Category: Films

It’s Anime-zing! Headline News

GKIDS Acquires ‘Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-’ Feature Rights

The first-ever collaboration between the ‘Evangelion’ series’ studio khara and Sunrise, home of the ‘Mobile Suit Gundam’ animated series, hits North American theaters on February 28.

Ho Ho Ho! ANIMATIONWorld

Crafting Magic: Simon Otto Talks ‘That Christmas’

By Dan Sarto | Monday, January 20, 2025 at 4:31pm

The animation veteran and first-time feature film director opens up about working with famed author and producer Richard Curtis on adapting his three Christmas kids' books into a heartfelt animated tale about the often complex, never simple dynamics that bring friends and families together during the holidays; now streaming on Netflix.

Totoro on Stage Headline News

Casting Announced for ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ 2025 West End Run

Victoria Chen joins the cast of the Royal Shakespeare Company show as Mei, while Ami Okumura Jones returns as Satsuki alongside Dai Tabuchi as Tatsuo, Jacqueline Tateas as Granny, and Ai Ninomiyaas as the Singer; coming to the Gillian Lynne Theatre March 8 - November 2.

Welcome to Zanadoo ANIMATIONWorld

PigBird Stop-Motion Studio Spreads its Wings One Frame at a Time

Trevor Hardy says six years spent struggling to build his animation business is akin to fiddling with a bad tooth, though his recent hugely popular music video, ‘The Happy Song,’ for Imogene Heap and newest short, ‘A Right Royal Sprout’ may signal a welcome bit of pain relief.

Go Go Oggy Headline News

Xilam, Sony Pictures Networks India Renew ‘Oggy and the Cockroaches’ Partnership

Covering 423 episodes from the legacy IP, the extension also includes a L&M deal with Navneet, an extensive marketing campaign, and a mobile app.

Honoring a Music Video Maestro Headline News

Annecy 2025 Welcomes Michel Gondry

The visionary artist, known in part for his animation work in various music videos, will serve as Festival guest, and be awarded with an Honorary Cristal; festival runs June 8-14.

Watch Out for Expired Snacks ANIMATIONWorld

‘Zenshu’: The Superpower of Animation

AWN’s anime columnist Andrew Osmond looks at MAPPA’s comedy fantasy, one of the best shows currently streaming, now on Crunchyroll; but first he discusses the often mis-identified universe of TV anime.

Awards Headline News

2025 Producers Guild Awards Movie and TV Nominations Announced

By Dan Sarto | Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 12:09pm

‘Flow,’ ‘Inside Out 2,’ ‘Moana 2,’ ‘Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl’ and ‘The Wild Robot’ get the nod in the animated movie category, while ‘Dune: Part Two,’ ‘Shōgun,’ ‘The Penguin’ and ‘Wicked’ are also among the Outstanding Producer nominees.

Awards Headline News

American Society of Cinematographers Reveals 2025 Nominees

By Dan Sarto | Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 10:31am

‘Dune: Part Two,’ ‘Shōgun,’ and ‘Wicked’ are among the nominees for the 39th Annual ASC Awards, recognizing outstanding achievement in cinematography; ceremony set for February 23.

Awards Headline News

Lumiere Awards Luncheon Canceled

By Dan Sarto | Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 9:28am

The Advanced Imaging Society just shared that due to the impact of the tragic Southern California fires, they are canceling the 15th Annual awards celebration; winners will still be announced February 7.

Leaders Driving Real Change ANIMATIONWorld

‘You Got Moxie!’: Changing the Game of Changemaking in Entertainment

Collective Moxie founder & CEO Julie Ann Crommett, a seasoned DEI advisor and former Disney and Google executive, shares insights gleaned from her podcasts with industry leaders like Pixar’s Danielle Feinberg and Disney’s Carlos Lopez Estrada, who discuss their own experiences and how they’ve worked to embrace inclusivity and effect change in their artistic efforts.

Awards Headline News

‘The Simpsons,’ ‘Bob’s Burgers’ Lead 2025 WGA Awards Nominations for Animation

By Dan Sarto | Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 11:57am

Two of FOX’s iconic series once again nabs multiple noms, with ‘Blood of Zeus’ rounding out the list; ‘Shōgun,’ ‘Fallout’ among non-animated shows also garnering multiple noms; ceremony set for February 15.

Awards Headline News

Nominations Announced for 2025 BAFTA Awards

By Dan Sarto | Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 10:54am

‘Flow,’ ‘Inside Out 2,’ ‘Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl,’ and ‘The Wild Robot’ get the nod for Animated Film with ‘Better Man,’ ‘Dune: Part Two,’ ‘Gladiator II,’ ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,’ and ‘Wicked’ selected for Special Visual Effects.

Ghost with the Most VFXWorld

One of Us Helps Capture a Stop-Motion Aesthetic in ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’

Led by VFX supervisor James Brennan-Craddock, the studio delivered postvis and 317 visual effects shots on Tim Burton’s hit ‘Beetlejuice’ sequel, including digital versions of a miniature plane, simulated oceans, stretched faces, and sequences featuring the famed sandworm.

The Witcher Returns Headline News

Netflix Drops ‘The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep’ Official Trailer

Based on ‘Witcher’ author Andrzej Sapkowski’s short story, ‘A Little Sacrifice,’ the animated film follows Geralt of Rivia as he investigates a series of attacks in a seaside village; streams February 11.

Honoring Excellence in Visual Effects Headline News

‘Dune: Part Two,’ ‘The Wild Robot,’ ‘Shōgun’ and ‘The Penguin’ Lead VES Award Nominations

By Dan Sarto | Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 6:47am

Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi thriller tops all feature film contenders, while Chris Sanders’ animated drama leads all animation contenders and the HBO and FX dramas top all episodic contenders as nominees are announced in 25 categories across film, television, real-time, and special venue projects; ceremony set for February 11 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in LA.

Fooling With the Devil Headline News

‘Ghost Cat Anzu’ Headed to Blu-ray, Major Digital Platforms

Available on Blu-ray starting March 4, the animated film that follows a teen girl and a cat that accidentally make a deal with the devil will also stream on major digital platforms starting January 28.

On the Road to the Oscars Headline News

Academy Issues 97th Oscars Update

By Dan Sarto | Monday, January 13, 2025 at 10:42am

Nominations voting period extended due to the ongoing Los Angeles fires and their impact; AMPAS has changed some key dates and events on its awards season schedule.

Festivals Headline News

L’Alliance New York Releases Animation First 2025 Trailer

Returning for its 8th edition, the festival runs January 21-26; seven feature-length films and five short film programs will screen, with a special focus on Swiss animation.

The Ol Cinema Date Switcheroo! Headline News

Universal Shifts ‘Shrek 5,’ ‘Minions 3’ Release Dates

The fifth ‘Shrek’ installment will now hit theaters December 23, 2026, while the third ‘Despicable Me’ spinoff film moves up one year to take the vacated July 1, 2026 spot.

Blitz VFXWorld

Andrew Whitehurst Recreates the WWII Bombing of London for ‘Blitz’

The Oscar-winning VFX supervisor helped plan, design and deliver 500 visual effect shots for the Steve McQueen period drama about a 9-year-old evacuee who tries to journey back home to find his mother, turning back the clock to depict the devastating effects on the city and its people of the Nazi aerial attacks on England.

Worth the Run Time ANIMATIONWorld

‘In This Corner (and Other Corners) of the World’: A Story Rethought

AWN’s anime columnist Andrew Osmond discusses the much-extended version of Sunao Katabuchi’s acclaimed 2016 war drama film, ‘In This Corner of the World,’ now available on Crunchyroll; but first he asks, ‘When did animated films get so long?’

Awards Headline News

Art Directors Guild Awards Nominations Released

By Dan Sarto | Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 11:17am

Nominees for the 29th Annual Excellence in Production Design awards, covering film / animated film, TV, commercials, and music videos, were just announced; ceremony set for February 15.

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