‘Josee, the Tiger and the Fish’: Embracing People with Disabilities in Anime
Kotaro Tamura’s brave, emotional animated love story features one of the first lead characters in a romance anime to use a wheelchair.
Category: Diversity and Inclusion
The Animation Guild Celebrates 70th Anniversary
A collective voice to members across the animation industry, TAG has a storied history of advocacy and representation; early accomplishments include organizing Hanna-Barbera productions in 1958, followed in 1980 with the establishment of the American Animation Institute, and most recently extending its reach outside of LA with the organization of workers at Titmouse NY.
Animation’s Vital Role in Documentary Short Films
Last month’s special Academy Museum screening and discussion, ‘Animating Realities: Documentary Social Impact Shorts,’ shared six films that show the emotional impact animation can bring to real-life stories.
In 2D, CG, Digital Media, Diversity and Inclusion, Event, People, Places, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All
‘Craig of the Creek’ Gets Season 5 Renewal and Spin-Off Greenlights
WarnerMedia Kids & Family picks up another season of the hit show, plus orders new preschool series ‘Jessica’s Big Little World’ and ‘Craig of the Creek: The Movie,’ both set to debut in 2023.
4th Annual BRIC Virtual Summit Line-Up Announced
Featuring an opening keynote by KidNation founder Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, the February 11-12 event will feature an executive workshop as well as speakers from NBCUniversal, ViacomCBS, Disney, and DreamWorks.
Ascendent Animation: Giving Voice to Talent and Anime that ‘Don’t Fit the Mold’
The Black-owned and LGBTQ+-operated studio launched in 2020 to embrace the need for more diversity and inclusivity – and mature, representative storytelling - in the anime dubbing industry.
TwentyOne14 Media Teams with Pat & Mike, Dan Abnett and Team Legend Studios
Group's first project is animated series, ‘The Adventures of Skelly;’ strategic partnership includes former Cartoon Network Studios SVP Brian Miller, and will emphasize shows that feature and target underrepresented BIPOC audiences.
Animation First 2022 Announces Festival Slate
FIAF’s event will be held in-person February 11-13, followed by an online edition from February 14-21; highlights include film premieres, a glimpse at highly anticipated works in progress as well as panels with leading animators.
In 2D, 3D, CG, Digital Media, Diversity and Inclusion, Event, Festival, Films, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All, North America
Kaitlyn Yang Talks ‘The Shrink Next Door’ and VFX Industry Inclusivity
For the VFX supervisor and Alpha Studios founder, the need to ‘be so good they can’t ignore you’ has fueled her drive to succeed as a woman, Chinese immigrant, and wheelchair user, and advocate for others in an industry short on representation of those with visible, or non-visible, disabilities.
Pearl Studio Launches Dream Frame Program
The Chinese animation studio has announced new animated features in development, in conjunction with newly launched initiatives to exploring new genres, promote Chinese culture and authentic storytelling while seeking, cultivating and supporting emerging industry talent.
‘Freebird’: Changing Hearts and Minds on the Realities of Down Syndrome
Writer/director Michael McDonald talks about the breakthrough animated short film that uses simple means for a powerful purpose.
Kukua Releases ‘Super Sema’ Holiday Special Teaser
Sema comes together with family and friends to celebrate their hopes and dreams in ‘The Day of Dreams’ episode, executive produced by Lupita Nyong’o; the YouTube Original animated series is produced by the Nairobi-based edutainment studio’s award-winning female team.
Kidscreen Announces Shortlist for 2022 Kidscreen Awards
Winners will be revealed at a gala awards ceremony at the Kidscreen Summit 2022.
In 2D, 3D, Awards, CG, Digital Media, Diversity and Inclusion, Event, Games, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Special Events: Kidscreen | Geographic Region: All
Exclusive Premiere: ‘Nuevo Rico’ Explores Latinx Futurism
Kristian Mercado Figueroa’s multi-award-winning short boldly explores Puerto Rican identity in a new way, a defiant gesture of representation that looks at the island’s commercialization and colonial status.
Spire Animation Studios Helps Lead the Way for Gender Equality
With its progressive hiring practices and corporate culture, the growing studio offers women artists and executives new opportunities that include business and creative decision-making.
In 3D, Business, CG, Diversity and Inclusion, Films, Jobs & Recruiting, People | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All
LatinX in Animation Announces First LXiA Spark Animation Grant
Sponsored by Netflix, the program will award two emerging independent Latinx animation filmmakers with money, mentorship, and support for production on an animated short film; submissions now being accepted through December 10.
‘Snoopy in Space’ Season 2 Blasts Off on Apple TV+
In all-new episodes premiering today, Snoopy heads to Mars on NASA’s Artemis I mission; in plush form, the famous canine astronaut will serve as the zero-gravity indicator on the uncrewed journey – STEM-based curriculum supporting the launch is available for grades K-6 on multiple platforms.
Inaugural Class Announced for CAPE Animation Directors Accelerator
Program provides an opportunity to develop and hone creative and leadership skills via a series of panels, workshops, and masterclasses; selected applicants to be paired with high-level animation industry mentors.
WIA and the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative Release VFX Industry Gender Study
‘Invisible in Visual Effects’ asks the question - how many women are responsible for the imagery on screen? The answer – very few.
‘Lift While We Climb’ Themed 'Black in Animation Awards Show' Coming November 14
Black Women Animate’s initiative honors Black people in animation who are blazing a trail to the future; honorees include Disney TVA’s Jay Francis, Mounia Aram Company’s Mounia Aram, ‘Craig of the Creek’ storyboard artist Tiffany Ford, and veteran animator Dan Hasket.
‘A Blue’s Clues Festival of Lights’ Kicks off Nick’s Holiday Line-Up
Nickelodeon gets into the holiday spirit with a Chanukah-themed episode premiering November 26; On November 19, network partners with Save the Children non-profit for ‘Blue Friday,’ a day of giving and learning.
In 2D, 3D, Acting, CG, Diversity and Inclusion, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
It’s a Wrap - VIEW 2021 Concludes its Most Successful Year Ever
The conference’s 1st hybrid edition hosted some 210,000 visitors online and 300+ attending in-person with a total of 297 speakers delivering 160 talks, panels, workshops, masterclasses, and keynote speeches; over 140 sessions are now available to stream on-demand.
In 3D, CG, Digital Media, Diversity and Inclusion, Education and Training, Event, Films, Games, People, Post-production, Previs/Postvis/Visualization, Short Films, Technology, Television, Transmedia, Virtual Production, AR/VR/XR, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All, Europe
‘My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission’: A Diverse ‘Feast for the Senses’
Hitting theaters today, October 29, Funimation and Toho Animation’s new anime, the hit franchise’s third movie, features three high school students studying to become superheroes, who suddenly face their greatest crisis - with only two hours to save the world!
5th Annual WIA Diversity Awards Announced at SPARK Animation 2021
The organization’s ongoing initiative recognizes individuals, films, and organizations working to expand diversity; Rebecca Sugar, ‘All Those Sensations in My Belly’ by Marko Dješka, and the University of Southern California Annenberg Inclusion Initiative all honored; taped ceremony with WIA president Marge Dean now available online at the festival website.
‘Rosie's Rules’ Coming to PBS KIDS
New 2D animated preschool comedy from 9 Story Media and Brown Bag Films stars 5-year-old Rosie Fuentes learning about the world beyond her family’s walls; the series, which debuts Fall 2022, aims to help young children develop awareness of themselves as part of a broader community.
In 2D, CG, Digital Media, Diversity and Inclusion, Education and Training, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
