BIEN Animates the Excitement Paralympians Bring to Sports
New spot from inclusive motion design studio highlights both the athletic prowess of Paralympic athletes and the thrill of watching their performances.
Category: Diversity and Inclusion
NYC's 10th Annual Winter Film Awards International Film Festival Returns September 23 - October 2
Begins: September 23, 2021
Winter Film Awards showcases the best in indie films from emerging filmmakers from around the world in all genres, with a special emphasis on highlighting the work of women and under-represented filmmakers.
In 2D, 3D, Acting, Anime, Awards, Cartoons, Digital Media, Diversity and Inclusion, Education and Training, Event, Festival, Films, Music Videos, Short Films, Transmedia | Event Types: Documentaries, Features, New Media, Screenings, Seminars / Workshops, Short Films, Transmedia
Cartoon Network Debuts ‘Circle Time with Miss Ruby & Jessica’ Interstitial
The short features an animated Jessica from ‘Craig of the Creek’ talking to Ruby Bridges, civil rights icon and activist, about her experience as the first Black child integrated into an all-white school, and asking what kids can do to be peace makers.
New ‘Bridges’ Initiative Introduces African Talent to Global Animation Markets
Creative initiative mentors immerging African talent in the production of original animated shorts; ‘Red Ants,’ the first of 10 shorts to be produced within the program, premiered at the 2021 Annecy International Animation Festival.
Disney’s Experimental Shorts Return in ‘Short Circuit’ Season 2
The studio’s innovative program is back on Disney+ with five new animated films from five first-time directors, expertly guided from pitch to post by production manager Jennifer Newfield.
In 2D, 3D, CG, Digital Media, Diversity and Inclusion, People, Short Films, Technology | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All
Activision Blizzard Employees Gather to Protest ‘Frat Boy’ Culture
Walkout protest follows a lawsuit filed against the gaming giant claiming a deeply abusive culture that ‘fostered sexual harassment and discrimination.’
Netflix Drops ‘Ada Twist, Scientist’ Teaser Trailer
Chris Nee’s brand-new CG animated series about an eight-year-old scientist, produced with Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions, kicks off with a boom on September 28.
In 3D, CG, Digital Media, Diversity and Inclusion, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
‘Guiding Light’ PSA Raises Awareness for 211.org Community Support Network
Bent Image Lab and Chel White, working with the Ad Council and United Way, produce 2D spot that highlights resources available for people in at-risk situations.
‘Universal Animation Writers Program’ 2021 Selections Revealed
5 participants chosen for first-of-its-kind paid one-year program, in partnership with DreamWorks and Illumination, to develop underrepresented voices in film and TV animation through workshops, seminars, sponsorship, and roundtable discussions.
Development Begins on Matthew A. Cherry’s ‘Battu’
The Oscar winning ‘Hair Love’ director, Cartoon Network Studios, and award-winning director Chaz Bottoms start work on a 2D animated musical comedy series celebrating the creative arts culture of Chicago.
In 2D, Business, CG, Digital Media, Diversity and Inclusion, Films, Music and Sound, People, Short Films, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
A Young Girl’s Hero’s Journey Begins in Chris Nee’s ‘Ridley Jones’
Netflix’s new animated musical preschool series from the prolific Peabody, Humanitas, NAACP, and Emmy Award-winning ‘Doc McStuffins’ creator brings diversity, inclusivity, and representation to the adventures of a courageous and curious kid living inside a natural history museum.
VES and Quebec’s QFTC Launch ‘Reignite Yourself’ Mental Health Support Series
5-part webinar features conversations with veteran VFX and mental health professionals providing personal insights and expert guidance in support of worldwide VFX industry.
The Future of Animation: Six SCAD Picks
University’s diverse and innovative undergraduate and graduate short films were produced by teams of up to 12 students collaborating on writing, directing, animating, designing, editing, scoring and voice acting.
In 2D, 3D, CG, Digital Media, Diversity and Inclusion, Education and Training, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All
Kavaleer Productions and Adam King Team on ‘Adam ❤ Adventure!’ Series
The Irish animation studio and ‘The Late Late Toy Show’ star are developing a preschool series that explores the wonders of the galaxy while promoting empathy and friendship.
Academy Invites 395 New Members
Short Film and Feature Animation branch adds 39 new members, with 34 added to the Visual Effects branch; Academy cuts number of new invitees while reaffirming goals to cultivate membership that reflects the diverse film community.
In 2D, 3D, Business, CG, Diversity and Inclusion, Films, People, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
BFI Short Form Animation Fund Now Open for Project Submissions
Applications now being accepted through August 16 for short form animation project financing; new partnership with The StoryFutures Academy supports two additional immersive projects in AR or VR.
In 2D, 3D, Business, CG, Diversity and Inclusion, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: Europe
Final ‘How Life Is: Queer Youth Animated’ Shorts Released
Finishing out their Pride Month 2021 celebration, The Future Perfect Project shares the last two films in their series of 10 personal stories from LGBTQIA+ youth, aged 13-22, about the challenges they routinely face.
Academy Museum to Host ‘The Work of Black VFX Artists’ Virtual Discussion
Lyndon Barrois, Lauren Ellis, Audrea Topps-Harjo, Greg Anderson, Andrew Roberts, and Corey Turner will talk about their creative processes and shared experiences in online event coming July 8.
WEBTOON Launches ‘Illuminated’ to Spotlight Asian Women in Entertainment
New webcomic series from 88Rising and Asian Americans Advancing Justice showcases the experiences of Asian women in high-profile fields to dispel false narratives surrounding their identities.
Call For Entries: Triggerfish and Netflix Launch Pan-African Story Artist Lab
One of several recent initiatives to help develop the African animation industry, the program is open to African citizens; shortlisted applicants will have three months of paid skills development – submission deadline is July 23.
In 2D, 3D, Art, Business, Call for Entries, CG, Digital Media, Diversity and Inclusion, Education and Training, People | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Special Events: Annecy | Geographic Region: Africa
New ‘How Life Is: Queer Youth Animated’ Shorts Released
As they continue their Pride Month 2021 celebration, The Future Perfect Project shares the next two films in their series of 10 personal stories from LGBTQIA+ youth, aged 13-22, about the challenges they routinely face.
WIA Spotlights Mentorship Successes with New Case Studies Release
Written by former AWN editor-in-chief Jennifer Wolfe, the detailed profiles share valuable and important insight into the Women in Animation initiative that continues to support and inspire the careers of numerous mentees.
Celebrate Juneteenth with Cartoon Network’s ‘Drawn To’ Series
Three new installments mark the end of slavery in the U.S.; episodes feature activist Ms. Opal Lee, Saniya, the first national Miss Juneteenth winner, and the ancestor of Major General Granger, who read the proclamation in Texas that declared all slaves were free.
Netflix Shares New Images from ‘We the People’ Music Video Series
In their Annecy 2021 panel, creator Chris Nee and directors Peter Ramsey, Trisha Gum, and Jorge R. Gutiérrez harken back to ‘Schoolhouse Rock!’ as they discuss the project, executive produced by Barack and Michelle Obama, that combines music and animation to educate a new generation of young Americans about the power of the people.
In 2D, 3D, CG, Digital Media, Diversity and Inclusion, Education and Training, Event, Festival, Music and Sound, Music Videos, People, Short Films, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Special Events: Annecy | Geographic Region: All
UK Animation Trends and Opportunities Highlighted at Annecy
During an online panel, industry agencies, including Film London, Animation UK, BFI, and Screen Scotland, renewed their sector commitment while sharing business development, investment, and government support insights and strategies in the wake of COVID-19.
In 2D, 3D, Business, CG, Digital Media, Diversity and Inclusion, Event, Festival, Films, Games, People, Technology, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: Europe
