VARIETY reports that the Indian government will form the National Center of Excellence in Animation, Gaming and Visual Effects in Mumbai, announced by Ambika Soni, the minister of information and broadcasting.

Swedish alternative singer songwriter Nicolai Dunger recently tapped FilmTecknarna directors Boris Nawratil and David Nord to create a slightly mental music video for Dunger¹s new single Crazy Train.

Digital-Tutors, an award-winning provider of video-based training and strategic partners with Autodesk, MAXON and other world-renowned organizations in the media and entertainment industry, today announced the release of two comprehensive courses Automotive Modeling in Cinema 4D and 12 Principles of Animation in Maya, as well as four new 3D and visual effects lessons in the ground-breaking Visual Guide series.

The Miscweant plays with fire watching How to Train Your Dragon – and decides the movie is hot stuff.

Cary Granat and Ed Jones' family films studio Bedrock Studios will make its debut with the production of the animated feature TURKEYS, reports VARIETY.

THE SMURFS has filed two more prime roles, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER.

Stephen Rosenbaum, who just won a visual effects Oscar for AVATAR, has joined Digital Domain, reports VARIETY.

Following a deal signed by Zinkia Entertainment and RAI 2, the animated preschool series Pocoyo (104 x 7 minutes), co-produced by Zinkia and ITV Studios Global Entertainment, is to debut this month on the Italian state channel RAI 2.

Ian McKellan, who played Gandalf in the LORD OF THE RINGS series, announced on his website that the pair of HOBBIT films will start shooting in June in New Zealand.

Jason Segel has a love for puppets.