We value your privacy

We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalised ads or content, and analyse our traffic. By clicking "Accept All", you consent to our use of cookies.

Customise Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorised as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyse the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customised advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyse the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

ADVERTISE
HOME
Home Blog Page 54

New Animation Reigns in Spain

Paid Content
-
0
New Animation Reigns in Spain
This article was written for the
December '24 issue of Animation Magazine (No. 345).

Thanks to great talent, a favorable tax environment and excellent working conditions, the beautiful European country has become one of the top hubs for animation.

Observers of the global animation scene can easily testify that with movies such as Robot Dreams, Dragonkeeper, Unicorn Wars, the Tad the Explorer Series, Spain has become a powerful player in the industry over the past few years. This positive trend has been a direct result of the government’s effective plans to give the country’s audiovisual sector a special strategic status and earmarking over 1.6 billion euros of public investment until 2025 thanks to the Spain Audiovisual Hub of Europe Plan.

Robot Dreams

“Spain has been traditionally a country of highly skilled and creative professionals,” explains Elisa García Grande, the executive director at ICEX-Invest in Spain.“It is a territory with a rich heritage, the third most spoken language in the world and among the top leaders in digitalization and connectivity. These factors along with the efforts of the local industry and the support of the public institutions, have contributed to think of Spain as one of the top leaders in audiovisual productions in the globe. Our industry, which has more than 270 companies specialized in animation and visual effects, generates more than 10,000 direct skilled jobs and 21,000 indirect jobs, with an estimated turnover of more than €950 million.”

Elisa García Grande executive director at ICEX-Invest in Spain.

Between 2020 and 2022, Spain produced 16 feature films, 62 series and 156 animated short films, which is representative of the capacity and creativity of this resilient industry. “To reach this point, we believe that a strong bond between the industry and the public institution has been essential,” adds García Grande. “In recent years, we have different examples such as 2024 releases Dragonkeeper (a Spanish-Chinese co-production), Buffalo Kids, Rock Bottom or Sultana’s Dream. Our successes vary from last year’s Robot Dreams and 2020’s Klaus Oscar nominees, to 2022’s Oscar winner The Windshield Wiper short film. Just to give you another example, Tad, the Lost Explorer and the Emerald Tablet, was the only European animated feature that managed to be among the most watched films of 2022.”

Buffalo Kids

Animation studios in Spain have taken advantage of the rich ecosystem through the lucrative tax incentives and the availability of highly skilled professionals, to enhance their production capabilities and overall competitiveness. “The Spanish government offers significant tax reliefs, tax credit and tax rebate up to 30% on eligible production expenses and up to 60% in some regions,” she points out. “This financial support has incentivized both local and foreign studios to invest in animated projects within the country, minimizing the risks associated with production costs which encourage studios to undertake larger and more ambitious projects.”

Additionally, Spain’s robust educational institutions with specialized courses and degrees in animation and digital arts, have fostered a great workforce available. This pool of technical and creative talent allows the studios to maintain high production standards and innovate storytelling and visual effects. “As a result, international studios such as France’s Fortiche and U.S.’s Skydance, or more recently Australia’s Flying Bark and Poland’s Platige Image, have decided to open their own offices in Spain, enriching the Spanish industry landscape,” notes García Grande. “Knowledge exchange and artistic collaboration with the Spanish studios are contributing to produce a diverse array of successful animated and visual effects projects, driving the industry forward and contributing to the global recognition of Spanish animated film and series.”

Decorado

Investing in Excellence

Skydance Animation is a shining example of how major global studios have been successfully relying on Spanish talent over the past few years. Skydance acquired Ilion Animation Studios back in 2020 and has been working with the talented team at the studio on its first two lavish animated movies, Luck (2022) and this month’s Spellbound. “We knew the team at Ilion was talented at both telling stories and making beautiful images,” says Holly Edwards, president of Skydance Animation. “Since we started working as one studio in 2020, it became clear right away that we were like-minded in what we wanted to create together. Since then, we’ve continued to add amazing talent across our animation production and technology teams. We are so proud of the incredible work that has come from our Spanish team.”

“It’s been an amazing experience across all areas of our studio and on each movie in production,” adds Edwards. “We all share the same passion and ambition for making movies that can be enjoyed by everyone around the world. It’s also ‘icing on the cake’ that our U.S. team members get to spend time in the beautiful city of Madrid.”

Spellbound [Skydance Animation | c/o Netflix]
Spellbound

Fortiche Animation, which is best known for its Emmy and Annie-winning series Arcane, is another global powerhouse that is relying on Spanish talent and facilities to make its highly acclaimed shows. Hervé Dupont, the studio’s Deputy CEO explains, “Keeping the best talent at Fortiche is crucial, and it sometimes means building the company around them. For example, when one of our top animators needed to move to Las Palmas for personal reasons, we didn’t want to lose him. So, we decided to establish a branch there, driven initially by this ‘love story.’ This move wasn’t just about retaining talent; it also aligned with our plans to expand the team while remaining competitive business wise, and make sure the culture and work quality are preserved.”

Arcane

He notes that establishing a production base in Las Palmas, in the Canary Islands, has allowed the studio to tap into the rich pool of Spanish animation talent. “The employees also benefit from a high quality of life,” notes Dupont. “Additionally, we enjoy competitive incentives that make this move strategically sound. Our team in Las Palmas is a balanced mix of international and Spanish talents. Despite cultural differences, the Fortiche spirit remains strong. Our supervisor has successfully instilled and maintained the studio’s values, ambition, and mindset within his team. This blend of talent and culture has resulted in a very positive experience for everyone involved.”

These are just some of the opportunities that Spain has to offer.  If you are interested, please visit investinspain.org

Six New ‘Bluey Minisodes’ Debut on Disney+ Dec. 9

Mercedes Milligan
-
0
Six New ‘Bluey Minisodes’ Debut on Disney+ Dec. 9

Bluey Minisodes

A third batch of Bluey Minisodes will bring the enthusiastic Blue Heeler back to Disney+ on Monday, December 9. The six new short-form episodes round out the collection of 20 for the season, premiering at midnight PDT on the streamer, and are set to roll out on Disney Jr., Disney Channel and Disney Jr. On Demand throughout the week.

Written by Bluey creator Joe Brumm and produced by Australia’s Ludo Studio, Bluey Minisodes are a series of one- to three-minute shorts capturing funny and sweet moments with Bluey and Bingo. The first batch was released on July 3 followed by the second on October 7.

The minisode stories lean into playful interactions and games that further explore the characters and world of Bluey — the No. 1 most-watched series on streaming this year-to-date through October 2024 among total viewers in the U.S., with 47 billion minutes watched (783 million hours), according to Nielsen.

The six new Bluey Minisodes premiering on Dec. 9 include:

  • “Strong Potion” – Bingo has taken a magic strength potion, so she can lift Dad about with ease.
  • “Robo Bingo” – Mum attempts to get Robo Bingo to clean its teeth with very specific instructions.
  • “Butlers” – In Bluey’s dreamhouse, Monty onboards a new butler. He takes him through the house that Jerry Lee has designed to help the ladies of the manor live a life of complete ease.
  • “Where’s Bingo?” – Dad just can’t find Bingo anywhere and no one can help, but it turns out she’s just been on his shoulders the whole time.
  • “Goldilocks” – A retelling of Goldilocks and the three bears from the bears’ point of view.
  • “Alongside” – Bluey and Honey go about their separate days until luck brings them together momentarily. A short story about the power of friendship.

Bluey is produced by the multiple Emmy Award-winning Ludo Studio for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and BBC Studios Kids & Family, the series airs and streams to U.S. and global audiences (outside of Australia, New Zealand and China) across Disney Channel, Disney Jr. and Disney+ through a global broadcasting deal between BBC Studios Kids & Family and Disney Branded Television.

‘The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland’ Producer Ruth Fielding & Director Peter Baynton Discuss Their Magical Holiday Movie

Ramin Zahed
-
0
‘The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland’ Producer Ruth Fielding & Director Peter Baynton Discuss Their Magical Holiday Movie

***This article was written for the January ’25 issue of Animation Magazine (No. 346)***

What would Santa find if he went down the same rabbit hole that took Alice to Wonderland? That’s the fun premise behind the new animated musical feature The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland, which premieres on Hulu and Prime Video on November 15. Based on Carys Bexington’s best-selling book, which is a clever mix of Lewis Carroll’s timeless classic and Clement Clarke Moore’s poem Twas the Night Before Christmas. Produced by Universal Pictures Content Group and Lupus Films, the movie is directed by Peter Baynton with a script by Sara Daddy. It features the voices of Gerard Butler as St. Nick, Emilia Clarke as the Queen of Hearts and Simone Ashley as Alice.

We had a chance to chat with the film’s producer Ruth Fielding (Kensuke’s Kingdom, Mog’s Christmas, Ethel & Ernest, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt) and Peter Baynton (The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse) to find out more about this early holiday treat.

 

Peter Baynton and Ruth Fielding [c/o Lupus Films]
Peter Baynton and Ruth Fielding [c/o Lupus Films]
Animation Magazine: Congratulations on delivering this wonderful animated adventure right before the holidays. I think we can all use such a charming gift right about now. Can you tell us a bit about how this project started and came to be?

Ruth Fielding: My fellow producer Camilla Deakin and I were  first shown Carys Bexington and Kate Hindley’s book by Helen McAleer, who was working for Macmillan Children’s books at the time. She was an executive producer on our film We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and thought that it felt like a Lupus Films project. We first developed it into a special, but then NBCUniversal felt it had legs for a feature, so we expanded the picture book into a feature film and commissioned Sara Daddy to write the screenplay. The book is written in rhyming couplets and so it was a challenge, but a fun one, for Sara to write the whole film in rhyme. We were working with Guy Chambers on another project at the time and we showed him the book. He instantly fell in love with it and started writing the songs.

 

What did you love about the original property?

Peter Baynton: It’s such a bold premise: Santa heads to Wonderland. Cue myriad daft ideas and opportunities for jokes and chaos. Carys’s book struck me as quite daring, mixing together these two until-now separate worlds, and there was something about it, the anarchy and nonsense of Lewis Carroll’s world colliding with the man-on-a-mission nature of St. Nick’s annual delivery round, that really caught the imagination. Carys Bexington’s skeptical reindeer rubbing up against St. Nick’s idealism tickled me, and the princess’s fable that forms the backbone of the film gives the story such a warm heart. Kate Hindley illustrated the original property, and I was bowled over by the charm of her drawings; they’re so characterful and appealing, and so rich in pattern and detail, that the prospect of bringing them to life in animation was very luring indeed.

 

The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland [c/o Universal Pictures Content Group, Lupus Films]
A Scrooge in Wonderland: On Christmas Eve, St. Nick (Gerard Butler) receives a letter from the Princess of Hearts (Eliza Riley, Flack), which was sent but not delivered in a timely fashion. In Wonderland, Santa and his reindeer meet the mean and miserable Queen of Hearts (Emilia Clarke), who hates all things Christmas.
Please tell us a bit about the animation and the tools used to create it?

Peter: We animated the characters in CelAction, software that was written originally for the team behind Peppa Pig. It’s a rigged 2D approach, a sort of digital equivalent to cut-out animation, and we were fortunate enough to have Joris van Hulzen, who has directed several series of Peppa Pig, as our animation director. We decided very early on that CelAction was going to be our tool of choice because it was clear that it would have been very difficult and expensive to animate using traditional 2D with all the fabric patterns, scribbly bits, fur-trims, freckles and buckles that make up Kate’s gorgeous illustrations. Cut-out felt like the best approach, and an exciting one for me because I was new to it.

 

Where was the animation done? How many people worked on it?

Ruth: The animation was all done in our studio in Islington in London. It was great to have all the crew working under one roof with Peter and the other HODs. We had around 60 people from storyboard through to compositing and it took us just over two years to make. We were delayed a bit by the actors’ strike, but other than that it was plain sailing and we had a lot of fun.

 

What would you say was the toughest aspect of marrying two very familiar and beloved children’s stories?

Peter: It felt really important to make sure the world of our film, and its characters, felt somehow truthful to their origins, and that the spirit of the film felt respectful and faithful to the original works, despite our obvious departures from them. Having said that, I always found there to be a dark and unsettling edge amidst the silliness and curiosity of Lewis Carroll’s world, so I think one tough aspect for me was grappling with that darker aspect of his world and deciding instead to focus more on the humorous and daft side of it.

 

The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland [c/o Universal Pictures Content Group, Lupus Films]
A Hand-Made Gift: The creative team at Lupus Films wanted to maintain the distinctive illustration style of the original book, showcasing an artist’s touch in each frame.
 

What are you most pleased about?

Peter:  I love St. Nick. I love his naive optimism and game spirit, and his kindness. I find Gerard’s performance so funny and heartwarming. I love the reindeer team and their down-to-earth pragmatism. We all need a team of skeptical reindeer in our lives! I love Emilia’s Queen of Hearts, her grumpiness (the Queen’s, not Emilia’s) and vulnerability. And really the whole cast for such a splendid ensemble of performances. I love the character animation and feel so proud of the team for creating such lovely performances, and I think the backgrounds are utterly gorgeous. I love Guy and Amy’s songs, and I love the sound design. Ultimately the film is the coming-together of a whole bunch of wonderful things, but I guess the thing I’m most pleased with is having created versions of these characters that I adore, that crack me up, and that I want to spend time with.

 

Can you talk about the overall look of the project?

Peter: I’m a sucker for a beautiful picture book and I wanted to keep the film feeling as illustrated, hand-crafted and 2D as possible, eschewing parallax camera moves by and large and CGI altogether, and just enjoying well-crafted character animation sitting on top of beautiful background paintings of delightfully designed locations. I find the hand-made nature of animation to be utterly charming; seeing the pencil marks, the techniques on display, the little idiosyncrasies that say, “a human made this.” Our fantastic art director Annes Stevens developed an approach to the background paintings that incorporated lots of drawn detail and hatched shading, and I think of them as fuller, cinematic versions of Kate Hindley’s simpler and flatter illustrations. Kate’s work is full of patterns and ornament, and we indulged our enthusiasm for them throughout the movie’s various locations — there are a few wallpaper designs I wouldn’t mind taking home with me let me tell you.

 

The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland [c/o Universal Pictures Content Group, Lupus Films]
New Songs for the Season: The animated special features original music and songs written by long-time Robbie Williams collaborator Guy Chambers and Grammy Award-winning songwriter Amy Wadge.
Of course, we have to know: What are some of your personal favorite animated holiday specials?

Ruth: I know this is biased as we made it, but my favorite holiday special is The Snowman and The Snowdog, because it always gets me in the mood for Christmas. It was such a joy to make using pencil on paper and the music is so festive. I know when it’s on, it’s time to settle down under the fleecy blanket on the sofa and indulge in Christmas TV.

Peter: It’s not animated, but I have to pick The Muppet Christmas Carol, which is basically perfect. I love Rizzo’s razzing of the Great Gonzo’s Dickens and the way they frame the story with that fourth-wall breaking narration. That playfulness was a great inspiration for our movie. I love Statler and Waldorf’s turn as the Marley and Marley, and Miss Piggy’s anti-Scrooge tirade right at the end. The songs are brilliant, and there’s such a confidence and joyfulness to it amidst that pathos. I love it!

 

Final thoughts on what you hope audiences will take away from The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland?

Peter: I hope they enjoy it, quite frankly. I hope they find it funny, entertaining, uplifting, surprising. I hope they get cheek-ache, and ear-worms. I hope there is kindled a renewed appreciation for the slide whistle. At the movie’s core there is kindness and a good deal of heart, so I hope kids and their adults too will take that away with them.

Ruth: Yeah, what he said!

 

The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland premieres on Prime Video and Hulu on November 15 in the U.S. The feature is produced by Universal Pictures, Sky and Lupus Films, in association with Islington Films. It will debut on Sky Cinema on December 13 in the U.K. 

‘Secret Level’ Trailer Uploads a New World of Animated Video Game Stories

Mercedes Milligan
-
0
‘Secret Level’ Trailer Uploads a New World of Animated Video Game Stories

Today, Prime Video premiered the official trailer for its highly anticipated adult-animated anthology series Secret Level, from Amazon MGM Studios and Blur Studio. The project presents original stories set within the worlds of some of the world’s most popular video games.

Secret Level will be available exclusively on Prime Video in over 240 countries and territories worldwide starting on December 10, with additional episodic drops until December 17.

Secret Level showcases a star studded cast including Arnold Schwarzenegger (The Terminator Franchise), Kevin Hart (Jumanji), Keanu Reeves (John Wick), Temuera Morrison (The Book of Boba Fett, Chief of War), Ariana Greenblatt (Barbie), Heaven Hart, Emily Swallow (The Mandalorian), Gabriel Luna (The Last of Us, Terminator: Dark Fate), Ricky Whittle (American Gods, Land of Bad), Patrick Schwarzenegger (The White Lotus), Merle Dandridge (The Last of Us), Claudia Doumit (The Boys), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Lost, The Union), Clive Standen (Vikings, The Morning Show), Laura Bailey (The Legend of Vox Machina) and Michael Beach (The Perfect Couple, Tulsa King).

Secret Level © Amazon MGM Studios

Additionally, on November 18, audiences can look forward to exclusive episode-specific content drops on the Secret Level social handles. And, to celebrate the launch of the new series, for 48 hours only Amazon is giving U.S. Prime members 10% off select digital gaming currencies from top brands, including Secret Level partners PlayStation, Xbox and Epic Games. Customers can find this deal and more here.

Secret Level is created by and executive produced by Tim Miller (Love, Death + Robots). Dave Wilson serves as executive producer and supervising director.

As previously announced, the show will present original animated stories inspired by the games Armored Core, Concord, Crossfire, Dungeons & Dragons, Exodus, Honor of Kings, Mega Man, New World: Aeternum, PAC-MAN, Sifu, Spelunky, The Outer Worlds, Unreal Tournament, Warhammer 40,000 and PlayStation Studios titles.

Animation Workers Deliver Petition to DreamWorks Execs in Second “March on the Boss”

Animation Magazine
-
0
Animation Workers Deliver Petition to DreamWorks Execs in Second “March on the Boss”

Hundreds of workers represented by The Animation Guild (TAG) gathered today outside Glendale’s DreamWorks’ office to present a petition signed by more than 58,000 working TAG members and public supporters to DreamWorks executives.

Per the union, “The petition reminds these bosses that while animation workers kept content alive during the COVID lockdown, and animation is outperforming on screens big and small, animation workers are facing unprecedented levels of unemployment, losing their healthcare, homes and livelihoods.”

TAG has been in negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) since August. To date, the Guild’s priority issues are still on the table. These include fair wages, job security and common-sense guardrails around generative AI use. Following the delivery of the petition to Netflix last month, this second “March on the Boss” at DreamWorks is part of a series of actions demonstrating TAG members’ commitment to obtaining a contract that adequately meets these demands.

Before the petition was delivered, Character Designer Michelle Drennan. “We’re here today because the AMPTP has not responded in a realistic way to our biggest asks. We need to show them that we are not going to back down without the things that we need to make sure our industry survives,” Drennan asserted. “We’re facing unprecedented and existential threats, and we are taking it seriously. There have been numerous news articles where they’re talking about replacing us, and cutting our workforce by huge numbers. We’re not just going to sit back and take it.”

Animator Ashley McGivern, a Guild member in attendance, stated, “I came out here because I’m personally sick and tired of there not being a sustainable model for us. In particular, [animators’ jobs] have been outsourced for the better part of 30 to 40 years, and we’re often underappreciated. Now this is starting to happen to storyboard artists and layout artists, and I don’t want to see this industry dissolve.”

More information on negotiations can be found at TAGnegotiations2024.com.

 

The Animation Guild, also known as Local 839 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), was founded in 1952. The labor union represents more than 5,000 artists, technicians, writers and production crews in the animation industry, advocating for workers to improve wages and conditions.

E.D. Films’ Acclaimed Animated Short ‘Return to Hairy Hill’ Premieres on Vimeo

Mercedes Milligan
-
0
E.D. Films’ Acclaimed Animated Short ‘Return to Hairy Hill’ Premieres on Vimeo

After a decade in the works and a year of international festival acclaim, E.D. Films’ animated short film Return to Hairy Hill (Retour à Hairy Hill), from director/writer Daniel Gies, makes its worldwide debut as a coveted Vimeo Staff Pick today (November 12).

Inspired by his family history, E.D. Films co-founder Gies spent more than a decade developing innovative animation tools and techniques to achieve the visual and emotional impact he envisioned for Return to Hairy Hill. The film celebrated its world premiere in May 2023 at Montreal’s Les Sommets du Cinéma d’Animation where it received the Grand Prix Guy-L.-Coté award for best Canadian animated film. It has gone on to screen at 67 international festivals to date, including in competition at the prestigious Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June 2024.

Return to Hairy Hill

Return to Hairy Hill is loosely based on a tragic true story passed down by Gies’ grandmother. Growing up in an isolated region in Canada known as “Hairy Hill,” she and her siblings were abandoned by their parents at a young age.

In a poignant tale about fate, humanity and forging one’s own destiny, a mother mysteriously transforms into a bird leaving a young girl to shoulder the burden of caring for her three siblings. As each of her siblings undergoes their own metamorphosis forsaking her for the enchanting forest, the girl is left alone to choose and embrace a path of her own.

Return to Hairy Hill

“Sharing the film with audiences around the world showed us how truly universal this story is — for families everywhere,” said Gies. “We feared themes like grief, generational trauma, and mental illness would be too heavy for children, but it was kids that resonated the most with the emotional meaning of the film. As a member of the Vimeo community for many years, having my first film launch on the platform as a Staff Pick is truly special and I am grateful that the film will be available globally.”

Return to Hairy Hill has garnered international acclaim and received multiple awards, including:

Return to Hairy Hill

  • Québec Cinéma Gala Nominee, Best Short or Medium-length Film, Animation: Winners announced December 4, 2024
  • Canadian Screen Awards, Best Animated Short Nominee, Toronto, Canada, May 2024
  • Vancouver International Film Festival, Short Fuse, Vancouver, Canada, September 2023
  • Festival international du film pour enfants de Montréal, Best Animated Short Award, Montreal, Canada, March 2024
  • Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma, Competition Best Animated Short Nominee, Montreal, Canada, February 2024
  • Los Angeles International Children’s Film Festival, Daniel Koops Award for Outstanding Film Score, U.S., February 2024
  • Durban International Film Festival, Best Short Film Nominee, Durban, South Africa, July 2024
  • VIEW Conference, VIEW Award Contest Grand Prize, Torino, Italy, February, 2024
  • Tokyo Anime Award Festival, Short Animation Competition, Tokyo, Japan, March 2024
  • Busan International Kids & Youth Film Festival, Starlight Cinema Award, Busan, Korea, July 2024
  • Hsin-Yi Children’s Animation Awards, Semi-Finalist, Taipei, Taiwan, December 2023
  • Animation Dingle, Best International Professional Short Award, Dublin, Ireland, March 2024

Return to Hairy Hill

Montreal-based E.D. Films is currently producing an exclusive tutorial showcasing how artists can leverage the company’s PSD to 3D plugins used to create Return to Hairy Hill. This comprehensive behind-the-scenes guide will be available for free and found here, along with other tools designed by the company.

Return to Hairy Hill is produced by Emily Paige, E.D. Films with financial support provided by SODEC Québec. The studio’s unique and experimental toolsets are made available to the industry through partnership with the Canada Media Fund.

Return to Hairy Hill

Following on from the completion or Return to Hairy Hill, E.D. Films has embarked a number of a projects and collaborations. Most recently, the studio played a role in bringing to life “the Black Box” — the heart of Johnny Depp’s immersive art exhibition, A Bunch of Stuff. Marking the first public showcase of Depp’s artwork, the New York City exhibition features a transformation of his works from canvas to animated film, for which E.D. Films employed a blend of stop-motion, 2D and 3D animation. The studio worked on this project to support TAIT on behalf of BAUART and Pantheon Art.

Return to Hairy Hill is now available to watch worldwide on Vimeo. 

HIDIVE Unveils Two New Simulcast Titles ahead of Anime Frontier 2024

Mercedes Milligan
-
0
HIDIVE Unveils Two New Simulcast Titles ahead of Anime Frontier 2024

AMC Networks’ HIDIVE returns to Fort Worth, Texas next month for Anime Frontier 2024 with an extensive line-up of screenings of both current and upcoming titles available exclusively from the fast-growing anime streaming service. The streamer revealed two new series, From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad’s Been Reincarnated! and Beheneko: The Elf-Girl’s Cat is Secretly an S-Ranked Monster!, that will debut in January as part of its Winter 2025 simulcast season following their North American premieres at the con.

HIDIVE’s Anime Frontier 2024 programming schedule encompasses a half dozen screenings presented over the three day weekend, December 6–8, at the Fort Worth Convention Center and is open to all badge holders.

Based on the popular seinen manga by Michiro Ueyama, From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad’s Been Reincarnated! is the new isekai comedy about a 52 year old civil servant reincarnated as the villainess and main character in his daughter’s favorite video game. The show is directed by Tetsuya Takeuchi and produced by Ajia-do Animation Works, with series composition by Shingo Irie and character design by Haruka Matsunae and Yuki Miyamoto.

From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad’s Been Reincarnated! is the newest title in the slate of anime TV series acquired as part of Sentai Filmworks’ multi-year agreement with Mainichi Broadcasting System (MBS) announced in March 2023.

Adapted from the long-running seinen manga written by Nozomi Ginyo and illustrated by Taro Shinonome, Beheneko: The Elf-Girl’s Cat is Secretly an S-Ranked Monster! is the new ecchi comedy about the adventures of a slain knight now reincarnated monster that has sworn to protect his beautiful elven rescuer but must do so in the form of an adorable kitten. Produced by Zero G x Saber Works, Beheneko: The Elf-Girl’s Cat is Secretly an S-Ranked Monster! is directed by Tetsuo Hirakawa, with series composition by Kanichi Kato and character design by Tomoyuki Abe.

HIDIVE’s Anime Frontier 2024 line-up kicks off on Friday night, Day One (Dec. 6), with a special dub screening of this summer’s hit fantasy action adventure series I Parry Everything! Day Two, (Saturday, Dec. 7), starts off with a special premiere screaming of this season’s fan-favorite rom com series How I Attended an All-Guy’s Mixer, followed by a special screening of the rom com drama series 2.5 Dimensional Seduction and then the back-to-back North American premieres of the two newly announced Winter 2025 series From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad’s Been Reincarnated! and Beheneko: The Elf-Girl’s Cat is Secretly an S-Ranked Monster! Finally, on Day Three (Sunday, Dec. 8), HIDIVE closes out its programming schedule with the North American premiere of the upcoming Winter 2025 rom-com series I’m Living with an Otaku NEET Kunoichi!?, which was revealed at last month’s New York Comic Con 2024.

Fans attending HIDIVE’s events are encouraged to use the hashtag #HIDIVE on their social posts throughout the weekend.

Schedule subject to change. For the latest news and announcements during Anime Frontier 2024, follow HIDIVE on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.

 

HIDIVE Anime Frontier 2024 Schedule of Events

Friday, December 6

  • 7 – 8 p.m. Fort Worth Convention Center, Second Floor, Room 202CD — HIDIVE Presents I Parry Everything! Special Dub Screening
    • This summer, fans loved watching the fantasy action adventure I Parry Everything! — now relive some of the favorite moments from the series during this special screening of the English dub.

 

Saturday, December 7

  • 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. FWCC, Second Floor, Room 204AB — HIDIVE Presents How I Attended an All-Guy’s Mixer Special Premiere Screening
    • Fall in love with the most unexpected rom com of the season at this special premiere screening of new episodes from the hilarious and heartwarming series How I Attended an All-Guy’s Mixer.
  • 6 – 7 p.m. FWCC, Second Floor, Room 202CD — HIDIVE Presents 2.5 Dimensional Seduction Special Screening
    • Celebrate the wonderful world of cosplay at this special screening of the rom com drama 2.5 Dimensional Seduction that includes the  chance to receive an exclusive giveaway.
  • 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. FWCC, Second Floor, Room 202CD— HIDIVE Presents From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad’s Been Reincarnated! North American Premiere
    • Get ready to be transported to another world at the North American premiere of the newly announced Winter 2025 simulcast series  From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad’s Been Reincarnated! — what might just be the funniest isekai adventure of the year.
  • 9 – 10 p.m. FWCC, Second Floor, Room 202CD — HIDIVE Presents Beheneko: The Elf-Girl’s Cat is Secretly an S-Ranked Monster! North American Premiere (18+)
    • Prepare for a busty romp at the North American premiere of the newly announced Winter 2025 simulcast series Beheneko: The Elf-Girl’s Cat is Secretly an S-Ranked Monster! — the purr-fect show for fans of elves, ecchi and cats alike.

 

Sunday,  December 8

  • 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. FWCC, Second Floor, Room 202CD — HIDIVE Presents I’m Living with a NEET Otaku Kunoichi!? North American Premiere
    • Looking for a new roommate? Seeking protection from hungry demons? Then, you won’t want to miss the North American premiere of the upcoming Winter 2025 rom com simulcast series
      I’m Living with a NEET Otaku Kunoichi!?

 

Disney Debuts ‘The Boy & The Octopus’, Taika Waititi’s Holiday Tale Starring a CG Cephalopod

Mercedes Milligan
-
0
Disney Debuts ‘The Boy & The Octopus’, Taika Waititi’s Holiday Tale Starring a CG Cephalopod

The Boy & The Octopus [Disney]

A new CG-animated star is ready to make waves this holiday season in the new seasonal short The Boy & The Octopus, an original story coming from Disney and Oscar-winning filmmaker Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok, What We Do in the Shadows). The four-minute live-action short premiered today on the Disney YouTube channel.

“For generations, Disney has been an ever-present part of the holiday season all over the world, and this short builds on the enduring connection that so many families have with Disney during this special time of year,” said Asad Ayaz, Chief Brand Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Taika Waititi on this timeless story of childhood friendship against the backdrop of this magical season.”

The Boy & The Octopus [Disney]

A Disney Holiday Short: The Boy & The Octopus follows the journey of a child who discovers a curious octopus has attached to his head during a seaside vacation. After returning home, the boy forms a true friendship with the octopus by introducing his new companion to his life on land — harnessing the power of the Force with his Jedi lightsaber, playing with his Buzz Lightyear action figure, and imagining Santa Claus’ route around the world with the map on his wall — before taking the lovable octopus out into the world to experience the joy of the holidays, hidden under his Mickey Mouse beanie.

While watching the Disney holiday classic, The Santa Clause (1994), the boy comes to understand the extent of the octopus’ desire to explore everything the world has to offer, and he sets in motion a plan to make it happen. For the boy and the octopus, it is the precious everyday moments of childhood and friendship, as much as the magic of the season, that make their time together so meaningful.

Disney fans will love finding even more hidden Easter eggs throughout the holiday short, from films like Moana (2016), Lilo & Stitch (2002) and Toy Story (1995), among others.

“The story manages to connect the feelings that you get around the holidays, and the joy, the goodwill and everything, with those same emotions and those same sensibilities you get from Disney films,” said Waititi. “I think they go hand in hand and it’s the perfect match — and only Disney could have made something like this …with me.”

The Boy and The Octopus is the latest creative collaboration between Waititi and The Walt Disney Company. The acclaimed filmmaker is the director of Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), Searchlight Pictures’ Jojo Rabbit (2019) and Next Goal Wins (2023), as well as executive producer of Hulu’s Reservation Dogs, What We Do in the Shadows, and the forthcoming limited series, Interior Chinatown.

The Boy & The Octopus [Disney]

The short was created in conjunction with global creative agencies adam&eveDDB and Untold Studios, and produced by Hungry Man. A melodic rendition of “Part of Your World” from the Disney classic The Little Mermaid (1989) can be heard throughout the short, highlighting the octopus’ desire to explore the world above. This take on the fan-favorite song was recorded live by a 60-piece orchestra and mixed in the legendary recording studio Abbey Road.

The short is one of the many ways fans can experience Disney holiday magic, with special experiences at Disney Parks around the world, delightful products that bring beloved Disney stories to life, holiday classics streaming on Disney+ and Hulu, and the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive, which helps bring joy to children in need during this season of giving.

‘Light of the World’ Unveils Teaser & Key Art for New Animated Bible Pic from Disney Veterans

Mercedes Milligan
-
0
‘Light of the World’ Unveils Teaser & Key Art for New Animated Bible Pic from Disney Veterans

Light of the World

The Salvation Poem Project today revealed the key art and teaser trailer for their upcoming animated feature film, Light of the World, set to release in theaters nationwide September 5, 2025.

Set in 30 AD and told from the perspective of John the Apostle as a teen, the 2D-animated feature recounts the stories of Jesus Christ’s ministry, crucifixion and resurrection.

“We are excited to share this story of hope, love, and faith with audiences around the world,” said film producer Brennan McPherson, President of The Salvation Poem Project. “The stunning animation and compelling narrative of Light of the World will transport viewers to the time of Jesus, and remind them of the enduring significance of his message.”

The film is directed by John J. Schafer (Superbook) and Tom Bancroft (Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Mulan), with animation director Tony Bancroft (Mulan, Mary Poppins Returns, Space Jam: A New Legacy) and produced by McPherson with The Salvation Poem Project.

“We are bringing a modern 2D animation approach to the timeless story of Jesus from a perspective that will resonate with the whole family,” said Schafer. “I am so excited for audiences to experience this story on the big screen.”

Synopsis: It’s 30 AD and everyone is expectantly awaiting the coming Messiah. While Jesus isn’t exactly what they imagined, there is something special about this man. Soon John, James, Andrew, Peter, and others begin to follow Jesus on an unexpected adventure. This beautifully animated story of Jesus is told through the eyes of his beloved young friend, the Apostle John.

lightoftheworld.com

Coming Attractions: 25 Animated Movies to Catch in 2025

Ramin Zahed
-
0
Coming Attractions: 25 Animated Movies to Catch in 2025

Believe it or not, the new year will be knocking on our doors in the blink of an eye. We all need to be ready for the new crop of animated features that will continue to bring audiences to movie theaters (and to streamers) once again. So, we compiled a list of 25 high-profile titles of 2025 for you. Of course, we all know the details and release dates will be changing more than Mickey Mouse’s designs through the years! But here’s the closest we can get to a full list (in alphabetical order) in November, in case you want to keep tabs on all the coming attractions of 2025:

The Bad Guys 2. Director Pierre Perifel is back for this second big cinematic outing of the master criminal animals, based on the books by Aaron Blabey. The sequel finds the “Good Guys” pulled out of retirement and forced to do one last job by an all-female squad of evildoers! Voice cast includes Sam Rockwell, Zazie Beetz, Awkwafina, Anthony Ramos, Alex Borstein, Marc Maron, Craig Robinson, Lilly Singh and Richard Ayoade. DreamWorks/Universal, Aug. 1

The Colors Within. Naoko Yamada’s acclaimed new feature is based on Sanami Suzuki’s popular manga about a young girl who has the ability to see the colors of others’ emotions and forms a band with two other sensitive people. GKIDS/Science Saru, Jan. 24

 

The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie. Daffy Duck and Porky Pig join forces to save the world from aliens in this first 2D-animated Looney Tunes movie made for the big screen. Directed by Peter Browngardt (Looney Tunes Cartoons). Warner Bros. Animation/Ketchup Entertainment, Feb. 28

 

David. This musical adaptation of the biblical tale of the King David of Israel, from his early days as a shepherd to his reign, is directed by Phil Cunningham (Jungle Beat: The Movie) and Brent Dawes. Angel Studios/Sunrise Animation Studios, Nov. 21

David

Dog Man. Dav Pilkey’s hilarious bestselling book series about a half-man, half-dog police officer who tries to save his city from the evil schemes of Petey the Cat is now an eye-popping new DreamWorks movie, directed by Peter Hastings (The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants). With the voices of Pete Davidson, Isla Fisher, Stephen Root and Ricky Gervais. DreamWorks/Universal, Jan. 31

 

Elio. Pixar’s 29th feature follows the adventures of an 11-year-old boy who becomes the intergalactic ambassador of Earth after being beamed up to the Communiverse for making contact with aliens. Directed by Domee Shi (Turning Red) and Madeline Sharafian. With Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Jameela Jamil and Brad Garrett. Disney/Pixar, June 13

 

Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie. DreamWorks/Netflix’s huge preschool hit makes the jump to the big screen. Directed by Ryan Crego, the live-action/animated hybrid pic finds Gabby going on a road trip with her grandmother GiGi to the urban wonderland of Cat Francisco! Created by Traci Paige Johnson and Jennifer Twomey. Starring Laila Lockhart Kraner, Jeff Garlin, Ilana Glazer, Leslie Jones, Julie Kavner, Eduardo Franco, Darren Criss and Tara Strong. DreamWorks/Universal

Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie

In Your Dreams. Stevie and her brother Elliot use magic to enter the realm of dreams to meet the Sandman, who could grant them the wish of saving their parents’ marriage. This charming original feature by Kuku Studios is directed by Alexander Woo and Erik Benson, and features the voices of Craig Robinson, Simu Liu, Omid Djalili and Bob Bergen. Netflix/Kuku Studios

In Your Dreams

K-Pop: Demon Hunters. Members of a popular female K-Pop band slay evil spirits between musical gigs in this colorful action-adventure movie directed by Maggie Kang (The Lego Ninjago Movie) and Chris Appelhans (Wish Dragon), produced by Michelle Wong (Vivo) and co-produced by Scott Berri. Sony Pictures Animation/Netflix

K-Pop Demon Hunters

The King of Kings. Charles Dickens tells the story of Jesus Christ to his son in this CG-animated feature, with a star-studded voice cast including Oscar Isaac (Jesus), Kenneth Branagh (Dickens), Ben Kingsley, Mark Hamill, Uma Thurman, Forest Whitaker and Pierce Brosnan. Directed by vfx veteran Seong-Ho Jang. Penned by Seong-Ho and Rob Edwards  (The Princess and the Frog). Mofac Animation

The King of Kings

Kittened. A famous Parisian rapper named Tough Dog seeks a shy girl’s help when he accidentally swaps bodies with a kitten in this CG-animated feature directed and written by Albert Pereira-Lazaro (Lascars) and co-written by Léonie de Rudder. Mac Guff/SND

Kittened

The Last Whale Singer. A rebellious teenage humpback whale ventures with his companions to the deepest sea, where he must summon his mystical song to save the oceans from destruction in this CG-animated feature written and directed by Reza Memari (Richard the Stork) and produced by Maite Woköck. Telescope/La Boîte à Fanny /PFX/Global Screen

 

The Magnificent Life of Marcel Pagnol. Acclaimed director Sylvain Chomet’s (The Triplets of Belleville) much-anticipated new movie is set in 1955 and follows the life and adventures of the celebrated French writer, playwright and filmmaker. Onyx Films/ON Animation/Walking the Dog/Sony Pictures Classics

 

Mononoke Second Chapter: Hinezumi. This follow-up to 2024’s Mononoke movie (Phantom in the Rain) is directed by Kenji Nakamura. A spinoff of 2006’s horror anthology series Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales, it’s set at the end of the Edo period of Japan and follows a mysterious medicine seller who faces supernatural enemies. Studio EOTA, March (Japan)

Mononoke: Second Chapter: Hinezumi

 

A New Dawn. Anime artist Yoshitishi Shinomiya’s first directing debut is inspired by the changing Japanese landscape after the devastating 2011 earthquake. It centers on a young boy living in an abandoned firework factory who devises a plan to move on with his life after his father’s disappearance. Asmic Ace/Miyu Productions

A New Dawn

Night of the Zoopocalypse. This family comedy follows a group of animals that become zombies after their zoo is hit by a meteorite.  Directed by Ricardo Curtis and Rodrigo Perez-Castro. With the voices of David Harbour, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee and Scott Thompson. Mac Guff/Elevation/Apollo Films, Jan. 29 (France). Viva Pictures, March 7

 

Paddington in Peru. Everyone’s favorite marmalade-loving bear is back in this third feature adventure, which finds him and the Browns deciding to visit Aunt Lucy in Peru. However, circumstances lead them to misadventures in the Amazon rainforest and mountains of Peru. With Hugh Bonneville, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Imelda Staunton, Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas, Rachel Zegler and Emily Mortimer. Directed by Dougal Wilson with vfx work by Framestore. Studio Canal/Sony/Columbia, Feb. 14 (U.S.)

 

Plankton: The Movie. Dave Needham directs this latest SpongeBob SquarePants spinoff movie, written by Kaz, Chris Viscardi and Mr. Lawrence (voice of Plankton), which follows Plankton as his world is completely changed when his global domination plans are thwarted. With Lawrence, Jill Talley, Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence and Clancy Brown. Nickelodeon Movies/Netflix

Plankton: The Movie

Pookoo. Written and directed by Nathan Greno (Tangled), this visually stunning buddy comedy centers on a small woodland creature and a majestic bird, two sworn enemies  of the Valley, that magically trade places and set off on an adventure of a lifetime. Skydance Animation/Netflix

Pookoo

 

The Smurfs Movie. Peyo’s timeless blue villagers are back in this musical adventure, directed by Chris Miller (Shrek the Third, Puss in Boots), co-directed by Matt Landon and written by Pam Brady (South Park). Pop diva Rihanna voices Smurfette and performs original music for this outing. Voice cast includes Nick Offerman, Natasha Lyonne, Dan Levy, Amy Sedaris, Nick Kroll, James Corden, Octavia Spencer, Hannah Waddingham, Sandra Oh, Alex Winter, Billie Lourd, Kurt Russell and John Goodman. Paramount/Nickelodeon Movies/Peyo Company, July 18

The Smurfs Movie

 

The SpongeBob Movie: The Search for SquarePants. In this follow-up movie to the theatrical Sponge on the Run (2020), Our favorite absorbent hero (voiced by the brilliant Tom Kenny) goes into the deepest depths of the ocean to face off against the Flying Dutchman — voiced by none other than Mark Hamill. Written and directed by Derek Drymon. Paramount/Nickelodeon Movies, Dec. 19

The SpongeBob Movie: The Search for SquarePants

 

The Twits. Written, directed and produced by Oscar nominee Phil Johnston (Ralph Breaks the Internet), this adaptation of Roald Dahl’s book centers on the miserable and mean Mr. and Mrs. Twit, who run the most idiotic amusement park in the world (Twitlandia), and the brave orphans and magical animals who band together to stop their madness. With the voices of Margo Martindale, Johnny Vegas, Natalie Portman and Emilia Clarke. Netflix/Jellyfish Pictures

The Twits

 

Wildwood. LAIKA’s sixth animated feature is based on  Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis’ book that follows Prue McKeel and Curtis Mehlberg as they attempt to save Prue’s infant brother Mac from the crows, led by Alexandra, while drawn into a hidden magical forest. The dark fantasy adventure is directed by Travis Knight and written by Chris Butler. Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Awkwafina, Angela Bassett, Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, Tantoo Cardinal, Tom Waits and Richard E. Grant are part of the amazing voice cast. Produced by Knight and Arianne Sutner. LAIKA/Focus Features

 

The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep. This second anime feature based on the popular Netflix live-action series is adapted from a work by Andrzej Sapkowski and set between Episodes 5 and 6 of the first season of the show. Directed by Kang Hei Chul, the plot finds the mutated monster hunter known as Geralt of Rivia hired to investigate a series of attacks by mer-people. With Doug Cockle, Joey Batey, Anya Chalotra. Netflix/Platige Image/Studio Mir, Feb. 11

 

Zootopia 2. In this sequel to Disney’s Oscar-winning 2016 movie, detectives Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman) find themselves on the twisting trail of a mysterious reptile who arrives in Zootopia and turns the mammal metropolis upside down. Written and directed by Oscar winner Jared Bush (Zootopia, Encanto) and Yvett Merino (Encanto) produces. Disney, Nov. 26

Zootopia 2

Extra Bonus: Five Live-Action/CG Hybrid Ventures

Animal Friends. Directed by Peter Atencio. With Aubrey Plaza, Ryan Reynolds, Dan Levy, Jason Momoa and Addison Rae. Warner Bros./Legendary, Oct. 10.

How to Train Your Dragon. Directed by Dean DeBlois. With Gerard Butler, Nick Frost and Nico Parker. Universal, June 13

Lilo & Stitch. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp. With Tia Carrere, Chris Sanders, Billy Magnussen, Zach Galifianakis, Courtney B. Vance, Jason Scott Lee and Amy Hill. Disney, May 23

The Minecraft Movie. Directed by Jared Hess. With Emma Myers, Jason Momoa, Jennifer Coolidge, Jack Black, Jemaine Clement , Kate McKinnon and Danielle Brooks. Warner Bros., April 4

 

Snow White. Directed by Marc Webb from a script by Greta Gerwig and Erin Cressida Wilson. With Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot, Andrew Burnap, Martin Klebba and Ansu Kabia. Disney, March 21

This list will be updated throughout the year as we receive new information and changes about these titles.

 

 

 

Netflix Launches ‘Arcane’ Official After Show, ‘Afterglow’

Mercedes Milligan
-
0
Netflix Launches ‘Arcane’ Official After Show, ‘Afterglow’

Right now, Arcane fans can catch the debut episode of the adult animated series’ recap show Afterglow, which will roll out in three parts every Tuesday following the drop of each act of Arcane Season 2. Episode 2 arrives November 19, and episode 3 wraps it all up on November 26.

Presented by Netflix and Riot Games, Afterglow features exclusive sit-downs with voice stars Ella Purnell (Jinx) and Hailee Steinfeld (Vi) with series co-creator & showrunner Christian Linke as they dive into the secrets behind the critically acclaimed League of Legends spinoff.

Arcane [Netflix]

In this week’s Afterglow, the assembled Legends delve into Jinx’s inner monster, Vi and Caitlyn’s kiss, Jinx and Sevika’s relationship, Jayce and Viktor’s rift, the reveal about Ambessa, and unanswered questions from Season 2 Act One. Episode 1 also features a surprise guest cast cameo teasing what’s to come, followed directly by a sneak peek teaser of Act Two.

Watch Episode 1 of Afterglow on YouTube.

Arcane [Netflix]

In Arcane Season 2, Act One (now streaming), the aftermath of Jinx’s attack on the Council sets the stage for new leaders to emerge, new alliances to form, and a dire escalation of the conflict between Piltover and Zaun. The series is produced by Netflix Animation and League of Legends creator Riot Games, with animation by Fortiche Productions.

Act Two premiers on Netflix on November 16, followed by the finale events of Act Three on November 23.

netflix.com/arcane

Arcane [Netflix]

PBS Kids Rings in the New Year with ‘Donkey Hodie’ & ‘Alma’s Way’ Specials

Animation Magazine
-
0
PBS Kids Rings in the New Year with ‘Donkey Hodie’ & ‘Alma’s Way’ Specials

Updated: “A Donkey Hodie New Year” features the song “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” not “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.”

Kids and families can get an entertaining kickstart going into 2025 with New Year’s themed episodes coming to PBS KIDS.

From Fred Rogers Productions and Spiffy Pictures, a brand-new half-hour special from hit puppet series Donkey Hodie will offer a heartwarming tribute to Fred Rogers himself, featuring an original rendition of his iconic song “Won’t You Be My Neighbor.”

Premiering December 2, “A Donkey Hodie New Year“ finds the citizens of Someplace Else getting ready for New Year’s Eve, and Donkey Hodie is preparing for her special family tradition with Grampy and Cousin Hodie. After neighbors celebrate the countdown in their own ways, they come together for an exciting new musical tradition.

A Donkey Hodie New Year [c/o Fred Rogers Productions]
A Donkey Hodie New Year [c/o Fred Rogers Productions]

The New Year’s fun continues December 2 on PBS KIDS with the debut of a very special episode of Alma’s Way, the Emmy-nominated 2D animated series also from Fred Rogers Productions created by Sonia Manzano (known for her role as “Maria” on Sesame Street).

In the story “No Sleep ‘Til New Year’s,” Alma and Junior want to stay awake until midnight on New Year’s Eve — but will they actually make it?

Alma's Way "No Sleep Til New Years"
Alma’s Way “No Sleep Til New Years” [c/o Fred Rogers Productions]

‘An Almost Christmas Story’ Director David Lowery Discusses His New Disney+ Holiday Tale (New Clip)

Ramin Zahed
-
0
‘An Almost Christmas Story’ Director David Lowery Discusses His New Disney+ Holiday Tale (New Clip)

This article was written for the
December '24 issue of Animation Magazine (No. 345).

Back in November 2020, a tiny owl was discovered in a Christmas tree destined for Rockefeller Plaza. Four years later, this real-life event has inspired a heartwarming animated special, produced by none other than Oscar-winning Mexican helmer Alfonso Cuarón (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Gravity, Roma) and directed by David Lowery (A Ghost Story, Pete’s Dragon, The Green Knight). Titled An Almost Christmas Story, the half-hour charmer features the voices of Cary Christopher, Estella Madrigal, Jim Gaffigan, Mamoudou Athie, Alex Ross Perry, Natasha Lyonne and John C. Reilly, and premieres on Disney+ this month.

An Almost Christmas Story is the third and final installment in Cuarón’s acclaimed holiday shorts collection, which includes the live-action Oscar-nominated Le Pupille and The Shepherd.

“I had just finished directing Peter Pan & Wendy for Disney, and it was during the Christmas break when this wonderful project landed in my inbox,” recalls Lowery, who is best known for his highly imaginative and poetic live-action movies. “It was the screenplay Alfonso had worked on with Jack Thorne [Enola Holmes, His Dark Materials] and they were looking for a director. I had just finished making this huge, epic Disney film, and the idea of making something short really appealed to me. I am also a big Christmas person and love everything about the holidays.”

An Almost Christmas Story [Disney+]
A Holiday Special Takes Flight: Directed by David Lowery, ‘An Almost Christmas Story’ centers on the real-life story of an owl rescued from the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in 2020.

Textures of Real Life

Originally, the project was going to be done in live action, but Lowery, who used to make stop-motion shorts early in his career, wanted to bring a handmade aesthetic to the work. “As we started to prep, we realized the cost and difficulty of shooting in New York City during Christmas created more complications,” he recalls. “I didn’t want to compromise on so many of the wonderful things that existed in the screenplay. So, I thought the best way to tell the story was using animation.”

After exploring the possibilities of a stop-motion shoot, the creative team opted for a traditional CG approach due to the time frame and budget restrictions. “That made the best sense, but I was determined to make it as handmade as possible,” says Lowery. “I went to my friend Nick Bateman and his team at Maere Studios, with whom I had worked on Peter Pan & Wendy and The Green Knight and a couple of my short projects. He helped us build a CG New York City backdrop that feels like it was constructed out of cardboard.”

To create the look and feel of stop motion with CG animation, the team first built physical puppets. “That gave us the idea of what we wanted to see in three dimensions and what our template for the textures should be,” says the director. “I always want everything to look like you can just reach out and touch it. Everything needed to be as textured as possible, even the cardboard needed to be bent and corrugated. Our animators used Blender, and I am just stunned at what the software can do these days. I’m trying to teach myself to use it because I see my friends are able to whip up these incredible things with it. I love the fact that it’s a tool that’s available to everyone, and you can download it and start using it right away.”

David Lowery ph. © Eric Zachanowich
ph. © Eric Zachanowich

‘I really love where animation is going right now. CG used to feel a lot cleaner and antiseptic. But today, it is becoming very handmade in the way it looks and feels.’

— Director David Lowery

 

After the development period, Lowery began drawing storyboards, and by mid-2023, the team had created an animatic that looked a lot like the finished special. “Last fall, we recorded all the voices, and we began building the world in 3D and creating the environments. The characters all got built and put into place in the spring of 2024. We then created a grayscale animation and worked with the wonderful team at 88 Pictures to do all the character animation in April.”

Of course, like all great holiday specials, music plays a big part in the success of the artistic package. Daniel Hart composed the music for the project, and the songs (including two originals) are performed by actor John C. Reilly, who voices a street performer (The Folk Singer) in the short. “The music really captures what Christmas means to me,” says the director. “It’s that unmistakable, effusive feeling you get during the season, which is a combination of colors and sounds and the cold temperature outside, and there’s that music playing on the radio. John’s character was an addition I made to the script. I wanted him to act as a Greek chorus — kind of like the Burl Ives in Rankin and Bass’s Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

Lowery admits that there were many technological challenges involved in creating the special artisanal look he was after. “We had to make sure the idea that Luna [the young girl in the special] has a prosthetic leg came through in the animation, especially when you’re animating on twos when everything already has a slightly exaggerated movement. We also had to communicate that our owl’s wing is broken in the right way. We had to figure out how to convey those things while binding the aesthetic, and a lot of credit for that goes to Nick Bateman, who helped come up with the overall look and design of the special.”

An Almost Christmas Story [Disney+]

Childhood Memories

The director was a big fan of Disney classics when he was growing up. “I started a Little Mermaid fan club because I loved the movie so much,” he tells us. “The Great Mouse Detective, The Beauty and the Beast and Pinocchio were my favorites. When I got a little older, I became obsessed with Miyazaki; his ideas about filmmaking influenced both my live-action and animated works. René Laloux’s Fantastic Planet and Tim Burton’s Vincent are also big favorites. My love of texture came from Tim Burton’s movies, especial Henry Selick’s work in The Nightmare Before Christmas. I also remember renting Marv Newland’s Bambi Meets Godzilla from Blockbuster Video back in the day!”

He says that Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox also left a big impression on him. “I watched that over and over again when I was making Pete’s Dragon,” he says. “I just had it on a loop in the background. It embedded itself in my consciousness. Overall, I really love where animation is going right now. The most overt example is probably the Spider-Verse films, which took CG animation [and] pushed it in a fresh new direction beyond what we assumed computer-generated imagery could create. You see that also in The Mitchells vs. the Machines, Blue Eye Samurai and Arcane. CG used to feel a lot cleaner and antiseptic. But today, it is becoming very handmade in the way it looks and feels, and that’s really exciting to me.”

Lowery has big hopes for his holiday offering’s unwrapping this month. “I hope An Almost Christmas Story will become the kind of special that families watch and share year after year,” he says. “We wanted to make a short film that would become part of people’s holiday traditions. Even if we even come somewhat close to accomplishing, I’ll be very happy.”

 

An Almost Christmas Story premieres on Disney+ on November 15. Watch the new clip “Moon at Rockefeller” below and see the previously released trailer here. 

Women in Animation Publishes 2023-24 Impact Report

Animation Magazine
-
0
Women in Animation Publishes 2023-24 Impact Report

Women in Animation has released WIA’s 2023-2024 Annual Impact Report, highlighting the progress the org has made in gender equity and inclusion across the animation, VFX and video game industries. The report contains success stories, testimonials and comprehensive breakdown of how membership support has fueled WIA’s work through the year.

2023-2024 saw marked growth of WIA Communities, the expansion of the WIA Mentorship Program, and the 10th anniversary of leadership by President Marg Dean and VP Jinko Gotoh.

“As we close out the 2023-24 year, and especially as I reflect on the 10 years I’ve led WIA alongside colleagues who have become dear friends, I am proud of the strides we have made to empower and advocate for people of underrepresented gender identities within the animation industry,” Dean wrote in her opening remarks for the report. “WIA has grown by leaps and bounds in the past decade, but our commitment to gender equity has remained central. This year’s progress is a testament to our global community’s strength, resilience, and dedication, setting the stage for an even more powerful future. That strength comes from the rich diversity of our membership and from the leaders and volunteers who champion our cause daily.”

Highlights of WIA’s accomplishments include:

  • Empowering women and nonbinary people in animation, VFX and gaming through scholarships, mentorship and networking geared toward career advancement.
  • Promoting diversity and inclusion in the industry.
  • Educating and inspiring the next generation with workshops, webinars and educational programs that provide essential tools for aspiring creators.
  • Building community as an ever-growing, connected space for collaboration and mutual support.

Read the full Annual Impact report here.

‘Carl the Collector’ Celebrates Friendship & Fun Across the Spectrum on PBS Kids

Ramin Zahed
-
0
‘Carl the Collector’ Celebrates Friendship & Fun Across the Spectrum on PBS Kids

This article was written for the
December '24 issue of Animation Magazine (No. 345).

Over the past few years, we have seen several autistic characters take center stage on both live-action and animated series created for the small screen. Shows such as Love on the Spectrum, Pablo, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and Sesame Street have spotlighted popular neurodivergent characters with great success. This month, PBS Kids adds a wonderful new animated show titled Carl the Collector to this impressive list.

Created by New York Times bestselling illustrator and author Zachariah OHora (My Cousin Momo), the 2D-animated show breaks new ground as it features several central characters on the autism spectrum. The series follows the adventures of Carl, a warmhearted and detail-oriented autistic raccoon who enjoys collecting things and loves his friends and family in Fuzzytown. Among Carl’s close friends are Sheldon, an empathetic beaver; Lotta, a quiet and self-assured fox, who is also autistic; and Forrest, a hyperactive and impulsive squirrel with a tree nut allergy. The show’s production team includes neurodiverse writers, production staff, animators, advisers and voice talent.

The Philadelphia-based OHora says he loves raccoons, so it was a no-brainer to make the main character one of his favorite critters. “I hadn’t written any Carl the Collector books, but I had created this raccoon character that I didn’t have a real story for,” he recalls. “That happens a lot with characters I come up with. They just sit around my studio for years before they really have a story that makes sense for them.”

Carl the Collector [PBS Kids]
Fun in Fuzzytown: The show creators were inspired by OHora’s unique artistic style as well as familiar favorites, such as the ‘Peanuts’ holiday specials, ‘Looney Tunes’ shorts and Disney’s recent ‘Mickey Mouse Cartoons.’

Embracing Differences

The author-illustrator says that he is the father of two sons who were just starting school when he began working on his show. “We’re lucky enough that they go to an inclusion school, which was a totally new concept to me at the time, but it’s based on the idea that every kid in the district has the same democratic rights to a complete educational experience,” says OHora. “As a result, you have everyone sharing the same classroom, whatever their needs may be. I noticed that my kids treated everyone alike and thought everyone was their friend. That was a light-bulb moment for me because it was so different from how I grew up, and it was so much healthier, because kids get more exposure to the complete spectrum of humanity from a young age. So, it’s great both for neurodivergent kids and for neurotypical ones who will learn that other people might think, speak or act differently than them. Everyone will benefit when we recognize and embrace our differences.”

Zachariah OHora [Zanimation]

‘I have a certain aesthetic which I sometimes refer to as “janky,” and I was blown away at the early designs they’d show me. They looked like something I would [do], but even better!’

— Author/show creator Zachariah OHora

 

 

OHora tells Animation Magazine that it was over nine years ago when PBS Kids reached out to him as it was looking for creators outside its usual pool of talent. Later, Toronto-based Yowza! Animation (Nature Cat, Green Eggs and Ham) was brought on to work on the pilot and eventually produce the animation for the show.

“There are so many things I love about this show,” says director Lisa Whittick. “From an artistic point of view, I love the look and feel of it, as well as the messaging. When you see the finished episodes, they’re both calming and visually beautiful, and that’s a great testament to Zach’s style and vision. On a personal level, I’m a parent of an autistic son who is 19 now. I think about the fact that if we had had this show when he was growing up, we would have had a much easier time as a family. I think the show is going to mean so much to so many people.”

Carl the Collector [PBS Kids]

Reflections on a Raccoon

The popular author says that it took a while to get the concept completely right and fleshed out. “I was doing books at the same time, which was sort of my real job. There were times that I felt I needed to put this project aside because there was no guarantee that the show was going to happen,” OHora says. “On the upside, what’s made this show really great is that PBS really cares about authentic representation, so they are always going the extra mile to do the right testing and ask the right questions. They made sure we hired the right autism, social and emotional, and curriculum experts. It was all about doing the right thing and honoring the people that we’re representing in the show.”

For Whittick and the rest of the show’s team, it was very important to get the visual details absolutely right. “There are certain characteristics such as stimming [i.e., arm flapping, rocking, jumping, etc.], which are little movements that sometimes autistic people use to help themselves regulate their emotions,” says the director. “That was something that we wanted to explore a bit before we got into full production at the studio. So, we created a lot of animation cycles and sent everything to PBS and the advisers to get their feedback. That was a really great learning time for us to try and nail all the details and get everything absolutely right.”

Lisa Whittick_Courtesy of Yowza! Animation_Photographer David Chang
ph. by David Chang, c/o Yowza! Animation

‘I know that families are going to walk away from the show just feeling seen and finally feeling represented. They will have a springboard to open up conversations about what autistic people are going through.’

— Yowza! Animation director Lisa Whittick

 

 

A team of about 70 professionals work on the show at Yowza! The 2D animation is created with Toon Boom’s Harmony and Storyboard Pro software. Another 30 people work on the show at Spiffy Pictures in Chicago. PBS is quite confident about the show, as it has greenlit 40 episodes (2 x 11 minutes), half of which have been completed to date.

OHora says that he loved seeing his art come alive through animation. “I didn’t know much about TV animation before we started this project, but I knew that I wanted the show to look like my art and my books,” he says. “I have a certain aesthetic which I sometimes refer to as ‘janky,’ and I was blown away at the early designs they’d show me. They looked like something I would [do], but even better!”

Carl the Collector [PBS Kids]

A Springboard for Understanding

Both OHora and Whittick have been quite pleased with the test audience reactions to their show. “My biggest fear as a member of the autism community with my son was that somehow we’d get it wrong and not being able to show the experience in an authentic way,” says Whittick. “Sometimes when you’re close to a project, it’s hard to get that perspective, but the fact that we took all these measures and have feedback from experts and our autistic crew members and writers helped in the results being really special.”

OHora says he hopes all kids — neurodivergent and neurotypical — will see themselves, family members and friends in the series. “Hopefully, they’ll all understand each other a little more at the end of each episode and have fun doing it,” he says.

“I know that families are going to walk away from Carl the Collector just feeling seen and finally feeling represented,” adds Whittick. “They will have a springboard to open up conversations about what autistic people are going through, how to be friends with an autistic person and recognize when someone’s in distress. I feel that we’re showing all those lessons, but in a very fun, entertaining and kind of weird way, and I think viewers will walk away feeling really good overall!”

 

Carl the Collector is produced by Fuzzytown Productions and Spiffy Pictures and animated by Yowza! Animation. The show premieres on PBS Kids on November 14.

Tonic DNA & Sid Lee Reunite for IGA’s Christmas Spot ‘Paulo’s Wish’

Mercedes Milligan
-
0
Tonic DNA & Sid Lee Reunite for IGA’s Christmas Spot ‘Paulo’s Wish’

Following up on Sid Lee’s acclaimed 2022 and 2023 IGA Christmas spots “The Meatloaf” and “Mr. Beaver’s Yule Log,” Montreal-based animation studio Tonic DNA teamed up with the global creative agency once again for the 2024 campaign short, “Paulo’s Wish.”

This year’s spot captures the heartfelt tradition of cooking for loved ones during the holiday season, transcending past family conflicts. Produced in 3D CG animation, the ad uses warm colors and soft wintry lighting to bring the emotional story to life.

“It was an honor and a privilege to work with Tonic on this project,” said Quentin Fachon, who came on board as co-director with Fabien Fulchiron for this year’s project. “As a director, collaborating with such a talented team on such a premium project is the best advertising can offer. Being part of a director duo with Fabien made it easier for each of us to focus on what we do best — one of us focused on the story, while the other crafted the best visuals this film could offer.”

The spot was executive produced by Stefanie Bitton, and the creative team also included artistic director Marta Grasso, storyboarders David Goldstyn & Valerie Sansoucy, illustrators/designers Goldstyn, Michael Renaud and Pierre Vanderweed, and animation supervisor Wiley Townsend. Flooul Animation handled character modeling, with KippCase Riggin Studio on character rigging.

Tonic DNA is a full-service, award-winning studio based in Montreal, with clients and collaborators around the globe. Recent projects include Space Jam: A New Legacy, Disney+’s Disenchanted, Max’s Looney Tunes Cartoons and The Bob’s Burgers Movie.

tonicdna.com

Young Animator of the Year UK 2024 Winners Revealed

Mercedes Milligan
-
0
Young Animator of the Year UK 2024 Winners Revealed

The winners of the Young Animator of the Year UK Animation Awards 2024 were announced this week at the Manchester Animation Festival, showcasing extraordinary talent from young animators across the United Kingdom. The competition, which aims to discover, nurture, and celebrate emerging animation talent, featured outstanding work from creators aged 11-18.

This year’s winners demonstrated exceptional creativity and technical skill across multiple animation categories:

  • Ptolemy Torney (15) from Exeter won in the Stop-Motion Animation ages 15-18 category

  • James Moody-Jones (12) from New Milton won in the Stop-Motion Animation ages 11-14 category

  • Morgan Vincent (17) from Exeter won in the 3D Animation ages 15-18 category

  • Dixie O’Malley (18) from Kingston won in the 2D Animation ages 15-18 category

  • Vedha Athmanathan (14) from Rugby won in the 2D Animation ages 11-14 category

The winning films were screened at the 10th Manchester Animation Festival, where the young animators saw their work displayed on the big screen. This unique platform provides vital exposure and recognition for the next generation of British animation talent.

Young Animator of the Year 2024 award winners
Young Animator of the Year 2024 award winners

YAY UK works throughout the year to support young animators, with this industry-judged competition serving as a cornerstone of their mission to develop emerging creative voices in British animation. The competition has previously launched the careers of numerous successful animators, with past winners going on to work at animation and VFX houses like Blue Zoo and The Mill.

Winners were selected by a panel of industry professionals, coming from Aardman, Lupus Films and more studios, highlighting the competition’s commitment to providing genuine industry recognition for young talent.

The winning young animators will get exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of two renowned British animation studios: Blue Zoo in London and Aardman in Bristol.

Young Animator of the Year is an initiative supported by ACCESS:VFX and Blue Zoo Animation Studio.

To watch the winning films, visit younganimator.uk/winners.

‘Paddington in Peru’ Soars to Record U.K. Opening; ‘Overlord’ Charts in U.S.

Animation Magazine
-
0
‘Paddington in Peru’ Soars to Record U.K. Opening; ‘Overlord’ Charts in U.S.

Michael Bond’s furry icon of children’s literature deserves a tip of the red bucket hat, with his latest big screen adventure Paddington in Peru achieving a banner debut in U.K. & Ireland cinemas.

The third live-action/CG movie scored a three-day take of £9.65 million ($12.4 million), making it the biggest opening of the year for a British-made movie (and the best since No Time to Die in 2021) and the biggest ever for Studiocanal. Dougal Wilson’s feature film directorial debut opened at No. 1 and brought in an estimated 1.2M moviegoers across the two countries.

The threequel debuted with higher U.K./R.O.I. numbers than the fully-animated hits The Super Mario Bros. Movie (£8.7M excluding previews; 2023), Incredibles 2 (£9.4M; 2018) and Despicable Me 4 (£8.8M; 2024).  Paddington (2014) opened with £5.1M, and the 2017 sequel did £8.2M; in total, the prior two films grossed $600M worldwide.

Paddington in Peru will land in North American theaters on January 17, 2025 through Sony Pictures. (More info here.)

Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom
Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom

Stateside, this weekend saw the NorAm theatrical debut of Japanese animated feature Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom, based on the popular web novel and anime franchise created by Kugane Maruyama. Directed by series helmer Naoyuki Ito, the isekai adventure is set in a fantasy MMORPG world where gamer Momonga has been trapped for over a decade, rising to the level of Sorcerer King, who i snow enlisted by another kingdom to battle an invading Demon Emperor. (Read more.)

Released by Crunchyroll and Sony, the Madhouse production made a splash in the specialty box office charts, scoring a projected $1.165M from 621 locations, landing at No. 12 overall on the domestic charts. The pic debuted in Japan on September 20 and has racked up $5.66M there.

Elsewhere on the NorAm charts, DreamWorks’ The Wild Robot (Universal) is hanging on at the top with a No. 4 run in its seventh frame, bringing in ~$6.65M (-10.7%), bringing its domestic total to $130.9M ($292.5M worldwide). Transformers One (Paramount) squeaked into the Top 20 at No. 18 in its eighth week with $163K (total $58.9M / $128.7M), while Piece By Piece (Focus Features) slipped slightly to No. 21 with $95K in its fifth week (total $9.7M / $10.1M).

Topping the domestic charts once again was Venom: The Last Dance (Sony), which snagged $16.2M in its third frame, bringing its cume to $114.8M ($394.2M worldwide).

[Sources: Deadline, BoxOfficeMojo]

Pinkfong Tops Netflix Kids’ Charts with New Series & Special

Animation Magazine
-
0
Pinkfong Tops Netflix Kids’ Charts with New Series & Special

The Pinkfong Company, the global entertainment company behind “Baby Shark,” today announced that its new series about the daily adventures of little dinosaurs, Pinkfong Little Dino School, has debuted at #1 in Netflix’s Top 10 Kids TV Shows in nine markets, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Singapore. Released on Netflix on November 3, the show has also secured a position in the Top 10 Kids TV Shows rankings across 12 different countries and territories, according to FlixPatrol data.

Little DIno Schools

In addition, Pinkfong & Hogi Mini Movie: The Tricky Three Cars, a spin-off special of Pinkfong Wonderstar, achieved a remarkable milestone by breaking into Netflix’s Top 10 Kids TV Shows in 10 countries and territories. The 40-minute special starring Hogi debuted at #1 in South Korea and secured strong positions in Singapore (#2), the United Kingdom and Ireland (#4), and the United States (#5).

Pinkfong & Hogi

“We are thrilled to bring our beloved dinosaur friends to life in 3D animation with Pinkfong Little Dino School,” said Gemma Joo, Chief Business Officer of The Pinkfong Company. “Through the daily adventures of Rex and Rex’s friends at Dino School, we aim to provide children with an engaging, musical approach to learning new things while fostering their natural curiosity about dinosaurs. We remain committed to creating fun and educational content and entertainment experiences that enrich children’s lives.”

Both shows are available on Netflix in English and Korean, and join the company’s existing lineup of beloved content, including Pinkfong And Baby Shark’s Space Adventure and Bebefinn. Previously, Pinkfong And Baby Shark’s Space Adventure reached Netflix’s Top 10 Movies in 18 countries and territories worldwide, while Bebefinn reached #1 in Netflix’s Top 10 Kids TV Shows in 11 markets and made the same chart in 25 countries and territories.

Pinkfong Little Dino School is a new 3D animated series that brings Pinkfong’s beloved 2D animated dinosaur characters and songs to life through engaging, dialog-driven storytelling. The series centers on Rex, a lovable young Tyrannosaurus, and Rex’s friends as they embark on daily adventures of learning and play at Dino School, accompanied by catchy children’s songs.

Following its debut in 2024 on its dedicated YouTube channel, the show has achieved significant success across digital platforms, accumulating 160 million lifetime views and attracting 380,000 subscribers. This builds on Pinkfong’s history of dinosaur-themed animated content, which has garnered over 1.1 billion lifetime views across Pinkfong’s YouTube channels.

Dandelooo Ready to Deliver ‘Tuiga’ Animated Series to the World

Mercedes Milligan
-
0
Dandelooo Ready to Deliver ‘Tuiga’ Animated Series to the World

Emmy Award-winning French animation production and distribution company Dandelooo has picked up the international distribution rights to the new 2D animation series Tuiga, aimed at four- to seven-year olds. In the show, Tuiga is all set to help by offering its unique delivery services by land, sea and air, delivering packages from here to anywhere!

Produced by Copa Studio (Brazil) and written and directed by Rodrigo Soldado, the first season featuring 13 x 7-minute episodes each is now available, with the second season of 26 x 7-minute episodes currently in development.

Imagine a giraffe in a balloon making deliveries around the world, accompanied by a girl pilot, a not-so-easily impressionable flower and an enthusiastic little rock. This strange team is Tuiga, the most fun delivery service in the animal, vegetable and mineral kingdoms!

Tuiga the giraffe, Amelia the girl, Nail the flower and Porridge the pebble bring their own specific qualities and very different characters as members of the balloon’s crew. An explicit diversity, starting with physical characteristics — such as sizes, shapes and colors — which also reflect personalities, moods and behaviors, offering young viewers a vivid exploration of how differences can complement one another in fun and unexpected ways.

“We are very proud of the show, which addresses themes such as diversity, friendship and collaboration in a fun and respectful way, without underestimating children’s intelligence,” said Rodrigo Soldado, series director and Partner at Copa Studios. “In such a tumultuous time in the world, Tuiga offers a valuable message for parents and children: to celebrate our differences.”

Hyeo Jin Moon, International Sales & Acquisitions Manager at Dandelooo, added, “We are absolutely thrilled to collaborate with the incredibly talented team at Copa Studio, whose work has earned them three Emmy nominations. Tuiga may not always get her deliveries done quickly or smoothly but the fun is guaranteed! With this quirky and lovable team, every delivery turns into a hilarious adventure, packed with surprises and excitement all over the world.”

Tuiga [c/o Dandelooo]

1...535455...2,014Page 54 of 2,014

© 2025 Animation Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

NEWS CATEGORIES

MAGAZINE

ADVERTISE

RESOURCES

© 2025 Animation Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

The Business, Technology & Art Of Animation And VFX

© 2025 Animation Magazine. All Rights Reserved. The Business, Technology & Art Of Animation And VFX