Special

DVD Releases For June 17, 2008

Men in blue (Blu-Ray, that is), Popeye and his spinach, swords in stones, a "blood"-y anime release and more, on DVD and Blu-Ray today.

MEN IN BLACK On Blu-Ray

From Sony Pictures Home Ent., MEN IN BLACK follows the exploits of agents Kay (Tommy Lee Jones) and Jay (Will Smith) members of a top-secret organization established to monitor alien activity on Earth. The two MiB find themselves in the middle of the deadly plot by an intergalactic terrorist (Vincent D'Onofrio) who has arrived on Earth to assassinate two ambassadors from opposing galaxies.

In Anime, Home Entertainment, Anime, Home Entertainment | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Award Headline News

Annecy Wrap-Up And Award Winners

The 32nd edition of the Annecy International Animated Film Festival and the 18th Mifa (International Animated Film Market) have drawn to a close.

In Event, Event | Headline News | Special Events: Annecy | Geographic Region: All, Asia, Europe

Special Headline News

Dr. Jones, Drawn Together, Narnia: DVD Releases For May 13, 2008

Raunchy animated comedy, a re-release of the Indiana Jones trilogy in anticipation of the big fourth movie coming out next week and some extra fun for Blu-ray owners, all on DVD today.

DRAWN TOGETHER--UNCENSORED: SEASON THREE

In Home Entertainment, Home Entertainment | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia

Speed Headline News

DVD Releases For May 6, 2008

A Bollywood musical extravaganza, a SPEED RACER treat and an old "twist" arrive on DVD today.

TWISTER SPECIAL EDITION

The 1996 summer blockbuster TWISTER arrives back on home video, on DVD, HD DVD and Blu-ray (Warner Home Video), with vfx by ILM under the supervision of Stefen Fangmeier.

In Home Entertainment, Home Entertainment | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, South America

Special Headline News

BOXX Technologies Releases Next Generation Special Edition 3DBOXX

BOXX Technologies has released a Special Edition 3DBOXX workstation that delivers unmatched dual- processor workstation performance by maximizing the power of two Intel Core 2 Extreme processors.

Benchmarks computed by BOXX Labs indicate 23.2 percent more performance on Cinebench 10 for the Special Edition compared to the world-record setting 3DBOXX 8400SE.

In Technology, Visual Effects, Technology, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Special Headline News

Version2 Partners With VFX-Animation Shop Special Branch

New York-based editorial and vfx/motion design shop Version2 will partner with CG animation and vfx shop, Special Branch, forming Special Branch@V2 (SB@V2).

The partnership expands V2's current presence, ability, and scope allowing them to deliver a wider range of services and talent depth to its clients. Special Branch is run by Partners/Artists Fran Roberts and Ed Manning. The SB@V2 deal provides an additional dimension to the growing resources available at the vfx /motion design division of V2.

In Business, Visual Effects, Business, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Special Events

CGA Europe: West 2008

Begins: February 6, 2008

CGA Europe: West 2008 is a three-day content event for business and developers in the casual game market for mobile, console and PC. The event features special events including press reviews, pre-funk dinners, tours around the city, special pre-conference Microsoft Partner Day and an awards show. Keynotes will be given by top players in the industry. For more information, visit amsterdam.casualconnect.org/.

In Event Types: Conferences, Discussion, Exhibits, Seminars / Workshops, Animation, Business / Management, Interactive, Web / Internet, Other

Aristocats Gets Special Edition DVD Treatment

THE ARISTOCATS (1970), the 20th Disney animated feature and the first production after the death of Walt Disney, is elevated to Special Edition status with the Feb. 5 release on DVD (Walt Disney Studios Home Ent. $29.99).

Unlike the out-of-print 2000 DVD, the new release offers warmer and more vivid colors in the original aspect ratio of 1.75:1.

In Home Entertainment, Home Entertainment | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Disney Headline News

Ratatouille, At World's End, Oktapodi Take Top Honors at Imagina

The big winners in Media & Ent. at the Imagina Awards 2008, announced Thursday at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, were RATATOUILLE for Best Feature, OKTAPODI from Gobelins l'Ecole for Best Animation, DJI VOU VEU VOLTI (I LOVE YOU) from Belgium for Best Short, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END for Best Special Effects, Smirnoff SEA for Best Commercial, Harmonix ROCK BAND for Best Videogame and CAMERA OBSCURA of Supinfocom Valenciennes took the Jury Special Prize.

The Media & Ent. winners were:

* Best Animation

OKTAPODI

In Awards, Games, Awards, Games | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Europe

Special Headline News

I Castelli Animati Announces Winners

Koji Yamamura's FRANZ KAFKA'S A COUNTRY DOCTOR has won the Grand Prize at this year's I Castelli Animati festival in Rome. The other winners were:

* Special Jury Prize: MADAME TUTLI-PUTLI, Chris Lavis, Maciek Szczerbovski, Canada* Best First Work: FOG-NIEBLA, Emilio Ramos, Mexico* Best European Film: MARATHON, Kaspar Jancis, Estonia* Best Non-Narrative Film: BRUISED (BLAUWBLAUW), Sandy Claes, Daan Wampers, Belgium; WITH MY QUANTUM STROKE (MEET MIJN KVANTORSLAG), Pieter Vanluffelen, Belgium

In Awards, Awards | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Asia, Europe, North America, South America

Special Events

Anilogue

Begins: November 29, 2007

The 5th Budapest Animation Festival, formerly known as AniFest, is taking place Nov 29 - Dec 2, 2007 in Urania National Film Palace and Toldi cinema in Budapest. The 5th edition of Anilogue presents four days of animation, packed with feature premieres, sneak previews, workshops, special guests, a competition of European animated shorts, a world panorama, and more special programmes including a seven hours long animated show, concerts and cartoon exhibitions.

In Event Types: Contests, Competitive Festivals, Exhibits, Seminars / Workshops, Screenings

Interactive Agent Oso Coming to Playhouse Disney

Disney Channel has begun production on a new Playhouse Disney preschool series entitled SPECIAL AGENT OSO, starring Academy Award-nominated actor Sean Astin as the voice of Oso, an endearing, bumbling teddy bear who enlists the help of viewers at home to complete his missions.

In Flash, Television, Flash, Television | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Kids Events

Hollywood Radio & Television Society's Kids Day 2007

Begins: August 15, 2007

The Hollywood Radio and Television Society (HRTS) will present "Kids Day 2007" returning to the fifth floor ballroom at the Hollywood and Highland. Now in its 13th year, HRTS Kids Day is the long-running industry organization's celebration of children's TV programming and family fun day.

In Event Types: Contests, Screenings, Animation, Features, Live Action, Television, Web / Internet, Other

Animation Events

An Evening With Andreas Deja

Begins: June 21, 2007

From 7:00 to 10:00 pm, Andreas Deja, one of the most talented and well-known of contemporary Disney animators, will be making a special appearance for an evening of animation and fun at Van Eaton Galleries. Deja's animation has had a huge impact on American popular culture over the past couple of decades. Deja will be sharing his behind-the-scenes stories, showing examples of his work, and answering questions.

In Event Types: Discussion, Exhibits, Animation, Features, Other

Disney Headline News

Oscar-Winning Special Effects Wizard Eustace Lycett Dies

Eustace Lycett, a 43-year Disney veteran who won Academy Awards for his special photographic effects in MARY POPPINS and BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS, passed away on Nov. 16, 2006. He died of natural causes at Park Vista at Morningside Nursing Home in Fullerton, California. He was 91.

In In Passing, Visual Effects, In Passing, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Europe

Film Headline News

Superman Returns Leads Saturn Awards Noms

The Academy of Science-Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films has released its list of nominees for the 33 Annual Saturn Awards, honoring the best genre works from film, television and home entertainment. Warner Bros.' SUPERMAN RETURNS leads with 10 nominations, including nods for Best Fantasy Film, Best Special Effects and Best Director (Bryan Singer). Twentieth Century Fox's X-MEN: THE LAST STAND and Picturehouse Ent.'s PAN'S LABYRINTH had six nominations each.

In Awards, Visual Effects, Awards, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Animation Events

Reg Hartt's History Of American Studio Animation Fest

Begins: January 20, 2007

A weekly festival of the finest in American Studio animation featuring films from the vast private collection of Reg Hartt. Each film is uncut.

Visitors to Toronto may make special requests. If Reg has the title he will show it to you. Animation historians are always welcome to access the material. Hartt sponsored symposia with Bob Clampett, Friz Freleng, Bernard B. Brown, Grim Natwick and Shamus Culhane. CDs and DVDs, as well as printed books, of the talks they gave are available on request.

In Event Types: Screenings, Animation, Short Films

Special Headline News

Legendary Guitarist/ Special F/X Wiz Kleinow Dies

Special effects wizard "Sneaky" Pete Kleinow, who was known widely for his pedal steel guitar work with Gram Parsons and The Flying Burrito Brothers, died on Saturday morning (Jan. 6, 2007), from complications brought on by Alzheimer's disease in a nursing facility in Petaluma, California. He was 72.

His daughter Anita confirmed his death saying that he had been living with the disease for more than 18 months and it "hit him hard and fast."

In In Passing, In Passing | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Special ANIMATIONWorld

Career Coach: What is Your Gift?

This month Career Coach Pamela Kleibrink Thompson makes us think about the gifts we have and how we can give a bit of ourselves during the holiday season.

In ANIMATIONWorld | Columns: Career Coach

Special Headline News

TELETOON Host Holiday Toons for Christmas

TELETOON is celebrating the holiday season with a lineup full of holiday-themed episodes and specials.

In Television, Television | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Features Headline News

BCI Journeys Back To Oz on DVD

Created in the early 1970s, Filmation Studios JOURNEY BACK TO OZ, featuring the voices of Liza Minnelli, Mickey Rooney, Ethel Merman, Danny Thomas and Milton Berle, is now available on DVD from BCI. The DVD will sell for $14.98. Entertainment Rights Plc is the films rights holder.

In Home Entertainment, Home Entertainment | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Mermaid Headline News

The Little Mermaid Resurfaces at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre

Disney's Oscar-winning animated feature, THE LITTLE MERMAID, makes its digital debut during a special limited engagement from Sept. 7-24 at Hollywood's legendary El Capitan Theatre.

The engagement, which celebrates the upcoming Oct. 3 release of the special edition DVD from Walt Disney Home Ent., will spotlight an all-new digital restoration of the film with enhanced picture and sound. Plus, every show throughout the entire run will offer a live appearance by Ariel.

In Event, Event | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Special Headline News

NOGGIN Bonds With Dads Throughout Father’s Day

NOGGIN will honor dad on Fathers Day with themed episodes from the networks preschool lineup. On Sunday, June 18, beginning at 6:30 am (ET), fans can join the characters of OOBI, CONNIE THE COW, MIFFY AND FRIENDS, LITTLE BEAR and FRANKLIN, as they pay tribute to dad.

* 6:30 am CONNIE THE COW Connie & Her FatherConnie's mummy tells her that theyre going to have a surprise party for her daddys birthday. With help from her friends, Connie gets everything ready to make her daddy's celebration a very special one.

In Television, Television | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Special Headline News

Fairly OddParents Holds 'American Idol-Style' Contest in Hour-Long Special

Nickelodeon's THE FAIRLY ODDPARENTS pays homage to the AMERICAN IDOL craze with its very own Idol-like singing competition in FAIRY IDOL, a one-hour special premiering May 19, 2006, at 8:00 pm. The special stars former AMERICAN IDOL contestant Diana DeGarmo, as the singing voice of her biggest fan, Cosmo. The older-skewing special repeats on Nickelodeon May 20 at 7:00 pm and May 21 at 5:00 pm.

In Television, Television | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Special Headline News

El Capitan Celebrates 80th Anniversary with Dumbo

Hollywood's legendary El Capitan Theatre kicks off its 80th anniversary with a special two-week engagement of Disney's Oscar-winning animated classic, DUMBO, from May 25 - June 7. DUMBO is celebrating its 65th birthday this year, and a new deluxe BIG TOP EDITION DVD release of the film is scheduled for June 6th.

In Event, Event | Headline News | Geographic Region: All