‘Bad Seeds’ and ‘Affairs of the Art’ Lead LAAF 2021 Winners
Claude Cloutier takes home awards for Best of the Fest and Best Comedy Short, while Best Director and Best Character-Based Short honors go to Joanna Quinn; live awards ceremony honored both 2020 and 2021 winners.
Magic Light Pictures’ ‘Superworm’ Coming for Christmas
Check out the trailer for the delightful new animated family special about a long, strong worm with amazing skills and a big heart; featuring the voices of Oscar winner Olivia Colman and Emmy nominee Matt Smith, and based on the popular picture book of the same name, the show airs on BBC One December 25.
Walt Disney Animation Drops ‘Strange World’ Concept Art
In the studio’s new original animated feature, viewers will experience uncharted and dangerous lands, led by a legendary family on a critical mission; helmed by Oscar-winning director Don Hall, the film is slated for release on November 23, 2022.
Netflix Drops ‘Bubble’ Teaser Trailer and Art
Upcoming anime feature is set in a Tokyo turned upside by gravity-defying bubbles, leaving the city cut off from the world; from director Tetsuro Araki and WIT Studio, the film streams April 28, 2022.
Nelvana and AWN Present ‘A Cosmic Christmas Special’ Screening and Q&A
Celebrate Nelvana’s 50th anniversary with a free virtual screening of its classic, 1977 award-winning animated film, followed by a discussion with industry legends Clive Smith, John Celestri, Lenora Hume and Bill Speers; this not to be missed event is coming December 9 – register now.
Isotropix Clarisse 5.5 Now Available
Early release includes new Angie renderer, enabling CPU and GPU final render based on NVIDIA OptiX; includes full support for OSL allowing greater customization, taking users one step closer to working in real-time.
POW Studios Expands Service Offerings
Best known for its sound services, the post-production company adds VFX, animation, motion graphics, and deliverables.
Netflix Drops ‘Action Pack’ Trailer
The all-new CG animated preschool series follows a group of heroic kids determined to bring out the good in everyone; show debuts January 4.
DreamWorks Releases ‘Dragons: The Nine Realms’ Trailer and Full Cast
Studio’s new CG animated series, inspired by, and set 1,300 years after, the events of the ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ franchise, premieres December 23 on Hulu and Peacock.
New VlogBox Webinar Tackles Key Obstacles Kids’ Content Creators Face
Live virtual event series continues with December 20 panel discussion for kids’ content creators looking for distribution strategies designed to maximize earning potential and brand awareness through connected TV / OTT channels.
Apple TV+ Releases Peanuts Special ‘For Auld Lang Syne’ Teaser
After a disappointing Christmas, Lucy plans a New Year’s Gala and Charlie struggles with his list of resolutions; the ‘Peanuts’ Apple Original, produced in partnership with WildBrain, premieres globally December 10.
Cartoons On the Bay Announces 2021 Pulcinella Award Winners
Top winners at festival’s 25th edition include ‘The Game Catchers’ for Best Preschool TV Series; ‘Mila’ for Best Short Film; and Cartoon Saloon’s ‘The Wolfwalkers’ for Best Feature.
The-Artery’s David Yurman Holiday Collection Spot Takes Flight
Design company sends an owl soaring through Central Park in ‘Magical Menagerie,’ using wintery 2D and 3D animation to showcase the park’s iconic statues as well as the brand’s latest collection.
‘Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends’ Swings into Homes Everywhere
The popular Disney children’s show is now available on DVD featuring all 12 episodes from the first season and 11 bonus shorts.
‘Young Justice: Phantoms’ Fashions New Take on Adolescent Heroes
For executive producers / showrunners Greg Weisman and Brandon Vietti, their Emmy Award-winning series is about teenagers first, spies second, and superheroes a distant third; new Season 4 episodes air each week through December 30 on HBO Max.
Celsys Announces Drawfest 2
The free live-streamed learning and art event, running December 18-19, will feature workshops and lectures including programs that invite attendees to participate with their own illustrations.
Kukua Releases ‘Super Sema’ Holiday Special Teaser
Sema comes together with family and friends to celebrate their hopes and dreams in ‘The Day of Dreams’ episode, executive produced by Lupita Nyong’o; the YouTube Original animated series is produced by the Nairobi-based edutainment studio’s award-winning female team.
Academy Announces 26 Animated Features Eligible for Oscar Consideration
Members will vote to determine five nominees for best animated feature film award; films also qualify for other categories including best picture.
Digital Extremes Drops Blur Studio’s ‘The New War’ Trailer
CG cinematic uses bold visuals, strong emotion, and intense action to preview the newest expansion of the popular ‘Warframe’ action game; release is slated for December 15.
Keanu Hints in ‘The Matrix Awakens: An Unreal Engine 5 Experience' Teaser
In the lead up to The Game Awards coming December 9, Epic Games and the original movie team, led by director Lana Wachowski, offer a glimpse into the future of storytelling created with UE5.
Genius Brands Takes Stake in YFE
With Canada’s WOW! Unlimited Media Inc. firmly in the company’s stable, media company moves to increase European and global streaming foothold by acquiring 28.6% of Your Family Entertainment AG; former Disney executive Paul Robinson tapped to guide and oversee international growth of Kartoon Channel!
Three Acclaimed NFB Animated Shorts to Put on Your Radar
All-new films from the renowned Canadian animation studio bringing home awards this festival season.
How Your Animation Studio’s Review Process Could be More Efficient
A rock-solid review process is essential for a smooth-running production pipeline, especially with typically lengthy render times; using Nuke alongside Hiero and HieroPlayer helps ensure projects meet deadlines and client demands.
Watch ‘JG and the BC Kids’ Feature Trailer
Breaking stereotypes with characters from diverse backgrounds and cultures, the 2D animated film, co-produced by Toonz Media Group, Ericka Nicole Malone Entertainment and Elijah Rock Productions and slated for a March/April 2022 release, features two Black central characters - a schoolboy and a young science whiz, plus a female superhero who encourages kids to believe in themselves.