Tagged With: LGBTQ+

Inspiring Change by Being Yourself ANIMATIONWorld

‘Pete’ Unpacks 1970’s Gender Norms and a Mother’s Unwavering Love

Long-time Pixar artist Bret Parker discusses her award-winning animated short based on the true story of her wife, Pete Barma, who as an 8-year-old in 1975 Florida, just wanted to play Little League baseball, and whose mom Denise was determined to let her child be themselves regardless of a world that wasn’t quite ready.

WIA at Annecy Headline News

WIA World Summit at Annecy 2023 Recap

In line with the Festival’s celebration of ‘Pride and Diversity,’ the 7th annual Summit, presented both in-person and virtually, boasted an enthusiastic and engaged crowd with a common interest in elevating diversity in animation to achieve authenticity in storytelling.

WIA at Annecy Headline News

2023 WIA World Summit Lineup at Annecy 2023 Revealed

Women in Animation and GLADD join forces for an in-depth look at ‘Break the Box: Redefining Gender and Leadership’ with key industry leaders joining the conversation; the festival runs June 11-17.

It’s Happing in Savannah! Headline News

SCAD Savannah Film Festival and Amazon Team on LGBTQ+ Short Film Competition

Amazon will award $10,000 for the Best Overall Film and $5,000 for an Audience Award, plus lead a discussion panel on the future of LGBTQIA+ storytelling; the selected films will premiere at the October 2023 festival.

Media and Entertainment Diversity Headline News

Netflix Releases ‘USC Annenberg Study on Film & Series Diversity’

Read the report - the study, a commitment to accountability and the promotion of change in the industry, conducted in concert with the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, gauges the streamer’s progress in ‘Film & Series Diversity.’

Pride and Diversity Headline News

Celebrate Pride and Diversity at Annecy 2023

Four short film programs highlight challenges, perspectives, and journeys of LGBTQ+ community members; the festival runs June 11-17.

Business Headline News

Bob Iger In, Bob Chapek Out as Walt Disney Company CEO

By Dan Sarto | Monday, November 21, 2022 at 8:21am

The venerated former CEO returns to take the helm less than three years after giving up the reins, a period that has seen the company mired in controversy and a slumping stock price as it has navigated a global pandemic, employee walkouts, and political controversy.

Defeated in West Hollywood Headline News

Netflix Cancels ‘Q-Force’

Fans of Gabe Liedman’s animated superspy series about a ‘queer’ team of loveably annoying misfit LGBTQ+ geniuses will have to rewatch Season 1 to satisfy their craving for more of the show’s hilarious antics and chemistry. 

It's Not Always an Event ANIMATIONWorld

‘The Great North’: Coming Out Doesn’t Have to Be Dramatic

For writer Charlie Kelly, May 8th’s episode, about Ham wanting to redo his ‘being gay’ announcement to elicit a more ‘theatrical’ reaction, shows that the unconditional love of family, however uneventful, makes for the best ‘reveal’ anyone could ask for.

Sam I Am! ANIMATIONWorld

‘Green Eggs and Ham’ Serves Up a Tasty Second Season

Executive Producer Helen Kalafatic talks about the new season of the beloved Dr. Seuss-based series, debuting April 8 on Netflix, and encourages LatinX and other underrepresented groups to find their place in the animation industry.

The Fight for LGBTQ+ Rights ANIMATIONWorld

OPINION: Disney’s Betrayal of its LGBTQ+ Fans

By Will Craig | Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 10:34am

The company’s financial support of Governor Ron DeSantis and other backers of Florida’s just-signed ‘Parental Rights’ Bill has helped normalize continued distrust and hatred of gay and trans people.

Machines Rule! ANIMATIONWorld

Who Knew the Robot Apocalypse Would Be Such a Crowd Pleaser?

As Sony Pictures Animation’s ‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’ continues its seemingly inexorable march toward the Oscars, director and co-writer Mike Rianda reflects on what it all means.

Taking on More Risky Anime ANIMATIONWorld

Ascendent Animation: Giving Voice to Talent and Anime that ‘Don’t Fit the Mold’

The Black-owned and LGBTQ+-operated studio launched in 2020 to embrace the need for more diversity and inclusivity – and mature, representative storytelling - in the anime dubbing industry.

Much More than a Gay James Bond ANIMATIONWorld

Secret Agents for Change: Netflix’s ‘Q-Force’ Finally Arrives

By Dan Sarto | Thursday, September 2, 2021 at 5:44pm

Executive producer Gabe Liedman's new animated superspy series may have begun life with the phrase ‘Gay James Bond,’ but it quickly blossomed into so much more - a fun, unabashedly ‘queer’ workplace ensemble comedy about a group of loveably annoying misfit LGBTQ+ geniuses.

animated shorts ANIMATIONWorld

Steven Clay Hunter Reclaims His Childhood in Pixar’s ‘OUT’

In the studio’s first film featuring an openly gay main character, storyline, and on-screen same-sex kiss, the SparkShorts director tells his highly-personal story of a life spent dealing with the challenges of coming out.

Fighting Against Evil in West Hollywood Headline News

‘A Queer and Present Danger’: Netflix Drops ‘Q-Force’ Trailer and Key Art

Irreverent, over-the-top animated comedy series, about a misfit squad of LGBTQ+ geniuses who solve cases on their own terms - in West Hollywood, debuts September 2.

Fighting Against Evil in West Hollywood Headline News

All-Star Cast Boards Netflix’s ‘Q-Force’ Adult Animated Comedy

By Dan Sarto | Thursday, June 24, 2021 at 8:44am

Sean Hayes, Gary Cole, David Harbour, Patti Harrison, Laurie Metcalf, Matt Rogers, Wanda Sykes, and Gabe Liedman join the upcoming series about a misfit squad of LGBTQ+ geniuses who solve cases on their own terms for the American Intelligence Agency.

Bringing Stories of Oceania to Life Headline News

‘Moana’ Director John Musker Talks Story with the ‘Kapaemahu’ Team

By Dan Sarto | Monday, March 8, 2021 at 5:54pm

Watch Disney’s legendary Oscar-nominated director as he and the Oscar-shortlisted film’s producers discuss bringing Pacific stories alive through animation. 

animated short films Headline News

Go Behind-the-Scenes of the Oscar Shortlisted ‘Kapaemahu’

By Dan Sarto | Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at 12:48pm

Watch how Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer, and Joe Wilson produced their beautifully animated short that celebrates the long-suppressed, centuries-old story of Waikiki’s mysterious four-boulder monument to the gentle people, both male and female in mind and body, who brought science and healing to the island.

animated short films ANIMATIONWorld

'Kapaemahu’ Helps Revive Hidden Hawaiian History of Healing and Aloha

Beautifully animated, award-winning 2D short celebrates the long-suppressed, centuries-old story of Waikiki’s mysterious four-boulder monument to the gentle people, both male and female in mind and body, who brought science and healing to the island.

gender diversity Headline News

Did SpongeBob SquarePants Comes out as LGBTQIA+?

For Pride Month, Nickelodeon tweeted a picture featuring SpongeBob SquarePants, leading to speculation about the hit animated sea-dweller’s long-rumored sexuality.