New ‘How Life Is: Queer Youth Animated’ Shorts Released
As they continue their Pride Month 2021 celebration, The Future Perfect Project shares the next two films in their series of 10 personal stories from LGBTQIA+ youth, aged 13-22, about the challenges they routinely face.
‘Luca’s Innovative Back and Forth Transformations from Sea Monster to Human
Character supervisors Laura Beth Albright and Sajan Skaria discuss how they fully embraced, rather than hid or obscured, the potentially scary metamorphosis of their lead characters moving in and out of the water, in Pixar’s new animated feature now streaming on Disney+.
Apple TV+ Orders Animated ‘Strange Planet’ from Dan Harmon and Nathan Pyle
Apple Studios’ series, based on Pyle’s popular webcomic and #1 New York Times Bestselling graphic novel, will feature profound and heartfelt stories about beings on a distant planet not unlike our own.
Jordan Young Boards Dan Harmon’s ‘Krapopolis’
The ‘Drawn Together’ creator has been named executive producer and showrunner of Fox’s new animated comedy about a flawed family of humans, gods, and monsters trying not to kill each other while running a mythical ancient Greek city.
SIGGRAPH 2021 Reveals Emerging Technologies Line-Up
The program includes 14 projects, each providing a glimpse into the future; the premier conference and exhibition in computer graphics & interactive techniques runs live online August 9-13, with on-demand content available August 2 – October 29.
Feeling Young Again in New ‘The Boss Baby: Family Business’ Trailer
You can’t turn back time, or can you? Find out in DreamWorks Animation’s sequel to their 2017 animated hit comedy, ‘The Boss Baby,’ premiering on Peacock and in U.S. theaters, as well as in select international markets, on July 2.
Critical Role Drops ‘The Legend of Vox Machina’ Character Art First Look
New installment of behind-the-scenes ‘The Legend of the Legend of Vox Machina’ reveals a slew of Phil Bourassa’s character designs on the studio’s upcoming Amazon Original animated series about a group of second-rate adventurers on a quest to save the realm.
Cartoon Network India Launching ‘Ekans – Ek Se Badhkar Snake’
The WarnerMedia channel’s first local superhero and CGI series, about a 13-year-old ‘chosen one’ with serpent-like powers and heart of gold, debuts June 27.
Call for Animation Golden Kuker: deadline Feb 28, 2022
Call for Animation for the Golden Kuker Festival - submissions open until 28 February, 2022
Adobe Releases New Adobe Substance 3D Tool Collection
AI-based set of interoperable tools and services streamlines the 3D design process, eliminating much of the complexity; collection employs cutting-edge technology required by veteran artists but still easily accessible to beginners.
Imaginary Forces Names Anthony Gibbs Creative Director
New hire brings extensive design and VFX experience to the role, having spent 14+ years working as both creative and design directors.
Sony Imageworks Names Mike Ford CTO
Studio veteran and former VFX supervisor will continue to oversee software development and systems engineering teams, as well as SPI's technical infrastructure, as he moves forward on major initiatives to modernize the VFX and animated feature film pipeline.
Soundscape VR Launches Magic Mirror ‘Digital Drive-in’ Platform
Launching with special performances including The Desert Dwellers, Desert Hearts Mikey Lion, Porky, Lee Reynolds, Marbs, RYBO, and Carlo, the new, scalable VR technology brings 2D content into virtual reality with no limit to the number of music lovers who can share the experience.
New Chitose 2021 Issues Final Call for Entries
Short film submissions are due by June 30, features by July 31, for the famed Japanese ‘Airport Festival’ coming November 5-8, 2021.
Fred Rogers Productions Promotes Matthew Shiels
In addition to his legal responsibilities as director, the newly named VP of Business and Legal Affairs will also oversee licensing for the company and its brands.
3 New Animated Kids’ Comedies Coming to Netflix
‘A Tale Dark & Grimm,’ ‘Dogs in Space,’ and ‘Super Giant Robot Brothers’ will soon join the streamer’s growing lineup of children’s and family programming.
THU Returns to Portugal for Upcoming 8th Edition
After canceling last year because of COVID-19, Trojan Horse was a Unicorn will be back as an onsite event this year, running September 20-25 in Tróia.
Escape Studios Launches Virtual Work Experience Program for Teens
The free 2-day event introduces young people to career opportunities within the creative industries; program runs July 13-14 and registration is now open.
INTERNATIONAL TRICKFILM FESTIVAL (ITFS) ONLINE and FMX ONLINE 4-9 May 2021, Stuttgart, Germany
Last year ITFS was one of the first festivals to go totally online. With a year to perfect the system the 2021 edition worked seemingly flawlessly to the home viewer.
Adobe Launches Premiere Pro 'Refresh' Public Beta
Company reveals first set of updates to its flagship editing system, centered on new import / export features and streamlined header bar.
Netflix’s ‘Godzilla Singular Point’ Debuts June 24
New original ‘Godzilla’ anime series from bones and Orange combines hand-drawn and CG animation to tell the story of a grad student and an engineer brought together by a mysterious song to lead the fight against an unimaginable force.
Animation Is Film Returning to Hollywood October 22-24
AIF is back this Fall as a hybrid on-site / virtual festival after 2020 was canceled due to the pandemic; produced by GKIDS in partnership with the Annecy Festival, event embraces the highest aspirations of animation as a cinematic art form.
Animation Guild Hosting ‘Getting Started in Animation for Grads’ Virtual Q&A
The free online event features a panel of industry leaders including ‘Steven Universe’ creator Rebecca Sugar and ‘Kung Fu Panda 2’ director Jennifer Yuh Nelson; topics range from interviewing and hiring insights to social media presence and working remotely.
Arezou Art Podcast #12: Interview with Tuna Bora
Newest podcast in series features the award-winning L.A.-based, Turkish illustrator, animation director, and production designer, known for her distinctive storytelling style and diverse daily sketches.
Jetpack Acquires ‘Stella & the Starlets’
Currently in pre-production, new kids’ CG animated series created by Kate Wogan and Debbie MacDonald follows a young girl who with the help of eco-heroes, safeguards the environment for future generations.
