AWN Headline News

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, one of Americas oldest and most prestigious sporting events, is partnering with DreamWorks Animation SKG to bring Gromit of WALLACE & GROMIT fame to highlights of the show online. This marks the first time in Westminsters history that the dog show has accepted a sponsorship partner outside of a dog food company.

SPAWN creator Todd McFarlane has partnered with AngryFilms to develop TWISTED TALES, a half-hour anthology series, for FOX. Fox TV Studios' alternative division is producing in association with McFarlane and Angry Films (THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN). Trey Callaway (I STILL KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER) will serve as exec producer/showrunner. McFarlane, Terry Fitzgerald, Rick Benattar, Susan Montford and Don Murphy will also exec produce.

Seven Seas Ent. announced the launch of an exclusive webmanga series, AOI HOUSE. Debuting at www.gomanga.com on Jan. 24, 2005, with updates coming every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, AOI HOUSE is a comedy series written and created by Adam Arnold, co-creator of ANIMEFRINGE: ONLINE ANIME MAGAZINE, and illustrated by Jim Jimenez, a veteran comic artist and animator. The manga follows the trials and tribulations of two down-on-their-luck college boys who join an anime club dominated by crazed fangirls. Seven Seas plans to release AOI HOUSE strictly as a free webmanga.

Shawn, Marlon and Keenen Ivory Wayans (IN LIVING COLOR) announced plans to launch their first children's lifestyle property THUGABOO. Based on original source material created by the Wayans Bros., THUGABOO is a broad, character-based property that takes a humorous look at the trials and tribulations of nine very different kids growing up in the inner city. Through a series of misadventures these kids learn valuable lessons: everything from the importance of friendship to never giving up on one's dreams. The Wayans will draw from their own childhood.

On Jan. 26, 2005, a Los Angeles judge denied a new trial to Stephen Slesinger Inc. -- owners of the U.S. marketing rights for WINNIE THE POOH in their lawsuit against The Walt Disney Co., reports REUTERS. Superior Court Judge Charles McCoy threw out the initial suit last March, ruling that Stephen Slesinger Inc. had stolen evidence and tainted the case.

On May 10, 2005, Warner Home Video (WHV) will premiere on DVD the all-new animated feature GOLDEN BLAZE. Featuring the vocal talents of Blair Underwood (TVs LAX, SEX IN THE CITY), Michael Clarke Duncan (THE GREEN MILE, DAREDEVIL), Sanaa Lathan (ALIEN VS. PREDATOR, OUT OF TIME), Neil Patrick Harris (TV's DOOGIE HOWSER, MD) and Khleo Thomas (WALKING TALL, HOLES), GOLDEN BLAZE will debut exclusively on DVD, priced at $19.98. GOLDEN BLAZE was produced by Urban Ent.'s Michael Jenkinson (UNDERCOVER BROTHER) and Nichelle Protho and directed by Bryon E. Carson.

Pipelinefx, a leading provider of enterprise renderfarm management software for 3D animation and interactive entertainment, has closed its Series A investment round led by Hawaii venture capital firm PacifiCap Group Llc. Several members of the UH Angel investment network also participated in the transaction.

Marvels MAN-THING feature will skip theaters and debut on Sci Fi Channel in April, reports FANGORIA. The Lions Gate Films and Marvel Studios flick was schedule to hit the big screen in August. Lions Gate will then release the film on DVD June 14, 2005. The horror story chronicles a man who is transformed into a swamp creature and wrecks havoc on humans. Brett Leonard directed the film.

For the first time, Disney content will be available in Thailand via a distribution deal with P. Southern Network (PSN), reports VARIETY. PSN is working with Thailand's Cable TV Assn., a group of 500 cable TV operators, to include the Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney in their basic programming package. Animated programs will be dubbed into Thai and live-action programs will have subtitles. Disney plans to provide local content in the near future.