Cartoon Network has acquired the rights to Tianjin North Film Studio's 3-D feature LEGEND OF THE RABBIT, reports Variety.

Imira Entertainment, Spain’s leading production and distribution company specialising in youth programming, has signed a number of deals across its portfolio in Latin America, with sales to Brazil, Argentina and Ecuador.

HIT Entertainment, a leading provider of quality children’s entertainment, has partnered with Falabella, a leading department store in Latin America, to launch an exclusive Thomas & Friends direct to retail program in Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Peru.

Debuting internationally ahead of its U.S. premiere this weekend, RIO flew away with the biggest international opening of the year thus far, writes The Hollywood Reporter. Opening in 72 markets, the animated comedy made approximately $55 million.

HIT Entertainment, a leading provider of quality children’s entertainment, is pleased to announce three new publishing deals for Barney, Thomas & Friends, and for the first time, Angelina Ballerina, in Latin America.

ZIO Studios announced the key hire as part of its current expansion phase in which it will be developing next-generation 3D social and mobile games, as well as its own animation titles for film and television.

Warner Bros. Pictures’ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 has become the highest grossing installment in the Harry Potter franchise in international markets.

Aiming to deepen its ties with Hollywood movie studios and assume a position among the top rank of global visual effects providers, Rising Sun Pictures has tapped Marc Sadeghi as Executive Vice President and Head of Business Development and Marketing.

Cookie Jar Ent. has hired John Morris as SVP of TV sales and co-productions for U.K., Benelux, Australia and New Zealand, writes The Hollywood Reporter.

ZIO Studios, one of Latin America’s leading animation and gaming companies, announced today it closed its first institutional funding round for $1.3 million from fund manager Promotora through its venture capital arm, which focuses on technology, software, and life sciences investments in the region.

Summer 2012 is heating up for moviegoers as Columbia Pictures adds three highly anticipated films to its summer slate, it was announced today by Jeff Blake, chairman, Worldwide Marketing and Distribution for Sony Pictures.

Cartoon Network is continuing its support of local Australian original content with the acquisition of a package of 10 new children’s short-form series from Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF).

Toei Animation announced today that it has finalized new licensing and merchandising deals in Latin America for several of the company’s animated properties.

The 19th edition of the International Animation Festival of Brazil, Anima Mundi 2011 takes place from July 15 to 24 in Rio de Janeiro and from July 27 to 31 in Sao Paulo.

Toei Animation announced today that Cartoon Network Latin America has acquired the broadcast rights to the new anime series, Dragon Ball Kai – Freeze Saga, while also renewing Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball GT.

DHX Media, a leading international producer and distributor of television programming and interactive content, has signed a hat trick of deals to bring much-anticipated new preschool show Rastamouse to new international territories.

There isn’t a kid alive (or big kid, commonly known as “adults” for that matter) who doesn’t wish for the power to transform. Artistic Image captured that fantasy, transforming it into a magnetic concept for a series of graphic-driven openings, teasers, and bumpers about a boy with the ability to morph into alien creatures.

Edward Noeltner’s Beverly Hills based international sales company Cinema Management Group (CMG) announced that he’ll be bringing two 3D Animated films to their American Market lineup; Zambezia is set for release in June 2011 while Khumba is set for June 2012.

Working via 180 Grados, Nola Pictures' Juan Delcan directed and animated La Verdad, yet another spot for Chilean TV network Chilevision, which promotes the channel's approach of respecting all people, without judgment and reporting clear unbiased truth.

Juan Jose Campanella (THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES) has lined up Buenos Aires-based animation studio Catmandu and Spain-based Plural-Jempsa to co-produce his animated feature METEGOL (FOOSBALL), reports Variety.