Gitanjali Rao’s animated feature film, Bombay Rose will have its World Premiere as the opening film of Critics Week at the Venice International Film Festival on August 29th, 2019.
Animation | Anime
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Animated Horror Film TO YOUR LAST DEATH Featuring Morena Baccarin, William Shatner to World Premiere at Frightfest UK
Morena Baccarin as the Gamemaster in To Your Last Death 2-D animated horror film “To Your Last Death,” starring the voice talents of Morena Baccarin, Dani Lennon, Ray Wise, Bill Moseley, and William Shatner, will premiere at the 20th anniversary celebration of London’s Frightfest, the UK’s largest international genre festival, on Friday, August 23rd, 2019.
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Leonardo Da Vinci Gets a Fresh Look in Summer Family Movie LEO DA VINCI: MISSION MONA LISA
Leo Da Vinci shows off his painting of his friend Lisa in Ammo Content and Gruppo Alcuni’s “Leo Da Vinci: Mission Mona Lisa”. Meet the young, genius inventor Leonardo Da Vinci and his best friends, Lorenzo and Lisa, as they embark on a wild and exciting adventure. From flying cars, treasure maps, pirates, and sailing ships, it’s a family adventure everyone will love! Director Sergio Manfio’s Leo Da Vinci: Mission Mona Lisa, delightful new take on the great Leonardo Da Vinci will open in cinemas across the United States this Summer, on August 2, 2019.
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2019 Animation First Festival in NYC, Dedicated to French Animation Announces Lineup
Funan by Denis Do Building on its wildly successful inaugural year, the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) announced the 2019 Animation First festival, showcasing the vast history, enduring ingenuity, and diversity of France’s renowned animation studios and schools. This year’s schedule includes 17 premieres, provoking feature-length films, exciting shorts, immersive exhibits, video game demonstrations, panels with filmmakers, a special spotlight on the City of Bordeaux’s animation industry, and much more. It will take place from Friday, January 25 through Sunday, January 27, 2019, at FIAF in New York City.
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MIRAI, TITO AND THE BIRDS, ISLE OF DOGS Among Nominees for 46th Annie Awards
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Tito and the Birds / Tito e os Pássaros[/caption]
The nominations were announced today for the 46th Annual Annie Awards™ recognizing the year’s best in the field of animation with the year’s Best Animated Feature nominations include: Early Man, Incredibles 2, Isle of Dogs, Ralph Breaks The Internet and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Best Animated Feature-Independent, spotlighting features with a much smaller distribution footprint than major studio releases, include: Ce Magnifique Gâteau!, MFKZ, Mirai, Ruben Brandt, Collector and Tito and the Birds.
The Annie Awards™ cover 36 categories and include Best Animated Feature, Best Animated Feature-Independent, Special Productions, Commercials, Short Subjects, Student Films and Outstanding Individual Achievements, as well as the honorary Juried Awards. The winners will be announced at a black tie ceremony on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at UCLA’s Royce Hall.
Juried Awards will also be presented honoring unparalleled achievement and exceptional contributions to animation. Three Winsor McCay Award recipients have been selected by the ASIFA-Hollywood Board of Directors for their exemplary industry careers – Academy Award-winning director, animator and art director, Ralph Eggleston; Frank Braxton (posthumously), the first African-American animator, animation director and guild president; and casting director, voice director and voice actress Andrea Romano. The June Foray Award will be presented to veteran animator, Adam Burke (posthumously) for his significant and benevolent impact on the animation community. Ton Roosendaal, Dutch software developer and film producer, will accept the Ub Iwerks Award for Blender Open Source Animation Software; and a Certificate of Merit will be presented to dedicated ASIFA volunteer, Jason Jones.
46th Annie Awards Nominations
Annie Award for Best Animated Feature
Early Man Aardman Animations Incredibles 2 Pixar Animation Studios Isle Of Dogs Fox Searchlight Pictures / Indian Paintbrush / American Empirical Pictures Ralph Breaks The Internet Walt Disney Animation Studios Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Sony Pictures AnimationAnnie Award for Best Animated Independent Feature
Ce Magnifique Gâteau ! Beast Animation, Vivement Lundi !, Pedri Animation MFKZ Ankama / Studio 4ºC Mirai Studio Chizu Ruben Brandt, Collector Hungarian National Film Fund Tito and the Birds Bits Productions, Split StudioAnnie Award for Best Animated Special Production
Back to the Moon Google Spotlight Stories, Google Doodles, Nexus Studios Mary Poppins Returns Walt Disney Studios The Emperor’s Newest Clothes HBO / Starburns Industries The Highway Rat Magic Light PicturesAnnie Award for Best Animated Short Subject
Grandpa Walrus Caïmans Productions Lost & Found Wabi Sabi Studios SOLAR WALK Nørlum Untravel Production: Film House Baš Čelik, Serbia Co-production: BFilm, Bratislava / Your Dreams Factory, Bratislava Weekends past lives productionsAnnie Award for Best Virtual Reality Production
Age of Sail Google Spotlight Stories, Broad Reach Pictures Battlescar AtlasV Crow: The Legend Baobab Studios Mind Palace Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg GmbH Moss PolyarcAnnie Award for Best Animated Television/Broadcast Commercial
Goldfish at the Fair Stoopid Buddy Stoodios Greenpeace ‘There’s a Rang-Tan In My Bedroom’ Passion Animation Studios Grinch / 40 / Olympics Spot Illumination JD.com, ‘Joy and Heron’ Passion Pictures The Fearless Are Here Nexus StudiosAnnie Award for Best Animated Television/Broadcast Production For Preschool Children
Ask the StoryBots JibJab Bros. Studios for Netflix Dinotrux: Supercharged DreamWorks Animation Television Hey Duggee Studio AKA PJ Masks Frog Box Entertainment One Tumble Leaf Amazon Studios and Bix Pix EntertainmentAnnie Award for Best Animated Television/Broadcast Production For Children
Hilda Hilda Productions Limited, a Silvergate Media Company, Netflix Inc. and Mercury Filmworks Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny DreamWorks Animation Television Little Big Awesome Amazon Studios Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Nickelodeon Animation Studio Tales of Arcadia: Trollhunters DreamWorks Animation TelevisionAnnie Award for Best General Audience Animated Television/Broadcast Production
Big Mouth Netflix Bob’s Burgers 20th Century FOX Television/Bento Box Entertainment BoJack Horseman Tornante Productions, LLC for Netflix Human Kind Of Cartuna, Facebook Watch The Venture Bros. Adult Swim / Titmouse, Inc.Annie Award for Best Student Film
A Blink of An Eye Anke Kletsch Best Friend Luce Grosjean FACING IT Sam Gainsborough Hors Piste Luce Grosjean Sister Siqi SongAnnie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Animated Effects in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production
DreamWorks Theatre Presents Kung Fu Panda DreamWorks Animation Nominees: Zach Glynn, Chyuan Huang, Michael Losure, K.C. Ong, Alex Timchenko Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Nickelodeon Animation Studio Nominees: Jeffrey Lai SuperMansion Stoopid Buddy Stoodios Nominees: Mike Spitzmiller, Steve Gallant, Iain Collins, Daniel Craven, Lynda Rollins Tales of Arcadia: Trollhunters DreamWorks Animation Television Nominees: David M.V. Jones, Vincent Chou, Clare Yang Watership Down 42 / Biscuit Entertainment with Netflix Nominees: Philip Child, Nilesh SardesaiAnnie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Animated Effects in an an Animated Feature Production
Early Man Aardman Animations Nominees: Howard Jones, Dave Alex Riddett, Grant Hewlett, Pat Andrew, Elena Vitanza Chiarani Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation Sony Pictures Animation Nominees: Patrick Witting, Kiel Gnebba, Spencer Lueders, Joe Pepper, Sam Rickles Incredibles 2 Pixar Animation Studios Nominees: Greg Gladstone, Tolga Göktekin, Jason Johnston, Eric Lacroix, Krzysztof Rost Next Gen Baozou with Alibaba Pictures Inc. in association with Tangent Animation for Netflix Nominees: So Ishigaki, Graham Wiebe Ralph Breaks The Internet Walt Disney Animation Studios Nominees: Cesar Velazquez, Marie Tollec, Alexander Moaveni, Peter DeMund, Ian J. CoonyAnnie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Character Animation in an Animated Television / Broadcast Production
Age of Sail Google Spotlight Stories, Broad Reach Pictures Nominees: Sikand Srinivas Back to the Moon Google Spotlight Stories, Google Doodles, Nexus Studios Nominees: Lucas Vigroux Hilda Hilda Productions Limited, a Silvergate Media Company, Netflix Inc. and Mercury Filmworks Nominees: Scott Lewis Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure Walt Disney Television Animation Nominees: Juliane Martin Tumble Leaf Amazon Studios and Bix Pix Entertainment Nominees: Dan MacKenzieAnnie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Character Animation in an Animated Feature Production
Early Man Aardman Animations Nominees: Laurie Sitzia Incredibles 2 Pixar Animation Studio Nominees: Lance Fite Isle of Dogs Fox Searchlight Pictures / Indian Paintbrush / American Empirical Pictures Nominees: Jason Stalman Ralph Breaks The Internet Walt Disney Animation Studios Nominees: Vitor Vilela Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Sony Pictures Animation Nominees: David HanAnnie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Character Animation in a Live Action Production
Avengers: Infinity War Marvel Nominees: Paul Story, Sidney Kombo-Kintombo, Eteuati Tema, Jacob Luamanuvae-Su’a, Sam Sharplin Christopher Robin Walt Disney Pictures Nominees: Arslan Elver, Laurent Laban, Kayn Garcia, Claire Blustin, Marc-André Coulombe Mary Poppins Returns Walt Disney Pictures Nominees: Chris Sauve, James Baxter, Sandro Cleuzo Paddington 2 StudioCanal, Heyday Films, Marmalade Films Ltd Nominees: Pablo Grillo, Laurent Laban, Kyle Dunlevy, Stuart Ellis, Liam Russell The Nutcracker and the Four Realms Walt Disney Studios Nominees: Richard Oey, Adrien Annesley, Allison Orr, Wei Liang Yap, Shan HaoAnnie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Character Animation in a Video Game
God of War Santa Monica Studio Nominees: Erica Pinto, Mehdi Yssef, Bruno Velazquez GRIS Nomada Studio Nominees: Adrian Miguel, Adrian Garcia, Adrian Miguel Marvel’s Spider-Man Insomniac Games Nominees: Bobby Coddington Moss Polyarc Nominees: Richard Lico Shadow of The Tomb Raider Square Enix Nominees: David Hubert, Jacob Gardner, Giovanni Spinelli, Marco Foglia, Jean-Philippe ChauretteAnnie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Character Design in an Animated Television / Broadcast Production
Age of Sail Google Spotlight Stories, Broad Reach Pictures Nominees: Bruno Mangyoku Niko and the Sword of Light Amazon Studios Nominees: Jim Bryson Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure Walt Disney Television Animation Nominees: Amanda Jolly The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle DreamWorks Animation Television Nominees: Chris Mitchell The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle DreamWorks Animation Television Nominees: Keiko MurayamaAnnie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Character Design in an Animated Feature Production
Incredibles 2 Pixar Animation Studios Nominees: Matt Nolte Mary Poppins Returns Walt Disney Studios Nominees: James Woods Next Gen Baozou with Alibaba Pictures Inc. in association with Tangent Animation for Netflix Nominees: Marceline Tanguay Ralph Breaks The Internet Walt Disney Animation Studios Nominees: Ami Thompson Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Sony Pictures Animation Nominees: Shiyoon KimAnnie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Directing in an Animated Television / Broadcast Production
Ask the StoryBots JibJab Bros. Studios for Netflix Nominees: Evan Spiridellis Disney Mickey Mouse Disney Television Animation Nominees: Eddie Trigueros Niko and the Sword of Light Amazon Studios Nominees: Sung Jin Ahn SuperMansion Stoopid Buddy Stoodios Nominees: Nick Simotas Tales of Arcadia: 3Below DreamWorks Animation Television Nominees: Guillermo del Toro, Rodrigo BlaasAnnie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Directing in an Animated Feature Production
Early Man Aardman Animations Nominees: Nick Park Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation Sony Pictures Animation Nominees: Genndy Tartakovsky Incredibles 2 Pixar Animation Studios Nominees: Brad Bird Ralph Breaks The Internet Walt Disney Animation Studios Nominees: Rich Moore, Phil Johnston Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Sony Pictures Animation Nominees: Bob Persichetti , Rodney Rothman , Peter RamseyAnnie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Music in an Animated Television / Broadcast Production
Back to the Moon Google Spotlight Stories, Google Doodles, Nexus Studios Nominees: Mathieu Alvado Disney Mickey Mouse Disney Television Animation Nominees: Christopher Willis Elena of Avalor Disney Television Animation Nominees: Tony Morales, John Kavanaugh, Craig Gerber, Silvia Olivas, Rachel Ruderman Tangled: The Series Walt Disney Television Animation Nominees: Alan Menken, Glenn Slater, Kevin Kliesch The Tom and Jerry Show Warner Bros. Animation Nominees: Vivek MaddalaAnnie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Music in an Animated Feature Production
Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Illumination Nominees: Danny Elfman, Tyler, The Creator Early Man Aardman Animations Nominees: Harry Gregson-Williams, Tom Howe, Harry Gregson-Williams, Tom Howe Incredibles 2 Pixar Animation Studios Nominees: Michael Giacchino Ralph Breaks The Internet Walt Disney Animation Studios Nominees: Henry Jackman, Alan Menken, Phil Johnston, Tom MacDougall, Dan Reynolds Smallfoot Warner Bros. Pictures / Warner Animation Group Nominees: Heitor Pereira, Karey Kirkpatrick, Wayne KirkpatrickAnnie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Production Design in an Animated Television / Broadcast Production
Age of Sail Google Spotlight Stories, Broad Reach Pictures Nominees: Céline Desrumaux, Jasmin Lai Disney Mickey Mouse Disney Television Animation Nominees: Justin Martin Little Big Awesome Amazon Studios Nominees: Antonio Canobbio, Art Director, Howard Chen, Background Layout , Ivan Louey, Background Layout Supervisor, Crystal Yoori Son, Background Paint Niko and the Sword of Light Amazon Studios Nominees: Antonio Canobbio, Art Director, Bobby Walker, Background Paint, Michelle Rhee, Background Layout, Richard Chang, Background Paint, Joseph Martinez, Background Layout The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle DreamWorks Animation Television Nominees: Chris Mitchell, Chris Turnham, Tor Anut, DanBob Thompson, Aaron SpurgeonAnnie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Production Design in an Animated Feature Production
Early Man Aardman Animations Nominees: Matt Perry, Richard Edmunds Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation Sony Pictures Animation Nominees: Scott Wills Isle of Dogs FOX SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES INDIAN PAINTBRUSH AMERICAN EMPIRICAL PICTURES Nominees: Adam Stockhausen , Paul Harrod Mary Poppins Returns Walt Disney Studios Nominees: jeff turley Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Sony Pictures Animation Nominees: Justin K. ThompsonAnnie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Storyboarding in an Animated Television / Broadcast Production
Ben 10 Cartoon Network Studios Nominees: Will Patrick Big Hero 6: The Series Walt Disney Television Animation Nominees: Trey Buongiorno Disney Mickey Mouse Disney Television Animation Nominees: Ramirez Ramos Alonso Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Nickelodeon Animation Studio Nominees: Kevin Molina-Ortiz Star vs. The Forces of Evil Walt Disney Television Animation Nominees: Sabrina CotugnoAnnie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Storyboarding in an Animated Feature Production
Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Illumination Nominees: Habib Louati Incredibles 2 Pixar Animation Studios Nominees: Dean Kelly Incredibles 2 Pixar Animation Studios Nominees: Bobby Alcid Rubio Mary Poppins Returns Walt Disney Studios Nominees: Ovi Nedelcu Ralph Breaks The Internet Walt Disney Animation Studios Nominees: Michael HerreraAnnie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Voice Acting in an Animated Television / Broadcast Production
BoJack Horseman Tornante Productions, LLC for Netflix Nominees: Will Arnett F is for Family Wild West Television in association with Gaumont Television for Netflix Nominees: Debi Derryberry Pete the Cat Amazon Studios, Alcon Television Group, LLC Nominees: Juliette Donenfeld Skylanders Academy Activision Blizzard Studios Nominees: Patrick Warburton Unikitty Warner Bros. Animation Nominees: Tara StrongAnnie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production
Early Man Aardman Animations Nominees: Eddie Redmayne Incredibles 2 Pixar Animation Studios Nominees: Holly Hunter Isle of Dogs Fox Searchlight Pictures / Indian Paintbrush / American Empirical Pictures Nominees: Bryan Cranston Next Gen Baozou with Alibaba Pictures Inc. in association with Tangent Animation for Netflix Nominees: Charlyne Yi Ralph Breaks The Internet Walt Disney Animation Studios Nominees: Sarah SilvermanAnnie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Writing in an Animated Television / Broadcast Production
Big Mouth Netflix Nominees: Emily Altman Craig of the Creek Cartoon Network Studios Nominees: Matt Burnett, Ben Levin, Shauna McGarry, Jeff Trammell, Tiffany Ford Hilda Hilda Productions Limited, a Silvergate Media Company, Netflix Inc. and Mercury Filmworks Nominees: Stephanie Simpson Star vs. The Forces of Evil Walt Disney Television Animation Nominees: Dominic Bisignano, Aaron Hammersley, Amy Higgins, John Infantino, Daron Nefcy We Bare Bears Cartoon Network Studios Nominees: Mikey Heller , Sang Yup Lee, Louie ZongAnnie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Writing in an Animated Feature Production
Incredibles 2 Pixar Animation Studios Nominees: Brad Bird Mirai Studio Chizu Nominees: Mamoru Hosoda, Mamoru Hosoda, Stephanie Sheh Ralph Breaks The Internet Walt Disney Animation Studios Nominees: Phil Johnston, Pamela Ribon Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Sony Pictures Animation Nominees: Phil Lord , Rodney Rothman Teen Titans Go! to the Movies Warner Bros. Animation Nominees: Michael Jelenic, Aaron HorvathAnnie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Editorial in an Animated Television / Broadcast Production
Big Hero 6: The Series Walt Disney Television Animation Nominees: Charles Jones, Joe Molinari, Dao Le, Vartan Nazarian, David Vazquez Puppy Dog Pals Wild Canary Animation / Disney Junior Nominees: Adam Rickabus SpongeBob SquarePants Nickelodeon Animation Studio Nominees: Estrella Miyakawa Capin, Christopher Hink, Bob Tomlin, Rick Dominicus Tales of Arcadia: 3Below DreamWorks Animation Television Nominees: John Laus, Graham Fisher The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants DreamWorks Animation Television Nominees: Steve Downs, John Wall, Adam Smith, Collin ErkerAnnie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Editorial in an Animated Feature Production
Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Illumination Nominees: Chris Cartagena Incredibles 2 Pixar Animation Studios Nominees: Stephen Schaffer, ACE, Anthony J. Greenberg, Katie Schaefer Bishop Ralph Breaks The Internet Walt Disney Animation Studios Nominees: Jeremy Milton, Fabienne Rawley, Jesse Averna, John Wheeler, Pace Paulsen Ruben Brandt, Collector Hungarian National Film Fund Nominees: Milorad Krstic, Marcell Laszlo, Laszlo Wimmer, Danijel Daka Milosevic Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Sony Pictures Animation Nominees: Bob Fisher , Andrew Leviton, Vivek Sharma
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20th ANIMATION SHOW OF SHOWS to Showcase 15 Animated Short Films from Around the World
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Weekends – Trevor Jimenez[/caption]
The 20th Annual Animation Show of Shows returns to theaters across North America and will have its US theatrical premiere at Laemmle Theaters in Los Angeles on December 14th, and at the Quad Cinema in New York on December 28th (many other cities will follow). Since 1998, the Animation Show of Shows has been selecting the best in animated short films from around the world and has been presenting new and innovative short films to appreciative audiences at animation studios, schools and, since 2015, theaters in the US and other countries. Over the years, 38 of the films showcased in The Animation Show of Shows went on to receive Academy Award® nominations, with 11 films winning the Oscar®.
The 20th Annual Animation Show of Shows will present 15 thought-provoking, poignant, and very funny animated shorts from around the world. In a year when the best and worst of human nature has been on constant display, the works in this year’s show remind us of both the universality of shared ideals, as well as the diverse challenges we face. “Animation is such a flexible and open-ended medium that it lends itself to exploring the innumerable aspects of what it means to be human,” says founder and curator Ron Diamond. “And this year’s program, as much as any of our past presentations, really illuminates human strengths and foibles, and the bonds that unite us across cultures and generations.” The 20th Annual Animation Show of Shows represents the work of artists from six countries and includes six student films. Funny, moving, engaging, and thought-provoking, The Animation Show of Shows not only has something for everyone, but is a remarkable and insightful microcosm of our world.
The show has a running time of 98 minutes and includes 15 films, four of which have qualified for Academy Award® consideration *.
20th Annual Animation Show of Shows Lineup
The Green Bird * – Maximilien Bougeois, Quentin Dubois, Marine Goalard, Irina Nguyen, Pierre Perveyrie, France [caption id="attachment_32644" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]
One Small Step * – Andrew Chesworth, Bobby Pontillas[/caption]
One Small Step * – Andrew Chesworth, Bobby Pontillas, U.S.
Grands Canons – Alain Biet, France
Barry – Anchi Shen, U.S.
Super Girl – Nancy Kangas, Josh Kun, U.S.
Love Me, Fear Me – Veronica Solomon, Germany
Business Meeting – Guy Charnaux, Brazil
Flower Found! – Jorn Leeuwerink, The Netherlands
Bullets – Nancy Kangas, Josh Kun, U.S.
A Table Game – Nicolás Petelski, Spain
Carlotta’s Face – Valentin Riedl, Frédéric Schuld, Germany
Age of Sail * – John Kahrs, U.S.
Polaris – Hikari Toriumi, U.S.
My Moon – Eusong Lee, U.S.
Weekends * – Trevor Jimenez, U.S.
The power of family ties, and specifically the enduring connection between parents and children, are sensitively evoked in Hikari Toriumi’s deeply affecting “Polaris,” about a young polar bear leaving home for the first time. “One Small Step,” Bobby Pontillas and Andrew Chesworth’s inspiring story of a Chinese-American girl’s dream of being an astronaut, centers on her evolving relationship with her father. The beautifully designed “Weekends,” by Trevor Jimenez, explores the complex emotional landscape of a young boy and his recently divorced parents, as he shuttles between their very different homes and lives.
The darker side of relationships is forcefully explored in Veronica Solomon’s “Love Me, Fear Me,” a tour de force of claymation that uses dance to delve into the lengths people go to to deceive each other and try to pass for something they’re not. Eusong Lee’s “My Moon” takes a more cosmic and lighthearted approach to a troubled relationship, depicting a celestial love triangle played out by the sun, the moon, and the earth.“Carlotta’s Face,” by Valentin Riedl and Frédéric Schuld, illuminates a different kind of relationship dysfunction in its sensitive portrayal of a woman who suffers from prosopagnosia, the inability to recognize faces, and her salvation through art.
Among the other program highlights are the very funny computer animation “The Green Bird,” winner of a 2018 Gold Student Academy Award® International Animation, which harks back to classic cartoons of the mid-20th century. Oscar-winning director John Kahrs’ “Age of Sail,” the latest in Google’s series of Spotlight Stories, chronicles the adventures of an old sailor who rescues a teenaged girl after she falls overboard. Alain Biet’s jaw-dropping “Grands Canons” is a dizzying symphonic celebration of everyday objects that uses finely detailed drawings created by the filmmaker. And two very short films, “Supergirl” and “Bullets,” take their inspiration from poems composed by surprisingly eloquent preschoolers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbKjakQbRzs
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Over 100 Films to Screen at 2018 London International Animation Festival
The London International Animation Festival (LIAF 2018) returns to the Barbican for its fifteenth year with over 100 films selected to screen in ten International Competition Programs, including the British Showcase, Into the Dark (scary shorts), From Absurd to Zany (comedy shorts), Animated Documentaries and the Abstract Showcase.
The LIAF will also present two programs of animation specifically for children – Amazing Animations for three to seven-year-olds and Marvelous Animations for eight to fifteen-year-olds. There’ll be talking animals, seriously fun adventures and tales that spark young imaginations.
The opening night gala celebrates the work of the dynamic Scottish duo Will Anderson and Ainslie Henderson. Graduates from Edinburgh College of Art’s animation degree course in 2012, Will and Ainslie’s worldwide reputation is a testament to their talent, including two BAFTAs, two McLaren Awards, a British Academy Award, a nomination for the Cartoon D’Or and almost 50 awards at festivals around the world.
London based animation director Jonathan Hodgson has been making award winning animated films since the early 1980s. An established director of commercials, Hodgson has explored almost every animation technique and in recent years has specialized in documentary animation. The LIAF is pleased to present an evening with him focusing specifically on his documentary work where he will present highlights from his early sketchbook-based animation, to his documentary feature work, which will be followed by an onstage Q&A.
Female Figures returns to LIAF for a second year, championing female animation talent in a program of extraordinary works exploring female desire by contemporary animators and their predecessors.
These films present a range of perspectives on the female body and female sexuality, reveling in fantasy, desire and intimacy, as well as sharing experiences of abuse and trauma. Abigail Addison at Animate Projects will lead a post-screening conversation with animators Kate Jessop, Jenny Jokela and Thalma Goldman Cohen and with BFI National Archive Curator (Animation) Jez Stewart.
A further special screening and panel discussion is Aftermath, a program of 13 short films inspired by I’m OK, a new film by Elizabeth Hobbs about the expressionist artist Oskar Kokoschka and his experiences as a soldier in the First World War. These films explore the Great War at its centenary, including themes of conflict and loss and date from the early 1970’s to present day.
The festival ends with the Best of the Festival on Sunday December 9 featuring the best films of LIAF 2018 as chosen by the panel of industry judges and audience votes.
Image: Mogu and Perol
Two friends live on Yummy Island, where delicious food can be found everywhere!
Japan 2018 Dir Tsuneo Goda 8min
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25 Animated Feature Films Submitted for 2018 Oscar Competition
[caption id="attachment_32260" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Tito and the Birds / Tito e os Pássaros[/caption]
Twenty-five features have been submitted for consideration in the Animated Feature Film category for the 91st Academy Awards®. Films submitted in the Animated Feature Film category also qualify for Academy Awards in other categories, including Best Picture.
Several of the films have not yet had their required Los Angeles qualifying run. Submitted features must fulfill the theatrical release requirements and comply with all of the category’s other qualifying rules before they can advance in the voting process. Sixteen or more films must qualify for the maximum of five nominees to be voted.
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, January 22, 2019.
The 91st Oscars® will be held on Sunday, February 24, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscars also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.
The submitted features, listed in alphabetical order, are:
“Ana y Bruno”
“Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch”
“Early Man”
“Fireworks”
“Have a Nice Day”
“Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation”
“Incredibles 2”
“Isle of Dogs”
“The Laws of the Universe – Part I”
“Liz and the Blue Bird”
“Lu over the Wall”
“MFKZ”
“Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms”
“Mirai”
“The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl”
“On Happiness Road”
“Ralph Breaks the Internet”
“Ruben Brandt, Collector”
“Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero”
“Sherlock Gnomes”
“Smallfoot”
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”
“Tall Tales”
“Teen Titans Go! To the Movies”
“Tito and the Birds”
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Award Winning LIYANA Exec Produced by Thandie Newton Sets Release Date [Trailer]
The new trailer and poster debuted this week for the award-winning genre-defying documentary LIYANA directed by Aaron and Amanda Kopp and executive produced by actress Thandie Newton. The acclaimed film which has won over 25 film festival jury and audience awards will begin its 25+ city theatrical run with a special screening at New York’s IFC Film Center on October 9 before opening at the Maysles Documentary Center on October 10. Los Angeles and additional cities will follow.
Under the guidance of acclaimed South African storyteller, Gcina Mhlophe, five orphaned children from Swaziland collaborate to craft a collective fairytale drawn from their darkest memories and brightest dreams. Their fictional character, Liyana, is brought to life in innovative animated artwork as she embarks on a perilous quest to rescue her young twin brothers. The children’s real and imagined worlds begin to converge, and they must choose what kind of story they will tell – in fiction and in their own lives.
This genre-defying film weaves an original animated hero’s journey with poetic documentary scenes to create an inspiring tale of perseverance. LIYANA is a tribute to creativity, the strength of the human spirit, and the healing power of storytelling.
LIYANA is the critically acclaimed feature directorial debut of award-winning filmmakers and cinematographers Aaron Kopp & Amanda Kopp. They both shot for the Academy Award nominated campus assault documentary THE HUNTING GROUND. Aaron, who was raised in Swaziland, also shot and co-produced the Academy Award winning documentary SAVING FACE, which earned him an Emmy nomination. LIYANA features an original score by South African composer, Philip Miller, and stunning animation by Nigerian artist Shofela Coker, illustrating Liyana’s journey as told through the children in Swaziland. Executive produced by award-winning actress, Thandie Newton, LIYANA has screened at more than 80 film festivals around the world including the British Film Institute’s London Film Festival and MoMA DocFortnight.
The film has been hailed as, deeply moving and beautifully crafted by The Hollywood Reporter and lush and uplifting by the New York Times. Critics across the country say the film is brilliant, masterful, an inspirational cinematic experience, and that LIYANA stands a strong chance of making Oscar buzz throughout the year.
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Hong Kong’s Summer Intl Film Festival to Showcase Japanese Anime Master Mamoru Hosoda, Opens with MIRAI
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Mamoru Hosoda[/caption]
A special program featuring Mamoru Hosoda – the Japanese anime master of the new generation will be showcased at the Summer International Film Festival (SummerIFF) – the Summer edition of the Hong Kong International Film Festival.
[caption id="attachment_30890" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]
Mirai[/caption]
His latest feature, Mirai, the first Japanese animated work ever to receive a world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, will be the opening film of SummerIFF, which also features four of his acclaimed works. Hosoda will visit Hong Kong for a master class, leading fans into a world of boundless imagination and fascinating stories.
The special program, titled “The World of Mamoru Hosoda,” celebrates the unparalleled achievement of the renowned director as he blazes a new path for Japanese hand-drawn animation. Opening the SummerIFF, Mirai (2018) is his latest ambitious exploration of the circle of life via a single family. This magnificent tale, which centers on a 4-year-old boy taken by his sister from the future into a series of surprising adventures, epitomizes Hosoda’s spellbinding mix of time leap, futuristic fantasy and familial affection.
Hailed as the next Miyazaki Hayao, Hosoda attracted international attention with The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006), a romantic fantasy that transforms the coming-of-age story into an openhearted fable. Summer Wars (2009) continues to dazzle audiences and critics alike for its eccentric and whimsical imagination of both digital and real worlds. Produced under his own animation house, Studio Chizu, Wolf Children (2012) and The Boy and the Beast (2015) further establish his signature style – a strong sense of family ties, and the growth to greater maturity through perseverance. His ingenuity of combining realistic settings with futuristic stories has earned him global recognition and awards, placing him as one of the leading anime directors in Japan today. The presentation of these earlier acclaimed works from 14 August onwards will give Hong Kong audiences an opportunity to revisit Hosoda’s creative oeuvre as a prelude to his visit and the premiere of his new film.
Hosoda will meet the audience after the screening of Mirai on August 18, and will also attend a master class after the screening of The Boy and the Beast on August 19 to share his creative insights.
In addition, an exhibition under the same title will be held from August 14 to 27, featuring his character designs, sketches of structures as well as re-created sets from his celebrated works.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp6IcekfEpo
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Animation In Focus At Upcoming Edinburgh International Film Festival
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ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR[/caption]
Edinburgh International Film Festival revealed further details of the much-anticipated Animation program scheduled to take place as part of this month’s 72nd edition of the Festival. Four programs of short animation highlighting the role of the medium in foreseeing issues affecting contemporary anxieties and passions will screen alongside the annual presentation of some of the hottest British animating talent in the McLaren Award screenings as well as a special retrospective of a unique talent in animated filmmaker Elizabeth Hobbs.
Taking place on Wednesday 27 June, ELIZABETH HOBBS – A RETROSPECTIVE OF ANIMATED WORK, running as part of Anim18, a celebration of British animation taking place across the UK, will pay tribute to the award-winning animator who has been making short films for over 17 years and is both a graduate of the Edinburgh College of Art and a recipient of EIFF’s McLaren Award. Screening will be THE FILING OF THE FANGS, LITTLE SKIPPER and THE TRUE STORY OF SAWNEY BEANE amongst a number of other charming stories by this wonderful indie animator.
Hobbs’ I’M OK will also compete in this year’s McLaren Award for Best British Animation, supported by the British Council, alongside Emily Scaife’s ATTRACTION; Chris Shepherd’s topical BREXICUTED; INVADERS, made by Daniel Prince; Jonathan Hodgson’s ROUGHHOUSE and THAT YORKSHIRE SOUND by Marcus Armitage amongst a host of other titles with the winner crowned by the Festival audience.
International Animation returns this year with a focus on female directors each bringing a unique perspective to very relevant debates taking place in the public consciousness of our day: short films screening includes Alison Snowden’s ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR, Emily Ann Hoffman’s NEVADA and ICEBURGS from Eirini Vianelli.
Animation at EIFF is supported by creative communications consultancy, Emperor, who are celebrating their 15th anniversary in Edinburgh this year, with match funding provided by the Culture & Business Fund Scotland. Launched in April 2017, this program is run by independent charity Arts & Business Scotland to encourage closer collaboration between businesses and the cultural sector by match-funding business sponsorship of cultural projects pound for pound.
FILM FEST JUNIOR boasts two UK Premieres of animations VITELLO, in which a young boy goes in search of his father and ZOMBILLENIUM where a member of the undead must find his place at a monster theme park as well as an exclusive preview of PRINCESS EMMY, animated entertainment aimed at fans of princesses and horses. This year’s Family Gala is the long-awaited Disney-Pixar animation, INCREDIBLES 2.
Striking animated documentary WALL by director Cam Christiansen, written by and starring Sir David Hare will also screen as part of this year’s Focus on Canada country strand, supported by Telefilm Canada.
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Felicity Jones, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Patrick Stewart, Freddie Highmore Cast in Animated Family Adventure DRAGON RIDER
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Felicity Jones[/caption]
Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything), Thomas Brodie-Sangster (The Maze Runner, Love Actually), Patrick Stewart (Logan, Star Trek) and Freddie Highmore (Finding Neverland, “The Good Doctor”) will join Tomer Eshed’s Dragon Rider alongside Meera Syal (Doctor Strange), Sanjeev Bhaskar (Absolutely Anything) and Nonso Anozie (Cinderella). Based on Cornelia Funke’s bestselling novel of the same name, the animated family adventure will be produced by Constantin Film’s Martin Moszkowicz and Oliver Berben together with the co-producers Cyborn and RiseFX along with the team of Lumatic. Timeless Films is handling worldwide sales.
Written by Johnny Smith (Gnomeo & Juliet), Dragon Rider trails an unlikely trio of heroes – young silver dragon Firedrake (Brodie-Sangster), Sorrel (Jones) the mountain brownie and a boy called Ben (Highmore) – as they embark on an epic adventure and battle against a vicious, dragon-killing machine called Nettlebrand (Stewart) to find the ‘Rim of Heaven’.
“Felicity, Thomas, Patrick, Freddie, Meera, Sanjeev and Nonso, are extraordinary actors whose unique voices will bring to life our wonderful animated characters. Director Tomer Eshed is creating an amazing visual world full of dragons and magical creatures and we’re delighted to be re-uniting with Constantin Film, a production and distribution powerhouse to deliver another hit animated, family film to buyers” said Timeless Films Chairman and CEO, Ralph Kamp.
Constantin Film CEO Martin Moszkowicz commented: “I am thrilled to see so many great artists joining Tomer Eshed and his creative team for the next outstanding animated family film event from Constantin Film.”
Timeless Films has already sealed a raft of deals worldwide on Dragon Rider and is continuing sales heading into Cannes. The film is due to be delivered Fall 2019.
Jones received a best actress Oscar® nomination for her work in The Theory of Everything and starred as Jyn Erso in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and in Inferno opposite Tom Hanks. She most recently wrapped production on Mimi Leder’s On The Basis of Sex. She stars next in The Aeronauts for Amazon Studios and is attached to Universal’s upcoming Swan Lake adaptation.
Brodie-Sangster is best known for his role as Sam in Love Actually and his lead roles in hit films Nanny McPhee, The Maze Runner series, “Godless” US TV Series (Netflix) and “Game of Thrones” US Drama Series (HBO). He has previously leant his voice to “Thunderbirds Are Go” alongside Rosamund Pike and as Ferb Fletcher in Disney’s “Phineas and Ferb”.
Stewart is best known for his roles as Professor Xavier in the X-Men films and Captain Picard in seven seasons of “Star Trek: The Next Generation”. He has previously leant his voice in TBS’ “American Dad!”.
Highmore received a best actor Golden Globe nomination for his work in ABC’s “The Good Doctor” and has starred in Finding Neverland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and “Bates Motel”.
Syal received a BAFTA® nomination for her work in “The Kumars at No. 42” and has appeared in countless film and television projects including Paddington 2, “Riviera”, “Doctor Strange” and “Doctor Who”. She most recently wrapped production on Disney’s Patrick.
Bhaskar received a BAFTA® nomination, A Peabody and Two International EMMYs for “The Kumars At No 42”, a series he created, wrote and starred in and has appeared in Paddington 2, Arthur Christmas and Absolutely Anything opposite Simon Pegg and Kate Beckinsale.
Anozie has appeared in Liam Neeson starrer The Grey, Cinderella and Conan the Barbarian and is currently in production on Disney’s long-awaited Artemis Fowl opposite Judi Dench.
Timeless Films most recently distributed Monster Family and Rock Dog from Academy Award® winning writer/director Ash Brannon. Previous titles have included Dennis Gansel’s Jim Button and Luke the Engine Driver, which Warner Brothers released in Germany over the Easter Weekend.