Animation Scoop

52nd Annie Award Nominations Announced

ASIFA-Hollywood announced nominations today for its 52nd Annie Awards recognizing the year’s best in the field of animation. For a complete list of nominations, please visit www.annieawards.org/nominations. The 52nd Annie Awards is set for Saturday, February 8, 2025 at UCLA’s Royce Hall. Pre-reception and Red Carpet begin at 4:30 p.m., followed by the ceremony at […]

INTERVIEW: David Lowery Presents “An Almost Christmas Story”

David Lowery (director of Pete’s Dragon and Peter Pan & Wendy for Disney) helms the new animated holiday short film An Almost Christmas Story, which premieres this Friday Nov. 15 on Disney+. It’s about an owl named Moon who forms a unique friendship with a girl named Luna in The Big Apple. Lowery shares what […]

INTERVIEW: Looney Lowdown On “The Day The Earth Blew Up”

Long-awaited, fully animated The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie will receive an awards-qualifying run before the end of 2024, ahead of its official theatrical release on February 28th, 2025. I’ve screened the film and spoke with director Peter Browngardt about this sci-fi action comedy starring beloved characters who are true to […]

TRAILER: “Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl”

Netflix debut the first trailer and announced the release date for the new Aardman new stop-motion animated feature film Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl today. The film will be released on Netflix globally (except in the UK/IE) on January 3rd, 2025 (it will have a limited theatrical run in December to qualify for this […]

TOHO To Acquire GKIDS

Japanese entertainment leader Toho Co., Ltd. announced today that it has reached an agreement to acquire a 100% equity share of GKIDS, Inc., the Academy Award-winning North American animation producer and distributor. Financial terms were not disclosed. GKIDS, which maintains offices in New York and Los Angeles, will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Los […]

GKids Acquires Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and The Heron”

July 14th, 2023

Jerry Beck

GKIDS, the acclaimed producer and distributor of award-winning animation, announced its acquisition of North American distribution rights to The Boy And The Heron, the highly anticipated new film from the legendary Academy Award-winning Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of Japan’s celebrated animation house, Studio Ghibli. Released in Japan as Kimitachi wa Do Ikiruka (translated as How Do You Live), the film is an original story written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, produced by the Oscar-winning Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki, and features a musical score from Miyazaki’s long-time collaborator Joe Hisaishi.

Animator Bill Plympton to Appear at Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Technology in August

July 12th, 2023

Jerry Beck

Today, Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation and Technology (PFCAT) is pleased to announce that legendary director and animator Bill Plympton will be in attendance at the 2023 Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Technology on August 4th at 8pm. This special event will be held at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry’s (OMSI) Empirical Theater.

Animated Doc “Aurora’s Sunrise” North American Theatrical Release in August

July 11th, 2023

Jerry Beck

Bars Media Films, the newly established branch in Los Angeles of Armenia’s largest independent documentary production company, is proud to announce its first-ever animated feature, which is also the first-ever animated documentary film made in Armenia, and Armenia’s Official Selection for 95th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film, Aurora’s Sunrise. Directed by Inna Sahakyan, “Aurora’s Sunrise” premiered in competition at Annecy IAFF2022 and then became a festival favorite winning more than 10 awards, including the Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2022 for Best Animated Film, Movies that Matter 2023 Audience Award and Special Mention Winner, Audience Favorites at IDFA 2022, Audience Awards at Animation is Film 2022 and FIFDH Geneva International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights 2023 for Grand Prix, among others. The film will soon have its North American theatrical release, opening Aug. 11 in New York City at Village East by Angelika and New Plaza Cinema, Aug. 18 in Los Angeles at Laemmle Glendale, Sept. 1 in Toronto at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, with director Inna Sahakyan in-person for Q&As at all three. The film will also roll out in other cities across the U.S. and Canada throughout August and the Fall.

Blue Fox to Release Stop-Motion “The Inventor” Nationwide August 25,

July 10th, 2023

Jerry Beck

Blue Fox Entertainment announced today its acquisition of U.S. distribution rights to the animated comedy adventure, The Inventor, which made its world premiere in competition at the prestigious Annecy International Animation Film Festival last month. The directorial debut of Oscar nominee Jim Capobianco (screenwriter of Ratatouille), The Inventor is a stop-motion film about the life of Leonardo da Vinci featuring the voices of Stephen Fry, Daisy Ridley, Marion Cotillard, Gauthier Battoue, and Matt Berry. The imaginative and family-friendly feature is written and directed by Capobianco and co-directed by Pierre-Luc Granjon. Blue Fox will release The Inventor in the U.S. theatrically nationwide on August 25th, 2023.

INTERVIEW: Dances with Elves: Frederik Wiedmann scores “The Dragon Prince”

July 5th, 2023

W.R. Miller

Animation is primarily a visual medium. But, as George Lucas pointed out in The New York Times in 1992, “Sound is half the experience in seeing a film.” Sound, as in dialog, audio effects—and music. Such is the case with The Dragon Prince, the epic fantasy adventure on Netflix. The show’s composer, Emmy-winner Frederik Wiedmann, discussed his talent with me on June 7th, 2023.

Frederik Wiedmann: The Dragon Prince is an extremely music-heavy show compared to other TV shows that you’ve seen. And we have so many themes. We have instruments designated to specific characters more or less we never take this kind of stuff too literal, but we do. And so at the end of the day, I’m just hoping that the music is noticeable enough and part of the story enough that it kind of becomes its own thing, that is almost equivalent to another character in the show.

INTERVIEW: “Nimona” Takes Centerstage

June 29th, 2023

Jackson Murphy

N.D. Stevenson’s popular graphic novel finally comes to life with the long-awaited animated feature Nimona, about a girl in a futuristic/medieval society who joins forces with a knight to clear his name after he’s accused of murder. Directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane (Spies in Disguise) are excited for audiences to experience this action, humor and emotion packed adventure, which premieres this Friday June 30th on Netflix. (This Animation Scoop Q&A was edited for length and clarity).

Jackson Murphy: For animation fans who have been reading about this for years, who knew it was at Blue Sky, and now it’s at Netflix, they’re thrilled it’s finally here. Nick, when that day came when you knew this movie was saved, how did you feel?

Nick Bruno: I mean, that day is like today, Jackson. (laughs)

Troy Quane: Talking to you right now! (laughs)

NB: Honest to God, we’ve had such a tremendous backing from so many people constantly blowing wind into our sails. It’s because of what this movie’s about. It’s about acceptance. It’s a love letter to all those who have ever felt different or misunderstood. It’s something that’s universal and we all think is very, very important. And that’s, ultimately, what’s kept it alive. So we never had any doubt. Although sometimes…

INTERVIEW: Ready To Release “Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken”

June 28th, 2023

Jackson Murphy

DreamWorks Animation’s new family action/adventure comedy Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken opens this Friday June 30th. It’s already made a big splash this summer at Annecy and through early preview showings at Regal Cinemas locations nationwide. Oscar nominated director Kirk DeMicco (The Croods) and producer Kelly Cooney Cilella (Trolls World Tour) join me to discuss making studio history with the story of a teen who seeks to finally embrace her whole self. (This Animation Scoop Q&A was edited for length and clarity.)

Jackson Murphy: Kirk, the last time we spoke was just about two years ago for “Vivo”, which was a big hit for Netflix and Sony. How have the last two years been for you going back to your teenage years and going under the sea with “Ruby Gillman”?

Kirk DeMicco: I was very lucky that Kelly gave me a call and told me about this project. And it really hit on the things that were so exciting: To be able to do something that was set in a teen environment — a John Hughes sort of high school comedy, or “Easy A” or “Booksmart”. We love them all. And then marrying that with the great big world-building epic adventure that I think DreamWorks has such a power for — the animation style and the effects that we could bring to the table.

INTERVIEW: James Waugh on “Star Wars: Visions” – Animation from Certain Points of View

June 27th, 2023

W.R. Miller

When one thinks of Star Wars’s impact in the real world, at least three terms come to mind: innovative, imaginative, and inspiring. Innovative, as in developing technologies that improve the production pipeline. Imaginative, as in its exciting audio and visual storytelling. Inspiring, as in motivating people to develop their talents and pursue their dreams. It’s possible they could even play in the interstellar sandbox created by George Lucas.

Such is the case with Star Wars: Visions, an anthology series that, so far, has racked up two nine-episode seasons, or “volumes.” Lucasfilm selected studios throughout the world to animate a Star Wars short told from their local perspective and in-house style.

INTERVIEW: The Quite Talented “Not Quite Narwhal” Team

June 22nd, 2023

Jackson Murphy

New DreamWorks Animation family series Not Quite Narwhal is now streaming on Netflix. It’s based on a popular book about a narwhal named Kelp who finds out he’s actually a unicorn. Kelp decides to spend time on both land and sea, and the show shines in spotlighting who you are and how your friends and family bring out the best in you. Co-Executive Producers Brian K. Roberts, Nakia Trower Shuman and Sarah Katin join me for this Animation Scoop Interview, which was conducted as an Email Q&A.

Jackson Murphy: What aspects of Jessie Sima’s book did you fall in love with and want to adapt for the screen?

Nakia Trower Shuman: That’s what is so wonderful about the book. There’s not one single thing that is great over another, it is just awesome in its entirety. It is fun, charming and has a beautiful theme. It was super important to us that we kept true to the book as much as possible and that none of its brilliance was lost in translation to the screen.

Disney+ To Debut 28 Restored Classic Shorts on July 7th

June 15th, 2023

Jerry Beck

Disney+ will begin debuting a collection of 28 newly restored Walt Disney Animation Studios classic shorts starting on July 7, featuring such iconic stars as Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Chip n’ Dale, and the studio’s first star, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. This year marks the centennial of the Walt Disney Animation Studios, which is being honored as part of the ongoing Disney 100 celebration.

TRAILER: New Pixar Short “Carl’s Date”

June 12th, 2023

Jerry Beck

Check out a brand-new trailer celebrating Pixar Animation Studios’ Carl’s Date. Opening exclusively in theaters June 16 in front of Disney and Pixar’s “Elemental,” the all-new short marks a return to the studio’s tradition of pairing its feature films with animated shorts on the big screen.

TRAILER: “Buckets City”

June 12th, 2023

Jerry Beck

Buckets City, a quirky, imaginative animated short film by Writer/Director Dave Quion about two best friends who finally get sweet revenge on the streetball rivals of their youth, is an official selection at this year’s Dances With Films (DWF) Festival, June 22-July 2, 2023 at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood. Take a look:

Interesting Portrayals of Gay Men in Manga/Anime

June 12th, 2023

Charles Solomon

EDITOR’S NOTE: This week the Annecy International Animation Festival commences – and in support of their spotlight on Animation, Pride and Diversity, we asked our anime expert Charles Solomon to suggest some recent gay manga (and anime) we should be more aware of.

As the recent summit in Hiroshima spotlighted, Japan is the only G7 country that does not recognize same-sex marriage. Although a poll conducted earlier this year by the Asahi Shinbun news organization showed 72% of voters favored legalization, Prime Minister Hirohide Ishida’s conservative (despite its name) Liberal Democratic Party opposes it. Yet Japanese artists are producing some interesting depictions of gay men–as several recent manga and their animated and live action adaptations demonstrate.

My Brother’s Husband, by Gengoroh Tagame

Celebrating The 2023 Tribeca Animated Shorts

June 11th, 2023

Jackson Murphy

This year’s group of “Animated Shorts Curated by Whoopi G” (hand-selected by Academy Award winner and The View host Whoopi Goldberg) just screened for the first time at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival in NYC. They’ll be back on the big screen again Sunday June 11th and Saturday June 17th, before being available to stream online through “Tribeca At Home” from June 19th through July 2nd.

It’s a global, inspirational collection of seven shorts from talented directors with personal, moving stories to tell. Here’s a rundown of the shorts, plus EXCLUSIVE statements from the filmmakers for Animation Scoop:

You hope for a better life in a new country, under the idea that “all men are created equal”. But when you, unfairly, become a target, can you rise above that? AMERICAN SIKH takes a candid true story and adds-in some comic book-style, heroic visuals, making it pretty unforgettable.

“American Sikh”

REVIEW: “Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse”

June 7th, 2023

Martin Goodman

It is best, perhaps, to consider Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Henceforth, ATSV) in its correct context for the purpose of this review. The film is not a sequel to Into the Spider-Verse, but a carefully planned second part of a trilogy scheduled to conclude in March 2024. This escaped the notice of some irate moviegoers (including several at the screening I attended who protested the film’s ending in unhappy amazement). I bring this point up because I want to dive deeper into what I believe this picture’s true intent may have been.