Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) and Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) today announced nominations for outstanding achievement in screenwriting, television, new media, news, radio/audio, and promotional writing during 2023. Winners will be honored at the 2024 Writers Guild Awards ceremony on Sunday, April 14. See the full list of nominees at awards.wga.org.
The Animation nominees are:
- “A Mid-Childhood Night’s Dream” (The Simpsons), Written by Carolyn Omine; Fox
- “Carl Carlson Rides Again” (The Simpsons), Written by Loni Steele Sosthand; Fox
- “Homer’s Adventure Through the Windshield Glass” (The Simpsons), Written by Tim Long; Fox
- “I Know What You Did Next Xmas” (Futurama), Written by Ariel Ladensohn; Hulu
- “Thirst Trap: A Corporate Love Story” (The Simpsons), Written by Rob LaZebnik; Fox
No animated series were included in the Children’s category this year.
Animal rights org PETA has announced the recipients of it seventh annual Oscat Awards (peta.org), honoring actors and films that promote kindness to animals through their stories, costume choices and special effects. Aardman/Netflix sequel Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget won Best Picture, and voice star Bella Ramsey also received the Best Actor award for portraying Molly (Ramsey was named PETA’s Most Beautiful Vegan in 2023).
Per the awards jury:
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget takes home the top prize for its unflinching depiction of the horrors of factory farming and the humane-washing that corporations use to manipulate consumers. The film doesn’t just scratch the surface. It digs deep into the lives of chickens, reminding us that they are sentient beings deserving of compassion and respect. Using instantly recognizable animation and a star-studded cast, director Sam Fell — who stopped eating meat after doing research for the film — shows us that chickens are clever, resourceful animals who just want to live in peace.
Also receiving recognition were animated features Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, which earned the “Speciesism Shredders” award for its subtle nods to animal rights including a “GO VEGAN” license plate and Master Splinter’s correction of anti-speciesist language; and Migration screenwriter Mike White, who was awarded the “Flying V Is for Vegan” honor for the movie’s portrayal of ducks as resourceful birds with individual personalities and disturbing view of their use as food.
The Black Community Resource Centre (BCRC) will hold the second annual Montreal Animated Black Film Festival this Saturday, February 24, in celebration of Black History Month and showcasing the artistic talents of Black animators. This edition is presented in partnership with Ubisoft, Cinesite and Annex Pro. The festival will take place from 1-4 p.m. at the PHI Centre on St. Pierre Street; free registration is open now through Eventbrite.
The event will feature screenings of five films spanning various animation genres, crafted by animators Ranee-Inez Henegan-Comeau, Étienne Jean-Baptiste, Kofi Oduro, Esandi Amarakoon and Jeffrey Tawiah. The festival also highlights networking opportunities, fostering collaboration and mentorship among industry peers.
“Building upon the resounding success of last year’s festival, we recognize the transformative impact of assembling Montreal‘s Black talent to continue championing creativity, elevating visibility and showcasing their work to broader audiences,” said Sydnie Baynes, BCRC Film Festival Coordinator.
The inaugural Autism in Entertainment Conference is set to take place on Friday, April 5 at the Skirball Cultural Center, welcoming a roster of industry names, such as Nickelodeon, Sony, Ubisoft and Emmy- and Annie Award-winning animation director Jorge Gutierrez (Book of Life, Maya and the Three). The creative will present on his Hollywood career as a creator/writer/director/artist and elaborate on autism as his ‘personal super power.’
Special guests also include animator/reality star/educator Dani Bowman (Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum; Danimation) and writer/producer/director Scott Steindorff (Understanding Autism, Station Eleven). In addition, 11 neurodivergent entertainment academies/mini studios — Brainstorm Productions, DaniMation Entertainment, Ed Asner Family Centers, Exceptional Minds, Game Gen, Inclusion Films, JDS Creative Academy, The Miracle Project, Silver Drawing Academy, Spectrum Laboratory and Visual Arts Academy — are set to participate as educational partners.
“Many individuals on the spectrum have the passion, aptitude, and skills that make them well-suited for entertainment industry employment,” says Judi Uttal, AIE founder/chair and Orange County Asperger’s Support Group President. “The AIE mission is to increase awareness of these skill sets and forge pathways to internships, apprenticeships, and placement into paid opportunities.”
Event registration is free for qualified professionals on the spectrum and for entertainment industry hiring entities. Register at autisminentertainment.org.
