Atlanta-based Mindjaz, one of the worlds fastest growing media companies, announced it is developing an animation division that will produce full length animated features and short films, as well as develop animated characters and features for advertisers and others. This announcement comes on the heels of the studio announcing that it will release its first feature in 2005.
At the American Film Market, the worldwide distribution rights to indie animated feature, THE EASTER EGG ESCAPADE, were sold to First Look Media.
The Chicago International Childrens Film Festivals closing night awards ceremony, sponsored by American Airlines, was held Oct. 31, 2004. FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR star James Avery hosted the gala as hundreds of movie lovers gathered to celebrate the most popular films of the festival.
The Waterloo Festival for Animated Cinema (WFAC) is an annual film festival founded to promote appreciation for animation as a viable medium for sophisticated, cinematic storytelling, and to review, celebrate and enjoy animated feature films as works of art.
The primary category for the Festival is the full-length animated feature film.
For more information, visit the festival web site at http://www.wfac.ca.
3rd edition of aniMOweb, interactive Flash animation contest with assigned theme and 3 sections: Intros, Games and interactivity, short animated films. 2004 theme: some aspects of women's life, such as work, politics, private life, the relationship between men and women. The protagonists are real or virtual, famous or imaginary heroines. Prizes budget: 8.800 Euro, other prizes are awarded by sponsors and other organizations.
Animated film EGG, by Ramon del Prado, was named best film in the Indeo Awards organized by the University of the Philippines Film Institute Cineastes' Studio, reports the INQUIRER NEWS SERVICE. The story chronicles the trials and tribulations of a chicken egg misplaced in a "balut" factory a metaphor for the problem of discrimination.
Japan's oldest film studio, Shochiku Co., is launching an animation division, reports VARIETY. The new arm plans to make five animated films and TV projects per year. Shochiku gm of filmed entertainment Ichiro Seki will head up the division. The unit will do commissioned works in both CG and 2D.
Shochiku will unveil its first animated productions in the next few months and hopes to release its first film in 2005. The company has had success previously distributing such animated fare as GENSOMADEN SAIYUKI -- THE MOVIE and the ULTRAMAN series.
In 1946, Salvador Dali and Walt Disney collaborated to create a short animated film called Destino. Though shelved before it was animated, this cutting edge piece was recently revived and finished 57 years later by Roy Disney, using the storyboards that Dali himself created. It is richly laden with outlandish, surrealistic imagery that, according to the curator of the Gala-Salvador Dali Foundation, is
A screening of animated short films entitled
On October 1st join Animators, Ink. and spend an evening viewing animated films of a political nature. The screening from 8- 10 will include a variety of animated shorts by Buzzco Associates, Sutton Impact Studios, Animatus, and by individuals like Howard Beckerman, Xeth Feinberg and Ray Kosarin. We will also have forms on hand to register young voters for the November Election.
Admission is free with a one drink minimum. Screening begins promptly at 8:00pm. General audiences (under 21) allowed. All guests for screening are welcome to stay for the after party.
Animated Encounters 2005Bristol, U.K.April 21-24, 2005Deadline: January 7, 2005
Cult classic animated film FANTASTIC PLANET will be getting a live-action rendition via production companies Circle Of Confusion and newly formed Five Windows Prods., reports VARIETY. The original French animated film won the Grand Prize at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival. The story takes place on an alien planet where giants rule, and humanoids must fight for their lives and equality.
Rhino Films has joined forces with MOTHER JONES magazine and Alligator Planet to form Rhino Animated Features, which is designed to produce a series of activism docs for theatrical release, reports VARIETY. The first film will be MOTHER SEES RED, which will take a look at America's current culture wars. An animated version of labor leader Mary Harris "Mother" Jones will host the films.
MOTHER JONES will give editorial direction for the projects. Rhino Films head Stephen Nemeth brought the idea to Alligator Planet, where Tim Boxell will head the company.
Animac, the International Animated Cinema Exhibition 2005Lleida, Spain February 14 27, 2004Deadline: November 30, 2004
First THE ANIMATRIX, then VAN HELSING and THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK and now ALIAS they all boast animated DVD shorts to bolster their live action siblings.
, September 16, 2004
The second of three animate! evenings exploring portraiture and the medium of animation. The event is chaired by writer and TIME OUT film critic Gareth Evans.
With Hollywood hot on adapting projects from the word of God, Australian producer Tom Broadbridge will create a 12-episode series titled, THE ANIMATED ADVENTURE BIBLE, reports HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Funded by a group of private Malaysian Christian investors, the budget is set at AUS$15 million ($10.4 million).
Scott Shaw! takes a look at the The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride Special Edition DVD and finds the rarest treat the amazing new short film, One by One.
The Toronto International Film festival has announced its lineup of 328 films. As for animated fare, DreamWorks SHARK TALE will swim into the gala presentation, making its North American premiere. Also making its North American debut will be Japanese 2D feature, STEAMBOY, directed by Katsuhiro Otomo. Arriving in the Gala slot as well will be John Stephenson's live-action and animated film, FIVE CHILDREN AND IT, starring Kenneth Branagh.
Jim Korkis looks at the common histories of comicstrips and animation.
This week in AWN's Forums, a member is trying to find rare animated shorts from Tim Burton. Another member asks what is the best scanner for 2D animation. Another thread is looking for members' favorite animated shorts to increase their toon knowledge. Several junior members continue to ask for software and school recommendations. Additionally, members continue to discuss Craig McCracken's new series FOSTER'S HOME FOR IMAGINARY FRIENDS.
If this "what if?" piece, Dr. Toon ponders what it would be like if the vintage kings of cartoons were revived.
The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) will be showing two groundbreaking animated short films at this year's SIGGRAPH Computer Animated Festival: RYAN, Chris Landreth's animated documentary about Ryan Larkin, and JUNE, Munro Ferguson's animated tribute to Joyce June Wieland. RYAN has received SIGGRAPH's prestigious Jury Award.
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (TCFHE) and Genesis Orlando Inc. have entered into a multiyear distribution agreement for the U.S. and Canadian video and DVD distribution rights for the animated film property, TUGGER, THE JEEP 4X4 WHO WANTED TO FLY. Fox joins the Chrysler Group/Jeep brand and the Joester/Loria Licensing Group in New York City, in support of the animated film.
Mike Mignola's comic book, HELLBOY, about the world's greatest and wittiest paranormal investigator, didn't make as big a splash on the big screen as expected, but Guillermo del Toro's movie has already been wowing viewers on this special edition DVD (Columbia TriStar Home Ent., $28.96), which streets July 27, 2004.
