Binocular Briefs - February 2025
AWN’s latest survey highlights under-the-radar animated shorts that are currently making their way through the festival circuit — or are newly available for online viewing.
Tagged With: hand-drawn animation
Spotlight on Oscar-Nominated Shorts: ‘In the Shadow of the Cypress’
Iranian filmmakers Hossein Molayemi and Shirin Sohani talk about their hand-drawn, deeply personal film, created under extreme political and financial hardship, about a captain suffering from PTSD who lives with his daughter, wants to be a caring father, but struggles with a harsh life.
In 2D, Awards, CG, Event, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld | Special Events: Academy Awards | Geographic Region: All
Binocular Briefs - January 2025
AWN’s latest survey highlights under-the-radar animated shorts currently making their way through the festival circuit or newly available for online viewing.
Re-VIEW: ‘The Imaginary’ - A Story to Believe
With breathtaking animation and a heartfelt narrative, Studio Ponoc’s hand-drawn animated film celebrates the unrestrained magic of childhood imagination while addressing universal themes of loss, memory, and the enduring power of stories.
In 2D, Anime, Books, CG, Films, People, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: VIEW Conference Spotlight | Special Events: VIEW Conference | Geographic Region: All
Binocular Briefs - November 2024
AWN’s latest survey highlights under-the-radar animated shorts currently making their way through the festival circuit or newly available for online viewing.
‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’: Weaving Captivating Music into a Hand-Drawn Visual Feast
Composer Stuart Hancock discusses how he created the evocative soundtrack that so beautifully meshed with Neil Boyle and Kirk Hendry’s poignant 2D animated adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s novel, spotlighting the power of connection and the beauty of nature; releases November 26 on VOD.
Building the Crazy World of ‘Dullsville and the Doodleverse’
Billed as a ‘journey beyond the threshold of sanity’ featuring Hap, a mad scientist and his cat Mello, the new animated short from Burnt Toast and his company Doodles brings together the music of stars like Pharrell Williams and Lil Wayne with hand-drawn and CG animation that required all new pipelines, processes, and the tightest of schedules.
Binocular Briefs – A Tribute to Emma Calder
AWN’s latest survey of under-the-radar animated shorts currently making their way through the festival circuit or newly available for online viewing pays tribute to the talented British artist and collage master who passed away September 26 at age 65 from cancer.
Binocular Briefs - September 2024
AWN’s latest survey of under-the-radar animated shorts currently traveling the festival circuit or new to online viewing.
Wonderstorm Launches ‘The Dragon Prince: Xadia’ RPG
Creative team and voice talent celebrated the game launch and Emmy-Award winning ‘The Dragon Prince’ Season 6 premiere at SDCC 2024.
In 3D, CG, Digital Media, Event, Games, People, Television, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Special Events: Comic-Con | Geographic Region: All
Max Sets ‘The Boy and the Heron’ Streaming Date
The Oscar-winning film’s debut is part of a multiyear deal extending U.S. streaming rights of award-winning Studio Ghibli’s catalog, including ‘Spirited Away,’ ‘Howl's Moving Castle,’ ‘The Wind Rises,’ ‘The Tale of The Princess Kaguya,’ and ‘When Marnie Was There.’
In 2D, Business, CG, Digital Media, Films, Home Entertainment, People, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
VIDEO: Andreas Deja Releases ‘Mushka’s Lullaby’
Orchestral song from the soundtrack of the award-winning hand-drawn short film ‘Mushka’ is one of the final compositions by legendary Disney songwriter Richard M. Sherman.
In 2D, Films, Music and Sound, Music Videos, People, Places, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All, Europe, North America
Woody Allen-Narrated Animated Short ‘Mr. Fischer’s Chair’ in Production
The four-studio co-production centers on the face-off between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky during the 1972 World Chess Championship; release set for August 2025.
In 2D, CG, Event, People, Short Films, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Special Events: Annecy | Geographic Region: All
Academy Museum to Screen Rare Restoration of ‘The Thief and the Cobbler’
Dubbed ‘A Moment in Time,’ 2013 restoration represents the original vision legendary animator Richard Williams intended for his film before it was taken from his control and altered.
‘Wittgenstein’s Poker’ Kickstarter Launched
Starring Richard E. Grant, Brian Cox, and Karl Markovics, the animated short brings to life the ‘Cambridge Poker Incident,’ the notorious dispute between philosophers Ludwig Wittgenstein and Karl Popper.
In 2D, Business, People, Short Films, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Digital, Blu-ray Release Dates Announced for ‘The Boy and the Heron’
Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar-winning animated feature will be available to rent and purchase digitally in 4K Ultra HD on Prime Video and Apple TV starting June 25, while physical copies to hit stores July 9.
In 2D, CG, Digital Media, Films, Home Entertainment, People, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Special Events: Academy Awards | Geographic Region: All
Hisko Hulsing Talks About His Rotoscoping Process
The ‘Undone’ director combines rotoscope and hand-drawn animation, live-action performance, and oil-painted backgrounds to capture the subtle intricacies of human emotions within a dream-like, 'unreal' aesthetic; watch the animatic of his upcoming short, ‘Resurrection,’ to be released in 2025.
In 2D, 3D, Acting, Digital Media, Music and Sound, People, Short Films, Technology, Television | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: Ambling Around | Geographic Region: All
Lupus Films Drops ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’ Trailer
The 3-time BAA Award-winning animated film directed by Neil Boyle and Kirk Hendry follows the saga of a young boy swept overboard on a family sailing trip who washes ashore on a remote island; the feature will screen at Marche du Film/Festival des Cannes in May.
In 2D, Awards, Books, CG, Films, People, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Netflix Acquires Streaming Rights for ‘The Boy and the Heron’
Streamer inks multiyear deal for rights to the Oscar-winning film, along with 22 other Studio Ghibli films, outside the U.S. and Japan, including Oscar-winning and -nominated films ‘Spirited Away,’ ‘Princess Mononoke,’ ‘Arrietty,’ ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service,’ ‘My Neighbor Totoro,’ and ‘The Tale of The Princess Kaguya.’
In 2D, Business, CG, Digital Media, Films, People | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Max Nabs 2024 Oscar Winner ‘The Boy and the Heron’ Streaming Rights
Streamer and GKDS ink multiyear deal extending U.S. streaming rights of award-winning Studio Ghibli’s catalog, including Oscar-winning and -nominated films ‘Spirited Away,’ ‘Howl's Moving Castle,’ ‘The Wind Rises,’ ‘The Tale of The Princess Kaguya,’ and ‘When Marnie Was There.’
In 2D, Business, CG, Digital Media, Films, People | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: North America
GKIDS Releasing ‘Chicken for Linda!’ in Select Theaters
Watch the trailer for the Annecy Crystal award-winning hand-painted animated feature from husband-wife team Chiara Malta and Sébastien Laudenbach that follows a mother trying to assuage her guilt for unjustly punishing her daughter with a mad dash about town looking for poulet; theatrical run kicks off in NYC on April 5.
New Vimeo Staff Pick - Watch: ‘Bye Little Block!’ 2D Short
Éva Darabos’ award-winning hand-drawn animated film tells the personal story of her own surreal farewell to the ‘beloved blockhouse’ where she grew up.
In 2D, CG, Digital Media, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Watch: Studio Ghibli Co-founder Toshio Suzuki Talks ‘The Boy and The Heron’
The famed producer reflects on Hayao Miyazaki, the legendary director’s Oscar-nominated feature, and the future of animation.
Netflix Nabs Streaming Rights to Studio Ponoc’s Animated Film Slate
The next feature from the animation house founded by Oscar-nominated former Studio Ghibli producer Yoshiaki Nishimura, ‘The Imaginary,’ will hit the streamer later this year after its theatrical run in Japan.
In 2D, Books, Digital Media, Films, People, Technology | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Alkemy X’s Creative Studio Adds Remade to U.S. Commercial Roster
The design-based animation studio specializes in hand-drawn and cell animation and boasts notable clients including Google, Indeed, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Hermès.
In 2D, CG, Commercials, Digital Media, People | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
