Finnish game creator Rovio is working on developing its popular iPhone and iPad game ANGRY BIRDS into other media, such as TV, movies, toys and comics, reports VARIETY.

The Frenzer Foreman Animation Forum hits Hollywood this week as they kick off their exclusive and elusive star-studded six week podcasting tour of the west coast animation dynasty. It's FFAFLA 2010! Join Alan, Joel, Computer, and Sam Olschan as they tinkle and toast their way into the hearts of the industry's most influential celebrataunts and debuties. Special guest and International Manimator of Mystery, Mike Overbeck, gets things going as he discusses his commercial work, personal films, unemployment animation time-fillers, and interrogation spy techniques.

The 2011 Byron Bay International Film Festival  

FINAL ENTRY DEADLINE:  29/10/2010

REGULAR ENTRY DEADLINE: 29/09/2010 

5th Byron Bay International Film Festival March 4th to 13th 2011

The 2011 BBFF will screen for 10 days in beautiful sub-tropical Byron Bay, the first place in Australia to receive the sun, providing filmmakers with the opportunity to present their work at a truly distinctive film festival. Located just a short stroll from one of the world’s finest surf beaches, this Festival attracts International filmmakers, directors, producers, performers, cultural tourists and prominent members of Australia’s film industry, not to mention plenty of appreciative locals.

As animated and experimental films continue to grow in popularity so too does the awareness of these often overlooked genres.  BBFF is no exception to this and is an exciting avenue to showcase animated and experimental films in a world-class environment.  These genres of filmmaking are a major part of our program and always prove greatly popular with judges and audiences alike. 

If your film is 2D, 3D, Flash, Stop motion, Claymation, Traditional or Machinima it could win BBFF’s Best Animation Award.  If it’s quirky or unique, artistic, surreal, invoking, abstract, poetic or just plain strange maybe it’s a contender for the Best Experimental Film Award – or both!

The range of films we screen is diverse and dynamic – we particularly seek films which reflect the values held by our vibrant local community which may include: creativity and the arts; human rights, diversity and multiculturalism; the natural environment and environmental issues; indigenous culture; innovation; spirituality and healing; conscious thinking and positive living; music; humour; and surfing. Our programming, however, is not limited to these themes as our priority is transporting our audience and their imaginations to worlds outside of their own. 

BBFF is passionate about supporting independent filmmakers in all stages of their careers and we believe in creating positive opportunities wherever possible - showcasing the amazing works of talented creatives to an open, intelligent audience as well as some well connected, highly respected Judges. Our judging panels have included representatives from Australia’s top distribution companies including Lionsgate, Dendy Films, Paramount Pictures, the ABC, World Movies Channel, Rialto Distribution, Accent Film, Palace Films and many more.  

Aardman Animations’ Timmy Time is scheduled to air in North America from September 13, 2010 on Disney Channel's Playhouse Disney, following a special sneak preview on the evening of September 7th.

Walt Disney Pictures has set the release dates for FRANKENWEENIE and JOHN CARTER OF MARS.

Two of television’s most beloved animated Christmas classics, The Year Without a Santa Claus and ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas will be released in brand new editions by Warner Home Video (WHV) on October 5, 2010.

Henry Selick's children's film is dark in both its tone and look. That is translated over into the new 1080p release from Disney. The color palette is muted, so one doesn't get the pop that animation often brings to Blu-ray. The images don't have the same depth as other animated films on Blu-ray do as well. I believe this is certainly more to do with the source than the transfer. Just looking at the standard definition trailer you can see a huge improvement. The picture is much clearer than the murky DVD transfer. There is noise throughout, especially in the live-action sequences, but no artifacting or banding. I'm not convinced this is the best the film could look, but it's the best available for home viewing to date by far.

Based on the Roald Dahl’s book, director Henry Selick made this project his follow-up to the successful NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS. Bookended by a live-action opening and closing, this stop-motion feature is generally an episodic adventure following a classic tale of a young boy dreaming beyond his circumstances.

Adult Swim's Robot Chicken returns to that galaxy far, far away for a brand-new Star Wars-themed special premiering December 12 at 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

The Rastamouse Company, the rights holder for the Rastamouse brand, is pleased to announce it has begun production on the stop motion animated pre-school series Rastamouse (52x11') for CBeebies.

Coinciding with next week's dedication of the new Ray Harryhausen Theater at Sony, JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS arrived this week on Blu-ray (Sony Pictures Home Ent.).

The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has announced the nominees for the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards.

BLU, the creator of viral sensation MUTO, has debuted his latest film, BIG BANG BIG BOOM online.

Starting today, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) has its own iPad app, available free of charge at the iTunes Store or at the NFB's download page at NFB.ca.

An acclaimed director gains even more insight from a master, Barry Purves.

Three classic children’s series, Bagpuss, Clangers and Ivor the Engine, have found a new digital home at iTunes – and have already made an enormous impression at the site.

While our nation's military conflicts continue in Iraq and Afghanistan, a new generation of Veterans are returning to tell their war stories on film by becoming the directors and producers of their own documentaries. In Their Boots, a documentary series, presents OPERATION IN THEIR BOOTS, a paid film fellowship that will allow five Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans to get behind the camera and transform their experiences at war into powerful films fit for the silver screen.

Sydney Opera House in partnership with Screen NSW invites the worldwide animation community to take part in Graphic: an online animation competition designed to celebrate the innovation, creativity, and imagination behind the art form.

Illustrators, animators and storytellers of all levels – from established to up-and-coming and newcomers – are encouraged to enter. The winning entry will score $20,000 prize money and be screened at a major Graphic Festival event at Sydney Opera House in August.

A panel of expert judges and members of the public will vote for the most original and creative animations over the course of 3 consecutive rounds.

The competition starts on June 10 and entries for Round 1 must be submitted by June 26.

How it works

Participants will be required to create 3 x 20 second animatics that come together to form a 3-part series. All styles of animation will be accepted and could be anything from a story board comic to stop motion to 3D. Live action will not be accepted. An entrant can be an individual or a creative team.

In round 1, entrants must create a 20 second animatic that includes ALL of the following elements:

i. Overarching theme: Recovery

ii. Characterising element: 7 years old

iii. Sound FX: A yawn

In rounds 2 and 3, entrants must build on their initial story and an additional element will need to be included in each animation.

Watch our introduction video from animation guru Rob Coleman and our 3 demonstration videos (on the right) which showcase different animation styles, the breadth of what can be done and how the supplied elements have been incorporated.

Visit the competition website at http://www.graphic.sydneyoperahouse.com.

The Annecy International Animation Festival wrapped up its 50th edition on June 12, 2010.

On a Full Forum Super-Seven-Student Panelpalooza, Joel and Alan survey animation students who study animation at Boston's extra-prestigious School of the Museum of Fine Arts about their likes, dislikes, and the future of future animation futures. During the course of the discourse, many fundamental life questions are questioned; what's the best way to animate glitter raining down on a stripping cat?, would you really give up your right pinky for the abilities of a changeling?, how can one take a shower in the classroom?, and most importantly, can Hamburger Helper help you to help yourself?