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Home Blog Page 76

BBC Kids & Trustbridge Announce ‘Maisy’ Animated Series Project

BBC Studios Kids & Family Productions and Trustbridge Entertainment have joined forces on My Friend Maisy, a 2D-animated preschool series starring the globally popular character and her friends from the bestselling book series. The new co-production is based on the Maisy books, written and illustrated by Lucy Cousins, which have sold more than 46 million copies worldwide and won the hearts of young children and their families everywhere.

Matilda Tristram (Peppa Pig) is lead writer for the 52 x 5’ series, The show follows the adventures of Maisy, who can go anywhere and do anything — whether it’s fixing a car in her garage, flying a rocket to the moon, or slipping into a dreamscape of squiggles when she’s eating spaghetti for dinner. Big or small, Maisy does it all! Like the books, the new series will feature stories that are highly engaging, yet calm, warm and easy, without lots of noise or conflict.

My Friend Maisy pushes the boundaries of classic preschool storytelling with stories that slip seamlessly between the real and the surreal, like a child’s imagination,” said BBC Studios Kids & Family Creative Lead for Animation, Tony Reed. “Maisy and her friends are unique in today’s preschool landscape in that they are child-like, but not bound by the limits of childhood. Maisy really can go anywhere and do anything, just because she’s Maisy, and we are delighted to have partnered with Trustbridge Entertainment to bring her humor, imagination and camaraderie to a global TV audience.”

“We are honored for My Friend Maisy to be the first show produced under the Trustbridge Entertainment banner,” said Bob Higgins, President of Trustbridge Entertainment. “The warmth, handcrafted love, and quirky humor that Lucy Cousins has imbued in every page of her Maisy books radiate throughout this spectacular series. Millions of children and their families around the world already know and adore Maisy and now they will get to laugh and play along with Maisy and her friends in a whole new way.”

‘Creature Commandos’ Adult Animated DC Series Hits Max Dec. 5

Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max announced today that its original, adult animated series Creature Commandos will premiere on the platform Thursday, December 5. Written and executive produced by DC Studios head James Gunn, the seven-part series will roll out a new episode weekly until January 16.

Logline: Creature Commandos tracks a secret team of incarcerated monsters recruited for missions deemed too dangerous for humans. When all else fails … they’re your last, worst option.

The voice cast features Steve Agee as Economos, Maria Bakalova as Princess Ilana, Anya Chalotra as Circe, Zoe Chao as Nina Mazursky, Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr., Sean Gunn as GI Robot & Weasel, David Harbour as Frankenstein, Alan Tudyk as Dr. Phosphorus, Indira Varma as The Bride and Viola Davis as Amanda Waller.

Creature Commandos is based on DC characters and produced by DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation; alongside James Gunn, additional executive producers include Peter Safran, Dean Lorey, and Sam Register; Rick Morales serves as a supervising producer.

La Cabane & Thuristar Launch Their First Original Special ‘A Lamb’s Stew’ at Cartoon Forum

Animation production companies La Cabane (France) and Thuristar (Belgium) will be introducing the international animation community to their first original television special, A Lamb’s Stew (30 min.) at this month’s Cartoon Forum co-production pitching event. The studios have previously teamed up to produce four specials for the series Mush-Mush and the Mushables, including International Emmy Award nominee The Guardian of the Forest.

At last year’s Cartoon Forum, La Cabane and Thuristar jointly pitched Luce in the Lovely Land, a preschool-targeted series based on the multi-award-winning short film Luce and the Rock by Britt Raes. T he pitch ranked first in attendance among European co-productions, and the show is now being developed in partnership with France Télévisions and VRT-Ketnet.

Aimed at family audiences, A Lamb’s Stew tells the story of Billie, a young lamb determined to prove that sheep are just as brave as other animals. She sets out to lure a wolf into a trap, only to discover that he isn’t the monster she thought he was. Through the fluffy heroine’s journey, the film questions how preconceived ideas shape our worldviews. It invites us to embrace individuality — and to not judge a sheep by its wool, nor a wolf by its fur.

Joeri Christiaen is helming A Lamb’s Stew as director and art director. Although he has specialized in CG animation over the years, for this project he draws inspiration from traditional animation, nudging CG animation (produced in Blender) to a stylized look with flatter compositions and shot-driven lighting, while preserving lush backgrounds and detailed textures.

Christiaen also wrote the script, with Claire Paoletti as a writing consultant during development. Paoletti was co-writer of the Annecy Cristal and Annie Award winner Shooom’s Odyssey. The special features music by Frederik Segers and Jan Duthoy, who have composed for My Knight and Me, Mush-Mush and Presto! School of Magic.

“After 15 years of directing series, including My Knight and Me and Mush-Mush, I wanted to delve in a more personal project, and a longer, deeper, standalone story. It’s an exciting new challenge, both creatively and technically, and we’re assembling a talented team to rise to the occasion!” said Christiaen.

A Lamb’s Stew will be presented in Toulouse, at the opening of Cartoon Forum on Tuesday September 17 at 10 a.m. (Blue Room), by writer-director Joeri Christiaen and producer Perrine Gauthier. . The special has already received the support of the MEDIA Creative Europe Programme in 2024.

“We enjoy developing and proposing programs that are very different to each other, in terms of visual style, topic, audience and format,” Gauthier noted. “A Lamb’s Stew is fully in line with that approach and we’re honored that the project will open what promises to be a great edition of Cartoon Forum, with a high-quality selection.”

Titmouse Presents ‘Best of 5 Second Day’ Animated Shorts at Select Cinemark Theaters Across the U.S.

Titmouse Best of 5 Second Day

Today, award-winning animation studio Titmouse (Big Mouth, The Legend of Vox Machina, The Venture Bros., Star Trek: Lower Decks, Beavis and Butt-Head) and theatrical exhibition co. Cinemark announced the cinematic debut of the Best of 5 Second Day at select U.S. Cinemark theaters, exclusively on September 20. The show is a compilation of some of the most fan-favorite, provocative and emotional creations from Titmouse’s annual 5 Second Day events, which showcase the creativity of the studio’s animators through short-form originals.

“5 Second Day started as a way for Titmouse artists to spend a day making a cartoon that they wanted to make,” said Chris Prynoski, co-founder and President of Titmouse. “Over the years, it has mutated into a magnificent, beautiful brain-beast that pulses with the creative energy emanating from the hands of these animators. It has its own life now, and we can’t keep it to ourselves anymore. Go out into the world, 5 Second Day, and fill the hearts and minds of animation fans around the nation with cartoon delight as they watch the action unfold on larger-than-life screens within Cinemark’s immersive, cinematic auditoriums.”

Highlighting more than 35 shorts over the course of an hour, viewers will enjoy the best of the best from the past 16 years, including shorts from Otto Tang (art director, Big Mouth, Kinderwood), Allison Craig (director, Kiff, Hanazuki: Full of Treasures) and Parker Simmons (creator of Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart).

Next year (2025) marks the 25th anniversary of Titmouse, and this special theatrical event is just the beginning of the studio’s plans to continue expanding its connection to fans. 5 Second Day has traditionally been limited to small screenings for the animators and their friends and family, so offering this cinematic experience for fans nationwide will bring them even closer to Titmouse and their favorite animators.

Participating Cinemark theaters include locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington.

Tickets are available for purchase at Cinemark.com/titmouse or on the Cinemark app.

‘Arcane’ Season 2 Trailer Drops with New Images & Ashnikko Original

Netflix and Riot Games have loaded up the next level of the smash-hit, critically acclaimed, Emmy- and Annie Award-winning League of Legends animated series Arcane with the official Season 2 trailer  and accompanying early look images. Once again brought to life by Fortiche Production, S2 will premiere exclusively on Netflix in November (netflix.com/arcane).

The literally explosive preview is backed by a banger created in collaboration with hip hop/electro pop artist Ashnikko. Titled “Paint the Town Blue,” the S2 theme for Jinx is the first single on the Arcane Season 2 original soundtrack from Riot Games and Virgin Music Group. The tune debuts on digital alongside the trailer; fans can listen here.

Arcane [c/o Netflix]

Arcane is created by Christian Linke and Alex Yee. Executive producers include Linke, Marc Merrill and Brandon Beck. Voices include Hailee Steinfeld (Vi), Annie Award winner Ella Purnell (Jinx), Katie Leung (Caitlyn), Reed Shannon (Ekko), Amirah Vann (Sevika), Mick Wingert (Heimerdinger), Ellen Thomas (Ambessa) and Brett Tucker (Singed), among others to be announced for S2.

Fortiche directed and produced the animation, under the direction of the founders Pascal Charrue and Arnaud Delord.

More details on the new season will drop at the upcoming Geeked Week Live fan event on Thursday, September 19. In the meantime, you can read Animation Magazine‘s report on the show’s session at Annecy this summer to learn more about Arcane‘s secrets.

Arcane [c/o Netflix]

Globally praised as one of the Best TV Shows of 2021, Season 1 of the adult animated series Arcane earned four Primetime Emmy Awards (2022), including Outstanding Animated Program — the first streaming series to win the category. The series swept the 2022 Annie Awards with wins in nine categories, including Best TV/Media, Best Writing, Best Voice Acting (Ella Purnell), Best Direction, Best Production Design, Best Character Animation, Best Storyboarding, Best Character Design and Best FX.

The series was also recognized by the gaming community winning Best Adaptation at The Game Awards (2022). In addition, the Arcane album was nominated for a 2022 Billboard Music Award for Top Soundtrack.

Snipple Animation Expands Studio Scope; Mike Hegarty Named Head of Int’l Partnerships

Today, global animation studio Snipple announced it is expanding its business to offer clients all aspects of 2D animated series production, including creative development and  pre- and post-production services. To lead the charge, Snipple has appointed animation and production specialist Mike Hegarty as Head of International Partnerships.

Hegarty joins Snipple from pre-production studio House of Cool, where he was Head of Sales and Partnerships. He will focus on expanding Snipple’s global footprint, driving growth through strategic partnerships with studios, streamers, producers and directors across the world; and delivering new pre- and post-production services in the U.K. and North America. Hagerty will report to Snipple CEO Kaine Patel, and will be based in Ontario, Canada.

During his time at House of Cool, Hagerty helped drive company growth, as it expanded its services and partnerships across the world, working on many feature and series projects. He also held sales roles at Toon Boom Animation, managing studios needs across North America.

Mike Hegarty [c/o Snipple]
Mike Hegarty [c/o Snipple]

“Working with Kaine and the Snipple team is an absolute privilege, and I’m thrilled to be part of this new phase of growth,” said Hagerty. “Our goal is to be a leading force in all 2D projects, meeting our clients’ requirements to bring even more to the table. The production crew in Manila consistently delivers top-quality work, which has empowered the studio to expand its capabilities into both pre- and post-production.”

Snipple, under the leadership of founders Patel, Jonathan Tinsay (President) and Romy Garcia (Creative Director), is an 800-person 2D animation production studio based in Manila. It works with some of the world’s leading entertainment companies including Disney, Titmouse, DreamWorks, Nickelodeon and Warner Bros. Discovery. The studio’s portfolio includes Hamster & Gretel, Beavis and Butt-Head, StuGo, Primos, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, Jellystone, Bugs Bunny Builders, Looney Tunes short The Curse of the Monkey Bird, Phineas and Ferb, Scooby-Doo and many more.

The Singalings
The Singalings

In 2019, Snipple launched its original production arm Snipple Originals, whose slate of 16 shows including The Woohoos! commissioned by Milkshake! (57 x 7′) and The Singalings (26 x 5′), which was acquired by Sky Kids.

Kaine Patel [c/o Snipple]
Kaine Patel [c/o Snipple]

“At Snipple, we have developed an approach to animation focused on our people, quality, communication and delivery. We built from the ground up and have nurtured brilliant relationships with global studios,” said Patel. “It’s a natural step for us to expand into delivering all aspects of the production pipeline, and with such a solid international team, we are well positioned to do so.”

“Mike is a huge asset for Snipple. He brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and relationships to drive our growth.”

Netflix Orders ‘Twilight’ Animated Series from Lionsgate

Stephanie Meyer’s supernatural romance saga Twilight is being resurrected for a new animated series, ordered straight to series by Netflix. Announced by Lionsgate Television in March, the project will draw from Meyer’s 2020 novel Midnight Sun, which retells the story from the perspective of vampire high schooler Edward Cullen.

Sinead Daly (Tell Me Lies, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency) is writing and executive producing the adaption. Meyer is also executive producing the animated series, as are Meghan Hibbett for Fickle Fish Films, Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen for Temple Hill Entertainment, and Erik Feig and Samie Kim Falvey for Picturestart.

Lionsgate released the live-action feature film franchise, which grossed $3.36  billion worldwide across five movies released from 2008 to 2012. The original Twilight novel was released in 2005 and reached No. 1 on the New York Times Best Seller List. Buoyed by the first film’s release, it became the best selling book of 2008 and was the second best seller of 2009 behind its sequel, New Moon.

The saga centers on the horror-tinged love story between human teenager Bella Swan (played by Kristen Stewart in the films) and Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), a vampire masquerading as a classmate at her new school. The Cullen vampire clan and local Quileute boy/therianthrope Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) also play key roles in the drama.

Daly is represented by WME and Kaplan/Perrone.

[Source: Deadline]

Cartoon Forum Announces 2024 Tributes Nominees

The finalists have been announced for the 2024 Cartoon Forum Tributes, celebrating the year’s greatest achievements in the European animation industry. The winner will be honored in a ceremony on September 19, which will cap the Cartoon Forum gathering in Toulouse, France (Sept. 16-19).

Twelve companies from eight countries are in the run for the Broadcaster, Investor/Distributor and Producer of the Year awards, which will be voted by close to 1,000 professionals attending the European TV animation co-production forum. Cartoon Forum points out that the significant geographic diversity in this year’s nominees follows the great momentum of the animation industry across the continent.

Nominees will present themselves in short interviews held to the backdrop of Cartoon Forum’s program. Seventy-five TV series from 20 European countries — totaling a €350.7 million budget and 388 hours of content — will be presented at this 35th edition of the event which this year will spotlight on Italian animation.

The nominees are:

BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR

ARTE (France – Germany)
Founded in 1992, Franco-German ARTE is a European public cultural television channel and digital network with a strong focus on creation and innovation. Samuel, Music Queens, Boys Boys Boys and Globozone are some of the series scheduled on the channel that have been previously pitched at Cartoon Forum.

Radio Télévision Suisse – RTS (Switzerland)
Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS) is a public service broadcaster owned by the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation. Their TV channel RTS 1’s RTS Kids programming block broadcasts 24 hours a week of animation. Some of the series and TV specials included in its programming schedule are Audrey’s Shelter, The Ghastly Ghoul, Looking for Santa and Mum Is Pouring Rain, which were all pitched at Cartoon Forum.

Radio Televizija Slovenija – RTV (Slovenia)
Based in Ljubljana, Slovenia’s national public broadcaster Radio Televizija Slovenija schedules its animation offer in a weekend block on TV Slovenija 1 and its app RTV Živ žav. Rita & Crocodile, Ernest & Celestine and Pompon Little Bear are some of the European series included in its offering.

Televisió de Catalunya – TVC (Spain)
Generalist public TV broadcaster Televisió de Catalunya offers content for early childhood, children and early teens both through its channel SX3 and online. The pubcaster has participated as co-producer on international animated series such as The Triplets, Saari, Ask Lara and Jasmine & Jambo.

 

INVESTOR/DISTRIBUTOR OF THE YEAR

Madrigall Group (France)
Madrigall Group is a French publishing holding company whose subsidiaries Casterman, Gallimard Jeunesse and Sarbacane are dedicated to children’s books, comic books and novels for teens and young adults. Their books Tobie Lolness, Ernest & Celestine, Trotro and Anna & Froga have become successful animated IPs.

Mondo TV Studios (Spain)
From its studio in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Mondo TV Studios is engaged both in the distribution & production of content and in delivering 2D and 3D animation services. Subsidiary to Squirrel Media, the company operates in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Latin America and the U.S. Hispanic market. Monster Loving Maniacs, Annie & Carola and Bat Pat are some of the series in its catalog that were pitched at Cartoon Forum.

Prime Entertainment Group (France)
Subsidiary to Hildegarde Group, Prime Entertainment Group has operated in the international distribution & production market for more than 20 years, working with major broadcasters and partners worldwide. In 2019, the company expanded to animation by adding content from Les Armateurs and Folimage in its catalog. Now, they are interested in enhancing its offer with content from studios in Europe and the rest of the world.

ZDF Studios (Germany)
ZDF Studios is a subsidiary to ZDF, one of the largest TV broadcasters in Europe. Founded in 1993, the company is focused on global program distribution, international co-productions and acquisition of licenses and merchandising. ZDF Studios has the largest German-language program catalog in the world and a growing number of international productions, including series, television films, documentaries and children’s programs such as Dinomite & Lucy, Klincus, Tobie Lolness, Alone and Dougie Dolittle.

 

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

Cartoon Saloon (Ireland)
Established in 1999 by Paul Young, Tomm Moore and Nora Twomey, Cartoon Saloon is a world-renowned animation studio with five Academy Award and two Golden Globe nominations, as well as many wins, including a BAFTA and an Emmy. Located in Kilkenny, Ireland, the studio produces shorts, feature films and TV series, including Skunk Fu, Dorg Van Dango and Silly Sundays, which have been pitched at Cartoon Forum.

Movimenti Production (Italy)
Italy’s leading independent production and animation studio, Movimenti Production is a subsidiary to Banijay Group that has produced acclaimed animated TV series, music videos, live shows and multi-platform projects such as Tear Along the Dotted Line and Topo Gigio. Their series OPS – What a Hopsrible Pack and Copperhead have been presented at Cartoon Forum.

Pikkukala (Finland – Spain)
Founded in Helsinki in 2012 by Veronica Lassenius and Pablo Jordi, Pikkukala is focused on the production of original animated series for kids and families. In 2018, the company landed in Spain with Pikkukala Barcelona, a studio focusing on TV and feature animation production and services. Royals Next Door, Taste Buddies and Saari are some of the studio’s series that were pitched at Cartoon Forum. The company is also an active co-producer in Europe, having been involved in series such as Samuel.

Sacrebleu Productions (France)
Founded in 1999 in Paris, Sacrebleu Productions has produced internationally acclaimed works such as their short-films Barking Island and Sunday Lunch, and their feature films Marona’s Fantastic Tale, Long Way North and Flow. Series-wise, the company has presented several projects at Cartoon Forum over the years, including Felix!! He can explain everything!, Annie Melting Heart Cake and The Song of the Storms.

 


Learn more about Cartoon Forum at cartoon-media.eu.

Mindy Kaling Developing Original Comedy Movie with Paramount Animation

Paramount Animation (The SpongeBob Move: Sponge on the Run, Transformers One, The Smurfs Movie) is reportedly working on an original animated comedy feature with writer, producer & actress Mindy Kaling on board to produce alongside Jay Brown and Ty Ty Smith.

The untitled project will take audiences “to a world with a wish fulfillment message that is comedic and heartfelt.” The script is by Aathil Chaturvedi & Justin Soul. Shawn Wong, Director of Animation Development, is overseeing the project for Paramount Animation.

Kaling became a household name as a writer and star of the American version of The Office, and went on to create, exec produce, write for and star in her own show The Mindy Project. She has also brought to screen the live-action hits Never Have I Ever and The Sex Lives of College Girls.

In animation, Kaling was an executive producer and the titular voice star of Velma, Max’s controversial adult-targeted Scooby-Doo spinoff. She can also be heard as the original Disgust in Pixar’s Inside Out (2015) and as Val in Pixar’s Disney+ series Monsters at Work.

Kaling has been honored with the National Medal of Arts by the White House, the Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television by the Producers Guild of America, and has been named to Time‘s 100 Most Influential People in the World List. She is represented by 3 Arts, CAA and PJ Shapiro.

Paramount Animation will this month release Transformers One. Up next will be the fully-animated musical The Smurfs Movie in February. Kaling’s untitled project joins the studio’s development slate alongside projects with Imagine Ent. (Muttnik, Rianbow Serpent), Temple Hill (Superworld, Swan Lake), Image Comics (Stray Dogs), Trevor Noah, the Spice Girls and Mighty Mouse. The studio also revealed in its 2024 new projects announcement that it is working on Leo Matsuda’s Yokai Samba.

[Source: Deadline]

‘SPY X FAMILY CODE: White’ Premieres on Crunchyroll Sept. 5

The Forger family hit streaming for a new mission when SPY x FAMILY CODE: White arrives on Crunchyroll starting tomorrow (Thursday, September 5) at 5 p.m. PT. The film will be available to stream in select territories around the world in both Japanese with subtitles and dubbed in English, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, Italian and Castilian Spanish.

A new trailer was declassified today (watch it below).

Premiering outside of Japan in North America and select territories earlier this year from Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment, SPY x FAMILY CODE: White is the first feature film installment of the popular franchise based on the manga created by Tatsuya Endo. A hit with fans and critics alike, SPY x FAMILY CODE: White currently holds a 94% critic score and 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The film delivers an original, standalone story.

Synopsis: He’s a spy. She’s an assassin. Together, Loid and Yor keep their double lives to themselves while pretending to be the perfect family. However, their adopted daughter Anya, a telepath, knows both of their exciting secrets unbeknownst to them. While under the guise of taking his family on a weekend winter getaway, Loid’s attempt to make progress on his current mission Operation Strix proves difficult when Anya mistakenly gets involved and triggers events that threaten world peace!

The main Japanese / English voice stars are:

  • Takuya Eguchi / Alex Organ – Loid Forger (<Twilight>)
  • Atsumi Tanezaki / Megan Shipman – Anya Forger
  • Saori Hayami / Natalie Van Sistine – Yor Forger
  • Kenichiro Matsuda / Tyler Walker – Bond Forger
  • Hiroyuki Yoshino / Anthony Bowling – Franky Franklin
  • Banjo Ginga / John Swasey – Snidel
  • Kento Kaku / Tyson Rinehart – Luca
  • Tomoya Nakamura / Phil Parsons – Domitri
  • Kenichiro Matsuda / Ben Phillips – Narrator

With animation produced by WIT Studio (Attack on Titan Seasons 1-3, Vinland Saga, Ranking of Kings) and CloverWorks (Horimiya, Wind Breaker, The Elusive Samurai), SPY x FAMILY CODE: White is the feature directorial debut of Takashi Katagiri. The screenplay is written by Ichiro Okouchi (Sing a Bit of Harmony, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury).

The creative team also includes character designer Kazukaki Shimada, sub-character designer Kana Ishida, chief animation director Kyoji Asano, art directors Tomomi Sugimoto and Ayumi Kojima and composer (K)NoW)NAME. The film features original songs “SOULSOUP” by Official Hige Dandism and “Why” by Gen Hoshino.

Clip: Quay Bros.’ ‘Sanatorium Under the Sign of the Hourglass’ Debuts at Venice

Nearly 20 years since their last animated feature, The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes (2005), graced screens, twin filmmakers The Brothers Quay — Stephen and Timothy Quay — have premiered a new full-length feat at the Venice International Film Festival. Sanatorium Under the Sign of the Hourglass is a stop-motion/live-action feature inspired by the works of Jewish-Polish author and artist Bruno Schulz. The Quays’ acclaimed short Street of Crocodiles (1986) was also based on a story by Schulz.

The film is a co-production between studios in the U.K., Poland and Germany, written and directed by the Quays. Producing studios are Koninck Studios Galicia (producer Lucie Conrad) and IKH Pictures Production (Izabella Kiszka-Hoflik); co-producers are The Match Factory (handling worldwide sales) and the Adam Mickiewicz Institute; presented by the British Film Institute in association with Telewizja Polska with the support of Medienboard Berlin Brandenburg.

Synopsis: A ghostly train journey on a forgotten branch line transports a son, Jozef, visiting his dying Father in a remote Galician Sanatorium. Upon arrival Jozef finds the Sanatorium entirely moribund and run by a dubious Doctor Gotard who tells him that his father’s death, the death that has struck him in his country has not yet occurred, and that here they are always late by a certain interval of time of which the length cannot be defined. Jozef will come to realize that the Sanatorium is a floating world halfway between sleep and wakefulness and that time and events cannot be measured in any tangible form.

“In our film, the Sanatorium is one vast, mysterious realm that Józef tries to navigate and ends up submitting to,” the brothers told Variety in a new interview. “He will find his father, then lose him in a dream. Józef himself will become multiple; one will die, another will be condemned to wander endlessly the Sanatorium’s corridors and the last one will board the very same train he arrived on.”

The Quays pulled from the texts of Schulz’s SanatoriumThe Comet and The Republic of Dreams. They also sought to maintain the author’s voice by producing the film entirely in the Polish language. The cast features Tadeusz Janiszewski, Wioletta Kopańska, Andrzej Kłak, Zenaida Yanowsky and Allison Bell.

“This new feature is secretly, if not entirely, dedicated to his ‘J’: Józefina Szelińska, whom [Schulz had] been engaged to but never married,” the filmmakers share in the interview. “Beyond all his slow accumulations of stories was the inevitable ruthless end to his life in that little town of Drohobycz that he hardly ever left. That grief we hold to this day and still see in every sentence of his work.”

Schulz was murdered by a Gestapo officer in 1942 while walking through the Drohobycz Ghetto; the town is located in modern-day Ukraine.

‘The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist’ Trailer Cases the Spooky Netflix Animated Special

The Bad Guys Haunted Heist

DreamWorks’ popular animal crooks prepare for the ultimate score (and scare!) of their careers in the new trailer for The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist, premiering on Netflix on October 3. Featuring the Aaron Blabey book characters brought to life in the 2022 big screen adventure The Bad Guys, the spooky spot promises families a haunted mansion mystery full of surprises.

Synopsis: The Bad Guys set off on the ultimate Halloween heist, absconding with legendary deceased crook Reginald E. Scary’s prized stolen amulet. While on their mission in Scary’s haunted mansion, Wolf has a few tricks up his sleeve to spook his crew. But when Wolf ends up being haunted the Bad Guys must revisit the mansion to return the cursed loot.

Featuring the voices of Michael Godere as Wolf, Ezekiel Ajeigbe as Shark, Raul Ceballos as Piranha, Chris Diamantopoulos as Snake and Reginald E. Scary, and Mallory Low as Tarantula.

The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist is directed by Kevin Peaty (Captain Underpants: Mega Blissmas, The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants: Hack-a-Ween) and executive produced by Bret Haaland and Katherine Nolfi.

Watch Next’s ‘Wild Kat’ Brings Animated Wereling Action to Gulli

Watch Next announces the production of its new 2D animated series, Wild Kat, in collaboration with Gulli and Super RTL. Created and developed at the Parisian studio, the 26 x 22′ show blends fantasy and adventure, infused with humor and action, and tackles themes of identity and self-acceptance designed to resonate with children and pre-teens.

Wild Kat is set in a world much like our own, but where certain individuals can transform into human-animal hybrids known as Werelings. Kat is one of them. Along with her companions, Idris and Dimitri, she is tasked with stopping those who misuse their transformations for malicious purposes, all while adjusting to her new life as a middle school student.

“With Wild Kat, we wanted to create an action-packed series with spectacular battles that still captures the emotions experienced by its characters,” said Sylvain Huchet (co-creator & producer) and Jérémy Guiter (co-creator & director). “Kat and her friends are not superheroes, but teenagers facing age-related challenges, particularly those of identity and difference. It is this sensitivity and immersive quality that make the series unique and will, we believe, resonate with the young audience.”

Wild Kat has also been developed with financial backing from Creative Europe Media, CNC, SOFITVCINE, PROCIREP and ANGOA. Emmy nominee John Derevlany (Squish, Lego: Legends of Chima) wrote the show’s pilot and is the series co-story editor.

Watch Next was founded in 2015 by Philippe Alessandri with a focus on creating original animated content with international appeal. In 2017, it launched La Factorie, bringing two animation studios to Paris and Lille, followed by the incorporation of Paris studio Je Suis Bien Content in 2019 and the establishment of Watch Next’s Italian subsidiary in Turn, set up in collaboration with producer Elena Toselli. In 2018, Watch Next debuted its distribution unit Kids First.

Recent projects include the feature film Mars Express (co-produced by Je Suis Bien Content and Everybody On Deck), Nate Is Late (104 x 11′) and Hello Kitty: Superstyle (52 z 11’).

Media IM Picks Up YouTube Pre-K Property ‘Tatty and Misifu’

Media I.M. Incorporated, a London-based content distribution company specializing in premium animation and family entertainment, is aiming to build on the success of Sunny Bunnies with the acquisition of another animated YouTube property: the 2D preschool animated series Tatty and Misifu.

Under the worldwide distribution deal, Media I.M. will now represent all five seasons (72 x 5′) of the show produced since 2020 by the Barcelona based ToyTownKids to international linear and digital platforms, excluding YouTube, which is managed directly by the producer.

Tatty is a little witch whose adventures with inseparable and faithful friend Misifu the kitten takes us to a world of fantasy and magic accompanied by equally magical allies and friends. Tatty’s world is full of beautiful characters — from Lilly, Tatty’s giggly little sister, to their grandma who is not only a witch but a superhero, too, and her goofy furry companion, Chewbarka.

“The core messages woven throughout this beautiful show are those of magic and wonder, friendship, teamwork, curiosity, perseverance and bravery. These same values will inspire us as we launch Tatty and Misifu to the international market on this new adventure,” said Irina Nazarenko, Co-Founder of Media I.M. “We will be using the very successful template we built up through our experience of discovering, creating and firmly establishing the global brand Sunny Bunnies. We are very confident our network of partners throughout the world will love Tatty and her friends as much as we do.”

The characters and stories were created and developed by ToyTownKids; the creative brain behind the show is Aldara Saucedo with Maxim Shulzhenko as commercial lead.

Tatty and Misifu was originally launched to the world as an iPad interactive book followed by the creation of the first dedicated YouTube channel in Spanish. The show was initially produced in Spanish with subsequent seasons being produced in Spanish and dubbed into English. Animation production in taking place between studios in Peru and Barcelona. To date, the little witch and her friends have garnered over 10 million current global subscribers and 4 billion plays.

“ToyTownKids is thrilled to collaborate with Media I.M. to bring Tatty and Misifu to a global audience. This partnership marks an exciting new chapter for our series, leveraging Media I.M.’s extensive network and proven track record in the international market,” said Shulzhenko. “We believe that Tatty’s enchanting adventures and the show’s core messages of friendship, kindness, and curiosity will resonate with children and families worldwide. We’re confident that this collaboration will open up new opportunities for Tatty and Misifu and set the stage for continued growth and success.”

Media I.M.’s business model, spearheaded with the Sunny Bunnies brand, has been developed and managed by the distributor for almost 10 years. Sunny Bunnies launched in 2015 on YouTube, achieving a wave of high-profile sales across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific airing in more than 190 countries. It is supported by a comprehensive L&M strategy encompassing toys, books, magazines, publishing and apparel.

Box Office: ‘Inside Out 2’ Passes ‘Lion King’ in Top 10, ‘Despicable Me 4’ Hits $900M

Summer’s big animation blockbusters continue their hot streaks at the box office even with fall just weeks away. Pixar/Disney’s latest smash hit Inside Out 2 is climbing up the Top 10 all-time movie rankings, reaching $1,667,145,541 worldwide after the holiday weekend. In the last frame, the sequel became the first animated movie ever to hit $1 billion in overseas box office, and is already the highest-grossing movie of all time.

The new total makes Inside Out 2 the ninth-highest-grossing movie of any genre of all time, edging past Disney’s “live-action” 2019 The Lion King ($1.662B) and edging up to 2015’s Jurassic World ($1.671B). The list is currently split between four $1B+ movies and six with over $2B, including Avatar (2009) at No. 1 with $2.923B.

Disney is toasting the success of both the Pixar flick and Marvel’s Deadpool & Wolverine, which are so far the only billion-dollar blockbusters to hit theaters this year.

In other animated box office news, Illumination sequel Despicable Me 4 has reached another milestone, mounting the $900M mark with $915.2M. Having helped push the franchise to infamy as the first animation collection to reach $5B, DM4 is the third highest-grossing Despicable Me movie and the fifth in the full Despicable Me/Minions roll call (so far). Domestically, the Gru revue was running for its 10th weekend over Labor Day, taking in an estimated $5.55M over four days.

Despicable Me 4 [c/o Illumination & Universal Pictures]
Despicable Me 4 [c/o Illumination & Universal Pictures]
[Sources: BoxOfficeMojo, Deadline]

MIAM! Picks Up ‘Mare the Mermaid’ Sales Rights Across the Seven Seas

From the Unifrance Rendez-Vous, MIAM! distribution announced it is overseeing the international sales of the new animated adult comedy series, Mare the Mermaid. Produced by Silex Films and directed by Franco-American filmmaker Sam de Ceccatty (Lilith & Eve, Max & Millie, The Walking Dead: Paris Underground), this 10 x 22’ series is set for delivery in 2026 with France Télévisions on board.

“We are thrilled to include Mare the Mermaid in our lineup as it embodies MIAM’s dedication to offering programs that make a significant impact,” said Mélanie Errea, Head of Sales and Acquisitions at MIAM! distribution. “Its strong and relatable female characters, contemporary social themes and unique storylines make it a perfect fit for international markets. Created by a dynamic writing duo with a background in fiction, and directed by one of the most exciting voices in the industry today, the show brings a fresh perspective to animation that sets it apart. We’re eager to introduce it to our partners across the globe and find the best homes for this fantastic show.”

Mare the Mermaid tells the story of Princess Pelagie, who ditches her royal life and swims off to college under a new alias: Mare. Her mission? To escape the media’s spotlight and her mom’s watchful eye. But as she quickly learns, blending in isn’t as easy as slipping on a seaweed disguise. As she navigates a sea of secrets and fish out of-water situations, she realizes that embracing her true self is the only path forward. The series explores themes of identity, self-acceptance, and the pressures of societal expectations, all while delivering a rich comedic experience.

Mare the Mermaid is a project that we are incredibly proud of. It’s fresh, it’s daring, and it’s unlike anything we’ve seen in animation before,” commented Silex Films producer Judith Nora. “We are thrilled to partner with MIAM! distribution to bring this series to international audiences who are looking for something new and different. We wanted to create a show that would resonate with today’s audiences by tackling contemporary issues with humor and heart. Working with such a talented team has been an inspiring journey, and I am excited to see how audiences around the world will connect with Pélagie’s story.”

The series is created and written by Iris de Jessey (Mytho Season 3, Caro Nostra, Tomorrow Is Ours) and Thomas Colineau (Greek Salad, HPI), with art direction by Ana Tortos. In a recent interview, director de Ceccatty discussed the series, emphasizing its contemporary themes and relatable characters that challenge traditional norms while providing humor and insight into modern-day issues:

‘Despicable Me 4’ Comes Home with Over an Hour of New Bonus Content

The film that helped Illumination’s supervillain adventures become the first animated franchise to ever cross $5 billion, Despicable Me 4 will be available on Digital September 10, and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on September 24, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. The latest installment comes packed with over an hour of bonus content, including two Minions mini movies, exclusive voice recording sessions with Steve Carell and Will Ferrell, deleted & extended scenes and more.

Synopsis: Gru, Lucy and their girls welcome a new member to the family — Gru Jr. — who is intent on tormenting his dad, as a new nemesis shows up and forces the family to go on the run. This latest blockbuster chapter in the biggest global animated franchise in history is packed with nonstop action, filled with Illumination’s signature subversive humor, and new dynamics with the introduction of a questionably charming team — The Mega Minions!

Directed by Chris Renaud and Patrick Delage, Despicable Me 4 stars Steve Carell (The Office, Despicable Me franchise) alongside Kristen Wiig (Saturday Night Live, Despicable Me franchise). The cast also includes Will Ferrell (Anchorman, Elf), Sofia Vergara (Modern Family, Griselda), Joey King (The Kissing Booth, The Act), Stephen Colbert (The Colbert Report, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Monsters vs. Aliens) and Miranda Cosgrove (iCarly, Despicable Me franchise).

Bonus Features (Digital, Blu-ray & DVD):

  • Game Over and Over – After stumbling upon a powered-up game controller inside Gru’s lair, the mischievous Minions discover its ability to control one another, unleashing mayhem as they compete for high scores.
  • Benny’s Birthday – Benny finds himself trapped in a time loop of a Minion-style birthday party, encountering uproarious mischief at every turn.
  • Deleted/Extended/Alternate Scenes
    • Class of ‘85
    • Minions at the Reunion
    • Minions at Home
    • Big Day Out
    • Karate Round 2
    • Gru vs. Treehouse
    • Defibrillator
    • Mega Minions Mega Mix
    • Mega Minions in Lockdown
  • Despicable Dialogue – Watch Steve Carell, Will Ferrell and the rest of the cast perform some of their silliest lines in this hilarious montage of recording booth moments!
  • Meet the Cast – Get to know the actors behind your favorite characters! Featuring some of your old favorites like Gru, Lucy, and their girls as well as new favorites like the Prescotts and villains Maxime and Valentina.
    • Steve Carell: Gru
    • Kristen Wiig: Lucy
    • Joey King: Poppy Prescott
    • Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier and Madison Polan: Gru’s Girls
    • Stephen Colbert & Chloe Fineman: The Prescotts
    • Sofia Vergara: Valentina
    • Will Ferrell: Maxime
  • Making Of – The cast and crew of Despicable Me 4 share a behind the scenes look at the creation of the fourth installment of this iconic franchise! Learn about the story, the new characters, the animation process and more!
  • Mega Minion Mayhem – Assemble the Mega Minions! Learn about the development of the five most unique Minions to date.
  • Rogues Gallery – Using the AVL’s state-of-the-art facial recognition software, we look back at the most nefarious villains from past Despicable and Minions films.
  • How to Draw – Join Head of Story, Habib Louati, as he shows us how to draw the Mega Minions – Dave, Mel, Jerry, Gus and Tim!
    • Mega Dave
    • Mega Mel
    • Mega Jerry
    • Mega Gus
    • Mega Tim

Liquid Rock Launches as New Global Kids & Family Distribution & Co-Pro Outfit

Liquid Rock Entertainment has launched as a distribution and brand management company with a focus on premium kids’ and family content. Headquartered in Barcelona and Miami, Liquid Rock is putting together strategic alliances with key production companies and media partners enhancing brand exposure and focusing on the audience loyalty build-up with a 360º approach.

The label is co-founded by industry professionals Roberto Mitrani and Xavi Mas, both of whom bring extensive experience in the entertainment landscape. The company will be backed up with equity investment from the Multitrade Group, allowing the necessary warranties to implement the corporate investment and growth strategies.

Mitrani, who will continue leading Ypsilon Films operations in Iberia, brings three decades of experience in the entertainment industry setting up key market partnerships and a solid track record in sales and co-productions of iconic brands as well as equity investment ventures with international partners such as Universal Cartoon Studios, Endemol, Viacom, WarnerMedia, The Walt Disney Company and BBC Films, among others.

“By combining our expertise and passion with strategic alliances, we believe we can elevate kids and family brands to new levels of success,” commented Mitrani. “Our commitment is to deliver content that not only entertains but also builds lasting connections with audiences around the world.”

For his part, Max has spent two decades managing entertainment properties in the children’s media space. His background includes founding Mas Media Brands and serving as the Head of Global Sales at PGS Entertainment. His experience in successfully launching global hits and his strong relationships with key players in the industry will play a critical role in the company’s expansion and success.

“Our objective at Liquid Rock Entertainment is to build a strong brand exposure while fostering audience loyalty through a well-rounded strategy by finding new and creative ways to thrive in these challenging times,” said Mas.

Liquid Rock plans to operate as an investor, co-producer, and distributor, carefully selecting and marketing brands with global appeal. The company’s approach involves creating robust partnerships with production companies and key media outlets, ensuring that each property of the portfolio receives the support it requires to strengthen the exposure for kids and families worldwide.

The company, which will announce its initial lineup before the end of September, will be seeking new investment opportunities at Cartoon Forum and is setting its official launch at the forthcoming MIPCOM.

Star Trek Day Celebrates with ‘Make an Impact’ Campaign and Free Episodes

In celebration of Star Trek Day (September 8), the franchise announces “Take the Chair, Make an Impact,” a global campaign encouraging fans to embrace the optimistic vision of a brighter future and to give back to the inclusive community of fans that Star Trek has fostered over the years.

On Sept. 8, 1966, Star Trek debuted for the first time on television and creator Gene Roddenberry introduced audiences to a world that championed diversity, inclusion, acceptance and hope. Fifty-eight years later, Star Trek commemorates this important day and the franchise’s enduring legacy with the fifth annual Star Trek Day celebration, providing fans with a memorable way to enjoy and celebrate all things Star Trek.

This year, Star Trek has partnered with three worldwide nonprofits that embody the values of the franchise, including Code.org, giving every K-12 student the opportunity to learn computer science; DoSomething.org, fueling young people to change the world; and Outright International, advocating for LGBTIQ inclusion and equality globally. The “Take the Chair” campaign invites fans to see themselves in the iconic U.S.S. Enterprise captain’s chair and ask themselves, “What would I do if I were setting the course to the future?” Fans will be able to engage through a digital experience available to fans worldwide on StarTrek.com. Throughout the month of September, 25% of U.S. product sales from select items on the official Star Trek shop will benefit these three nonprofits.

Fans will be able to celebrate Star Trek Day at various pop-up events, including the Taste of Chicago located in Chicago, Ill., throughout the weekend of Sept. 6, which will feature the U.S.S. Enterprise captain’s chair, while on Sept. 8 activations in Berlin, Germany, at the ALEXA Mall and in Vancouver, British Columbia, at the Richmond Centre will feature a modern architectural interpretation of the captain’s chair crafted from sustainable materials. At all activations, fans are invited to “Take the Chair,” capture a photo, obtain a personalized mission and receive a limited edition enamel pin.

In honor of Star Trek Day, the premiere episodes of the following live-action and animated series as well as animated  Short Treks will be available to watch for free in a special sampling occurring Sept. 7-13 on Paramount+ partner platforms (Prime Video, Apple, Roku), Paramount+’s Official YouTube page, Pluto TV and on the Paramount+ free content hub (U.S. only):

  • Star Trek: The Original Series – “The Cage”
  • Star Trek: The Next Generation – “Encounter at Farpoint Part I & II”
  • Star Trek: Voyager –“Caretaker Part I & II”
  • Star Trek: Deep Space Nine – “The Emissary Part I & II”
  • Star Trek: Enterprise – “Broken Bow Part I & II”
  • Star Trek: The Animated Series – “Beyond the Farthest Star”
  • Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – “Strange New Worlds”
  • Star Trek: Lower Decks – “Second Contact”
  • Star Trek: Discovery – “The Vulcan Hello”
  • Star Trek: Picard – “Remembrance”
  • Star Trek: Short Treks – “The Girl Who Made the Stars,” “The Trouble with Edward,” “Ask Not,” “Runaway” and “Ephraim and Dot”

For additional information on “Star Trek Day” programming and initiatives, visit StarTrek.com/Day. You can follow updates on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X with @StarTrek and #StarTrekDay.

‘20 Dance Street’ CG Animated Series Greenlit by Cottonwood, ZDF & France TV

Kids’ content producer Cottonwood Media, along with ZDF, ZDF Studios, France Télévisions, and in partnership with Opéra national de Paris, announces that the 3D CGI kids animated drama series 20 Dance Street (26 x 26’) has been greenlit for production, with pre-production starting this fall. Greenlit by broadcasters ZDF and France Télévisions (the latter as part of a pre-sale), the series was first unveiled when in development during Cartoon Forum 2023.

The series has also pre-sold to RTBF (Belgium). Federation Kids & Family (key distributor of Cottonwood Media content) and ZDF Studios are handling worldwide sales.

“It’s such a pleasure to have joined forces with ZDF and France Télévisions on yet another exciting series,” shared Cottonwood Media Co-Founders David Michel, Cécile Laurenson, and Zoé Carrera Allaix. “We believe 20 Dance Street will strike a universal chord with kids as our resilient main character has overcome many ordeals in life, yet is still exemplary of a young person who takes everything in her stride. As the story evolves, many relatable themes unfold such as friendship, abandonment, joys of life, betrayal and more, that will have viewers hooked.”

The animated show is adapted from the popular French children’s book series by Elizabeth Barféty, which launched in 2016 and had since seen more than 20 novels published across Europe.

Nicole Keeb, Head of International Co-productions and Acquisitions, Children and Youth programs, ZDF, commented, “We are delighted to be part of this new, exciting, and deeply moving ballet adventure — once again collaborating with Cottonwood and ZDF Studios. Following the success of Find Me in Paris and Spellbound, our high-profile live-action series, we felt it was time to explore the world of ballet through animation, reaching a slightly younger audience. Et voilà!”

Aimed at kids ages 6-11, 20 Dance Street centers on 11-year-old Maya who leaves the Caribbean to join the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet School — unaware her destiny is about to change forever. Her resilience and altruism shine through as she is plunged into the unknown far from home, whilst moving forward through joys and sorrows, guided by a single dream, to become a prima ballerina. The series blends drama and comedy with a serialized arc that follows Maya during her first year at the ballet school.

“We were immediately captivated by the story of Maya and her friends, and by how Elizabeth Barféty’s books will be adapted for the screen, added Arne Lohmann, VP Junior at ZDF Studios. “We are confident that children all over the world will fall in love with 20 Dance Street just as we have, and that it will become an international success.”

The show features ultra-realistic dance scenes performed in motion capture by professional dancers, helping bring the CG-animated story to life with authenticity.

20 Dance Street is written and developed by Christel Gonnard and directed by Romy Yao. Designs are by David François.

20 Dance Street