Women In Animation (Wia) will hold the eighth edition of its World Summit at Annecy festival at the Impérial Palace Hotel on June 10 under the banner, ‘Stronger Together: The Equitable Future of Animation’.
Wia president Marge Dean, Citia CEO Mickaël Marin, and Wia secretary and CEO of Collective Moxie Julie Ann Crommett will present the think tank comprising three sessions exploring industry innovations and the power of community.
Limitless Studio CEO Agnes Soyode-Johnson, Incessant Rains Studioco-ceo Deepa Joshi, and Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation president Ramsey Naito will analyse global trends in the first session, “What Now?: Global Opportunities...
Wia president Marge Dean, Citia CEO Mickaël Marin, and Wia secretary and CEO of Collective Moxie Julie Ann Crommett will present the think tank comprising three sessions exploring industry innovations and the power of community.
Limitless Studio CEO Agnes Soyode-Johnson, Incessant Rains Studioco-ceo Deepa Joshi, and Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation president Ramsey Naito will analyse global trends in the first session, “What Now?: Global Opportunities...
- 6/4/2024
- ScreenDaily
Leading French production-distribution outfit Le Pacte has boarded the upcoming 2D animated feature project “Conference of the Birds,” which will be spotlighted at the Marché du Film’s Animation Day during this year’s Cannes Festival.
In addition to co-producing, Le Pacte will handle French distribution and serve as international sales agent on the film, part of the five-title Annecy Showcase at the Animation Day. Confirmed voice cast members include Golshifteh Farahani and Louis Garrel.
“Conference of the Birds” is an updated adaptation of Farid al-Din Attar’s 900-year-old Persian poem of the same name. The film centers on a flock of birds who are the sole survivors of a man-made natural disaster. Leading the avian gang is Hod-Hod, a young adventurous hoopoe who sets off on a quest to meet the legendary bird Simorgh, rumored to hold the key to solving all the birds’ problems.
According to the filmmakers,...
In addition to co-producing, Le Pacte will handle French distribution and serve as international sales agent on the film, part of the five-title Annecy Showcase at the Animation Day. Confirmed voice cast members include Golshifteh Farahani and Louis Garrel.
“Conference of the Birds” is an updated adaptation of Farid al-Din Attar’s 900-year-old Persian poem of the same name. The film centers on a flock of birds who are the sole survivors of a man-made natural disaster. Leading the avian gang is Hod-Hod, a young adventurous hoopoe who sets off on a quest to meet the legendary bird Simorgh, rumored to hold the key to solving all the birds’ problems.
According to the filmmakers,...
- 4/23/2024
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix on Wednesday unveiled the voice cast of CG animated feature film That Christmas from Locksmith Animation (Ron’s Gone Wrong) and director Simon Otto’s (How to Train Your Dragon trilogy). The movie will star Brian Cox as Santa, Fiona Shaw as Ms. Trapper, Jodie Whittaker as Mrs. Williams, and Bill Nighy as Bill.
They are the residents of a charming seaside town where things turn upside down one Christmas. The film will debut on Netflix later this year.
That Christmas is an adaptation of the children’s book series (The Empty Stocking, Snow Day and That Christmas) written by BAFTA Award-winning and Oscar-nominated writer and director Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Love Actually, Yesterday). “A film of firsts, it marks Curtis’ first animation project as well as the directorial debut for animation veteran Otto,” Netflix said.
The film also stars Lolly Adefope, Alex Macqueen,...
They are the residents of a charming seaside town where things turn upside down one Christmas. The film will debut on Netflix later this year.
That Christmas is an adaptation of the children’s book series (The Empty Stocking, Snow Day and That Christmas) written by BAFTA Award-winning and Oscar-nominated writer and director Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Love Actually, Yesterday). “A film of firsts, it marks Curtis’ first animation project as well as the directorial debut for animation veteran Otto,” Netflix said.
The film also stars Lolly Adefope, Alex Macqueen,...
- 3/20/2024
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Originally developed as an eight-episode series, the maritime adventure “Lucy Lost” will instead hit the silver screen now that Paris-based powerhouse Xilam Animation has retooled the project as a feature. “Klaus” alum Olivier Clert has boarded as co-writer and director, joining BAFTA-winning screenwriter Helen Blakeman for a seaside family tale adapted from “War Horse” author Michael Morpurgo’s 2014 novel “Listen to the Moon.”
Xilam has shared this first-look with Variety ahead of the reformatted project’s pitch at Cartoon Movie in Bordeaux.
Set on the Isles of Scilly just off the Cornish coast, the film follows a young girl named Lucy raised by a clan of fishermen she knows not to be hers. However, she remembers little else about her past, and as a terrible war rages off in the distance, a chance encounter with the mysterious girl her own age soon helps Lucy put back the pieces of her...
Xilam has shared this first-look with Variety ahead of the reformatted project’s pitch at Cartoon Movie in Bordeaux.
Set on the Isles of Scilly just off the Cornish coast, the film follows a young girl named Lucy raised by a clan of fishermen she knows not to be hers. However, she remembers little else about her past, and as a terrible war rages off in the distance, a chance encounter with the mysterious girl her own age soon helps Lucy put back the pieces of her...
- 3/5/2024
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
Malaga — Opening last Friday with “Dragonkeeper,” also in competition, Spain’s Malaga Festival, its biggest dedicated event for movies from Spain and Latin America, is studded by latest films by Isaki Lacuesta – “Saturn Return,” reportedly fun, broad audience and radical – David Trueba – “The Good Man,” small scale but almost certainly ingratiating – and Antonio Chavarrías’ “Holy Mother,” about an extraordinary real life female figure in Spain’s 9th century Reconquista.
Also in the running is “Rest in Peace,” from notable Argentine writer-director Sebastián Borensztein (“Chinese Takeaway”).
All are front-runners for some kind of award next Saturday. Prominent also is a bevy of first or second features, featuring from Spain three titles from women directors – gender abuse drama “The Snows,” “Nina,” reportedly a Western set in a northern Spanish town, and tragi-comedy “We Treat Women Too Well” – plus a clutch of debuts from Latin America.
This year’s Competition may, in the final analysis,...
Also in the running is “Rest in Peace,” from notable Argentine writer-director Sebastián Borensztein (“Chinese Takeaway”).
All are front-runners for some kind of award next Saturday. Prominent also is a bevy of first or second features, featuring from Spain three titles from women directors – gender abuse drama “The Snows,” “Nina,” reportedly a Western set in a northern Spanish town, and tragi-comedy “We Treat Women Too Well” – plus a clutch of debuts from Latin America.
This year’s Competition may, in the final analysis,...
- 3/4/2024
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Oscar frontrunner “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” won a leading seven races at the Annie Awards on Feb. 17, including Best Studio Animated Feature over two of its Oscar rivals — “The Boy and the Heron” and “Nimona” — plus “Suzume.” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.” The fifth Oscar contender, “Robot Dreams ” won Best Independent Feature over “Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia,” “Four Souls of Coyote,” “The Inventor” and “White Plastic Sky.”
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” went seven for seven with wins also for director, character design, editorial, FX, music and production design. “The Boy and the Heron” picked up a pair of prizes from its seven bids: character animation and storyboarding. Likewise “Nimona” prevailed in two of its nine races: voice acting (Chloe Grace Moretz) and writing.
Eight of the last 12 Annie Awards champs have previewed the Oscar winner: “Rango” (2012), “Frozen” (2014), “Inside Out” (2016), “Zootopia” (2017), “Coco” (2018), “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse...
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” went seven for seven with wins also for director, character design, editorial, FX, music and production design. “The Boy and the Heron” picked up a pair of prizes from its seven bids: character animation and storyboarding. Likewise “Nimona” prevailed in two of its nine races: voice acting (Chloe Grace Moretz) and writing.
Eight of the last 12 Annie Awards champs have previewed the Oscar winner: “Rango” (2012), “Frozen” (2014), “Inside Out” (2016), “Zootopia” (2017), “Coco” (2018), “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse...
- 2/18/2024
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Not surprisingly, our five leading contenders for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars also dominate the Annie Awards nominations announced on January 11. The predicted Oscar winner, “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” reaped a lucky seven nominations. However, it is another likely Oscar contender, “Nimona,” that topped the nominations chart with nine bids.
All three of these films contend for Best Studio Animated Feature as does six-time nominee “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.” We expect another six-time nominee, “Elemental” to reap an Oscar bid for Best Animated Feature even though it was snubbed in the top race by the Annies. That category is filled out here by “Suzume,” which earned seven nominations in all.
The Best Independent Feature nominees are: “Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia,” “Four Souls of Coyote,” “Robot Dreams,” “The Inventor” and “White Plastic Sky.”
These precursor prizes are presented by the Hollywood chapter of the International Animated Film Association.
All three of these films contend for Best Studio Animated Feature as does six-time nominee “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.” We expect another six-time nominee, “Elemental” to reap an Oscar bid for Best Animated Feature even though it was snubbed in the top race by the Annies. That category is filled out here by “Suzume,” which earned seven nominations in all.
The Best Independent Feature nominees are: “Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia,” “Four Souls of Coyote,” “Robot Dreams,” “The Inventor” and “White Plastic Sky.”
These precursor prizes are presented by the Hollywood chapter of the International Animated Film Association.
- 1/11/2024
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Clockwise from bottom left: Billy Bob Thornton in Bad Santa (Miramax), Ed Asner in Elf (New Line Cinema), and Edmund Gwenn in Miracle On 34th Street (20th Century Flox)Graphic: The A.V. Club
Tis the season to talk movie Santas. With Christmas upon us, we decided to dig deep into...
Tis the season to talk movie Santas. With Christmas upon us, we decided to dig deep into...
- 12/22/2023
- by Ian Spelling
- avclub.com
With Christmas just one week (and one day) away, we wanted to ask you, the people, what your favorite Christmas Movie is? It doesn’t have to be the movie you think is the best, just the one that you eagerly anticipate watching every year. Is it the timeless tale of an angel getting its wings in It’s A Wonderful Life? or perhaps the under-appreciated (and genuinely hilarious) R rated The Night Before is how you kick off your holiday season?
Do you look forward to seeing Jack Skellington discover the true meaning of Christmas in the Christmas Movie Classic The Nightmare Before Christmas or watching Kevin McCallister take down the Wet/ Sticky Bandits in Home Alone 1&2 or perhaps seeing Clark W. Griswold struggle to have the perfect family Christmas in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is more your speed? Whatever film fills you with yuletide glee, we would love...
Do you look forward to seeing Jack Skellington discover the true meaning of Christmas in the Christmas Movie Classic The Nightmare Before Christmas or watching Kevin McCallister take down the Wet/ Sticky Bandits in Home Alone 1&2 or perhaps seeing Clark W. Griswold struggle to have the perfect family Christmas in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is more your speed? Whatever film fills you with yuletide glee, we would love...
- 12/17/2023
- by Brad Hamerly
- JoBlo.com
Thanksgiving weekend featured an animation face-off between a titan of the industry, the 100-year-old Walt Disney Animation Studios, and a relative upstart, Netflix, which only started releasing its own animated features in 2019.
Disney’s holiday movie, “Wish,” was a musical extravaganza featuring the watercolor backgrounds of the studio’s past combined with cutting-edge CGI, while Netflix’s “Leo” was a more budget-conscious musical set in modern-day Florida.
It was a showdown of theatrical versus streaming, legacy studio versus blustery upstart, fairy tale versus contemporary storytelling. And the results were startling.
While “Wish” came in third at the box office with a disappointing $31.6 million, the Adam Sandler-starring “Leo” debuted to 34.6 million views (which is hours viewed divided by total runtime), according to Netflix, which in box office terms equaled a haul of around $500 million for its opening weekend, one insider with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap. “Leo” has been...
Disney’s holiday movie, “Wish,” was a musical extravaganza featuring the watercolor backgrounds of the studio’s past combined with cutting-edge CGI, while Netflix’s “Leo” was a more budget-conscious musical set in modern-day Florida.
It was a showdown of theatrical versus streaming, legacy studio versus blustery upstart, fairy tale versus contemporary storytelling. And the results were startling.
While “Wish” came in third at the box office with a disappointing $31.6 million, the Adam Sandler-starring “Leo” debuted to 34.6 million views (which is hours viewed divided by total runtime), according to Netflix, which in box office terms equaled a haul of around $500 million for its opening weekend, one insider with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap. “Leo” has been...
- 12/11/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
(Clockwise from bottom left:) White Christmas (Paramount/Getty Images), Klaus (Netflix), The Christmas Chronicles (Netflix), Falling For Christmas (Netflix)Graphic: The A.V. Club
What makes a classic holiday film? Browsing Netflix’s options, it seems a malleable term; 1954’s White Christmas is as classic as they come, but what...
What makes a classic holiday film? Browsing Netflix’s options, it seems a malleable term; 1954’s White Christmas is as classic as they come, but what...
- 12/9/2023
- by The A.V. Club
- avclub.com
There might be numerous animated films out there, but nothing beats the charm of the good old classics ( Photo Credit – IMDb )
Christmas is defined by a multitude of old family traditions — like making egg nog, matching ugly sweaters with loved ones, and decorating the Christmas tree. Add a great Christmas movie night to it, right next to your loved ones, and there’s probably no other activity in the world more beautiful to curl up to. While a few of us appreciate a good new holiday film like this year’s “Candy Cane Lane,” revisiting a few oldies is never a bad idea.
In this guide, we’ve got you a few classic animated films to watch this Christmas. They’re nostalgic. Some of them even felt scared as children! But the vibe was immaculate, and the goal is to help you recreate it. It’s even better if you...
Christmas is defined by a multitude of old family traditions — like making egg nog, matching ugly sweaters with loved ones, and decorating the Christmas tree. Add a great Christmas movie night to it, right next to your loved ones, and there’s probably no other activity in the world more beautiful to curl up to. While a few of us appreciate a good new holiday film like this year’s “Candy Cane Lane,” revisiting a few oldies is never a bad idea.
In this guide, we’ve got you a few classic animated films to watch this Christmas. They’re nostalgic. Some of them even felt scared as children! But the vibe was immaculate, and the goal is to help you recreate it. It’s even better if you...
- 12/6/2023
- by Koimoi.com Team
- KoiMoi
This article is part of Collector’s Digest, an editorial series powered by:
The holidays are here, and there’s no better time to shower your loved ones with nerdy gifts. Reading materials are objectively the best thing to get anyone over four as presents, and holiday comics are a chance to help your friends get outside their comfort zones and try something new, while at the same time adding a dash of collectability to their lives. We’ve picked out a nice mix of old and new, seasonal and evergreen, comics for you to choose from.
Black Panther by Christopher Priest
Christopher Priest has been on fire lately, writing back to back to back gems at DC—Deathstroke, followed by Black Adam, followed by (currently running) Superman Lost is one of the greatest three-series stretches in the last 30 years of comics. But while Priest’s career stretches back to the ‘70s,...
The holidays are here, and there’s no better time to shower your loved ones with nerdy gifts. Reading materials are objectively the best thing to get anyone over four as presents, and holiday comics are a chance to help your friends get outside their comfort zones and try something new, while at the same time adding a dash of collectability to their lives. We’ve picked out a nice mix of old and new, seasonal and evergreen, comics for you to choose from.
Black Panther by Christopher Priest
Christopher Priest has been on fire lately, writing back to back to back gems at DC—Deathstroke, followed by Black Adam, followed by (currently running) Superman Lost is one of the greatest three-series stretches in the last 30 years of comics. But while Priest’s career stretches back to the ‘70s,...
- 11/24/2023
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
In a shocking move, Skydance Animation has inked a multiyear agreement with Netflix to develop and produce animation features that will be released directly on Netflix. According to the release, the deal also brings Skydance’s full existing animated feature slate exclusively to Netflix.
The move comes only two years after a wide-ranging partnership between Skydance Animation and Apple TV+ was announced, following Apple’s acquisition of Skydance Animation’s “Luck.” That deal was meant to include both television and features. (The Netflix release doesn’t mention television series.)
“Spellbound,” a high-concept musical fantasy from director Vicky Jenson, will be the first film released under the pact, in 2024. The movie features a score by composer Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater and an all-star voice cast led by Rachel Zegler, Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, Nathan Lane and Tituss Burgess. The movie was previewed at this...
The move comes only two years after a wide-ranging partnership between Skydance Animation and Apple TV+ was announced, following Apple’s acquisition of Skydance Animation’s “Luck.” That deal was meant to include both television and features. (The Netflix release doesn’t mention television series.)
“Spellbound,” a high-concept musical fantasy from director Vicky Jenson, will be the first film released under the pact, in 2024. The movie features a score by composer Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater and an all-star voice cast led by Rachel Zegler, Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, Nathan Lane and Tituss Burgess. The movie was previewed at this...
- 10/18/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Skydance Animation has signed a multiyear pact with Netflix to develop and produce animated movies for the streamer. First up for release under the deal is Spellbound, a title that was previously set up at Apple, where Skydance Animation signed a pact in 2021. Now, the animation arm of the David Ellison-run studio has found a new streaming home at a time when Netflix is restructuring its animation efforts.
Apple and the John Lasseter-led Skydance Animation have parted ways, with the latter bringing its full existing animation slate to Netflix. In addition to Spellbound, which voice stars Rachel Zegler, Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem and features music from Alan Menkin, Netflix will release the once Apple-bound Pookoo from Tangled director Nathan Greno. Spellbound is due out in 2024, with Pookoo hitting the service a year later.
The Skydance and Netflix slate also includes Ray Gunn, directed by Pixar alum Brad Bird,...
Apple and the John Lasseter-led Skydance Animation have parted ways, with the latter bringing its full existing animation slate to Netflix. In addition to Spellbound, which voice stars Rachel Zegler, Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem and features music from Alan Menkin, Netflix will release the once Apple-bound Pookoo from Tangled director Nathan Greno. Spellbound is due out in 2024, with Pookoo hitting the service a year later.
The Skydance and Netflix slate also includes Ray Gunn, directed by Pixar alum Brad Bird,...
- 10/18/2023
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Damien de Froberville has been hired as EVP of production and operating strategy at Sony Pictures Animation, TheWrap has learned. He comes from his post as CEO and producer at Sergio Pablos Studio in Spain.
The industry vet’s new role was announced by Sony Pictures Animation president Kristine Belson in an email to staff Monday. The move is, in part, meant to fill the role that Pam Marsden, head of production, will leave when she retires in the new year.
Additionally, SVP of physical production Erik Vignau, who has been leading new series production, will continue to do so but will also be leading “feature productions day-to-day” (according to the email).
“Those two production leads, in addition to artist management and operations, finance, technology and post-production will all report to Damien,” Belson wrote.
You can read the full email below:
Dear all,
As many of you know, Pam Marsden...
The industry vet’s new role was announced by Sony Pictures Animation president Kristine Belson in an email to staff Monday. The move is, in part, meant to fill the role that Pam Marsden, head of production, will leave when she retires in the new year.
Additionally, SVP of physical production Erik Vignau, who has been leading new series production, will continue to do so but will also be leading “feature productions day-to-day” (according to the email).
“Those two production leads, in addition to artist management and operations, finance, technology and post-production will all report to Damien,” Belson wrote.
You can read the full email below:
Dear all,
As many of you know, Pam Marsden...
- 10/9/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Sony Pictures Animation is shoring up its executive ranks with the addition of Damien de Froberville, who has been named executive vice president of production and operating strategy.
De Froberville comes from the Spain-based shop Sergio Pablos Animation and will largely assume a portfolio held by long-serving Spa executive Pam Marsden. Marsden will retire in 2024 after nearly two decades with the studio.
Kristine Belson, leader at Sony Pictures Animation behind films like the Oscar-winning “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse,” informed her staff of the hire in a memo circulated on Monday. She touted de Froberville’s “remarkable career” and said “we know Damien will help us break new ground at Spa.”
As an independent producer, de Froberville was behind the critically acclaimed animated short film “Sith” as part of the “Star Wars: Visions” anthology series at Disney+. He was also an early employee at Netflix’s animation unit, overseeing flagship productions like the Oscar-nominated “Klaus.
De Froberville comes from the Spain-based shop Sergio Pablos Animation and will largely assume a portfolio held by long-serving Spa executive Pam Marsden. Marsden will retire in 2024 after nearly two decades with the studio.
Kristine Belson, leader at Sony Pictures Animation behind films like the Oscar-winning “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse,” informed her staff of the hire in a memo circulated on Monday. She touted de Froberville’s “remarkable career” and said “we know Damien will help us break new ground at Spa.”
As an independent producer, de Froberville was behind the critically acclaimed animated short film “Sith” as part of the “Star Wars: Visions” anthology series at Disney+. He was also an early employee at Netflix’s animation unit, overseeing flagship productions like the Oscar-nominated “Klaus.
- 10/9/2023
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
The 16th century literary classic Journey to the West is the mother of all Chinese fantasy. The mythological saga has spawned countless adaptations in various media across Asia and beyond, from the cult late ‘70s Japanese TV series to Peking Opera, videogames, graphic novels and a stage spectacle with a score by Blur frontman Damon Albarn and design elements by Gorillaz illustrator Jamie Hewlett.
Prominent among the innumerable film versions is the 2013 blockbuster Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons, directed by Stephen Chow. A similar livewire action-comedy energy infuses Netflix’s The Monkey King, a children’s animated feature based on the sprawling novel’s most popular strand, on which Chow serves as executive producer.
Following well-received originals like Klaus, Over the Moon, My Father’s Dragon, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio and Richard Linklater’s Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood — plus such smart acquisitions as The Mitchells vs. the Machines...
Prominent among the innumerable film versions is the 2013 blockbuster Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons, directed by Stephen Chow. A similar livewire action-comedy energy infuses Netflix’s The Monkey King, a children’s animated feature based on the sprawling novel’s most popular strand, on which Chow serves as executive producer.
Following well-received originals like Klaus, Over the Moon, My Father’s Dragon, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio and Richard Linklater’s Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood — plus such smart acquisitions as The Mitchells vs. the Machines...
- 8/15/2023
- by David Rooney
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Nimona” took a twisty road to the big screen. But now it’s ready for its debut at Annecy Animation Film Festival. Pictured above is an exclusive still from the anticipated fantasy adventure.
Based on the graphic novel by N.D. Stevenson, the feature follows Ballister Boldheart, a knight in a futuristic medieval world who is framed for a crime he didn’t commit. The only one who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona, a mischievous teen who happens to be a shapeshifting creature he’s sworn to destroy.
“Nimona” started out at 20th Century Fox’s animation shingle Blue Sky Studios, which optioned the novel in 2015. Nick Bruno and Troy Quane were brought onboard in 2020 when creative direction of the film changed. The film continued production apace even after Disney completed its $71.9 billion merger with 20th Century Fox in 2019.
Production continued during the pandemic as well, but then in 2021, Disney shuttered Blue Sky.
Based on the graphic novel by N.D. Stevenson, the feature follows Ballister Boldheart, a knight in a futuristic medieval world who is framed for a crime he didn’t commit. The only one who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona, a mischievous teen who happens to be a shapeshifting creature he’s sworn to destroy.
“Nimona” started out at 20th Century Fox’s animation shingle Blue Sky Studios, which optioned the novel in 2015. Nick Bruno and Troy Quane were brought onboard in 2020 when creative direction of the film changed. The film continued production apace even after Disney completed its $71.9 billion merger with 20th Century Fox in 2019.
Production continued during the pandemic as well, but then in 2021, Disney shuttered Blue Sky.
- 6/11/2023
- by Carole Horst
- Variety Film + TV
In a highly anticipated animation event at this year’s Cannes Festival, Emmy-winning Spanish director Rodrigo Blaas attends on Sunday the screening of his short film “Sith,” part of Disney+’s “Star Wars: Visions” Season 2 anthology. The first big-screen exhibition of “Sith” — released worldwide May 4 on Disney+ — followed by a meet and greet with Blaas marks one highlight of the Animation Day Revelations New Animated Shorts From Spain, organized by Icex Spain’s Trade & Investment.
The Spanish animation event at Cannes will also showcase Alberto Mielgo’s celebrated 2022 Oscar-winning short film “The Windshield Wiper.”
Another leading light in the renaissance of Spanish animation, Mielgo also took an Emmy Award last year for individual achievement in animation for “Jíbaro,” part of Season 3 of Netflix’s animated series “Love, Death + Robots.” An earlier episode of the series directed by Mielgo, “The Witness,” won three Emmys in 2019.
Blaas has worked on successful...
The Spanish animation event at Cannes will also showcase Alberto Mielgo’s celebrated 2022 Oscar-winning short film “The Windshield Wiper.”
Another leading light in the renaissance of Spanish animation, Mielgo also took an Emmy Award last year for individual achievement in animation for “Jíbaro,” part of Season 3 of Netflix’s animated series “Love, Death + Robots.” An earlier episode of the series directed by Mielgo, “The Witness,” won three Emmys in 2019.
Blaas has worked on successful...
- 5/21/2023
- by Emiliano De Pablos
- Variety Film + TV
Spain’s Revelations showcase has focused on shorts, not features, unveiling the huge breadth of animation talent and techniques in Spain.
Some shorts directors are already stars, such as Alberto Mielgo with the Oscar-winner “The Windshield Wiper.” Diego Porral, director of “Leopoldo From the Bar,” served as animation lead on “Love, Death + Robots” episode “Kill Team Kill.”
Standouts among new projects in Revelations included “Latente,” a Next Lab Generation winner from Carlos Zaragoza and Aurora Jiménez, and Martín Romero’s “To Bird or Not to Bird,” from Uniko and Abano Producións, which is a 2D short made largely in black and white featuring an angst-ridden clock cuckoo and other birds beset by environmental destruction.
Revelations climaxes with a special screening, the first in a cinema, of “Sith,” Rodrigo Blaas’ episode in Disney+’s “Star Wars: Visions.”
As for features, here are 10 toon titles to track. Further international co-productions – Mr.
Some shorts directors are already stars, such as Alberto Mielgo with the Oscar-winner “The Windshield Wiper.” Diego Porral, director of “Leopoldo From the Bar,” served as animation lead on “Love, Death + Robots” episode “Kill Team Kill.”
Standouts among new projects in Revelations included “Latente,” a Next Lab Generation winner from Carlos Zaragoza and Aurora Jiménez, and Martín Romero’s “To Bird or Not to Bird,” from Uniko and Abano Producións, which is a 2D short made largely in black and white featuring an angst-ridden clock cuckoo and other birds beset by environmental destruction.
Revelations climaxes with a special screening, the first in a cinema, of “Sith,” Rodrigo Blaas’ episode in Disney+’s “Star Wars: Visions.”
As for features, here are 10 toon titles to track. Further international co-productions – Mr.
- 5/21/2023
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Spain’s animation services and VFX industry is booming as never before, positioning itself as a leading hub in the global landscape.
With tax rebates firing up Spain’s audiovisual industry, the animation sector has produced 16 feature films, 72 seasons of TV series and 156 short films from 2020-2022, according to toon and VFX federation Diboos.
The 2019 Sergio Pablos-directed Netflix feature “Klaus” snagged seven Annie awards, while Alberto Mielgo’s “The Windshield Wiper” won the 2022 Oscar for animated short film.
Spanish animated features have also connected with international audiences: This year, Juan Jesús García Galocha’s “Mummies,” from 4Cats and Atresmedia Cine, grossed $52 million worldwide, handled by Warner Bros.
Another strategy for international success consists in luring the interest of powerful foreign players to invest in local talent and resources.
Most prominently, Skydance Animation has landed in Madrid, while France’s Fortiche and In Efecto have launched operations in the Canary Islands.
With tax rebates firing up Spain’s audiovisual industry, the animation sector has produced 16 feature films, 72 seasons of TV series and 156 short films from 2020-2022, according to toon and VFX federation Diboos.
The 2019 Sergio Pablos-directed Netflix feature “Klaus” snagged seven Annie awards, while Alberto Mielgo’s “The Windshield Wiper” won the 2022 Oscar for animated short film.
Spanish animated features have also connected with international audiences: This year, Juan Jesús García Galocha’s “Mummies,” from 4Cats and Atresmedia Cine, grossed $52 million worldwide, handled by Warner Bros.
Another strategy for international success consists in luring the interest of powerful foreign players to invest in local talent and resources.
Most prominently, Skydance Animation has landed in Madrid, while France’s Fortiche and In Efecto have launched operations in the Canary Islands.
- 5/10/2023
- by Emiliano De Pablos
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Tony Danza (The Good Cop) and Bex Taylor-Klaus (Deputy) have signed on to star alongside Adam Saunders in the indie comedy Re-Election, going into production in May, which Saunders will direct from his own Austin Film Festival semi-finalist script.
Related Story Logan Miller Joins ‘Barbarian’s Georgina Campbell In New Regency Horror-Thriller ‘Psycho Killer’ Related Story 'Power Book III: Raising Kanan': Tony Danza To Recur In Season 3 Related Story Tony Danza Joins 'And Just Like That…' Season 2 As Che's [Spoiler]
The project reteams Danza and Saunders following their work together on the 20th/Hulu teen comedy Darby and the Dead, which Danza starred in and Saunders produced. It tells the story of Jimmy (Saunders), a 42-year-old man-child whose life hasn’t progressed since losing the election for senior class president 25 years prior to the now current Governor of Texas. Frustrated with his circumstances, Jimmy decides to re-enroll in...
Related Story Logan Miller Joins ‘Barbarian’s Georgina Campbell In New Regency Horror-Thriller ‘Psycho Killer’ Related Story 'Power Book III: Raising Kanan': Tony Danza To Recur In Season 3 Related Story Tony Danza Joins 'And Just Like That…' Season 2 As Che's [Spoiler]
The project reteams Danza and Saunders following their work together on the 20th/Hulu teen comedy Darby and the Dead, which Danza starred in and Saunders produced. It tells the story of Jimmy (Saunders), a 42-year-old man-child whose life hasn’t progressed since losing the election for senior class president 25 years prior to the now current Governor of Texas. Frustrated with his circumstances, Jimmy decides to re-enroll in...
- 3/31/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
“Animation is ready to be taken to the next step,” asserted Guillermo del Toro as his Pinocchio won at the 2023 Oscars for best animated feature on Sunday. “Keep animation in the conversation.”
With the win, del Toro became the first filmmaker to win best picture, director and animated feature, while it delivered Netflix its first Oscar in the category.
The stop-motion adaptation of Carlo Collodi’s classic novel delvers del Toro his third Oscar, having previously won best picture and best director Academy Awards for his 2017 movie The Shape of Water.
It’s the first Academy Award for stop-motion vet Mark Gustafson, who directed alongside del Toro; producer Alexander Bulkley, a partner in animation production studio ShadowMachine; and del Toro’s longtime collaborator, producer Gary Ungar.
“It’s good to know that this art form that we love so much, stop-motion, is very much alive and well,” said Gustafson, accepting...
With the win, del Toro became the first filmmaker to win best picture, director and animated feature, while it delivered Netflix its first Oscar in the category.
The stop-motion adaptation of Carlo Collodi’s classic novel delvers del Toro his third Oscar, having previously won best picture and best director Academy Awards for his 2017 movie The Shape of Water.
It’s the first Academy Award for stop-motion vet Mark Gustafson, who directed alongside del Toro; producer Alexander Bulkley, a partner in animation production studio ShadowMachine; and del Toro’s longtime collaborator, producer Gary Ungar.
“It’s good to know that this art form that we love so much, stop-motion, is very much alive and well,” said Gustafson, accepting...
- 3/13/2023
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Netflix is a real studio now.
The once and seemingly future king of streaming has taken home its first Oscar for Best Animated Feature for “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio,” a stop-motion animated film that reimagines Carlo Collodi’s classic tale about a wooden puppet who comes to life.
Directed by del Toro, now a three-time Oscar winner, and Mark Gustafson, the film features the voices of Gregory Mann and David Bradley as Pinocchio and his father, the carpenter Geppetto, respectively, while Cate Blanchett, nominated for Best Actress again this year for her work in “TÁR,” voices the mistreated monkey Spazzatura. A visually stunning interpretation of the source material that leans into darker themes about life and death, the film fiercely proves that, despite some viewers’ preconceived notions and a frequent focus on kid-friendly stories, the animation genre is not just for children.
Following positive reviews from critics for its visuals and emotional storytelling,...
The once and seemingly future king of streaming has taken home its first Oscar for Best Animated Feature for “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio,” a stop-motion animated film that reimagines Carlo Collodi’s classic tale about a wooden puppet who comes to life.
Directed by del Toro, now a three-time Oscar winner, and Mark Gustafson, the film features the voices of Gregory Mann and David Bradley as Pinocchio and his father, the carpenter Geppetto, respectively, while Cate Blanchett, nominated for Best Actress again this year for her work in “TÁR,” voices the mistreated monkey Spazzatura. A visually stunning interpretation of the source material that leans into darker themes about life and death, the film fiercely proves that, despite some viewers’ preconceived notions and a frequent focus on kid-friendly stories, the animation genre is not just for children.
Following positive reviews from critics for its visuals and emotional storytelling,...
- 3/13/2023
- by Kaitlin Thomas
- Gold Derby
Oscar frontrunner “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” won a leading five races at the Annie Awards on Feb. 25, including Best Studio Animated Feature over three of its Oscar rivals — “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” “The Sea Beast” and “Turning Red” — plus “Wendell & Wild.” The fifth Oscar contender, “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On,” won Best Independent Feature nominees over “Charlotte,” “Inu-Oh,” “Little Nicholas” and “My Father’s Dragon.”
“Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” went five for nine with wins also for director, character work, production design and original score. “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On” won three of its four bids including writing and voice acting (Jenny Slate). And “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” went two for six with wins for editorial and storyboarding.
Two of the five Oscar nominees for Best Animated Short also featured at these awards. Frontrunner “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” won...
“Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” went five for nine with wins also for director, character work, production design and original score. “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On” won three of its four bids including writing and voice acting (Jenny Slate). And “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” went two for six with wins for editorial and storyboarding.
Two of the five Oscar nominees for Best Animated Short also featured at these awards. Frontrunner “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” won...
- 2/26/2023
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
“Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” was the big winner at the 50th annual Annie Awards, winning five categories in the award show that honors the best in animation. Fellow Oscar-nominees “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On” and “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” won three and two awards, respectively.
“Pinocchio” led all films with nine nominations and went into the ceremony as a strong favorite to win the top award. The dark stop-motion take on the “Pinocchio” story also came into the ceremony at a time when its distributor, Netflix, has been dominating the Annies. Last year, its film “The Mitchells vs. the Machines” was nominated in eight categories and won all eight, including Best Feature, while the eventual Oscar winner “Encanto” settled for three awards in categories in which “Mitchells” was not nominated. And two years before that, Netflix’s “Klaus” was a surprise winner over Pixar’s “Toy Story 4,...
“Pinocchio” led all films with nine nominations and went into the ceremony as a strong favorite to win the top award. The dark stop-motion take on the “Pinocchio” story also came into the ceremony at a time when its distributor, Netflix, has been dominating the Annies. Last year, its film “The Mitchells vs. the Machines” was nominated in eight categories and won all eight, including Best Feature, while the eventual Oscar winner “Encanto” settled for three awards in categories in which “Mitchells” was not nominated. And two years before that, Netflix’s “Klaus” was a surprise winner over Pixar’s “Toy Story 4,...
- 2/26/2023
- by Libby Hill and Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Dublin International Film Festival will run from February 23 - March 4.
World premieres of Fintan Connolly’s Barber and Claire Dix’s Spotlight are among the line-up for the Dublin International Film Festival.
Connolly’s Barber stars Aidan Gillen as a private investigator investing the disappearance of a wealthy widow’s granddaughter. Gillen previously led Connolly’s 2005 film Trouble With Sex which was nominated for eight Irish Film and Television awards.
Sunlight follows a recovering addict who is caring for his terminally ill sponsor. The cast includes Barry Ward and Liam Carney. Dix was last as Diff in 2013 with audience award-winner Broken Song.
World premieres of Fintan Connolly’s Barber and Claire Dix’s Spotlight are among the line-up for the Dublin International Film Festival.
Connolly’s Barber stars Aidan Gillen as a private investigator investing the disappearance of a wealthy widow’s granddaughter. Gillen previously led Connolly’s 2005 film Trouble With Sex which was nominated for eight Irish Film and Television awards.
Sunlight follows a recovering addict who is caring for his terminally ill sponsor. The cast includes Barry Ward and Liam Carney. Dix was last as Diff in 2013 with audience award-winner Broken Song.
- 2/8/2023
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
Not surprisingly, our five leading contenders for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars also top the Annie Awards nominations announced on January 17. Our predicted winner of that Oscar race, “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio,” reaped a leading nine nominations here. “Turning Red” earned a luck seven, “Puss in Boot: The Last Wish” and “The Sea Beast” merited a half dozen mentions each and “Wendell & Wild” has three. All five number a nomination for Best Studio Animated Feature among their haul.
The Best Independent Feature nominees are: “Charlotte,” “Inu-Oh,” “Little Nicholas,” “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” and “My Father’s Dragon.”
These precursor prizes are presented by the Hollywood chapter of the International Animated Film Association. The ceremony is set for February 25.
Seven of the last 12 Annie Awards champs have previewed the Oscar winner: “Rango” (2012), “Frozen” (2014), “Inside Out” (2016), “Zootopia” (2017), “Coco” (2018), “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (2019) and “Soul” (2021).
Last year, the Annies...
The Best Independent Feature nominees are: “Charlotte,” “Inu-Oh,” “Little Nicholas,” “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” and “My Father’s Dragon.”
These precursor prizes are presented by the Hollywood chapter of the International Animated Film Association. The ceremony is set for February 25.
Seven of the last 12 Annie Awards champs have previewed the Oscar winner: “Rango” (2012), “Frozen” (2014), “Inside Out” (2016), “Zootopia” (2017), “Coco” (2018), “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (2019) and “Soul” (2021).
Last year, the Annies...
- 1/17/2023
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Taking home the Golden Globe for best animated feature film, “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” just made Netflix the first streamer ever to win the category. Del Toro made history for himself, too, as the first Latino winner.
Accepting the Golden Globe, del Toro proclaimed that “animation is cinema,” continuing, “Animation is not a genre for kids, it’s a medium.”
Since the category’s inception in 2006, only four winners of the Globes’ animation category have failed to win at the Oscars: “Cars” (2006), “The Adventures of Tintin” (2011), “How to Train Your Dragon 2” (2014) and “Missing Link” (2019). They lost to fellow Globe-nominees “Happy Feet,” “Rango,” “Big Hero 6” and “Toy Story 4,” respectively. Steven Spielberg’s “Tintin” is the only film to win the Globe and not receive an Oscar nom.
Netflix has received four nods for animated feature at the Oscars — “I Lost My Body” (2020), “Klaus” (2020), “Over the Moon” (2021) and...
Accepting the Golden Globe, del Toro proclaimed that “animation is cinema,” continuing, “Animation is not a genre for kids, it’s a medium.”
Since the category’s inception in 2006, only four winners of the Globes’ animation category have failed to win at the Oscars: “Cars” (2006), “The Adventures of Tintin” (2011), “How to Train Your Dragon 2” (2014) and “Missing Link” (2019). They lost to fellow Globe-nominees “Happy Feet,” “Rango,” “Big Hero 6” and “Toy Story 4,” respectively. Steven Spielberg’s “Tintin” is the only film to win the Globe and not receive an Oscar nom.
Netflix has received four nods for animated feature at the Oscars — “I Lost My Body” (2020), “Klaus” (2020), “Over the Moon” (2021) and...
- 1/11/2023
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
This isn’t about favorites. Favorites are flimsy and can be overdone, like a song or a sandwich filling you tire of after choosing it one too many times. This is about rightness. Of all the Doctors in the Tardis, of all the Bonds in the Aston Martin, of all the Batmen in the Batsuit, there’s one that feels more right to you than the rest. They’re in technicolor while everybody else is in black and white (speaking figuratively if it’s William Hartnell).
Maybe they’re the one you first fell for as a kid, or maybe they’re the newest hire who made everything finally click into place. The point is that they’re yours, an actor in a role that is unchangingly, enduringly right.
You know your Bond, you may well know your Doctor and own the accompanying action figure/reproduction Sonic screwdriver. But who’s your on-screen Santa?...
Maybe they’re the one you first fell for as a kid, or maybe they’re the newest hire who made everything finally click into place. The point is that they’re yours, an actor in a role that is unchangingly, enduringly right.
You know your Bond, you may well know your Doctor and own the accompanying action figure/reproduction Sonic screwdriver. But who’s your on-screen Santa?...
- 12/23/2022
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Click here to read the full article.
Everyone loves the Hollywood holiday classics — from It’s a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story to Home Alone and Die Hard (yes, it is a classic, too – don’t get us started).
But after the 100th rerun, one’s holiday spirit can start to sag, and nostalgia for those festive evergreens can turn toxic.
So The Hollywood Reporter‘s international team has come up with this alternative list of holiday favorites from outside the U.S.
Our eclectic dirty dozen, including a French murder mystery, a Canadian horror classic and an anime retelling of the Christmas story, are the perfect counterprogramming for anyone looking for new ideas this festive season.
Merry Christmas
2005
‘Merry Christmas’
Christian Carion’s World War I drama, about the real-life Christmas truce that broke out on the Western Front in 1914 — amid the horrors of the war, a true holiday miracle — features Diane Kruger,...
Everyone loves the Hollywood holiday classics — from It’s a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story to Home Alone and Die Hard (yes, it is a classic, too – don’t get us started).
But after the 100th rerun, one’s holiday spirit can start to sag, and nostalgia for those festive evergreens can turn toxic.
So The Hollywood Reporter‘s international team has come up with this alternative list of holiday favorites from outside the U.S.
Our eclectic dirty dozen, including a French murder mystery, a Canadian horror classic and an anime retelling of the Christmas story, are the perfect counterprogramming for anyone looking for new ideas this festive season.
Merry Christmas
2005
‘Merry Christmas’
Christian Carion’s World War I drama, about the real-life Christmas truce that broke out on the Western Front in 1914 — amid the horrors of the war, a true holiday miracle — features Diane Kruger,...
- 12/22/2022
- by Scott Roxborough, Alex Ritman and Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Netflix is not moving forward with “Ember,” a hand-drawn animated film from director Sergio Pablos.
It’s the latest animated title at the streamer to get the axe, following executive producer Ava DuVernay’s “Wings of Fire,” the toddler-friendly “Antiracist Baby” and “With Kind Regards From Kindergarten” earlier this year.
With “Ember,” as well as the previously scrapped animated projects, sources at Netflix say the decision is creatively driven, not cost-related. Animated TV shows and movies take longer to make compared to live-action, and it’s not uncommon to send projects back into development or part ways entirely over the lengthy timeline.
Pablos retains rights to “Ember” and will be able to shop the film elsewhere. An animation veteran, Pablos started the company Spa Studios and developed the concepts for cartoon hits like “Despicable Me” and “Smallfoot.” He wrote and directed the Christmas-themed “Klaus,” which was Netflix’s first original animated feature film.
It’s the latest animated title at the streamer to get the axe, following executive producer Ava DuVernay’s “Wings of Fire,” the toddler-friendly “Antiracist Baby” and “With Kind Regards From Kindergarten” earlier this year.
With “Ember,” as well as the previously scrapped animated projects, sources at Netflix say the decision is creatively driven, not cost-related. Animated TV shows and movies take longer to make compared to live-action, and it’s not uncommon to send projects back into development or part ways entirely over the lengthy timeline.
Pablos retains rights to “Ember” and will be able to shop the film elsewhere. An animation veteran, Pablos started the company Spa Studios and developed the concepts for cartoon hits like “Despicable Me” and “Smallfoot.” He wrote and directed the Christmas-themed “Klaus,” which was Netflix’s first original animated feature film.
- 12/19/2022
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Forget presents and festive cheer -- for many, the real gift of Christmas is that it allows us some precious downtime to revisit a few familiar festive faves. There's just something oddly soothing about knowing that, during the period between Christmas and New Year's when time slows to a crawl and we all collectively lose track of what day it is, the only thing we're actually expected to do is chill out, get comfy, and rewatch seasonal classics that we've all seen countless times before.
That said, what if you're craving something new to add to your annual Christmas rotation? After all, December can't always be about "Home Alone" and "The Muppet Christmas Carol." Sometimes you need to mix it up with something new and unexpected. If this sounds like you, then perhaps it's time you turned your attention to a Christmas movie or special that's gone underappreciated since its debut.
That said, what if you're craving something new to add to your annual Christmas rotation? After all, December can't always be about "Home Alone" and "The Muppet Christmas Carol." Sometimes you need to mix it up with something new and unexpected. If this sounds like you, then perhaps it's time you turned your attention to a Christmas movie or special that's gone underappreciated since its debut.
- 12/12/2022
- by Simon Bland
- Slash Film
Guillermo Del Toro on the 1,000-Day ‘Pinocchio’ Shoot and His 22 Finished Scripts Waiting to be Made
Guillermo del Toro loves cinema, and cinema loves him right back. He also knows the value of listening to collaborators and fellow filmmakers about getting the best possible result when making a feature, especially a passion project. “We don’t run a monarchy,” he tells Variety‘s Awards Circuit Podcast. “We run a beautiful collaborative effort. The animators are given a voice. What is impossible is the monarchy is not a desirable state for a storyteller. It’s important to have the last word. It’s not important to have the only word.”
On this episode of the award-winning Variety Awards Circuit Podcast, we talk with the visionary filmmaker about his new film, discussing the process of bringing the film to the big screen which took over 1,000 days to shoot, and the 22 screenplays he’s yet to make. Listen below:
“Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” has garnered critical acclaim and...
On this episode of the award-winning Variety Awards Circuit Podcast, we talk with the visionary filmmaker about his new film, discussing the process of bringing the film to the big screen which took over 1,000 days to shoot, and the 22 screenplays he’s yet to make. Listen below:
“Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” has garnered critical acclaim and...
- 12/2/2022
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
As December approaches, Netflix is giving the well-reviewed Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio a high-profile debut.
Netflix Animation — despite its challenging year on the business side — has a strong and varied slate of animated feature contenders, the most notable being del Toro’s moving stop-motion retelling of Carlo Collodi’s Pinocchio, which is having a limited theatrical rollout ahead of its Dec. 9 streaming debut.
Netflix burst onto the animation scene in 2019, releasing its first original animated feature, the Christmas movie Klaus, directed by Sergio Pablos, as well as French film I Lost My Body, from Jérémy Clapin. Both movies earned Oscar nominations in 2020, and Netflix has had at least one category nomination each year since. It did win an animated short Oscar in 2021, for If Anything Happens I Love You, but the streaming service is still vying for its first animated feature category win.
As December approaches, Netflix is giving the well-reviewed Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio a high-profile debut.
Netflix Animation — despite its challenging year on the business side — has a strong and varied slate of animated feature contenders, the most notable being del Toro’s moving stop-motion retelling of Carlo Collodi’s Pinocchio, which is having a limited theatrical rollout ahead of its Dec. 9 streaming debut.
Netflix burst onto the animation scene in 2019, releasing its first original animated feature, the Christmas movie Klaus, directed by Sergio Pablos, as well as French film I Lost My Body, from Jérémy Clapin. Both movies earned Oscar nominations in 2020, and Netflix has had at least one category nomination each year since. It did win an animated short Oscar in 2021, for If Anything Happens I Love You, but the streaming service is still vying for its first animated feature category win.
- 11/30/2022
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘Tis the season for Hallmark Channel, Lifetime, and Netflix.
The two basic-cable channels and the streaming giant notoriously go in on made-for-tv holiday movies, and this yuletide time will be no exception. But just how crucial to their respective (and very different) businesses is this type of programming, this time of year?
For Hallmark Channel, as is the case for its namesake greeting-card business, December is truly a time to be merry. This year’s “Countdown to Christmas” will premiere 31 new holiday films on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Hallmark Channel’s primetime viewership in the fourth quarter of 2021 was 54 percent higher than in Q3, 62 percent higher than Q2, and 27 percent higher than Q1, according to Nielsen data. The first quarter comes closest to the last for a few reasons: 1) Christmas-movie catch-up viewing, and 2) Another programming stunt: “New Year New Movies!”
For Lifetime, “It’s a...
The two basic-cable channels and the streaming giant notoriously go in on made-for-tv holiday movies, and this yuletide time will be no exception. But just how crucial to their respective (and very different) businesses is this type of programming, this time of year?
For Hallmark Channel, as is the case for its namesake greeting-card business, December is truly a time to be merry. This year’s “Countdown to Christmas” will premiere 31 new holiday films on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Hallmark Channel’s primetime viewership in the fourth quarter of 2021 was 54 percent higher than in Q3, 62 percent higher than Q2, and 27 percent higher than Q1, according to Nielsen data. The first quarter comes closest to the last for a few reasons: 1) Christmas-movie catch-up viewing, and 2) Another programming stunt: “New Year New Movies!”
For Lifetime, “It’s a...
- 11/18/2022
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
A sitcom episode stretched out to snapping point, “Bar Fight!” may have made for a mildly amusing 22 minutes. But you may need a few drinks to get through the full hour and a half.
It certainly doesn’t help that there’s not a single person here worth the hang. The entire concept hinges on abrasive talent agent Nina and blandly hipsterish carpenter Allen, who have just executed the most enlightened breakup since Gwyneth and Chris consciously uncoupled. But when they unexpectedly show up at the same dive bar — the one they happily shared for five years — the gloves come off.
It’s decided that they’ll compete for custody, with one triumphantly “keeping” the bar and the other conceding defeat and moping off to another neighborhood. The staff tosses some suggestions in a Santa hat (it’s December), and the competition begins.
Also Read:
Melissa Fumero Says There Was...
It certainly doesn’t help that there’s not a single person here worth the hang. The entire concept hinges on abrasive talent agent Nina and blandly hipsterish carpenter Allen, who have just executed the most enlightened breakup since Gwyneth and Chris consciously uncoupled. But when they unexpectedly show up at the same dive bar — the one they happily shared for five years — the gloves come off.
It’s decided that they’ll compete for custody, with one triumphantly “keeping” the bar and the other conceding defeat and moping off to another neighborhood. The staff tosses some suggestions in a Santa hat (it’s December), and the competition begins.
Also Read:
Melissa Fumero Says There Was...
- 11/9/2022
- by Elizabeth Weitzman
- The Wrap
What a world we could live in if only we allowed the innocence of children to run it.
My 11-year-old daughter Sophia is just learning about the scope of movies. You would assume the child of an entertainment writer and Oscar enthusiast might be well-versed in the styles of Akira Kurosawa and Steven Spielberg. Instead, she’s currently enamored with the world of horror movies, with the “Scream” franchise standing as her most vital consumption.
She’s only been to a handful of industry screenings, one of which was Pixar’s “Coco” (2017), which gave the two of us the memorable moment in which I was weeping intensely as Miguel sang to his beloved grandmother after returning to the real world. Then, with a dead silent New York audience, not knowing how to use her “inside voice,” she shouted, “Are you crying?” The crowd erupted in laughter.
Now, living in Los Angeles for over a year,...
My 11-year-old daughter Sophia is just learning about the scope of movies. You would assume the child of an entertainment writer and Oscar enthusiast might be well-versed in the styles of Akira Kurosawa and Steven Spielberg. Instead, she’s currently enamored with the world of horror movies, with the “Scream” franchise standing as her most vital consumption.
She’s only been to a handful of industry screenings, one of which was Pixar’s “Coco” (2017), which gave the two of us the memorable moment in which I was weeping intensely as Miguel sang to his beloved grandmother after returning to the real world. Then, with a dead silent New York audience, not knowing how to use her “inside voice,” she shouted, “Are you crying?” The crowd erupted in laughter.
Now, living in Los Angeles for over a year,...
- 11/6/2022
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
The BAFTA has revealed nominations for its Children and Young People Awards, which are returning for the first time in three years.
The BBC’s “Dodger” and “The Snail and the Whale” lead with three nominations each, followed by two nominations for “The Amazing World of Gumball,” “Jamie Johnson,” “JoJo & Gran Gran” and “Silverpoint.”
The ceremony will take place in London on Nov. 27, where 14 categories will be awarded in recognition of craft, performance, and games. All awards are voted on by BAFTA’s membership of children’s industry professionals. The ceremony will be hosted by TV and radio presenter Lindsey Russell.
Faraz Osman, chair of the BAFTA Children and Young People Committee, said: “It is a real joy to bring together the industry and celebrate the creativity and craft behind its recent output, especially after the pandemic, where children’s programming played a monumental role in family support. Through the...
The BBC’s “Dodger” and “The Snail and the Whale” lead with three nominations each, followed by two nominations for “The Amazing World of Gumball,” “Jamie Johnson,” “JoJo & Gran Gran” and “Silverpoint.”
The ceremony will take place in London on Nov. 27, where 14 categories will be awarded in recognition of craft, performance, and games. All awards are voted on by BAFTA’s membership of children’s industry professionals. The ceremony will be hosted by TV and radio presenter Lindsey Russell.
Faraz Osman, chair of the BAFTA Children and Young People Committee, said: “It is a real joy to bring together the industry and celebrate the creativity and craft behind its recent output, especially after the pandemic, where children’s programming played a monumental role in family support. Through the...
- 10/25/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The rise of Spain’s animation power promises to provide one of the leading narratives at this year’s Cartoon Forum.
In one of its strongest representations ever at the Toulouse event, eight high-profile TV series projects from Spain will be pitched, trailing only France.
To complete its standout presence, a spotlight on Spain will take place at the Forum, with several networking activities to promote local industry, backed by Spanish trade promotion broad Icex in collaboration with Diboos, the country’s toon and VFX federation.
In recent years, the animation scene has experienced a historic growth, becoming a key sector in the rapidly growing local audiovisual market.
By Icex estimates, the animation and VFX sector generates 20 of all audiovisual industry jobs. Its annual turnover – €900 million (900 million) – reps 9 of total revenues.
This year, the animation TV industry has released six TV series and is preparing at least 26 more projects at different production stages,...
In one of its strongest representations ever at the Toulouse event, eight high-profile TV series projects from Spain will be pitched, trailing only France.
To complete its standout presence, a spotlight on Spain will take place at the Forum, with several networking activities to promote local industry, backed by Spanish trade promotion broad Icex in collaboration with Diboos, the country’s toon and VFX federation.
In recent years, the animation scene has experienced a historic growth, becoming a key sector in the rapidly growing local audiovisual market.
By Icex estimates, the animation and VFX sector generates 20 of all audiovisual industry jobs. Its annual turnover – €900 million (900 million) – reps 9 of total revenues.
This year, the animation TV industry has released six TV series and is preparing at least 26 more projects at different production stages,...
- 9/19/2022
- by Emiliano De Pablos
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix has laid off 30 staffers from its Film Animation teams, IndieWire has confirmed.
Earlier this year, Netflix unveiled new leadership for its Animation Film team: vice president of Animation Film Content Karen Toliver and VP of Animation Film Production Traci Balthazor. Wednesday’s changes organize the animated-film production business under Balthazor, a person with knowledge of the plans told us. The 30 roles in question were no longer needed, the person said.
Netflix has had seven animated projects nominated for Oscars over the past five years, including a win for “If Anything Happens, I Love You” (Best Animated Short Film). The other nominated animated films include 2022 nominees “Robin Robin” (Best Animated Short) and “The Mitchells vs. The Machines” (Best Animated Feature), 2021’s “Over The Moon” (Best Animated Feature Film) and “A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon” (Best Animated Feature), and 2020’s “I Lost My Body” (Best Animated Feature) and “Klaus” (Best...
Earlier this year, Netflix unveiled new leadership for its Animation Film team: vice president of Animation Film Content Karen Toliver and VP of Animation Film Production Traci Balthazor. Wednesday’s changes organize the animated-film production business under Balthazor, a person with knowledge of the plans told us. The 30 roles in question were no longer needed, the person said.
Netflix has had seven animated projects nominated for Oscars over the past five years, including a win for “If Anything Happens, I Love You” (Best Animated Short Film). The other nominated animated films include 2022 nominees “Robin Robin” (Best Animated Short) and “The Mitchells vs. The Machines” (Best Animated Feature), 2021’s “Over The Moon” (Best Animated Feature Film) and “A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon” (Best Animated Feature), and 2020’s “I Lost My Body” (Best Animated Feature) and “Klaus” (Best...
- 9/14/2022
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
Netflix Animation has laid off 30 employees, Variety has confirmed.
The news comes after recent executive shake-ups, with Netflix earlier this year appointing Karen Toliver as vice president of animated film content and Traci Balthazor as vice president of animated film production.
The layoffs are a result of Netflix consolidating its animation film production team under one central leader, Balthazor, as she continues to work closely with Toliver.
The downsizing does not signal a decrease in output from Netflix Animation, which has earned seven Oscar nominations since 2020, winning for “If Anything Happens, I Love You.”
The streamer’s slate of animated features and shorts includes “Robin,” “Klaus,” “Over the Moon, Back to the Outback,” Richard Linklater’s “Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood” and Chris Williams’ “The Sea Beast.” Coming soon are Henry Selick and Jordan Peele’s “Wendell & Wild,” Nora Twomey’s “My Father’s Dragon,” Guillermo del Toro’s “Pinocchio,...
The news comes after recent executive shake-ups, with Netflix earlier this year appointing Karen Toliver as vice president of animated film content and Traci Balthazor as vice president of animated film production.
The layoffs are a result of Netflix consolidating its animation film production team under one central leader, Balthazor, as she continues to work closely with Toliver.
The downsizing does not signal a decrease in output from Netflix Animation, which has earned seven Oscar nominations since 2020, winning for “If Anything Happens, I Love You.”
The streamer’s slate of animated features and shorts includes “Robin,” “Klaus,” “Over the Moon, Back to the Outback,” Richard Linklater’s “Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood” and Chris Williams’ “The Sea Beast.” Coming soon are Henry Selick and Jordan Peele’s “Wendell & Wild,” Nora Twomey’s “My Father’s Dragon,” Guillermo del Toro’s “Pinocchio,...
- 9/14/2022
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: We are hearing from sources that Cattywumpus, the Gore Verbinski-directed animated movie about outer space felines, will be getting shopped around town to other studios.
Verbinski, whose films have grossed 3.76 billion and who won an Oscar in 2012 for the Paramount animated movie Rango, had been working on his latest film at Netflix.
Such is the complex nature of animated film production, where quite often halfway through, stories and plans can pivot. There’s a history of that from movies such as Pixar’s Soul and Dinosaur and DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World.
Cattywumpus repped Verbinski’s second animated movie after the Johnny Depp-voiced Western Rango, which grossed 246 million at the worldwide box office.
Netflix, we understand, gave the creative team the option to go shop the movie elsewhere.
Netflix has seen promotions and changeovers in its animation executive suite over the summer.
Verbinski, whose films have grossed 3.76 billion and who won an Oscar in 2012 for the Paramount animated movie Rango, had been working on his latest film at Netflix.
Such is the complex nature of animated film production, where quite often halfway through, stories and plans can pivot. There’s a history of that from movies such as Pixar’s Soul and Dinosaur and DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World.
Cattywumpus repped Verbinski’s second animated movie after the Johnny Depp-voiced Western Rango, which grossed 246 million at the worldwide box office.
Netflix, we understand, gave the creative team the option to go shop the movie elsewhere.
Netflix has seen promotions and changeovers in its animation executive suite over the summer.
- 9/1/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: After announcing its acquisition of the Australian animation studio Animal Logic during yesterday’s earnings call, Deadline has learned that Netflix is making internal moves that will streamline its coterie of executives who’ll steer the Film Animation division.
Karen Toliver, VP Animation Film, is being promoted to lead the Animation Film team. With that change, Melissa Cobb will move from her role as VP Animation Film but will stay on with Netflix as a producer. Cobb joined the company four years ago and to led the animation team and since then has built the studio from the ground up, attracting filmmakers and delivering a diverse slate of ani films so far.
Also transitioning is Gregg Taylor, the VP Animation Film who’ll also become a producer. He too has been there four years, helping to build the creative team and oversee and shepherd the film slates, most recently The Sea Beast.
Karen Toliver, VP Animation Film, is being promoted to lead the Animation Film team. With that change, Melissa Cobb will move from her role as VP Animation Film but will stay on with Netflix as a producer. Cobb joined the company four years ago and to led the animation team and since then has built the studio from the ground up, attracting filmmakers and delivering a diverse slate of ani films so far.
Also transitioning is Gregg Taylor, the VP Animation Film who’ll also become a producer. He too has been there four years, helping to build the creative team and oversee and shepherd the film slates, most recently The Sea Beast.
- 7/20/2022
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix is acquiring Australian animation studio Animal Logic, which is producing films for the streamer including “The Magician’s Elephant,” directed by Wendy Rogers, and “The Shrinking of the Treehorns,” directed by Ron Howard.
Animal Logic has about 800 employees, mostly based in Sydney and Vancouver. The acquisition “will help us accelerate the development of our animation production capabilities and reinforces our commitment to build a world-class animation studio,” Netflix said in its Q2 letter to shareholders.
The company did not disclose the purchase price for Animal Logic but said it will fund the acquisition from cash on hand. Netflix expects to close the later this year, subject to certain regulatory approvals.
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“Together, we’ll create an animation studio that will produce some of our largest animated feature films,” Netflix said in the shareholder letter.
Animal Logic has about 800 employees, mostly based in Sydney and Vancouver. The acquisition “will help us accelerate the development of our animation production capabilities and reinforces our commitment to build a world-class animation studio,” Netflix said in its Q2 letter to shareholders.
The company did not disclose the purchase price for Animal Logic but said it will fund the acquisition from cash on hand. Netflix expects to close the later this year, subject to certain regulatory approvals.
Click here to sign up for Variety‘s free Strictly Business newsletter covering earnings, financial and investment news, and more.
“Together, we’ll create an animation studio that will produce some of our largest animated feature films,” Netflix said in the shareholder letter.
- 7/19/2022
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Companies have been collaborating on The Magician’s Elephant, Ron Howard’s The Shrinking Of The Treehorns.
Netflix is acquiring Australian animation studio Animal Logic as the streamer seeks to develop end-to-end cproduction capacity and builds on releases like The Sea Beast and Oscar-nominees Over The Moon and Klaus.
The Animal Logic and Netflix Animation teams will create a global creative production team with the goal of handling some of Netflix’s largest animated film titles. The streamer will continue to work on animation with other studios.
The companies have established a roster of films at Animal Logic’s Sydney...
Netflix is acquiring Australian animation studio Animal Logic as the streamer seeks to develop end-to-end cproduction capacity and builds on releases like The Sea Beast and Oscar-nominees Over The Moon and Klaus.
The Animal Logic and Netflix Animation teams will create a global creative production team with the goal of handling some of Netflix’s largest animated film titles. The streamer will continue to work on animation with other studios.
The companies have established a roster of films at Animal Logic’s Sydney...
- 7/19/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Netflix has acquired the animation studio Animal Logic, which is behind films like “Happy Feet,” “The Lego Movie” franchise and Netflix’s upcoming animated film “The Magician’s Elephant.”
The acquisition will support Netflix’s original animated film slate, which already includes titles like “Klaus,” “Over the Moon” and the upcoming “The Sea Beast.” The Animal Logic and Netflix Animation teams together will create a global creative production team and an animation studio that will produce some of Netflix’s largest animated film titles. However, Netflix will continue to work with many other studios for its animated series and movies.
Animal Logic is led by CEO and co-founder Zareh Nalbandian. Animal Logic leadership will remain operating under the Animal Logic brand and will fulfill production of existing and ongoing commitments and continue to collaborate and work with longstanding studio partners.
Animal Logic is also working on the soon-to-be-released “DC’s...
The acquisition will support Netflix’s original animated film slate, which already includes titles like “Klaus,” “Over the Moon” and the upcoming “The Sea Beast.” The Animal Logic and Netflix Animation teams together will create a global creative production team and an animation studio that will produce some of Netflix’s largest animated film titles. However, Netflix will continue to work with many other studios for its animated series and movies.
Animal Logic is led by CEO and co-founder Zareh Nalbandian. Animal Logic leadership will remain operating under the Animal Logic brand and will fulfill production of existing and ongoing commitments and continue to collaborate and work with longstanding studio partners.
Animal Logic is also working on the soon-to-be-released “DC’s...
- 7/19/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
The third season of "The Umbrella Academy" aired on Netflix on June 22, and it found the Umbrella siblings in an alternate timeline where Sir Reginald adopted six other children instead of the original siblings. The resulting Sparrow Academy is just one facet of their strange new alternate reality, which sends each character into a tailspin of their own.
"It felt like a brand-new show for me," Justin H. Min, who plays Ben, tells Popsugar. "I got to actually act with these guys who I've known for two seasons now but never had a chance to really be in any scenes with. Unfortunately, this time around, it had to be in a much more aggressive, angry way."
For Min, the season was a chance for Ben Sparrow - the alternate timeline's version of Ben Hargreeves - to question his upbringing in the Sparrow family. "For Ben, he was fine being in this dysfunctional family of sorts,...
"It felt like a brand-new show for me," Justin H. Min, who plays Ben, tells Popsugar. "I got to actually act with these guys who I've known for two seasons now but never had a chance to really be in any scenes with. Unfortunately, this time around, it had to be in a much more aggressive, angry way."
For Min, the season was a chance for Ben Sparrow - the alternate timeline's version of Ben Hargreeves - to question his upbringing in the Sparrow family. "For Ben, he was fine being in this dysfunctional family of sorts,...
- 6/28/2022
- by Eden Arielle Gordon
- Popsugar.com
Roc Espinet
“I’m a big fan of 2D, keeping a handcrafted look and strong emotions, like in Ghibli movies. Having said that, I always want to complement it with a contemporary narrative concept and bold and crazy camera movements,” Catalan animator Espinet says. He’s a regular collaborator of Alberto Vázquez and has worked as an animator and layout artist for HBO (“Deadly Class”) and Amazon (“Niko and the Sword of Light”).
A pick-up from Latido when in in development, “Girl and Wolf” is Espinet’s debut feature, currently in pre-production and based on Espinet’s eponymous graphic novel. Produced by Sygnatia Films and Hampa Studio, it tells the story of an innocent girl who grew up in a medieval orphanage besieged by wolves. Espinet is also developing “Colossal Jane,” set up at Nexus Studios, a comedy series “where musicals, ghost hunting, Kung Fu and womanhood meet in a super energetic way,...
“I’m a big fan of 2D, keeping a handcrafted look and strong emotions, like in Ghibli movies. Having said that, I always want to complement it with a contemporary narrative concept and bold and crazy camera movements,” Catalan animator Espinet says. He’s a regular collaborator of Alberto Vázquez and has worked as an animator and layout artist for HBO (“Deadly Class”) and Amazon (“Niko and the Sword of Light”).
A pick-up from Latido when in in development, “Girl and Wolf” is Espinet’s debut feature, currently in pre-production and based on Espinet’s eponymous graphic novel. Produced by Sygnatia Films and Hampa Studio, it tells the story of an innocent girl who grew up in a medieval orphanage besieged by wolves. Espinet is also developing “Colossal Jane,” set up at Nexus Studios, a comedy series “where musicals, ghost hunting, Kung Fu and womanhood meet in a super energetic way,...
- 6/14/2022
- by Emilio Mayorga
- Variety Film + TV
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