneous Peacock and Theatrical Release
Sequel to DreamWorks Animation’s 2017 blockbuster comedy moves up more than two months; film now set to hit streamer and U.S. theaters, as well as select international markets, on July 2.
‘Rugrats’ Returns with a 21st Century Facelift
Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, Lil, Susie, and Angelica are back, now animated in CG, but still humorously exploring their world as only precocious youngsters can do; series premieres May 27 on Paramount+.
Hybrid Mifa 2021 Revealed: Connect Online or In-Person
Industry leading market’s new, flexible format encourages attendee participation from anywhere; extensive program line-up includes pitches, on-line targeted meetings, and career recruitment; Annecy 2021 runs June 14-19.
DC's Animated ‘Injustice: Gods Among Us’ Adaptation in Development
The announcement appears inconspicuously in a list of bonus features on the upcoming animated ‘Batman: The Long Halloween, Part Two’ home entertainment release.
Netflix’s ‘Geeked Week’ Celebrates Fandom and Their Favs
Five-day free virtual event running June7-11 treats fans to exclusive news, trailers, art, and drop-ins from stars of popular shows including ‘Stranger Things,’ ‘Castlevania,’ and ‘The Old Guard.’
New Trailer Released for ‘Batman: The Long Halloween, Part Two’
Action-packed conclusion to the two-part animated DC Universe Movies thriller sees the Dark Knight battle a unified front of super villains and solve a murder mystery; feature-length film comes to Digital July 27, and August 10 on Blu-ray.
‘Wolfwalkers,’ ‘Boy, Girl, Dog, Cat, Mouse, Cheese’ Win Big at Irish Animation Awards
Virtual ceremony held this past Friday evening celebrated outstanding creative talent in Irish animation, VFX, and gaming.
Announcing: Animation Competition by Anima Syros and Blue Star Ferries
Announcing the Anima Syros/Blue Star Ferries Animation Competition; Three prizes, €2500 first prize!
Fred Rogers Productions Expands Executive Team
Company promotes Suzanne Masri and Brittany Smith, and adds Christina Gorski, to support growing PBS KIDS portfolio.
DNEG Adds Erika Burton as EVP, VFX - Global Head of Studios
Former Method Studios senior executive will be based in company’s Los Angeles office, working closely with Merzin Tavaria, President, Global Production and Operations.
Season 3 of ‘Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous’ Now Streaming on Netflix
Our six intrepid campers are still stranded on Isla Nublar, where they uncover a lethal threat that imperils their escape; 10 new episodes of DreamWorks Animation’s Annie Award-winning series premiere today.
