The Animation Guild Ratifies New AMPTP Contract
With a voter turnout even greater than the last cycle’s turnout, a supermajority of IATSE Local 839 members voted to ratify the 2024-2027 Animation Guild Master Agreement.
Ring In 2025 with ‘Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood’
The 4 new episodes feature gentle life lessons about family, finding out how to be fair, learning to say sorry, and more when they premiere on PBS KIDS the week of January 6.
TV Academy, National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences to Share Members
In a groundbreaking new partnership, the former rivals will now share members in the peer groups Children’s Animation, Children’s Live Action, Daytime, and Documentary.
Animation Journalist Nancy Denney-Phelps Releases ‘On the Animation Trail’
The book, which features covers by Joanna Quinn, charts the last 20 years of animation festivals, from Annecy, the oldest animation festival in the world, to Beirut and the founding of the festival in Peja, Kosovo; pre-order is available now.
52nd Annual Annie Award Nominations Announced
Best Animated Feature nominees ‘Inside Out 2,’ ‘Kung Fu Panda 4,’ ‘That Christmas,’ ‘The Wild Robot,’ ‘Ultraman: Rising,’ and ‘Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl’ top the expansive list of category nominations; animation’s biggest awards ceremony is scheduled to return live on Saturday, February 8 at UCLA’s Royce Hall.
Fresh off the press: my book ON THE ANIMATION TRAIL - 20 Years of Animation History is now out!
Just in time for the holidays, my book ON THE ANIMATION TRAIL - 20 Years of Animation History has been released today
Shout! Studios Reveals ‘Panda Bear in Africa’ Digital Release
The animated feature from Shout! Studios and Shout! Kids in collaboration with Cinema Management Group will be available for rent or purchase on all major digital platforms on January 28, 2025.
Disney, BBC Studios Announce ‘Bluey’ Feature
Company acquires global theatrical film rights to 'Bluey The Movie,' which will hit theaters in 2027, then stream on Disney+ and air on ABC iView and ABC Kids in Australia.
DREAMBOX360º Launches ‘A Christmas Dream’ 5D Projection Experience
The immersive event aims to bring the magic of the holidays to life with 5DX experiences, such as cutting-edge projection visuals, sound, and special effects.
The Pokémon Company, Aardman Team on Mystery Project
Set for a 2027 release, the collaboration promises ‘brand-new adventures’ set in the Pokémon universe, presented in Aardman’s classic Claymation style.
Rob Edwards to Adapt ‘Brown Sugar Fairies: Saroja’s Quest’ Children’s Book
The ‘Princess and the Frog’ screenwriter will write, direct, and produce the animated film; author Aiysha Sinclair produces alongside Stranger Comics president Sebastian A. Jones.
Minno Acquires ‘The Dead Sea Squirrels’ Exclusive Worldwide Rights
The animated series from Mike Nawrocki, co-creator of 'VeggieTales,' will debut on streaming service in early 2025.
Disney Removes Trans Narrative from ‘Win or Lose’
Pixar’s first longform series will no longer feature the storyline, with the studio explaining, ‘many parents would prefer to discuss certain subjects with their children on their own terms and timeline.’
The Ed Asner Family Center Hosts ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ Staged Table Read
The December 14 radio play-focused fundraiser benefitted the non-profit center, an LA resource for special needs individuals; event featured Tom Kenny, Joey King, Mark Hamill, Tom Bergeron, Phil Lamarr, and many others.
Applications For WIA’s 2025 ‘Stories x Women’ Now Open
Selectees for the unique pitch development program receive a series of mentoring and coaching sessions led by animation experts who will prepare them to present at Annecy 2025; application deadline is February 7, 2025.
Prime Video Renews ‘Secret Level’
On the heels of its December 10 premiere, a second season has been ordered for the record-setting animated anthology from Tim Miller, which features original stories set within the worlds of some of the most beloved video games.
Crunchyroll Announces Winter 2025 Anime Lineup
Highlights of the upcoming slate include ‘Solo Leveling’ Season 2, ‘ZENSHU’, ‘The Apothecary Diaries’ Season 2, and more.
Miyu Distribution Acquires ‘The Great History of Western Philosophy’
See the trailer and images; inspired by Lacanian theory, the animated feature from Aria Covamonas utilizes a Dadaist-style collage of public domain footage and audio to emphasize its play on reality and perception.
San Francisco Bay Coffee, Cutwater Team for Animated Campaign
The family-owned, eco-conscious company has launched its first brand awareness promotion, which illustrates a sustainable future for coffee lovers.
DC Studios Greenlights ‘Clayface’ Feature
Mike Flanagan is penning the script while the hunt for a director is underway; plot details have not been revealed for the film which features the shapeshifting Batman villain last seen in Max’s animated ‘Harley Quinn’ series.
Netflix Drops ‘Astérix & Obélix: The Big Fight’ Teaser
The animated series created by Alain Chabat, which hits the streamer Spring 2025, follows the exploits of the beloved Gaulish duo after their village’s potion master forgets the crucial magic potion recipe.
L’Alliance New York Announces Animation First 2025 Program
Returning for its 8th edition, the festival runs January 21-26 2025, and will present 7 feature-length films and 5 short film programs, with a special focus on Swiss animation.
Disney Acquires Lionel Messi-Inspired ‘Messi and the Giants’ Series
The 3DCG sci-fi show about a young boy named Leo who is transported from his home in Argentina into a fantastical alternate universe will debut on Disney Channel followed by Disney Channel On Demand and Disney+.
See Creature Animation, Cossette, Rodeo FX Team for ‘Hanging by a Thread’
The handcrafted crochet stop-motion commercial is part of a broader awareness campaign about psychological health in the workplace that aims to prevent psycho social risks such as bullying and harassment.
Live-Action ‘Tangled’ Remake in Development at Disney
‘The Greatest Showman’ filmmaker Michael Gracey is in talks to helm the upcoming project from a script by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson; casting has not been announced.
