‘Rocky & Bullwinkle’ Owner Jay Ward Productions Partners with WildBrain
The new agreement includes the famed moose and squirrel, ‘George of the Jungle,’ ‘Dudley Do-Right,’ and other Ward properties, with brand new IP-based content to follow.
Art Spiegelman Says He Won’t Adapt ‘Maus’ for the Screen
The acclaimed writer-illustrator believes his magnum opus is best left as a book, despite renewed interest from Hollywood in adapting it.
Podcast EP147: Rachel Gitlevich Shares How Titmouse New York Unionized In 2022
The 2D character animation veteran discusses the unionization of the New York-based animation studio, the history of animation studio unions, and resources for others interested in the unionization of their animation workplace.
Next PreView Set: A Conversation with the Filmmakers Behind ‘Namoo’
Join a virtual live screening, presentation, and conversation with the creative team behind Erick Oh's Annie Award-nominated animated short film; the free February 11 event is offered in partnership with Baobab Studios and OGR.
Nominations Announced for 2022 BAFTA Awards
‘Encanto,’ ‘Flee,’ ‘Luca,’ and ‘The Mitchells vs The Machines’ get nods in the Animated Film category; ‘Dune,’ ‘Free Guy,’ ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife,’ ‘The Matrix Resurrections,’ and ‘No Time To Die’ nominated for Special Visual Effects.
Netflix Reveals 2022 Animated Feature Slate
The streaming giant shares a film lineup filled with adventure, fantasy, fun… and a healthy dose of anime.
Anibar Animation Festival opens Call for Entries for the 13th edition!
After having an amazing 12th edition, Anibar International Animation Festival has started preparations for the upcoming event in July 2022, and that means only one thing: The Call for Entries is once again open!
Cult Classic ‘Swat-Kats’ Returns
Show creator Tremblay Bros. teams up with Toonz Media Group to revive the popular 1990’s animated series in its new incarnation, 'Swat-Kats Revolution;' show will feature characters both old and new along with a futuristic arsenal for its anthropomorphic feline fighters.
HBCU 20x20 and DreamWorks Animation Launch Talent Development Initiative
‘LAUNCH: HBCU Fellowship Program’ to offer select students from HBCUs a chance to participate in 8-week program of workshops, courses, and speaker series aimed at opening career path opportunities in the animation industry; applications now open through March 1, 2022.
WarnerMedia Kids & Family and Mo Willems Ink Multi-Year Deal
HBO Max extends licensing rights on the popular animated series ‘Mo Willems Story Time Shorts!;’ new projects in the pipeline include CGI animated special ‘Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Underground Rock Experience’ coming summer 2022 with ‘Unlimited Squirrels’ arriving in 2023.
‘Automaton’: The Beauty and Fury of the Elements Explored
Led by director Krzysztof Rost, a team of Pixar effects artists worked on their own time to produce an abstract, experimental CG short film depicting a field of grass destroyed by a brushfire, only to be reborn.
Wizart Animation Releases ‘The Snow Queen & The Princess’ Teaser
The next chapter of the hugely popular franchise follows the Snow Queen’s daughter, Ila, who, after she accidently unleashes evil forces must embark on an exciting adventure to save the world; the film hits theatres in Russia and CIS on May 26.
ScreenSkills Responds to BFI Closure of Young Audiences Content Fund
Popular program supporting creation of high-quality content for young audiences concludes its 3-year run on February 25; concerns include impact on training as well as industry wide talent shortages and workforce development.
Prime Video Drops ‘The Boys Presents: Diabolical’ Teaser and Cast Additions
New anthology series, premiering March 4, delves into untold stories of the Emmy-Nominated ‘The Boys’ with 8 uniquely animated episodes brought to life by creatives including Awkwafina, Evan Goldberg & Seth Rogan, Andy Samberg, and Aisha Tyler.
Hiroshima Artist-in-Residence Now Open for Applications
Hiroshima Animation Season 2022 will host 3 animation professionals from May 1- October 31; second application period kicked off February 1 with applications accepted until all positions are filled.
CEE Animation Workshop Announces Its Selection
Thirty-two participants from 12 countries will attend the 2022 edition, split between 12 teams with an animated project and four career-oriented participants.
Lee Rosenthal Named President of Worldwide Physical Production at Paramount, Nickelodeon
The newly created position serves Paramount Pictures’ mission to achieve greater brand synergy with Nickelodeon Studios.
AT&T to Spin Off WarnerMedia in Merger with Discovery
The $43 billion deal calls for creation of a new company, Warner Bros. Discovery, that will aim to outflank Disney and Netflix in the streaming space.
ATKPLN Adds 3 Key Hires in Chicago Expansion
The studio, which kicked off the new year with a refreshed look and midwestern presence, adds Chicago-based creatives Daniel Pernikoff as associated creative director, Travis Saul as creative technical superviso,r and Scott Rachwalski as art director/CG supervisor.
Spire Animation Secures $20 Million from Epic Games and Connect Ventures
Investment will enable Unreal Engine integration into studio’s feature film animation pipeline to allow simultaneous build out of worlds and experiences for the metaverse; Danny McBride’s ‘Trouble’ set as first project to use new collaborative real-time technology.
Corus Entertainment Acquires Majority Stake in Aircraft Pictures
Deal with Oscar-nominated animation studio bolsters company’s expansion into the global kids and family entertainment market.
New Moonbug Series Coming to HBO Max’s Cartoonito and Cartoon Network
WarnerMedia acquires studio’s popular shows including ‘Blippi Wonders,’ ‘CoComelon,’ ‘Lellobee City Farm’ and Season 2 of ‘Mia’s Magic Playground.’
‘Only a Child’: Powerful Reflections on Three Decades of Environmental Inaction
Director Simone Giampaolo discusses how 12-year-old Severn Cullis-Suzuki’s 1992 UN Summit speech, almost 3 decades later, led to the creation of a compelling animated short film involving more than 20 artists employing a dozen techniques, which has been shortlisted for an Oscar.
Sony Acquires ‘Destiny’ Developer Bungie For $3.6 Billion
Studio to become independent subsidiary of Sony Interactive Entertainment; acquisition signals big plans for future IP, though FAQ addressing the deal says new titles won’t be published as PlayStation exclusives.
Watch ‘South Park’ Season 25 Premiere Episode Clip
Comedy Central kicks off the new season with ‘Pajama Day’ at South Park Elementary, as Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny don't ‘respect the authority’ of PC Principal - and now they aren’t allowed to wear their PJs to school - what’s a kid to do! The all-new episode airs February 2 on Comedy Central.