Netflix Announces 2024 Holiday Slate
Running from November - January 2025, the slate includes three new animated films ‘Spellbound,’ ‘That Christmas,’ and Aardman’s ‘Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl.’
Digital Domain Appoints Gabrielle Gourrier as EVP of VFX Business
The appointment marks a return for the exec, who began her career in the company’s Advertising division before holding roles at both DNEG and Method Studios.
Netflix, Riot Games Drop ‘Making of Arcane’ Featurette
The multiple Annie and Emmy Award-winning adult animated series is back with its long-awaited Act III conclusion, now streaming.
Watch De-Aging Featurette on Robert Zemeckis’ ‘Here’
Releasing today on Digital and January 21 on Blu-ray and DVD, the film reunites the ‘Forrest Gump’ director, writer, and stars Tom Hanks and Robin Wright, who through AI-enabled VFX tools from Metaphysic, travel through several generations of family love, laughter and loss.
Fantoons Drops Animated Music Video for Brenda Lee's ‘Noche Buena y Navidad’
The new Spanish language adaptation of Lee’s holiday hit ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ was created with the singer’s full authorization via ‘responsibly sourced’ AI.
FX Drops Teaser, Key Art for ‘Alien: Earth’ Series
The original sci-fi/horror series set in the ‘Alien’ universe from executive producer Noah Hawley hits Hulu in Summer 2025.
The Animation Guild and AMPTP Reach Tentative Agreement
After 3 months of bargaining, the guild (TAG 839) has negotiated a new deal centered on fair wages, job security, and guardrails around Generative AI use.
Animation Educator’s Forum Announces 2024-25 Student Scholarship Recipients
The 11 honorees from the United States, Spain, France and Australia - 3 graduates and 8 undergraduates - will receive an evenly distributed prize of $44,000.
Paramount Drops ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ Trailer #2
A superpowered villain - Keanu Reeves’ Shadow - appears, forcing Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails to reunite… with an all new, highly unlikely alliance - dare we say the name, Dr. Robotnik!; the animated/live-action feature hits theaters December 20.
The Salvation Poem Project Unveils ‘Light of the World’ Teaser Trailer, Key Art
Tom Bancroft and John J. Schafer direct the upcoming 2D animated film, based on the life of Jesus seen through the eyes of his youngest apostle John, hitting U.S. theaters nationwide September 5, 2025.
WEBTOON Sets ‘Webcomic Legends’ Contest Launch
Launching in March 2025, the contest will reward 40 winning webcomic entries with over $1 million in cash prizes and the chance to join the WEBTOON Originals program.
‘Au 8ème Jour’ Takes Best in Show at SIGGRAPH Asia Computer Animation Festival
‘Sopa Fria’ takes the Jury Special award, while ‘Fire’ takes the Best Student Project award in the annual animated film competition; winners and other top contenders to screen at the Electronic Theater next week at the conference, held this year in Tokyo, Japan.
Sony Pictures Sues Wanda Over Failed Purchase Option
The suit, which seeks $49 million (plus interest), was filed earlier this year, alleging Wanda Hong Kong failed to ‘properly engage’ in a 2017 purchase option agreement for Vampire Squid Productions, the ‘Octonauts’ holding company.
SUPERPROD, Coolabi to Develop ‘Beast Quest’ Animated Series
Based on the children’s fantasy book series by Adam Blade, the adaptation will follow the adventures of Tom and Elenna on their quest to protect the Kingdom of Avantia from the evil wizard Malvel.
Bill Plympton’s ‘Slide’ to Screen at SVA
Screenings of the award-winning animated film will be held at the School of Visual Arts Theatre November 25 and December 7; Plympton will also appear at the Big Apple Holiday Con on November 23.
‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ Featurettes and Character Posters Released
Keanu Reeves stars as ‘Shadow the Hedgehog,’ a mysterious villain that Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails must reunite against… with an all new, highly unlikely alliance – dare we say the name, Dr. Robotnik!; the animated/live-action feature hits theaters December 20.
Creo Announces Sony Future Filmmaker Awards 2025 Jury
Entries are now being accepted to the competition - jury includes filmmaker Jason Reitman, filmmaker and writer Minhal Baig, 3000 Pictures president Elizabeth Gabler, and director Justin Chadwick; event runs June 2-6, 2025 at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City.
Disney+ Announces ‘Star Wars: Visions’ Volume 3
Lucasfilm’s animated short film anthology has been renewed for a third installment in collaboration with nine Japanese anime studios, set to stream in 2025.
Industry Vets Launch ‘Creative Sprouts’ Consultancy
Marion Edwards, Jodie Morris and Chris Rose have partnered on the collective, which offers hands-on creative workshops to give kids’ IP creators tailored, high-impact support.
The Felons Return in ‘The Bad Guys 2’ Trailer
Everyone’s favorite bad guys kind of gone good are back in DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming animated comedy about a crackerjack crew of animal outlaws, now-reformed, who get hijacked into a high-stakes, globe-trotting heist, masterminded by a new team of criminals: The Bad Girls; coming summer 2025.
31 Animated Features Eligible for Academy Awards Consideration
Academy members will vote to determine five nominees for best animated feature film award at the 97th Oscars; films also qualify for other categories including best picture.
Metaphysic De-Ages Robert Zemeckis’ ‘Here’ Via Generative AI
The AI-powered visual effects studio built neural network models to portray actors Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Paul Bettany and Kelly Riley through time at different ages.
Netflix Drops ‘Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl’ Final Trailer
Aardman’s highly-anticipated stop-motion animated feature, which follows Wallace’s new invention - Norbot, a ‘smart’ gnome that seems to develop a mind of its own - releases in theaters December 18 and hits the streamer January 3, 2025.
Digitoonz Spain, Morgana Studios Partner on ‘YugiBao’ IP
The two companies will co-own and co-develop the property’s multi-platform universe, based on the original NFT collection of 1,600 handcrafted 3D characters designed by Morgana Studios.
Voice Actor and Voice Director Dan Hennessey Passes at 82
The veteran artist, best known for his roles as Braveheart Lion in the ‘Care Bears’ animated series and Chief Quimby in ‘Inspector Gadget,’ as well on shows like ‘Star Wars: Droids,’ ‘Rock & Rule,’ and ‘Beetlejuice,’ died on November 13 due to Parkinson’s disease complications.
