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Apple TV+ has announced an all-new animated preschool series, Not a Box, premiering globally on Friday, June 13. Celebrating the joys of imagination, the series is inspired by the beloved, award-winning children’s picture book of the same name by The New York Times bestselling author/illustrator Antoinette Portis.
Logline: Get creative with bright-eyed bunny Riley! With just one cardboard box, Riley imagines magical worlds — full of new friends and fantastic adventures.
Voice starring Isabel Birch as Riley and Ian James Corlett (Dragon Ball Z) as Adult, the eight-episode series invites young viewers and their families to step into a rich world of environments, characters and encounters that is as limitless as their imaginations to create, explore and celebrate.
Not a Box is produced by Dete Meserve’s Silver Creek Falls Entertainment with Meserve serving as executive producer. The series is written and co-executive produced by Emmy Award winner Michael Rabb. The animation is produced by Passion Pictures with executive producers Debbie Crosscup and Andrew Ruhemann, and directed by Siri Melchior. Additional executive producers include Harry Lowell for Nitelite Pictures, and Angus Wall and Linda Carlson for Rock Paper Scissors.
Kate Robinson, director of the Sir Ken Robinson Foundation and daughter of Sir Ken Robinson, serves as the imagination and creativity expert on the series through Apple TV+’s changemakers initiative. Robinson co-authored her late father’s manifesto, Imagine if… Creating a Future for Us All, which celebrates the power of imagination to create and recreate the world.
Aaron Waltke — a Daytime Emmy-winning writer-director-producer known for his work on Guillermo del Toro’s Tales of Arcadia series Trollhunters and Wizards, as well as Star Trek: Prodigy — has been appointed the showrunner for the animated series adaptation of Tui T. Sutherland’s bestselling fantasy novel series Wings of Fire.
The project was initially set up at Netflix as a 10-episode series in 202, from Warner Bros. Television and set to be executive produced by Ava DuVernay. but was dropped from the streamer’s slate in 2022. Amazon MGM Studios picked up Wings of Fire for its animation development slate in 2024 and announced an all-new creative team under executive producer Marc Resteghini (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Jack Ryan), former head of series for then-Amazon Studios, through Jack Tar Productions and its overall deal with Amazon MGM.
The logline for the upcoming Prime Video series reads: Five young dragons have been raised in secret, destined by prophecy to end a terrible war. But when one of their own is threatened, they decide to escape and find their own fate — saving themselves and the rest of their world along the way.
Launched in 2012 by Scholastic, the Wings of Fire franchise comprises 15 novels as well as supplementary books and a graphic novel version. The books have sold more than 27 million copies worldwide, landing at No. 1 on best-seller lists for USA Today and New York Times.
Watke most recently served as a staff writer and co-executive producer on Star Trek: Prodigy, the franchise’s first-ever animated series aimed at kids. He won a Daytime Emmy Award for writing on Trollhunters in 2018, as well as a second nomination the following year. He wrote and worked on the story for the follow-up mini-series Wizards. His animation credits also include story editor and writer on Unikitty!
Cinephiles today got their first look at Death Does Not Exist (La Mort n’existe pas), the latest hand-drawn feature from celebrated Canadian filmmaker Félix Dufour-Laperrière (Archipelago, Ville Neuve, Transatlantic). The animated drama will make its world premiere during the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, a non-competitive, independent sidebar to the Cannes Film Festival, and is slated to screen in competition at Annecy in June.
The film follows a political activist named Hélène, who after a failed armed attack on the wealthy landowners of a luxurious villa flees into the forest, where metamorphoses and great upheavals disrupt the natural order. When one of her collaborators catches up with her, Hélène must reconsider whether or not to join in the violent attack — and decide how far she is willing to compromise one belief for another.
Dufour-Laperrière told Deadline, which premiered the new clip: “It’s a story about radicality, with all its contradictions, its hopes, its dead ends. A story born from deep anger, from overwhelming desires that flare up to try and shake the world into motion – only to collide with the limits of their own actions, and their own internal tensions. The characters come to realize a clear, sometimes irreconcilable opposition: the impossibility of violence, and the impossibility of the status quo.”
Death Does Not Exist screened as Work-in-Progress at the 2024 Annecy Festival (where Dufour-Laperrière won a Jury Distinction in the Contrechamp competition for Archipelago in 2021). The film is produced by Nicolas & Felix Dufour-Laperrière for Embuscade Films and Emmanuel-Alain Raynal and Pierre Baussaron for Miyu Productions.
The film will be released theatrically by UFO Distribution in France and by Maison 4:3 in Canada. International rights are handled by Brussels-based Best Friend Forever.
You can read Animation Magazine’s interview with the acclaimed director of the movie in the upcoming Annecy issue (No. 350) of the magazine next month.
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Bandai Namco Filmworks Inc. announced today that the latest installment in the Gundam series,Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX— a first-ever collaboration between studio khara and Sunrise — will participate in Anime Expo 2025 (anime-expo.org), North America’s largest anime convention. AX 2025 will be held July 3-6 at the Los Angeles Convention CEnter.
Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-, a theatrical film composed of re-edited episodes of the Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX series that premiered in February of this year, became the highest-grossing Gundam title in U.S. box office history, earning $1.03 million and attracting more than 76,000 viewers to theaters. Now, the breakout film lands in Los Angeles for a special event taking place at the Peacock Theater during Anime Expo 2025 on Thursday, July 3.
The event will feature a screening of the theatrical Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- film followed by a talk session with key creative staff. Scheduled panelists include Kazuya Tsurumaki (director), Yoji Enokido (series supervisor and screenwriter), Tomoyo Kurosawa (voice actor of Amate Yuzuriha/Machu) and Naohiro Ogata (Gundam Executive Producer from Bandai Namco Filmworks Inc.). Fans will also be treated to giveaways and a live music performance
Bandai Namco Filmworks Inc. will also attend Japan Expo 2025 (japan-expo-france.jp), Europe’s largest celebration of Japanese culture, held at the Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center from Thursday, July 3 to Sunday, July 6. As part of a special showcase, there will be a movie screening of Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- with director Kazuya Tsurumaki, series supervisor and screenwriter Yoji Enokido, and design/storyboard artist Mahiro Maeda taking the stage to share behind-the-scenes insights into the making of the series and explore the evolving world of Gundam.
Miraculous Corp — the joint venture between Mediawan and ZAG — announces the global rollout of Miraculous Chibi, a fast-paced 2D-animated “chibi-style” comedy series (52 x 3′) that reimagines the Miraculous universe through a non-verbal slapstick lens. Designed for digital-first audiences, particularly kids ages five to 11, Miraculous Chibi will be delivering in Q4.
The first batch of episodes are anticipated to launch Q4 2025 on theMiraculous YouTube channel, with additional episodes to roll out through 2026. Disney Branded Television has acquired the series to debut on its platforms in 2026. France’s TFI has also acquired the series for a 2026 release.
“Miraculous Chibi is a celebration of everything fans love about the brand, distilled into three-minute bursts of laughter, heart and classic cartoon fun,” said Andy Yeatman, CEO, Miraculous Corp and Global Operations. “With its visually engaging storytelling, lovable characters, and universal humor, the Miraculous Chibi series is perfect for all, where big fun comes in small packages!”
Originally introduced through 10 x 90-second teaser episodes, Miraculous Chibi has already proven a smash hit — amassing over 650 million views on YouTube and over 930,000 subscribers on the dedicated channel.
Synopsis: The new Miraculous Chibi series brings Ladybug, Cat Noir, and friends, into a dynamic, action-packed world filled with cute comedic adventure and misguided missions, capturing the magic of Miraculous in a whole new way!
Each episode spotlights one of our beloved heroes, obsessively following a crazy goal as they navigate hilarious obstacles in the heart of beautiful Parisian locations — from Marinette’s family bakery, along the Champs-Elysee, to the top of the Eiffel Tower — with expressive animation, emoji-style effects, and a whirlwind of comedic chaos. Whether its Cat Noir’s overconfidence gone wrong, Marinette’s adorably awkward disasters, or a self-driving car with a mind of its own, each Chibi short is designed to delight — one comedic misadventure at a time.
“In the classic spirit of Miraculous, these comic tales of missed connections, miscommunication, and persistent pursuit are dialed up to their maximum fun in a whirlwind of cute comedic mishaps,” added Heath Kenny, Chief Content Officer, Miraculous Corp. “It’s designed to be accessible, hilarious, and universally relatable, whether you’ve followed Ladybug and Cat Noir for years or are discovering them for the first time.”
The Miraculous brand has a massive global digital ecosystem, garnering over 46 billion views on YouTube, with more than 43 million subscribers across 22 localized channels in 20 languages. On TikTok, the brand boasts more than 1 billion views, 7 million followers, and over 190 million likes. Across all platforms — including YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, X and TikTok — Miraculous has built a community of more than 50 million followers. In the gaming space, Miraculous became the first-ever TV franchise to launch on Roblox, where it has now accumulated over 830 million plays. The official Miraculous app has also surpassed 250 million downloads worldwide.
Over four days, the FMX 2025 On Site program welcomed approximately 270 speakers and 3.200 participants to experience the “Rhythm of Chance” through energizing presentations, workshops and networking events. This year’s theme celebrated the wealth of innovations and the spirit of invention in VFX, animation and digital media.
Arne Braun, State Secretary at the Ministry of Science, Research and Arts of Baden-Wuerttemberg, expressed his admiration for the “‘invisible heroes’ behind the scenes,” praising the film and media industry for being an “industry of the future.”
“It was amazing to be back at FMX, immersed in the vibrant energy that brings hundreds of companies and creative professionals to the Haus der Wirtschaft,” said Braun. “I am especially pleased, FMX has been able to welcome Paul Debevec as Program Chair. His groundbreaking work has set new standards and demonstrates how science and art can go hand in hand.”
Among the program highlights: Paul Debevec gave an inspiring keynote on virtual lighting, the Fortiche presentation on stylized animation in Arcane was filled to capacity, the Stuttgart-based studio Accenture Song VFX demonstrated how to create a space station for Dune: Prophecy, and Ed Hooks after his masterclass sold all the copies of the latest edition of his classic book Acting for Animators. These were just a few of around 200 sessions touching all areas of digital film and media creation.
“Cross-industry and cross-technology networking and better visibility of our creative potential is key to success,” said Michael Kleiner, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism. “Our aim is to make the great creative and technology events as well as the players here even more visible and to link them even more closely together — and FMX and Filmakademie are an important part of it.”
Following the On Site event, FMX On Demand has started. Much of the conference content will be available until June 10, indicated by turquoise “VOD” flags in the Program Schedule. All Press Pass holders can access FMX On Demand by clicking on a presentation, which will open a a video player automatically. Questions about accessing FMX On Demand can be answered by the On Demand Guide.
“It’s been a big FMX, absolutely fabulous!” says FMX Conference Chair Jan Pinkava. “We have had some of the best speakers and panels and sessions I have actually ever witnessed — although I didn’t get to see them all because there were so many good ones. “Thank you for being here, see you next year!”
Check out highlights of FMX 2025 in this year’s reel.
Today, international content, production and distribution company Kedoo Entertainment has officially greenlit a second season of its fast-rising kids animation hitSonya From Toastville. The series is co-produced by Lakeside Animation and Studio Metrafilms, and distributed by Kedoo Entertainment.
Launched in February 2024, season one ofSonya From Toastvillehas already surpassed 200 million views on YouTube. Building on its proven market success and as part of its global strategy, the new season will now be availableexclusivelyfor TV broadcasters and streaming platforms across international markets.
Synopsis: The series follows Sonya, a 10-year-old girl who discovers that her kitchen breadbox is a magical portal. By arranging magnets in a special way, she unlocks access to Toastville, a fantastical city on the distant planet Toastland, inhabited by the whimsical Toastians and threatened by the mischievous Crumbles.
Created for children aged six to nine, each of the26 x 11′ episodes explores Sonya’s adventures alongside her quirky friends, blending humor, heart and imaginative storytelling.
“Kedoo continues to invest in, and create, great content for kids. And despite a challenging market, we believe there is still room for brilliant and unique IP such as Sonya From Toastville,” said Olivier Bernard, COO & Co-Founder of Kedoo. “Sonya combines the incredible ingredients kids love: great storytelling and interesting, funny, and unusual characters. Through the adventures, the series demonstrates that appearances can be deceiving, and cultivates young audiences’ self-belief and resilience, as well as celebrating female empowerment.”
The upcoming animated feature On the Edge is reshaping its creative vision with the addition of acclaimed director Octavio Rodriguez (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Ron’s Gone Wrong, Incredibles 2, Coco) to the creative team. Studio 100 Film today unveiled a sneak peek image from the upcoming film alongside the helmer’s announcement.
On the Edge follows Donnie, a cynical but lovable Cuban solenodon, who takes on an outrageous mission: to avoid extinction by rebranding himself as a panda — one of the world’s most beloved endangered species. Alongside an eccentric band of equally overlooked animals, Donnie’s wild journey evolves into a heist-fueled, action-packed tale of identity, belonging and survival.
Balancing irreverent humor, heartfelt emotion, and kinetic action, “On the Edge” offers a family-friendly viewing experience that entertains while naturally sparking curiosity about biodiversity and conservation. The story challenges the idea that only the “cute and cuddly” are worth saving — celebrating nature’s quirky, lesser-known misfits and highlighting that every species matters.
“I want this film to push the boundaries of animation so our audience can fall in love with these endangered, quirky misfits. It’s a story for the underdog — about resilience, survival and finding where we truly belong,” shared Rodriguez. “As an Afro-Latino in the industry, I’ve always embraced the underdog spirit, and this film reflects that journey. Oh, and let’s not forget — there’s a high-stakes heist/kidnapping that kicks off Donnie’s mission and leads to unexpected growth and self-discovery.”
The project’s production partners are On The Edge Animation A.I.E., Able & Baker and affiliate Monkeys & Dinos, Telegael, Studio 100 International and On the Edge (The Organization). Studio 100 Film is handling world sales rights.
Studio 100 Film, who manages worldwide sales, will present the first look at the new creative direction at Marché du Film at its office apartment: 6B2 in Résidence Le Gray d’Albion, 32 bis Rue des Serbes, Cannes.
On the Edge is planned for delivery by Q4 2026, targeting children and family audiences worldwide. Los Angeles-based Viva Pictures will oversee distribution in North America.
At this year’s Marché du Film in Cannes, Turkish animation studio Siyah Marti (animasyon.siyahmarti.com), together with French film sales outfit PlayBig (playbigfilm.com), will present the market screening of the animated family feature Zatonya as well as the first-look promo presentation of the upcoming eco-comedy Zero Waste Busters.
The market screening of Zatonya will take place on Friday, May 16 at 6:15 PM at Palais I, introducing global buyers to a hilarious and heartwarming 3D adventure that blends fantasy, slapstick comedy, and satire. The film follows the eccentric inventor Sırrı and the quirky residents of the town of Zatonya, who are accidentally transported into a dazzling futuristic world where chaos, invention, and laughter collide.
Cannes buyers will get an exclusive promo preview of Zero Waste Busters — a high-energy, eco-conscious animated adventure led by three unlikely heroes on a remote island: Moni, Dako and Hipo. As they battle pollution and the nefarious schemes of villainous businessman Baron Buzzard, this fun and timely film aims to inspire young audiences around the world with humor, action and a strong environmental message. The full feature is slated for release in November 2025.
PlayBig has been appointed international sales agent for both titles, as well as for the entire catalog of Siyah Martı Animation Studios, including the acclaimed Nasreddin Hodja series, Captain Pengu and upcoming titles from the T.A.Y. historical franchise.
“We are thrilled to be representing the vibrant, diverse, and globally relevant slate from Siyah Martı,” said Frédéric Puech, Founder of PlayBig. “From wild comedies to thought- provoking eco-adventures, these films strike a rare balance between cultural authenticity, global themes, and pure entertainment.”
Zatonya
Both films are produced in Türkiye by family content-focused Siyah Martı Animation Studios, headed by producer-director Nurullah Yenihan. Directed by Mustfa H. Ozturk, Zatonya was released locally by TME Films in February 2025, earning ₺6,485,505 across 7 weeks (~$170.5K USD), placing it in the top 50 films released in Türkiye this year so far.
Distributors and buyers interested in attending the Zatonya screening or viewing Zero Waste Busters materials are encouraged to contact PlayBig for screening access and further information.
Productions from Spain, Brazil and Uruguay were recognized in the three main categories of the 8th Ibero-American Animation Quirino Awards, created to celebrate animated works from this 23-country region. Spain’s Black Butterflies by David Baute won Best Feature Film, while Brazil’s Jorel’s Brother took home Best Series, and Uruguay’s Capybaras, by Alfredo Soderguit claimed Best Short Film. The awards gala took place today in La Laguna, Tenerife, and was streamed online worldwide.
With a strong background in documentary filmmaking, Tenerife-born director Baute makes his animation debut with Black Butterflies, a feature film that follows three women from very different parts of the world that are forced to migrate due to the climate crisis. The film draws from Baute’s 2020 documentary Éxodo climático, and has been honored at the Goya and Platino Awards. Co-written by Baute and Yaiza Berrocal, the Quirino’s Best Feature Film is a production by Spain’s Ikiru Films and Tinglado Film (based in Tenerife), alongside Panama’s Anangu Grup.
After winning Best Series at the 2019 Quirino Awards, Brazilian cartoon Jorel’s Brother was again recognized for its fifth season. Created by Juliano Enrico and produced by the Rio de Janeiro-based Copa Studio together with Warner Bros. Discovery, the series is about an extremely creative boy navigating pre-adolescence in the shadow of his older brother Jorel’s popularity.
In Capybaras, winner of the Quirino Award for Best Short Film, Uruguayan writer and director Alfredo Soderguit talks about prejudice and friendship through a story starring a family of capybaras forced to leave their habitat because of hunters. The work is an adaptation of the book of the same name written and illustrated by the director, known in the world of animation for Anina (2013) and for the series Dos pajaritos, a finalist in the 2022 Quirino Awards.
This year’s jury was made up of U.S. producer Ben Kalina of Titmouse studio, Spanish researcher and programmer Carolina López Caballero, children’s content acquisitions executive at Swedish public broadcaster SVT Helena Nylander, Brazilian animation director, screenwriter and animator Daniel Bruson, and CEO of French distributor and producer Prime Entertainment Group Leyla Formoso.
The 26 finalists were chosen from 263 entries, 10 percent more than the previous year. Throughout its eight editions, the Quirino Awards have contributed to the creation of a common space for animation in the Ibero-American region, positioning its headquarters, the island of Tenerife, as a reference and meeting point for the sector.
During the gala, Lope Afonso, Vice President of the Tenerife Council and Minister for Tourism, External Action and Institutional Relations, announced the launch of Quirino Lab, a training and discussion space to be held in November 2025.
“With this initiative we intend to shed light on the issues that most concern Ibero-American executive producers. After a process of analysis and listening to the sector, Tenerife will host the evolution of the original concept of the Quirino Residency, presented last year; a project that now incorporates the promotion of collective work and adds the contributions that have emerged from the successful Futures Lab held in this edition of the Quirino Awards,” said Afonso. This new space has the support of the Tenerife Council through Tenerife Tourism and the Tenerife Film Commission. More details about the registration process will be announced next June during the Annecy Animation Festival.
The Quirino Awards are sponsored by the Tenerife Council through Tenerife Tourism.
Best Feature Film: Black Butterflies – David Baute.
Production: Ikiru Films, Tinglado Film, Anangu Grup, Tunche Films, Corporació Catalana de Mitjans Audiovisuals (Spain, Panama).
Best Series: Jorel’s Brother – Season 5 – Juliano Enrico.
Production: Copa Studio, Warner Bros Discovery (Brazil).
Best Short Film:Capybaras– Alfredo Soderguit.
Production:Palermo Estudio, Autour de Minuit, Pájaro (Uruguay, France, Chile).
Best School Short Film: Adiós – José Prats.
Production: National Film and Television School (Spain, UK).
Best Commissioned Animation: 47 – Paulo Garcia, Natalia Gouvea.
Production: Zombie Studio (Brazil).
Best Music Video: “My Way” – Jesica Bianchi.
Production: Rudo Company (Argentina).
Best Video Game Animation: Neva – Developed by: Nomada Studio (Spain).
Best Visual Development: 47– Paulo Garcia, Natalia Gouvea. Production: Zombie Studio (Brazil).
Three of FOX’s popular primetime animated series — Krapopolis, Grimsburg and Universal Basic Guys have been renewed by the network. Deadline reported today that the shows, which are all animated by Fox-owned Bento Box Entertainment, will join the broadcaster’s other long-running shows — Bob’s Burgers, Family Guy, The Simpsons and American Dad, which were all renewed for four-season pickups in April. Seth MacFarlane’s American Dad isi returning to its original home at FOX, after airing on TBS for more than a decade.
Karapopoliswill end its second season on FOX later this month. The show, which is created by Dan Harmon, premiered on FOX in Sept. 2023. Set in ancient Greece, it follows the misadventures of a group of gods, monsters and regular humans. The new pickup will take it through its fifth season.
Freshman show Universal Basic Guys, which is created by brothers Adam and Craig Malamut had already been greenlit for a second season and will now get a third season. The Jon Hamm series, Grimsburg, which is wrapping its second season on FOX, has also been picked up for a third season.
However, the future is still hazy for The Great North, which is now in its fifth season on the network. The show, which stars Nick Offerman, Jenny Slate and Will Forte, is produced and created by Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin, Wendy Molyneux and Minty Lewis. Disney TV Studios’ president Eric Schrier told Deadline recently, that the show is still under consideration. “I don’t think FOX has made a final determination on it; it’s another show that we really love. It’d be great for it to continue, but I understand if they’re not able to,” he said.
Vancouver Animation School (VANAS), the largest educational institution of its kind in Canada, is granting more than 80 scholarships to Latin American residents. Those interested in animation, visual effects and video games can apply. The institution will give 50% Scholarships for LatAm Digital Arts Students for live online programs.
Before this Summer Session, VANAS will host a free information session. The online event will take place on May 24 at 11 AM Pacific Time and will be broadcasted live on the Zoom platform.
Applicants must reside in a Latin American country and hold citizenship from a LatAm nation. Applicants who confirm their ability to cover the reduced tuition and remaining balance will be considered for the scholarships. Applicants must submit five pieces of artwork relevant to their program of interest (from 2D, 3D Animation, Production Management, Virtual Reality, etc.). Portfolios must showcase original work — AI-generated artwork will not be accepted. Scholarships are given on a first-come, first-serve fashion. LatAm nationals residing outside of Latin America (e.g., a Mexican citizen living in the U.S.A.) are not eligible.
“We at VANAS always fostered creativity anywhere in the world. This is a unique opportunity for talents in Latin America to advance their career in the animation and visual effects industry. Anyone there can apply and have access to Canadian education,” says Mario Pochat, CEO and founder of VANAS.
Founded in 2010, Vancouver Animation School is a fully accredited online school offering advanced programs for the animation, visual effects, and video game industries. The company offers vocational certificates, diplomas, and university pathways in a variety of art and technology, media, and design fields. In 2013, VANAS became the first 100% online institution to be fully accredited in Canada and opened its U.S.A. Branch in 2021. The institution frequently offers free tutorials on its YouTube channel.
VANAS | 50% Scholarships for LATAM Digital Arts Students – 2025
Summer Session: June 30, 2025 (Submission Deadline: June 9, 2025)
Register Now using this link
Submit your portfolio and required documentation using this form.
Thomas & Friends announced today its kickoff to celebrate its 80th anniversary! Since its debut in 1945, the animated series has delighted audiences worldwide, and today the brand is unveiling unreleased footage, a new podcast and a chance for fans to own historic memorabilia to commemorate the brand’s legacy and rich heritage.
For the first time ever, Mattel is releasing the original, never-before-seen1983 pilot episode of the classic model series, Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, on YouTube. By meticulously piecing together 40-year-old 35mm film trims, the Thomas & Friends content team has taken footage from the first test shoot to rebuild and digitize both the picture and sound to give fans a brand new look at the episode that started it all. Mike O’Donnell, the 1984-2003 series composer, also created a new bespoke music arrangement for this special episode.
The episode features the classic model trains and the never-before-heard voiceover by legendary musician, Ringo Starr. Starr was the first of many notable storytellers to join the show, paving the way for future celebrity narrators.
“For 80 years, the Thomas & Friends brand has brought joy to generations, sharing timeless stories and valuable life lessons,” said Roberto Stanichi, EVP Hot Wheels and Global Head of Vehicles & Building Sets at Mattel. “As we celebrate this momentous year, we’re unveiling 40-year-old footage and newly uncovered stories from the vault for the first time ever, offering longtime fans and new audiences the chance to reconnect with the beloved adventures of Thomas & Friends in new and nostalgic ways.”
Building on the Thomas & Friends Storytime podcast, the brand is launching new episodes weekly beginning May 12, each centered around key themes from Thomas’ 80-year history, such as friendship and teamwork. Each episode will be complemented with a full retelling of a classic Thomas story. Some of the featured guests will be Andrew Brenner, one of the many head writers; Ian McCue, series producer; and family members of the Reverend Wilbert Awdry’s, creator of Thomas the Tank Engine: Christopher Awdry, Richard Awdry, Veronica Chambers, Mark Chambers and Claire Chambers, whom have all played pivotal roles in shaping the franchise. New episodes will be released weekly on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or wherever fans listen to podcasts.
The celebrate 80 years of entertaining generations, the Thomas & Friends franchise in partnership with auction house Propstore, is also giving fans a rare chance to own original pieces from the brands history, including signed items by celebrity friends, original artwork and props from the iconic stop-motion series that first aired in 1984. Also included in the auction are one-of-a-kind pieces signed by iconic British actors who have voiced Thomas & Friends characters throughout the years, including Olivia Colman, Eddie Redmayne and Hugh Bonneville.
Mattel U.K. will pay all net proceeds of all sums collected under the auction to The National Autistic Society, the UK.’s leading charity that provides support, guidance and advice for autistic people and their families. The global auction opens for registration on May 8, with bidding live from May 12 to May 28. More details can be found here.
Global celebrations for the Thomas & Friends 80th anniversary continue throughout the year with new podcast episodes, all-new book titles, exciting new partnerships and continued fun with Day Out with Thomas across the globe.
For more information on Thomas & Friends, visit Thomasandfriends.com and receive the latest updates on their anniversary celebrations by following the brand on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
The excitement doesn’t stop here! In 2026, Thomas & Friends is ready for a thrilling new journey that is set to delight fans old and new.
Belfast-based independent producer Paper Owl Films has been given the greenlight to produce a second season of its fast-paced Celtic-inspired adventure anime seriesLí Ban. Commissioned by Cúla4/TG4 in Ireland and S4C in the Welsh language, the series is being made with funding support from Coimisiún na Meán, as well as Northern Ireland Screen’s Screen Fund and Irish Language Broadcast Fund, and is being distributed internationally by Aardman.
“We are so thankful for the continued support from our partners which is enabling us to make a new series of Lí Ban, telling ancient Celtic stories that resonate with children worldwide,” said Gráinne McGuinness, Creative Director at Paper Owl Films. “The international popularity of anime and fantasy storytelling allows us to tell Lí Ban’s coming of age story for a modern audience and her struggle to find out who she is in the world is as real for today’s kids as it was for her centuries ago.”
The new 13 x 11′ episodes are aimed at children aged seven to nine and the whole family, as they follow Lí Ban’s quest for answers in an ancient world of gods and monsters. The series features Sadbh Breathnach as the voice of Lí Ban and Jude Petticrew as the voice of Con.
Season 2 finds Lí Ban and Con settled in Manannán’s kingdom, getting to know Morveren, Dylan, Manannán and Bíreog better but Lí Ban’s wish to regain the human side of herself is never far from the surface.
Lí Ban and Con overhear that Mídenn is still alive, imprisoned by the evil Balor on an island in otherworldly Annwn. Determined to save him from Balor’s clutches, they embark upon a quest to free the druid. But the way into Annwn is not a straightforward one. They seek help from the great Sorceress Ceridwen, and meet young Tali, her son, who befriends them and joins them in their mission.
Fantastical heroes, legendary villains and a reality that bends around Celtic magic remain at the heart of the new season. The tales are some of the wildest ever passed down the Celtic generations, with origins as old as the lands and shores that shaped it.
“The TG4 & Cúla4 teams are delighted that Series 2 of this wonderful series has now been greenlit,” said Siobhán Ní Bhrádaigh Commissioning Editor & Acquisitions Executive, Children’s Content TG4. “We look forward to working alongside the amazing creatives at Paper Owl, S4C and Aardman once again and to bringing more stories of Lí Ban and friends to life. We’re very grateful to the Irish Language Broadcast Fund, Northern Ireland Screen and to Coimisiún na Meán for supporting this project.”
Áine Walsh, Head of the Irish Language Broadcast Fund at Northern Ireland Screen, added, “Supporting kids’ content that puts the Ulster dialect of Irish to the fore is a key priority for the Fund and we’re delighted that there will be a second series of this original Irish language animation available for our young viewers. We look forward to following Lí Ban’s new adventures across the Celtic countries.”
David Hoberman (Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers, Wonder) of Hobie Films and Caroline Fraser of HarperCollins Productions (Carmen Sandiego, The Oregon Trail) have announced the studios will produce an animated feature based on the children’s book The Trumpet of the Swan by E. B. White, with David Guion and Michael Handelman attached to write. Julie Meschko of Hobie Films will executive produce.
First published in 1970, The Trumpet of the Swan has sold 10 million copies worldwide, and has never gone out of print. The story begins on a beautiful pond deep in the forest, where a trumpeter swan named Louis is born without a voice. He can’t communicate with his family or tell the radiant young swan, Serena, that he’s fallen madly in love with her. When his father steals a trumpet to help him, it changes Louis’s life forever. Aided by a boy named Sam, Louis sets off on a musical odyssey across America to clear his father’s name, win his true love’s heart, become a world-famous musician and find his voice at last.
“The Trumpet of the Swan is one of the most powerful stories ever written about a character with a disability who learns that what makes them different makes them extraordinary,” said Fraser. “The story will take audiences on a breathtaking visual and musical journey as this beloved character finds his voice.”
Hoberman added, “I’m delighted to partner with HarperCollins Productions and Guion and Handelman in bringing E. B. White’s beautiful, elegant and touching story to the screen.”
One of the most celebrated English-language writers of all time, White was a prolific and accomplished essayist who won numerous accolades, including the National Medal for Literature, a special Pulitzer Prize citation, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His first book for children, Stuart Little, was published in 1945, followed by Charlotte’s Web, which won a Newbery Honor in 1953, and The Trumpet of the Swan, published in 1970. White is also renowned for The Elements of Style, written with William Strunk, Jr.
The writing and producing teams for The Trumpet of the Swan are currently collaborating on The Mouse and the Motorcycle, a live-action/CGI hybrid set up at Amazon MGM Studios, based on the series of books by Beverly Cleary.
Guion and Handelman are known for their work on family features including Netflix’s fantasy adventure Slumberland starring Jason Momoa, as well as Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb and the Paul Rudd–Steve Carell comedy Dinner for Schmucks.
Hobie Films is represented by WME. Guion and Handelman are repped by UTA. David Wienir represents HarperCollins Productions. The E. B. White estate is represented by CAA.
Anime distributor REMOW announced that popular anime workplace comedy KochiKame (also known as Tokyo Beat Cops) will get its first English-language subtitled release, with all 373 episodes of the classic show rolling out for free on the It’s Anime YouTube channel for North America. The first episode is available now!
Synopsis: Ryotsu Kankichi, or Ryo-san for short, is an unconventional cop working at the local police station who loves money. Together with famous celebrities like Nakagawa and Reiko, his strict boss Police Chief Ohara, and other wildly unique characters, he gets everyone caught up in all sorts of hijinks!
KochiKame is an adaptation of the Weekly Shonen Jump manga of the same name, published by Shueisha, which ran for a record 40 years in the magazine. One of the best-selling manga of all time, KochiKame has been a household name in Japan for generations, and now fans in the United States and Canada will be able to laugh along with Ryo-san and a colorful cast of characters.
One new English-language episode of KochiKame will debut on It’s Anime each week. Fans can also find many other favorite anime on the channel, including nostalgic titles such as REBORN!, Yakitate!! JAPAN, My Little Monster, True Cooking Master Boy and High School Kimengumi (coming soon).
Lima-based Red Animation Studio is the latest international toon producer to tap into the industry support offered by Spain’s Canary Islands (which includes up to 54% cash rebates on qualifying production spending). The studio has launched anew outfit, Red Canarias, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. In operation for 20 years, this step provides the Peruvian studio with a strategic based for expanding its access to the European animation market.
Red Animation Studio’s recent projects include the Rovio Entertainment series Angry Birds: Maker Space (Season 2 & 3) and Angry Birds: Bubble Trouble (Seasons 1 & 2) and Moonbug Entertainment’s Crayola Crew. The studio is currently developing an original feature film, Kai, and original series Spark of the Mechas.
Red Canarias is expected to crated 40 high-skill jobs in its first year and intends to develop training programs with local universities, further boosting the Canary Islands’ animation and VFX talent pool. The new outpost will be led by Producer & Studio Manager Guillermo Peraza, CEO & Creative Director Milton Guerrero and Head of Production Marie Castañeda.
Expanding its footprint to Tenerife also serves to solidify Red Animation Studio’s collaborative relationship with Germany’s Seru Animation (The Elfkins, Rabbit Academy). The studios are teaming up to co-produce a slate of CG animated features films, to be announced, following their partnerships on My Fairy Troublemaker and Elfkins 2.
Upcoming European animated feature Mission: Granny welcomes Global Constellation to its not-so-top-secret operation, joining a growing animation and family sales slate which already includes buzzy titles such as The Last Whale Singer, The Last Dinosaur and Sébastien Laudenbach’s Carmen. The company revealed a first-look image for the pic via Variety, and will offer a teaser at this fall’s American Film Market.
Mission: Granny centers on brother and sister Paul (eight years old) and Kat (12), who are surprised to discover their super-strict grandma was actually once a globe-trotting secret agent. When Granny’s old friend-turned-nemesis orchestrates the retired spy’s kidnapping, Paul and Kat gear up to save the day. The kids will have to take a crash course in secret agent skills, hunt down the villains and stop a super weapon before it destroys their mom’s space station.
Slated for delivery in Q1 2028, Mission: Granny is budgeted at about 10 million euro ($11.3M USD) and is directed by Toni Weiss, written by Regine Anour, Andreas Schmied and John Hoernschemeyer, and produced by Loredana Rehekampff for Samsara Filmproduktion (Austria) and Jan Bonath for White Spot Films (Germany).
Peacock announced today the series pickup of TED: The Animated Series (working title) from Seth MacFarlane, following the success of the record-breaking, live-action #1 Original Streaming Comedy TED. The animated series picks up after the Ted films.
MacFarlane (Family Guy, American Dad!, The Orville) is set to reprise the voice of the loveable, foul-mouthed teddy bear “Ted,” and will also executive produce and write the series alongside showrunners Paul Corrigan and Brad Walsh (Modern Family), who also executive produced the live-action series TED.
Original film franchise stars return as series regulars to voice their roles are Mark Wahlberg (The Union, The Family Plan) as John, Amanda Seyfried (Long Bright River, The Dropout) as Sam and Jessica Barth (Ted & Ted 2) as Tami-Lynn.
Additional series regulars include Kyle Mooney (Y2K, Saturday Night Live) as Apollo and Liz Richman (Little America, TED) as Ruth.
The series comes from UCP (a division of Universal Studio Group), Fuzzy Door and MRC. Also executive producing are Erica Huggins, Alana Kleiman, Jason Clark, Aimee Carlson (Fuzzy Door) and Claudia Katz (Rough Draft).
Following its January 11, 2024 launch, Season 1 of TED broke records as Peacock’s most-watched original title to date and was the #1 Original Streaming Comedy in the U.S. for more than two consecutive months (per Nielsen). The series was also a global hit becoming the biggest U.S. comedy launch on Sky in the U.K. in over 20 years. It was recently renewed for a second season.
Coyote vs. Acme, the second Looney Tunes feature film to be rescued from the Warner Bros. write-off dumpster by Ketchup Entertainment, will be pleading its case to global buyers at the Cannes Film Market next week. Ketchup has tapped Paris-based Kinology to handle international sales for the live-action/2D animation hybrid project.
After the movie was shelved by Warner Bros. Discovery in late 2023, Ketchup’s $50 million acquisition of Coyote vs. Acme was confirmed at the end of March. The studio plans to release the pic in U.S. theaters in 2026. Ketchup this year released the fully-animated The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, also produced and then unloaded by WB.
In the movie, Wile E. Coyote has finally had enough of every Acme Corporation contraption he purchases in his endless hunt for the Road Runner blowing up in his face (figuratively and literally). The put-upon predator hires down-and-out billboard attorney Kevin Avery (played by Will Forte) to represent him in a lawsuit against Acme, pitting them against Buddy Crane (John Cena), Kevin’s former law firm boss, arguing for the company. The cast also features P.J. Byrne, Tone Bell, Martha Kelly and Lana Condor, with longtime Looney Tunes voice star Eric Bauza performing as different classic characters.
Coyote vs. Acme is directed by Dave Green (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, Earth to Echo) from a screenplay by Samy Burch (May December), story by James Gunn, Jeremy Slater and Burch. Producers are Chris DeFaria (The LEGO Movie) and James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy).
Gareth West, CEO of Ketchup Ent., told Variety: “We’re not just bringing a family film to Cannes — we’re bringing a global event. Coyote vs. Acme is a true four-quadrant crowd pleaser. The performances are sublime, the world-building is extraordinary, and Dave Green has delivered something visually inventive and emotionally satisfying that honors the Looney Tunes legacy while launching it into a whole new dimension.”
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