Amid rumors that Santa Maria-based visual effects studio CafeFX is shutting down, CEO Jeff Barnes released the following statement to explain recent downsizing and cost-cutting measures.

VARIETY reports that Sony Pictures is developing a CG-animated POPEYE in 3-D, to be made by Sony Pictures Animation, with Imageworks handling the CG.

Aardman Animation is teaming up with Korean animation house Voozclub and Spain's Screen 21 to produce the children's property, CANIMALS, reports VARIETY. Aardman will head up the writing of the 52 seven-minute episodes, as well as the voicing. Voozclub and Screen 21 will handle design, animation and sound production.

For the third straight weekend, Tim Burton's ALICE IN WONDERLAND has topped the weekend box office.

It was announced today at a press conference in Helsinki that Stellan Skarsgard (“Good Will Hunting”, “Mamma Mia!”, “Angels & Demons”), Peter Stormare (“Fargo”, “Bad Boys II”, “The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus”) and Alexander Skarsgard (“True Blood” “Zoolander” “Beyond the Pole”) have signed on to voice the iconic MOOMINS characters in the animated family 3D feature MOOMINS AND THE COMET CHASE.

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.

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.

New Zealand actors Taika Waititi and Temuera Morrison (STAR WARS prequels) have joined the cast of GREEN LANTERN, reports HEAT VISION.

Dakota Goyo (RESURRECTING THE CHAMP) has been cast as Hugh Jackman's son in DreamWorks' REAL STEAL, reports VARIETY.

Tim Burton's ALICE IN WONDERLAND falls into the top spot at the box office in its second weekend.

Fox is in talks with James Cameron to bring an extended version of AVATAR to theaters in late summer, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER.

Russian cg technology company Exlevel, makers of the Autodesk 3ds Max plug-in GrowFX, has released a new version. The product allows you to build plants and other objects that grow in various directions.

Digimation, a leading provider of 3D content, software, and custom services to the entertainment and defense industry, today announced the release of BonesPro 4, its powerful, easy to use skeletal deformation system.