Digital Media

The Carlyle Group and Epic Games Take Equity Positions in xR Leader disguise

Investment firm and Unreal Engine creator become stakeholders in extended reality technology company; partnerships will accelerate growth, with focus on international expansion, continued innovation, and enhanced support and product offerings for its customers.

In 3D, Business, CG, Digital Media, People, Post-production, Previs/Postvis/Visualization, Technology, Virtual Production, AR/VR/XR, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All

Awards Headline News

‘Nuevo Rico’ Wins Best Animated Short at 2021 SXSW Film Festival

Kristian Mercado Figueroa’s dystopian tragedy takes top animated film honors; ‘KKUM’ recognized for innovation and “Your Own Bullshit” for storytelling.

In 2D, 3D, Awards, CG, Digital Media, Event, Festival, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Virtual Events Headline News

VFXRIO Live Kicks Off March 21

Free digital event opens with ‘Digital Humans’ keynote by Pinscreen founder Hao Li, a leader in deepfake art and technology, who will discuss the evolution of virtual living triggered by the global pandemic.

In 2D, 3D, CG, Digital Media, Education and Training, Event, Films, People, Post-production, Previs/Postvis/Visualization, Technology, Television, Virtual Production, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: South America

They’re Back! Headline News

New ‘Rugrats’ Series Fills Out Voice Cast

Tony Hale, Natalie Morales, Anna Chlumsky, and Michael McKean among actors joining the original voice cast on Nickelodeon’s reimagined CG show, premiering this Spring on Paramount+, with a network release planned later in the year.

In 2D, 3D, Business, CG, Digital Media, People, Television, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Business Headline News

Nickelodeon Greenlights ‘ZJ Sparkleton’ and ‘The Hamster Show’

Produced by Nelvana, the two new 2D series get 2022 U.S. premieres, with international markets to follow.

In 2D, Business, CG, Digital Media, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All, North America

Business Headline News

Nickelodeon Announces Its Biggest Animation Slate in 40 Years

Network unveils aggressive set of greenlights and new series announcements at virtual upfront show, as it continues to expand across the kids and families entertainment space.

In 2D, 3D, Business, CG, Digital Media, People, Television, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Animation Festivals Headline News

KingstOON Virtual 2021 Generates Record Number of Submissions

The free virtual event received over 2,100 entries from more than 100 countries, the largest numbers in its history; conference and festival runs April 21-25.

In 2D, 3D, CG, Digital Media, Diversity and Inclusion, Event, Festival, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: North America

One Franchise to Rule Them All Headline News

3 More ‘Game of Thrones’ Spinoffs in Development at HBO

Streamer expanding the GoT universe with ‘9 Voyages,’ ‘10,000 Ships,’ and a series set in Flea Bottom, in addition to ‘House of the Dragon,’ ‘The Tales of Dunk and Egg,’ and a rumored animated series.

In 3D, Acting, Business, CG, Digital Media, People, Television | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All

Technology Headline News

DI4D Launches PURE4D Facial Capture Pipeline

New system combines proprietary technology with machine learning; performance is realized without animation rigs, creating a realistic animated digital double ready for in-engine use.

In 3D, CG, Digital Media, Games, People, Technology, Virtual Production, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All

Making a Splash Headline News

‘Aquaman 2’ Production to Begin This Summer

The highly anticipated DCEU sequel is expected to start production this coming June under the working title ‘Necrus,’ with returning cast members Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta, Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry, and Amber Heard as Mera.

In 3D, Acting, Business, CG, Digital Media, Films, People, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All

SVOD Headline News

HBO Max Drops Trailer for ‘The Infinity Train: Book Four’

In series’ final season, launching April 15, two old friends need to overcome obstacles to journey home – together.

In 2D, CG, Digital Media, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Events Headline News

ITFS21 Online and Onsite Coming May 4-9

Highlights for this year’s Stuttgart Animation Festival include the international competition for short films; German premieres of ‘Wolfwalkers’ and ‘Josee, the Tiger and the Fish;’ ‘Creating*Diversity and Pandemic Animation’ film compilations hitting on current social and political topics; and ‘Wonderwomen – Women in Games & Animation.’

In 2D, 3D, Awards, CG, Digital Media, Diversity and Inclusion, Education and Training, Event, Festival, Films, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Blogs: FMX Conference Spotlight | Special Events: ITFS | Geographic Region: Europe

Virtual Events Headline News

CAF and CTIAF Hosting Joint Online Festival April 12-18

Cardiff Animation Festival and Cape Town International Animation Festival are collaborating on a virtual event that features a week of curated screenings, workshops, and Q+As; programs will feature Welsh and African animated shorts previously screened at the respective festivals over the past 5 years.

In 2D, 3D, Business, CG, Digital Media, Event, Festival, Films, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Africa, Europe

Doh! Headline News

See Bill Plympton’s New ‘The Simpsons’ Couch Gag

To celebrate the show’s 700^th episode airing March 21, the indie animation legend lends his unique, hand-drawn 2D flair to the ‘Homer’s Family’ intro.

In 2D, 3D, CG, Digital Media, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Animation Festivals Events

KingstOOn Virtual 2021 – April 21-25

Begins: April 21, 2021

The free virtual event will celebrate ‘Diversity in Animation;’ the conference will begin on April 21, with the film festival starting April 15 – films will be available on demand after they are aired.

Submit Your Pitch! Headline News

Submit Your Pitch to KingstOOn Virtual 2021 and Sesame Workshop

Jamaican animators are invited to submit pitches for animated and mixed media shorts for consideration on ‘Sesame Street’s Season 52; proposals must be received by March 31.

In 2D, 3D, Call for Entries, CG, Digital Media, Event, Festival, People, Short Films, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: North America

He Can Fly! Headline News

Principal Photography Begins on ‘Peter Pan & Wendy’

The ‘Pete’s Dragon’ team of David Lowery and Jim Whitaker will direct and produce the star-studded live-action remake of Disney’s 1953 animated classic; film to premiere on Disney+ in 2022.

In 2D, Acting, Business, CG, Digital Media, Films, People, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All

Dancin to the Smoooth Groove! ANIMATIONWorld

‘TrollsTopia’ Season 2: Jazz Troll Tropes, Hairicanes, and Runaway Trains

Executive producer Matthew Beans builds on Season 1 themes of harmony and positivity to explore issues of vulnerability, perfectionism… and what a jazz troll’s lair looks like; a new season of DreamWorks Animation’s ‘hair-raising’ adventures premieres today on Hulu and Peacock.

In 2D, 3D, Art, CG, Digital Media, Films, Music and Sound, People, Television, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All

FMX 2021 Conference Headline News

More Speakers Confirmed for FMX 2021 Open Source Track

The upcoming conference program, in partnership with the Academy Software Foundation, highlights cross-industry efforts to develop shared technology for VFX, animation and sound; additional confirmed speakers include Pixar’s technical director Markus Kranzler and Inda Barnardo, director of ‘Cat and Moth.’

In 3D, CG, Digital Media, Education and Training, Event, Films, People, Post-production, Previs/Postvis/Visualization, Short Films, Technology, Virtual Production, AR/VR/XR, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Blogs: FMX Conference Spotlight | Special Events: FMX | Geographic Region: All, Europe

Arlo is in the House! Headline News

Netflix Drops Trailer and Images for ‘Arlo the Alligator Boy’ Animated Musical

Coming to Netflix April 16, the 80-minute 2D film launches Arlo’s journey that lands him in New York City; soundtrack gets Capitol Records release the same day; ‘I Heart Arlo’ animated series will continue his adventures as he and his newfound crew setup shop and bring a neighborhood back to life.

In 2D, CG, Digital Media, Films, Music and Sound, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

TV Animation ANIMATIONWorld

How Musa Brooker Animated ‘Waffles + Mochi’s Wondrous Culinary World

For the Six Point Harness creative director, producing hundreds of animated segments for Michelle Obama and Netflix’s new live-action series meant bringing a fun, colorful, and meaningful world of food and nutrition to kids and families.

In 2D, Business, CG, Digital Media, Diversity and Inclusion, Education and Training, People, Stop-Motion, Television | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All

Technology Headline News

Foundry Releases Nuke 13

New version introduces flexible machine learning toolset, Hydra 3D viewport renderer and extended monitor out functionality, enhanced workflows for collaborative review, and Python 3 support.

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Dept. of Had to Happen Headline News

Mike and Sulley Return in ‘Monsters At Work’ Disney+ Series

Kid’s laughter, not screams, now fuels Monstropolis; Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Bonnie Hunt, and Mindy Kaling lend their voices to characters old and new in the highly anticipated show, which premieres July 2.

In 3D, Business, CG, Digital Media, Films, People, Television, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Return to Xadia! Headline News

‘The Dragon Prince: Battlecharged’ Board Game Coming in June

Based on the immensely popular Emmy Award-winning Netflix original animated series ‘The Dragon Prince,’ and set in the fantasy world of Xadia, the game combines tactical miniatures with fast-paced card battles, and customized decks give every character a unique play style.

In 2D, Business, CG, Digital Media, Games, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Cut it Out! Headline News

Zack Snyder’s ‘Justice League’ is Longer but Not Necessarily Better

Snyder’s niche directorial style may not be for everyone, but overall, his additions to the original film seem successful, if not a tad excessive, resulting in a longer-than-desirable runtime.