Image ©WIA

Today, at the beginning of Pride month, WIA — the advocacy organization dedicated to advancing people of underrepresented gender identities, including women and gender non-conforming people in the fields of animation, VFX, and gaming — is pleased to announce they are joining forces with GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ+ media advocacy organization, to bring this year’s WIA WORLD SUMMIT to the Annecy International Animation Festival and Mifa 2023. Among this year’s special guests will be ND Stevenson, Vicky Jenson, Ramsey Naito, Anna Ginsburg and Nora Twomey.

WIA is proud to collaborate with GLAAD in service of our shared vision of gender justice in animation. We look forward to gathering so many key thought leaders to discuss this year’s theme, ‘Break the Box: Redefining Gender and Leadership.’ The day will be filled with thought-provoking, robust discussions on the complexity of gender, including all the amazing things that can happen in our industry when people break free from stereotypes and societal expectations.

-Marge Dean, WIA President

I’m so excited to be joining WIA for a day full of impactful conversations on gender and storytelling. As we see an increase in anti-LGBTQ bills here in the U.S., authentic and inclusive storytelling is more impactful than ever in both combatting disinformation and uplifting our voices. The inclusive animated films and series highlighted at Annecy and through WIA’s work will be seen by audiences of all ages across the world and can spark conversations that accelerate acceptance for families of all kinds.

-Megan Townsend, GLAAD’s Senior Director of Entertainment Research and Analysis

Breaking the gender boxes we’ve all been put into at some point in our lives is critical to moving toward gender justice and equity. We must collectively, across gender identities, question how we define a ‘good leader’ or ‘who can do what job in animation’ or ‘how we express ourselves,’ so we can achieve true equity and a better, more prosperous industry for all.

-Julie Ann Crommett, WIA Secretary/DEI Chair and Founder and CEO, Collective Moxie

With the entire Annecy team, we are happy and honored to host the WIA World Summit. Once again, the program for this day will be an opportunity to share ideas around the concerns of our time to build a better world and a better industry. This year, we are doubling our forces since the World Summit will resonate particularly with the theme of Annecy 2023: Animation Pride & Diversity.

-Mickaël Marin, CITIA CEO

The seventh annual WIA WORLD SUMMIT will take place on Monday, June 12th at the Impérial Palace Hotel (Allée de l’Impérial, 74000 Annecy) and will feature a day-long symposium of panels and focused conversations spotlighting key thought leaders filmmakers and executives from around the world discussing gender justice — a system of equity and fairness for people of all genders, gender identities and presentations. As with every summit since the beginning, this year’s event will be live-streamed and available to the general public via the WIA website from 9:30 am -5:30 pm CEST/12:30 am-7:30 am PST, with a lunch break from 12:20-2:30 pm CEST. The Summit will also be recorded and posted subsequently on the WIA website.

The official program for the day will be as follows:

Welcome from WIA and Annecy Festival

WIA President Marge Dean and CITIA CEO Mickaël Marin welcome viewers and attendees.

SESSION 1 – Unpacking: What is Gender?

Description: This educational session led by Megan Townsend, GLAAD Senior Director of Entertainment Research & Analysis, unpacks the language and universal assumptions of gender, the ways we’re all impacted by those assumptions, and how we can move closer to the reality of gender justice in our global industry.

SESSION 2 – Authentic Storytelling

Description: Our experiences, values, and identities are foundational to the stories we tell. This panel, moderated by Tendayi Nyeke and including Paula Boffo, Creative Director at Ojo Raro, cartoonist and writer Molly Knox Ostertag, and writer and animator Leslie Pulsifer, explores the ways in which gender shapes who we are and the stories and art we create as a result.

SESSION 3 – Leading Diverse Creative Teams

Description: Leading creative teams comes with unique rewards and challenges, especially when the stories being told are deeply personal. This panel, moderated by WIA President, Marge Dean, examines how leaders can reject gendered expectations and harness the creative power of a diverse team. Panelists include Emilie Walmsley, Head of Animation for Eddy TV, ND Stevenson, author and illustrator of Nimona and creator/showrunner of She-Ra: Princesses of Power, award-winning filmmaker and director at Strange Beast, Anna Ginsburg, and Noriko Matsumoto, Executive Producer and Brand Director at Dwarf Studio.

SESSION 4 – Redefining Risk as Investment

Description: Risk and failure are integral parts of the creative process. Moderated by Julie Ann Crommett, this panel — featuring Deepa Joshi, co-CEO of Incessant Rain animation studios, Nosipho van den Bragt, President and Founder of Chocolate Tribe, Lou Bones, Creative Talent Director at PSYOP and acclaimed director of Shrek and the upcoming Spellbound, Vicky Jenson — explores the inequitable effects of success as well as failure for creative leaders who are historically underrepresented in our industry. What can we learn when things don’t go as planned? How can we reframe risk and failure to create a more equitable industry?

CLOSING FIRESIDE CHAT – Authentic Leadership

Description: In this fireside chat with Ramsey Naito, President, Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation, and Nora Twomey, Co-Founder & Creative Director of Cartoon Saloon, we examine creative leadership through the lens of gender and explore what is possible when we embrace leadership styles that are authentic. We’ll also explore how leaders who break the box can effectively collaborate to make sustainable change in their organization and in our industry.

For more information or to join WIA, please visit womeninanimation.org

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Thatchers commercial 2023
Pint-Sized Perfection © Aardman

Thatchers Cider unveils a new TV commercial this week which sees the Somerset cider maker collaborate with multi-Academy Award® winning studio Aardman.

Airing for the first time at 9.15pm on 25^th May, the commercial uses stop motion animation to bring the viewer through the gates of Thatchers’ own Myrtle Farm home in a light-hearted and affectionate way. We see how the family cider maker’s dedication along every step of the way achieves Pint-Sized Perfection.

Aardman uses its world-class skills in perfectly crafted hand-made miniature worlds to bring Thatchers’ expertise to the screen. Iconic elements of Myrtle Farm such as its orchards, help tell the story of carefully crafting the perfect drop of cider. Some familiar faces make an appearance throughout the commercial, including fourth generation cider maker Martin Thatcher making a big entrance for the weekly 12.30 tasting. Viewers may also recognise the iconic Thatchers hot air balloon from previous ads, as well as Myrtle, the family dog.

Thatchers Cider, with market leading premium brands including Thatchers Gold, Haze and Blood Orange, is still making cider at the same family farm where founder William Thatcher first grew and pressed apples almost 120 years ago. The Pint-Sized Perfection commercial tells the story of the Thatchers commitment to crafting the tastiest ciders, resonating with consumers who seek out values of authenticity and sustainability in their cider choice.

With its relentless pursuit of perfection, the commercial follows the cider making journey from the orchards to glass, through Aardman’s unique and characterful story telling technique.

Martin Thatcher, who has had cameo appearances in all of Thatchers recent TV ads, says, “Partnering with Aardman, a truly iconic brand with such amazing creative genius, and situated in the West Country as we are, allows us to introduce consumers to a new light-hearted, storytelling creative about our ciders.

“With total commitment to quality, perfection and sustainability every step of the way, the commercial shines a spotlight on the Thatchers world in this contemporary way.”

Viewers may also recognise the familiar voice of the narrator – Richard Ede – who has also featured in previous commercials from Thatchers. The commercial, conceptualised by creative communications agency, Bray Leino, has been directed by Will Studd from Aardman and produced by Danny Gallagher.

With total dedication to their craft, a team of 40 creatives at Aardman were involved in the film, with animators alone needing over 480 hours to shoot the 40 second commercial.

Will Studd, director at Aardman adds: “I am thrilled to be directing a new advert for Thatchers, a cider brand that shares our passion for craft and attention to detail. As a paid-up cider enthusiast, I am drinking in the opportunity to bring the Thatchers family, farm, dog, and selected staff members to life with detailed puppets and sets.

“Being able to collaborate with such a well-established South West brand on this project is an honour, I’m eager to create a beautiful film that captures the essence of Thatchers and their focus on perfection.”

Martin continues, “This is a film that allows people to step into the world of Thatchers. Our passion for creating the most perfect cider is reflected in the genius of Aardman, whose animators have recreated life at Myrtle Farm in the most minute and exacting detail, from our iconic barn doors, to our hot air balloon where the basket was handwoven out of real straw. Fabric from our own workwear has even been used to create some of the costumes.

“In partnering with Aardman we’ve been in awe of their attention to detail, their pursuit of perfection, which truly resonates with all that we strive for at Thatchers.”

The commercial will have a multi-media launch, the campaign continuing through to August. This will include linear TV, broadcast video on demand, cinema and YouTube.  This will be enhanced with 48 sheet and 6 sheet OOH, and a consumer focussed social media campaign.

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How to create animations that don’t hurt the environment? Where to search for low-emission solutions? And how to include concerns about our surroundings into business production schedule? For these and other questions young creators submitting their projects for this year’s ANIMARKT Stop Motion Forum competition section must find the answers. New mandatory green criterion for project’s rating can be decisive factor for its victory. Submissions via online forms can be sent in only until the end of May.

“We are aware how big of a challenge for the environment are actions tied to film production, that’s why we look for solutions that would allow us to minimize this negative impact. This is where the idea for inclusion of green production criterion in pitching session came from. With this, we want to reward ideas that are future of the animation” – explains Agnieszka Kowalewska-Skowron, director of the forum. She adds that the new element can impact the ranking of the entire project.

This year, same as in years before, projects can be submitted to ANIMARKT Pitching in two formats. The first one covers short projects in development having at least first draft of the script and lasting no more than 25 minutes. The second one is dedicated to the projects of feature films or TV series or specials at different stages of realization. As usual, necessary condition in both cases is 80% of animation being planned for creation in stop motion technique. New criterion is mandatory plan for sustainable production of the film. This element is going to stand for 10% of entire project’s evaluation.

From all submitted applications jury is going to choose 10 projects in each format.

In Autumn creators of the best projects are going to compete for awards, thanks to which they are going to get closer to making their ideas come true. Organizers are waiting for submissions in Pitching sections only until 31^st of May. Results are going to be announced on 31^st of July.

Audience members during Animarkt 2022 Pitching session

Pitching that is competition section of ANIMARKT Stop Motion Forum – gives extraordinary opportunity to present a project in front of group of experts from international animation industry, gaining partners and receiving awards that are going to support the creators during production process and open door to international career in front of them.

ANIMARKT Stop Motion Forum is going to take place between 4th and 8th of October in Łódź. In the programme, besides the competition part of pitchings and workshops, masterclasses and discussion panels are also going to take place. The event is also going to be full of meetings focused on establishing connections in the industry and recruitment sessions to international animation studios.

More about the event on www.animarkt.pl.

Link to submission form Pitching: bit.ly/3L5h1qh

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Skull Island takes viewers on a thrilling adventure as a group of kind-hearted explorers rescues Annie (Mae Whitman) from the ocean, unaware that their act of heroism will lead them to the treacherous Skull Island. This enigmatic place is home to bizarre creatures and terrifying monsters, including the mighty titan himself, Kong.

Skull Island (COURTESY OF NETFLIX ©2023)

Heading up the ensemble cast is Nicolas Cantu (Dragons Rescue Riders: Heroes of the Sky, The Fabelmans) as main protagonist Charlie, alongside Mae Whitman (Family Guy, DC Super Hero Girls) as Annie, Darren Barnett (Never Have I Ever, Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles) as Mike, Benjamin Bratt as Cap (Poker Face, Coco), and Betty Gilpin (Mrs. Davis, Glow) as Irene.

Skull Island will make its global debut on June 22, 2023, exclusively on Netflix

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Billed as “an epic tale about finding friendship in the most surprising situations and accepting yourself and others for who they are”, the world of Nimona began with Stevenson’s National Book Award-nominated and New York Times best-selling graphic novel that tells the story of the titular teen shapeshifter Nimona and her adventures as sidekick to wronged knight Ballister Boldheart. The film adaptation is directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane based on a screenplay by Robert L. Baird and Lloyd Taylor. Producing the project are Karen Ryan, p.g.a., Julie Zackary, p.g.a. and Roy Lee  alongside co-producer ND Stevenson and exec producers Megan Ellison, Robert L. Baird, Andrew Millstein, John Powers Middleton

When Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed), a knight in a futuristic medieval world, is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, the only one who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz), a mischievous teen with a taste for mayhem — who also happens to be a shapeshifting creature Ballister has been trained to destroy. But with the entire kingdom out to get him, Nimona’s the best (or technically the only) sidekick Ballister can hope for. And as the lines between heroes, villains, and monsters start to blur, the two of them set out to wreak serious havoc — for Ballister to clear his name once and for all, and for Nimona to…just wreak serious havoc.

Also among the cast are Eugene Lee Yang (Ambrosius Goldenloin), Frances Conroy (The Director), Lorraine Toussaint (Queen Valerin), Beck Bennett (Sir Thoddeus Sureblade), Indya Moore (Alamzapam Davis), RuPaul Charles (Nate Knight), Julio Torres (Diego the Squire), Sarah Sherman (Coriander Cadaverish).

Netflix have also released additional art and stills to accompany the teaser launch:

Nimona (Cr: Netflix © 2023)

Nimona (Cr: Netflix © 2023)

Nimona (Cr: Netflix © 2023)

Nimona premieres globally on Netflix June 30. 

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Image: WIA

These talented creatives, chosen from a competitive pool of 130+ candidates, will benefit from a series of mentoring sessions led by internationally acclaimed animation experts, as well as 1:1 coaching sessions that will prepare them to pitch their projects in the upcoming 2023 Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Market (MIFA), including as part of the MIFA Pitching Sessions.

The selected delegations are (sorted out by country in alphabetical order):

• Superpunk – Brazil. A project led by Mirtes Santana (with Guilherme Petreca).
• Negocio de Brujas (Witch’s Business) – Chile. A project led by Paulina Sanhueza Meléndez (with Alejandra Jaramillo Fanta )
• Nerea – Dominican Republic. A project led by Fabiola Contreras Rosso (with Arima Léon)
• The Golden Pig – Malaysia. A project led by Hwei Ling Ow (with Kate Goodwin)
• Papo Hapo – Türkiye/Kenya. A project led by Irmak Atabek Ndungu (with Mbithi Masya)

Fully committed to supporting women and creators of marginalized gender identities, this second edition of Stories x Women was open to up to two-people teams, which had to have a woman in a leading role (e.g. producer, director or screenwriter).

FIAPF is proud to bring the second edition of Stories x Women with WIA with the support of The Walt Disney Company and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Our industry, in particular its production segment, is committed to bringing new stories and new voices to our audiences across the world. Stories x Women supports the work of women animators from regions that are less visible in the international market and is an extra contribution to the collective efforts made by this industry in that field. As the global voice for producers worldwide, FIAPF promotes all forms of film genres, including animation and its universal language.

-Luis Alberto Scalella (President, FIAPF)

For 10 years, WIA has been focused on reaching 50/50 gender parity in animation by 2025. The Stories x Women program aligns perfectly with our mission of supporting and empowering people of underrepresented gender identities in animation. It’s actively removing barriers faced by women and gender non-conforming creatives and making space for them to tell their authentic stories. We can’t wait to see the growth and development of this international group of talented creators.

-Marge Dean (President, WIA)

I’m thrilled to be part of this exciting initiative to support, mentor and champion women in animation from around the world.  Annecy is the world’s premier animation festival and inviting these incredible storytellers to the festival, and giving them access to all its resources and connections, will go a long way to helping them bring their unique stories to the world.

-Meredith Robert (Executive Vice President of TV Animation, Disney)

Learn more about Women in Animation at womeninanimation.org

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The film is adapted from the hugely successful picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, and marks the 11^th animated special of their work produced by Magic Light Pictures for the BBC.

Image via Faber & Bishopp

The film stars Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey) as Fred, Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísú (Gangs of London) as Tabby, Cariad Lloyd(Peep Show) as Prunella, Joanna Scanlan (The Thick of It) as Pat, Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who) as the narrator, and Susan Wokoma (Enola Holmes) as Sock. Animation services are provided by Red Star Studio.

The film follows Fred, a busker, and his cat Tabby McTat who enjoy a contented life singing on the streets of London to delighted audiences. One day when chasing a thief, Fred falls and breaks his leg and is whisked away in an ambulance.  What will become of the busker’s cat left alone on the city streets?

This is a special year for Julia and Axel. 2023 marks the 30^th year of their creative partnership.

Author, Julia Donaldson commented:

I used to love busking with my husband Malcolm when we were living in Bristol, and also in Paris. We also both love cats – in fact – we’ve just acquired two new kittens named Tabitha and McTat. So, this story is really close to my heart and combines two of my passions: singing, and cats!

Producer, Barney Goodland said:

Julia and Axel’s book is a beautiful, heart-warming story that we’re delighted to be adapting for BBC viewers this Christmas. The friendship between Fred and Tabby is a truly special one and the film explores how their relationship changes unexpectedly as their lives move forward, and ultimately, how they learn to embrace that change.

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama said:

Magic Light’s hugely entertaining adaptations of Julia and Axel’s works have been delighting families and viewers of all ages for over a decade now. I know that Tabby is a character loved by many, so I could not be happier that he’ll be brought to life this Christmas on BBC One and iPlayer.

Tabby McTat is directed by Sarah Scrimgeour and Jac Hamman (Superworm); written by Max Lang and Suzanne Lang; and produced by Barney Goodland and Michael Rose of Magic Light Pictures. The film was acquired by Charlotte Moore, BBC Chief Content Officer and Nawfal Faizullah, BBC Drama Commissioning Editor.

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Selection of films being shown (Image source: Exhibition On Screen)

From the team behind the blockbuster documentary ‘Vermeer: The Greatest Exhibition’ comes a thrilling encounter with one of the world’s most vibrant and innovative capitals, Exhibition on Screen’s stunning new film, TOKYO STORIES, celebrates the art of one of the world’s most creative, dynamic and fascinating cities.

Coming to cinemas across the UK from 23^rd May, TOKYO STORIES explores four centuries of stunning and unique artworks from artists immersed in a city that is constantly reinventing itself; from the delicate woodblock prints of Hokusai and Hiroshige to Pop Art posters, contemporary photography, Manga, film, and brand-new artworks that have been created on the streets. TOKYO STORIES takes audiences on a mesmerising tour of the Japanese capital via the art it has generated over the last 400 years. This fast-paced, dynamic new film gives you a fascinating insight into how Tokyo has become a cultural hotspot and one of the most extraordinary cities on the planet.

Directed by David Bickerstaff (Vermeer: The Greatest Exhibition, Van Gogh & Japan), TOKYO STORIES tells the stories of the artists and the art that have made Tokyo famous for its boundless innovation.  With so many creative and cultural forces intersecting, the film explores how Tokyo has become a centre of avant-garde art. It features interviews with leading contemporary artists at work today, including renowned photographers Moriyama Daido and Mika Ninagawa, Pop Artist Keiichi Tanaami, visual artist Enrico Isamu Oyama, installation artist Yuko Mohri and the experimental Chim-Pom collective.

Although largely filmed in Tokyo, the film also focusses on the hugely successful TOKYO exhibition which took place at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford in 2021. This stunning show featured new commissions by contemporary artists, loans from leading Japanese galleries and museums, as well as treasures from the Ashmolean’s own extensive collections.  It brought a younger, more diverse audience to the museum and will do the same for the global audience of art documentaries. Interviews with exhibition curators and experts Clare Pollard and Lena Fritsch, as well as Ashmolean Director, Alexander Sturgis, also feature in the film.

Exhibition on Screen, the award-winning pioneer bringing the world’s best loved art to cinemas around the world for over a decade, is proud to announce the release of TOKYO STORIES on 23^rd May.

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Scroll through the posters below.

This gives us our first look at the Aardman sequel to the 2000 film, which still holds the record as the highest grossing stop motion animated film of all time.

The posters give us the first look at our old friends and some new ones including Molly (voiced by Bella Ramsey) the daughter of Ginger (Thandiwe Newton, replacing Julia Sawalha) and Rocky (Zachary Levi, replacing Mel Gibson) and we’re also introduced to Frizzle (Josie Sedhewick-Davies).

Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (Netflix/Aardman)

Old faces include Babs (Jane Horrocks), Bunty (Imelda Staunton) and Mac (Lynn Ferguson) as well as newly voiced Fowler (David Bradley) and Nick and Fetcher (Daniel Mays and Romesh Ranganathan).

Chicken Run 2: Dawn of the Nugget arrives on Netflix this Autumn. Catch up with the original film on Netflix or look back on the film with the Skwigly film club podcast.

All images courtesy of Netflix

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Jan Pinkava (Credit: Animationsinstitut, Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg)

I am beyond honored to have been appointed Head of the Animationsinstitut. The school has an extraordinary reputation, dedicated staff, brilliant teachers, outstanding graduates, and highly talented students. What could be more worthwhile than to build on this legacy?

Arne Braun, State Secretary in the Ministry of Science, Research and Arts Baden-Wuerttemberg, elaborates:

With Jan Pinkava, a superb industry expert joins the Animationsinstitut. His film RATATOUILLE, which he created in collaboration with Brad Bird, is one for the hall of fame of animated film. I am sure that he will foster the Animationsinstitut’s reputation as regional pioneer for innovation, as well as international educational institution. Jan Pinkava is keen to contribute his international experience to a new and young environment and thus, will shape the future of the institute.

Jan Pinkava has worked in the animation industry for thirty years and won numerous awards with his films. During his time at the animation studio Pixar, he won an Oscar® for his short film GERI’S GAME in 1998. As creator and co-director, Pinkava was also instrumental in RATATOUILLE‘s Oscar® win for the best animated feature film in 2008. In addition, Pinkava was involved in the creation of the innovative format Google Spotlight Stories as co-founder and creative director. There, he developed new forms of interactive storytelling.

For Prof. Thomas Schadt (Managing Director Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg), Pinkava’s versatility is particularly remarkable:

His unique career as an artist perfectly complements his many years of experience in leading industry positions. Jan Pinkava will not only be able to guide the students, but inspire them as well.

“The Person Is More Important than the Project.”

Since fall 2022, Prof. Andreas Hykade has been working as Head of Animation Directing at the Animationsinstitut. Before dedicating his focus to this position, Prof. Hykade headed the Animationsinstitut for eight years and contributed greatly to the institute’s reputation and success. “The person is more important than the project”—Andreas Hykade made sure to emphasize this principle throughout his tenure. The Animationsinstitut is built on the cooperation of students, lecturers, and employees, he said.

Jan Pinkava wants to remain faithful to this philosophy:

I like people much more than machines. Our job is to give our students the tools to create great art with real values.

Jan Pinkava begins his tenure as Head of the Animationsinstitut in June 2023. Since Prof. Andreas Hykade’s transition to a full-time teaching focus last fall, Prof. Thomas Schadt had temporarily taken over as head of the Animationsinstitut.

For press photos and a video statement by Jan Pinkava, please visit our website.

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Electra by Daria Kashcheeva (Image source: Miyu Distribution ©)

The Cannes Film Festival has revealed the next part of the Official selection. The competition section La Cinef (formerly La Cinéfondation) will screen the highly anticipated film Electra by Daria Kashcheeva, produced by Zuzana Křivková and Martin Vandas from Czech MAUR film and co-produced with FAMU, Artichoke (Slovakia) and Papy3D (France).

Daria Kashcheeva, director and student of the Master’s programme at the Department of Animation at FAMU, made her mark on the world animation scene with her short film Daughter. The intimate story about the relationship between a daughter and her father has picked up dozens of awards at international festivals, including the Student Academy Award and an Oscar nomination.

For her graduate work, the director drew inspiration from the Greek mythological figure Electra, whom she translated into today’s world in her vision. The protagonist of the film tries to define herself in relation to her mother and tries to understand her mixed feelings towards her father. She gradually isolates herself in her world and builds a relationship with her body and sexuality.

I was inspired to structure the narrative this way by psychotherapy. During sessions, clients revolve around their memories of traumatic experiences. They jump from the past to the present, the images and memories change. By combining the pixilation animation technique together with live-action scenes, I was able to illustrate this narrative mosaic.

– explains Daria Kashcheeva

Thanks to the success of Daughter, the filming of the student film Electra turned into a Czech-SlovakFrench co-production, with the resulting film being 26 minutes long – unusual in animation. “A significant part of the shooting took place over 95 shooting days in the main studio of FAMU Studio in Prague,” adds Zuzana Křivková from the Czech production company MAUR film, which is the main producer. “Thanks to a wide international co-production, complex animation puppets in the style of lifesize Barbie dolls were created in France, and in Slovakia our co-producer Artichoke provided, among other things, the entire visual post-production,” added producer Martin Vandas.

Electra by Daria Kashcheeva (Image source: Miyu Distribution ©)

Festival distribution and sales is handled by French company Miyu Distribution, starting with the world premiere in May in Cannes and continuing to the Official selection of the biggest Animation Film Festival in Annecy. Electra was financially supported by the Czech Film Fund, the Pilsen Region, the FILMTALENT ZLÍN Endowment Fund, ARTE France, Pictanovo, images in Hauts-de-France, Hauts-de-France region, Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée CNC, Procirep and Angoa and Slovak Audiovisual Fund.

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Highlights include two new feature films coming in 2024: Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie and In Your Dreams, as well as an ensemble voice cast announcement for the summer 2023 release, Nimona. Whether your whole family wants to laugh with their favorite characters or is ready to embark on a fantasy adventure in an epic new world, Netflix has an animated film to entertain anyone in any movie mood.

Netflix’s 2023-2024 Feature Animation Slate can be found below. These movies join Netflix’s growing portfolio of animated films, which has garnered seven Oscar nominations for Best Animated Feature, the most of any individual animation studio since its inception in 2018.

NIMONA – Summer 2023
This summer, Netflix will release the highly anticipated Nimona, based on the bestselling graphic novel by ND Stevenson. Nimona follows Ballister Boldheart, a knight framed for a crime he didn’t commit, and the titular shapeshifter who sets out to help him prove his innocence.

Today, Netflix confirms joining the film’s previously announced cast members Chloë Grace Moretz (Nimona), Riz Ahmed (Ballister Boldheart) and Eugene Lee Yang (Ambrosius Goldenloin) are supporting cast Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint, Beck Bennett, RuPaul Charles, Indya Moore, Julio Torres and Sarah Sherman. Nimona is directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane.

Synopsis: When a knight in a futuristic medieval world 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.
Directed by Nick Bruno & Troy Quane
Produced by Karen Ryan, p.g.a; Julie Zackary, p.g.a.; Roy Lee
Screenplay by Robert L. Baird and Lloyd Taylor
Story by Robert L. Baird, Lloyd Taylor, Pamela Ribon, Marc Haimes, Nick Bruno, Troy Quane, Keith Bunin
Based Upon the Graphic Novel by ND Stevenson
Executive Producers: Megan Ellison, Robert L. Baird, Andrew Millstein, John Powers Middleton
Production Company: Annapurna Animation
Cast: Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint, Beck Bennett, RuPaul Charles, Indya Moore, Julio Torres, Sarah Sherman

THE MONKEY KING – Summer 2023
Synopsis: The Monkey King is an action-packed family comedy that follows a charismatic Monkey and his magical fighting Stick on an epic quest for victory over 100 demons, an eccentric Dragon King, and Monkey’s greatest foe of all —his own ego! Along the way, a young village girl challenges his self-centered attitude and shows him that even the smallest pebble can have a big effect on the world.

THE MONKEY KING – (L-R) LIN (voiced by Jolie Hoang-Rappaport) and MONKEY KING (Jimmy O. Yang). Cr: Netflix © 2023

Director: Anthony Stacchi (The Boxtrolls)
Producer: Peilin Chou
Executive Producer: Stephen Chow
Cast: Jimmy O. Yang, Bowen Yang, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Jo Koy, Ron Yuan, Hoon Lee, Stephanie Hsu, Andrew Pang, Andrew Kishino, Jodi Long, James Sie and BD Wong

LEO – Autumn 2023
Synopsis: Actor and comedian Adam Sandler (Hotel Transylvania, The Wedding Singer) delivers signature laughs in this coming-of-age animated musical comedy about the last year of elementary school – as seen through the eyes of a class pet. Jaded 74-year-old lizard Leo (Sandler) has been stuck in the same Florida classroom for decades with his terrarium-mate turtle (Bill Burr). When he learns he only has one year left to live, he plans to escape to experience life on the outside but instead gets caught up in the problems of his anxious students — including an impossibly mean substitute teacher. It ends up being the strangest but most rewarding bucket list ever…

LEO – Jaded 74-year-old lizard Leo (Adam Sandler) has been stuck in the same Florida classroom for decades with his terrarium-mate turtle (Bill Burr). When he learns he only has one year left to live, he plans to escape to experience life on the outside but instead gets caught up in the problems of his anxious students. It ends up being the strangest but most rewarding bucket list ever… Cr: Netflix © 2023

Directors: Robert Marianetti, Robert Smigel, David Wachtenheim
Produced by: Happy Madison
Cast: Adam Sandler, Bill Burr, Cecily Strong, Jason Alexander, Rob Schneider, Sadie Sandler, Sunny Sandler, Jackie Sandler, Heidi Gardner, Nick Swardson, Nicholas Turturro, Robert Smigel, Jo Koy, Stephanie Hsu

CHICKEN RUN: DAWN OF THE NUGGET – Autumn 2023
Synopsis: From the multi Academy and BAFTA award-winning Aardman (Creature Comforts, Wallace & Gromit, and Shaun the Sheep), and Academy Award and BAFTA-nominated director Sam Fell (ParaNorman and Flushed Away, respectively), comes Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, the eagerly anticipated sequel to the beloved and highest-grossing stop-motion animated film of all time, Chicken Run. Having pulled off a death-defying escape from Tweedy’s farm, Ginger has finally found her dream — a peaceful island sanctuary for the whole flock, far from the dangers of the human world. When she and Rocky hatch a little girl called Molly, Ginger’s happy ending seems complete. But back on the mainland the whole of chicken-kind faces a new and terrible threat. For Ginger and her team, even if it means putting their own hard-won freedom at risk — this time, they’re breaking in!

CHICKEN RUN: DAWN OF THE NUGGET – (L to R): Fetcher (Daniel Mays), Nick (Romesh Ranganathan), Mac (Lynn Ferguson), Bunty (Imelda Staunton), Ginger (Thandiwe Newton), Babs (Jane Horrocks) and Fowler (David Bradley). The world’s greatest hens-emble are back and hatching a plan in Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget – the eagerly anticipated sequel to Aardman’s hit film Chicken Run. Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget will make its debut later this year, only on Netflix.
CHICKEN RUN: DAWN OF THE NUGGET will make its debut only on Netflix in 2023. Cr: Aardman/NETFLIX © 2023

Director: Sam Fell
Story by: Karey Kirkpatrick & John O’ Farrell
From a screenplay by: Karey Kirkpatrick & John O’ Farrell and Rachel Tunnard
Producers: Steve Pegram, Leyla Hobart
Executive Producers: Peter Lord, Nick Park, Carla Shelley, Paul Kewley, Karey Kirkpatrick
Cast: Thandiwe Newton, Zachary Levi, Bella Ramsey, Imelda Staunton, Lynn Ferguson, David Bradley, Jane Horrocks, Romesh Ranganathan, Daniel Mays, Josie Sedgwick-Davies, and Nick Mohammed

IN YOUR DREAMS – 2024
Synopsis: A perfect family? Siblings who get along? Yeah… in your dreams. This is a comedy adventure about Stevie and her brother Elliot who magically travel into the world of dreams with the mission of finding The Sandman who will grant them their ultimate wish — saving their parents’ marriage. The kids are total opposites, making them an unlikely duo to navigate the absurdity of their own subconscious. Along their journey, they discover that as long as they have each other, they can face anything, even their worst nightmare.

IN YOUR DREAMS – A perfect family? Siblings who get along? Yeah, right… in your dreams. This is a comedy adventure about Stevie and her brother Elliot who magically travel into the world of dreams with the mission of finding The Sandman who will grant them their ultimate wish — saving their parents’ marriage. The kids are total opposites, making them an unlikely duo to navigate the absurdity of their own subconscious. Along their journey, they discover that as long as they have each other, they can face anything, even their worst nightmare. Cr: NETFLIX © 2023

Director: Alex Woo
Co-Director: Erik Benson
Producers: Gregg Taylor, Tim Hahn

SAVING BIKINI BOTTOM: THE SANDY CHEEKS MOVIE – 2024
Synopsis: When Bikini Bottom and all its denizens are suddenly scooped out of the ocean, Sandy Cheeks and SpongeBob SquarePants journey to Texas to save the town from a villainous plot.

Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie – (L-R) SpongeBob SquarePants (voiced by Tom Kenny) and Sandy Cheeks (voiced by Carolyn Lawrence). Cr: Netflix © 2023

Director: Liza Johnson (The Last of Us, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Dead to Me)
Teleplay by: Kaz and Tom Stern
Story by: Kaz
Based on the Series SpongeBob SquarePants Created by Stephen Hillenburg
Executive Producers: Marc Ceccarelli, Vincent Waller
Animation Supervisor: Piero Piluso
Music by: Moniker
Music Supervisor: Karyn Rachtman
Cast: Carolyn Lawrence, Tom Kenny, Wanda Sykes, Clancy Brown, Bill Fagerbakke, Mr. Lawrence, Rodger Bumpass, Johnny Knoxville, Craig Robinson, Grey DeLisle, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino, Matty Cardarople

THAT CHRISTMAS – 2024
Synopsis: Based on the successful series of children’s books by BAFTA winner and Academy Award nominee Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually, Yesterday), Locksmith Animation’s heartwarming film marks the feature film directorial debut of renowned character animation and story artist veteran Simon Otto (Love, Death & Robots, How to Train Your Dragon trilogy). That Christmas follows a series of entwined tales about love and loneliness, family and friends, and Santa Claus making a big mistake, not to mention an enormous number of turkeys! Nicole P. Hearon (Moana, Frozen) and Adam Tandy (The Thick of It, Detectorists) are producers.

Courtesy of Locksmith Animation

Director: Simon Otto
Producer: Nicole P. Hearon, Adam Tandy
Writer: Richard Curtis

THELMA THE UNICORN – 2024
Synopsis: Thelma is a small-time pony who dreams of becoming a glamourous music star. In a pink and glitter-filled moment of fate, Thelma is transformed into a unicorn and instantly rises to global stardom. But this new life of fame comes at a cost. Thelma the Unicorn is a hilarious, quirky and heartfelt ride from directors Lynn Wang (Unikitty!) and Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite).
Directors: Jared Hess, Lynn Wang
Producer: Pam Coats

THELMA THE UNICORN – Thelma is a small-time pony who dreams of becoming a glamourous music star. In a pink and glitter-filled moment of fate, Thelma is transformed into a unicorn and instantly rises to global stardom. But this new life of fame comes at a cost. Thelma the Unicorn is a hilarious, quirky and heartfelt ride from directors Lynn Wang (Unikitty!) and Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite). Cr: Netflix © 2023

ULTRAMAN – 2024
Synopsis: Based on the beloved Japanese character, Netflix’s Ultraman follows baseball superstar Ken Sato as he returns to his home country of Japan to pick up the mantle of Earth-defending superhero Ultraman. He soon finds more than he bargained for when he’s forced to raise the offspring of his greatest foe. Ken must go on a heroic journey, balancing parenthood, his estranged father, and the relentless Kaiju Defense Force to rise beyond his ego and discover what it truly means to be Ultraman.

Courtesy of Netflix

Director: Shannon Tindle (Lost Ollie)
Co-Director: John Aoshima
Written by: Shannon Tindle, Marc Haimes
Produced by: Tom Knott, Lisa Poole
Production Company: Tsuburaya Productions, Industrial Light and Magic (ILM)

The post Netflix Offers First Look At 2023-2024 Animated Feature Films Slate appeared first on Skwigly Animation Magazine.

Image via Blue Zoo

London-based animation studio, Blue Zoo Animation Studio, has received an Epic MegaGrant from Epic Games, that will be used to support the development of their new real-time tool “MoPo”. Mopo allows animation artists to use immersive VR technology to rapidly create characterful 3D animated content for platforms such as TikTok and YouTube.

Blue Zoo is a multi-BAFTA and Emmy-winning, B Corp certified, production company that has grown to become one of the UK’s leading & largest animation studios. The studio’s vision is to build an animation studio with heart, through creating positively impactful content that the team is proud of creating.

Image via Blue Zoo

Image via Blue Zoo

With this accelerated performance, MoPo can be used for prototyping new shows, creating animatics, or producing finished animation for quick turnover platforms such as YouTube or Tik Tok. Animating a 30 second scene, which used to take up to several days, can now be accomplished in minutes.

Using Unreal Engine 5 for this enables not just the animation to be extremely fast, but the post-production process too. Taking advantage of the sequencer in Unreal Engine, in-camera post-processing effects, and fast rendering means that finished frames can be output directly from Unreal, with no compositing step needed. Artists are also able to take advantage of Unreal’s real-time physics and dynamics, meaning characters and props react to and affect the world around them as the performance is created, rather than having to rely on expensive simulations after the fact.

Keeping everything in one software package and reducing the number of production steps means a much smaller team can create the same quality content faster and more cost effectively.

Head of Real-Time at Blue-Zoo, Phil Stewart, says:

We’re very proud and excited to have been selected as Epic MegaGrants recipients by Epic Games. The team has been working very hard to create MoPo, which will allow us to produce animated content faster than we ever have before, and also lets us harness the power of Unreal Engine to speed our workflow up even further. We have completed several pilots using MoPo already – including “Silly Duck” launched on the studio’s “Little Zoo” YouTube channel in December 2022 – and our animators are loving the hand-made, spontaneous feel of the animation they are producing. Also, being able to take advantage of Unreal’s dynamics and real-time simulation we can get a real charm and physicality to the content produced.

For more information visit www.madewithmopo.com

The post Blue Zoo receives Epic Megagrant in support of MoPo – a revolutionary new way of rapidly creating animated content using VR in Unreal Engine appeared first on Skwigly Animation Magazine.

ANIMARKT Stop Motion Forum, organized by MOMAKIN, is an open road for career and dreams coming true for many stop-motion creators. Future projects produced in stop motion can now fight for similar opportunities, as enrolment for this year’s ANIMARKT Pitching section has started, with applications being open until the end of May.

Pitching – the competition section of ANIMARKT Stop Motion Forum – gives an extraordinary opportunity to present project in front of group of experts from the world animation industry, gaining partners and winning awards that will support the creators in the film’s production process and open the path to an international career in front of them.

This year, just like before, submissions for ANIMARKT Pitching have two formats: short projects in development, with at least a first draft of the script and lasting no more than 25 minutes. The second format is dedicated to feature film projects, TV series or TV specials at different stages of realisation. One necessary condition in both cases is that at least 80% of the animation has to be planned to be made with stop motion technique. A new criterion is an obligatory plan for sustainable film production. This element is going to stand for 10% of evaluation of the entire project.

We are well aware how big of a challenge for the environment are actions connected with film production, that’s why we search for solutions that will allow us to minimize this negative impact. This is where the idea for green production criterion in pitching session came from.

Agnieszka Kowalewska-Skowron, Forum director

Among all submitted applications jury is going to choose 10 projects in every format.

Creators of the best projects will compete for awards in Łódź in Autumn. Thanks to the prizes they will get closer to making their ideas come true. For the submissions in the Pitching section, applicants have until 31^st of May to submit their project. Results will be announced on 31^st of July.

Audience members during Animarkt 2022 Pitching session

Just as last year and years before that, before appearing in front of the audience finalists who have qualified for pitching will undergo training sessions focused on presentation and performance techniques.

ANIMARKT Stop Motion Forum is going to take place between 4^th and 8^th of October in Łódź, Poland. Apart from competition part of the pitchings and workshops, there will be masterclasses and panel discussions. There also won’t be any shortage of meetings focused on getting in touch with industry representatives or recruitment sessions for animation studios from all around the world.

Link to the Pitching submission form : bit.ly/3L5h1qh

More information about the event can be found at www.animarkt.pl

The post Pitching Ready, Set, Go! Open Call For Animarkt 2023 Stop Motion Pitching Competition appeared first on Skwigly Animation Magazine.

Manchester Animation Festival, the UK’s biggest celebration of animated film has launched it’s 2023 call for entries and revealed that Will Becher, the Oscar-nominated co-director of Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon has been revealed as the artist who has designed the Manchester Animation Festival 2023 ident.

The festival, which celebrates its 9th edition between the 12-17 November 2023 in venue and then from the 18-30 online has also launched a call for entries for its Film Competition and Industry Excellence Awards, with winners receiving a magnificent trophy, designed and manufactured by master modelmakers Mackinnon and Saunders.

Since 2019 MAF has welcomed designers, animators and artists with an association with the festival to design the look of the event, which takes place from the 12-17 November in venue and then 18-30 November online. A tradition started by Frida Ramirez through to Izzy Burton last year.

Becher has perhaps one of the longest associations with the festival dating back to 2015 when the event was established having been one of the first guests at the event, presenting the first Shaun the Sheep feature for the inaugural MAF.

Becher said:

“As a long-time fan of the Manchester Animation Festival, it is a great honour to be involved in creating the look for the 2023 edition. I love stop-motion animation, character comedy… and bees… so bringing to life this year’s bespoke festival intro will be the perfect challenge.”

As a somewhat peculiar tradition Becher has attended every odd numbered edition of MAF, presenting work such as the Shaun the Sheep features, Early Man as well as sitting on the jury and sharing his character animation expertise. This makes him no stranger to the festival and it’s host venue HOME.

Will Becher speaking at MAF 2019

Becher continued:

“The iconic HOME venue in Manchester is a great place to meet fellow filmmakers, animation fans and enjoy this varied artform at the UK’s largest festival of animation – I can’t wait to see the MAF 2023 programme.”

Having worked for Aardman Animations, Laika and on his own short films such as Off Beat and The Weatherman it won’t come as a surprise that the 2023 design features a traditional clay feel and handmade look.

As well as producing the teaser image above a full poster and animated sting will be revealed in September when the MAF 2023 programme is launched and the films selected for competition are announced.

Speaking of his upcoming film, Becher noted:

“I’m so excited to be working on the branding and animated titles for the Manchester Animation Festival 2023. The MAF team have given me the opportunity to explore more of my own work and style and I can’t wait to share the results with this years audiences on the big screen in November. Through creating the look for MAF 2023 I’m exploring vibrant colours and textures in clay and aim to discover just how much performance one can get from an insect.”

Manchester Animation Festival returns in venue from the 12-17 November 2023 and then online from the 18-30 November. The call for entries for the film competition is open now on FilmFreeway and the Industry Excellence Awards are open on the MAF website until the 28 July.

The post Will Becher, Academy Award Nominated Director Redesigns Manchester Animation Festival For 2023 appeared first on Skwigly Animation Magazine.

Hungry Bear Tales To The Pole! (Bionaut/Dandelooo – image courtesy of Dandelooo)

The deal gives Dandelooo exclusive worldwide television and theatrical distribution rights to the 2D Christmas Special directed by Katerina Karhankova.  Loosely based on the books by Zbynek Cernik, Hungry Bear Tales To The Pole! is created by Katerina Karhankova and Alexandra Majova and targeted at kids aged 4- to 7-year-olds.  The Christmas Special with its soft ecology twist follows the great adventures of two very hungry friends Ned and Mishka as they learn not to be afraid to go out into the world and make new friends.

The new story Hungry Bear Tales To The Pole! adds to the popular and successful 26 x 7-minute series and brand about two bears who share a cozy house in the forest.  One of them is big – Ned, the other one is tiny – Mishka and they are constantly hungry.  Most of their adventures revolve around different ways to get something delicious to eat with as little effort as possible, and they are willing to take considerable risks.  Their plans do not always go the way they imagined but their little adventures always have a happy ending.

Ned and Mishka get an invitation from their friend Mrs Polar Bear attend a spectacular festival of polar popsicles.  Now that’s an invitation you can’t refuse!  They’ve never had popsicles before and visiting a friend is always a good idea.  They can’t wait, but the problem is, they’re not quite sure where the pole is.  But Ned has read that it’s somewhere on the bottom of the globe, so they’ll just keep going down until they reach the pole. On their journey across continents, mountains, jungles, and coral islands they meet new animal friends, who they help out of tough spots.  Eventually, utterly exhausted the bears finally find themselves at the Pole, and soon realize that they’re at the wrong one!  The South Pole unfortunately!  It’s time to ask for some help and luckily their newfound friends are going to lend a hand.  And finally, they arrive,  and the celebration of popsicles can finally begin in earnest!  Welcome to the greatest polar popsicle festival ever!

Hungry Bear Tales To The Pole! has already been pre-sold to broadcasters France Télévisions, Arte Editions, DR (Denmark) and RTVS (Slovenia), STOD2 (Iceland) and YLE (Finland), with Gébéka Films releasing the Special in cinemas during Christmas 2024.

The post Dandelooo acquires ‘Hungry Bear Tales To The Pole!’ Christmas special appeared first on Skwigly Animation Magazine.

Cover image: Salvation Has No Name (Dir. Joseph Wallace)

Written by Skwigly Editor in Chief Ben Mitchell, the book features an enormous array of exclusive input from many of the most prominent and prolific names in indie animation, as well as curational insight from the teams behind some of the industry’s biggest events, festivals and distribution avenues.

The brand new 2023 edition includes updated and additional content from the original 2016 publication, with new case study interviews including filmmakers Joseph Wallace, Don Hertzfeldt, David OReilly, Kirsten Lepore, Joost Lieuwma and Tünde Vollenbroek, composers Skillbard, David Kamp and Philip Brookes as well as unique insight into the worlds of funding, festivals and distribution from Kieran Argo, Helen Brunsdon (British Animation Awards), Luce Grosjean (MIYU Distribution), Steve Henderson (Manchester Animation Festival), Rob Munday (Short of the Week, Director’s Notes), Lauren Orme (Cardiff Animation Festival), Chris Robinson (Ottawa International Animation Festival), Daniel Šuljić (Animafest Zagreb), Marie Valade (Festival Stop Motion Montréal), Nag Vladermersky (London International Animation Festival) and Aaron Wood (Animation-Festivals.com)

With the advent of advanced hand-held technology and the widespread nature of the Internet, the world of animated filmmaking is more exciting and accessible than ever. Due to this cultural and technological development, the success of independent animated film makers is on the rise. Independent Animation: Developing, Producing and Distributing Your Animated Films (Second Edition) showcases some of the greatest, most innovative giants in the field and helps guide readers through the artistic process and production techniques. Story development, casting, color theory, distribution and the intimidating aspects of production are elucidated using various examples of acclaimed, viral and award-winning animated films from all over the world. Readers will also explore the changing nature of audiences, festivals and distributors’ relationships with animation and be granted first-hand guidance in navigating the diverse fields of animated filmmaking.

Key Features:

• Covers the entire process of creating an independent animated film from story development and casting to editing and distribution
• Presents a comprehensive array of classic and contemporary case studies covering all manner of production methods from traditional pipelines to avant-garde, auteur and experimental approaches
• Features input and exclusive insight into the working processes of some of the industry’s most noteworthy indie animation talents, including Signe Baumane, Adam Elliot, Don Hertzfeldt, Kirsten Lepore, Robert Morgan, David OReilly, PES, Bill Plympton, Rosto, Chris Shepherd and dozens more
• Additional resources and interviews are available through a special section of Skwigly Online Animation Magazine.

Independent Animation: Developing, Producing and Distributing Your Animated Films (Second Edition) is available now through Routledge/CRC Press, with free shipping if ordered directly from the publisher. Plus, receive a whopping 20% discount if purchased at any point in April 2023!

The post Second Edition of the Skwigly book ‘Independent Animation’ out now appeared first on Skwigly Animation Magazine.

Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana, a world-leading international producer, distributor, and licensor of children’s animated and live action content, has teamed up with Toikido, a London based entertainment company at the cutting edge of digital design and toys, to develop a new animated kids series based on gaming IP, Piñata Smashlings.

“Toikido is an innovative new company that has quickly achieved success turning popular gaming properties into toys and apparel for a global audience,” said Pam Westman, President of Nelvana. “Their first in-house IP, Piñata Smashlings, has already garnered massive hype ahead of its launch this summer and we can’t wait for fans of the brand to see the new character-driven series that will expand the amusing Piñataverse world and showcase its characters like they’ve never seen them before.”

Launching in 2023, Piñata Smashlings is home to hundreds of playful characters called, “Smashlings” – cheeky little creatures and playful Piñatas – who love to have fun and are always on the lookout for the Rainbow Whale who drops new Rainbow pods. Piñata Smashlings will debut on Roblox this June, and plans are underway to launch ancillary productions such as toys, plush, apparel, homewares, publishing, magazines and animation.

“Building on the momentum of our achievements bringing successful gaming properties into toys and apparel, we developed Piñata Smashlings in-house as a truly immersive IP, and are pleased to add an animated series to our plans,” said Darran Garnham, Founder & CEO of Toikido. “Nelvana is known for its top quality development, production and distribution of premium kids’ content, and we couldn’t be more pleased to partner with them on the development of a playful new series that will further engage fans as they experience the ever-growing Piñataverse.”

The post Nelvana And Toikido To Develop New Animated Series Based On Anticipated Gaming Franchise Piñata Smashlings appeared first on Skwigly Animation Magazine.