TNBFC XPO Debuts FLAMIN Animation Artist Projects
The shorts premiered at TNBFC’s XPO in London, showcasing Black creatives; applications now open through May 27 for program’s 4th round.
Category: Community Outreach
UNESCO Screens ‘The Refuge of Audrey’ at Biodiversity Talks
New animated series from Watch Next Media features the adventures of a 7-year-old girl and her best friends, living in a refuge for endangered species, that entertain, educate, and encourage kids to care more about our planet; now on Okoo, the series is coming to France Télévisions.
2024 WIA Scholarship Winners Announced
17 scholarship recipients were selected from 189 worldwide applicants representing 76 schools; an additional 25 received honorable mentions.
Sony Future Filmmaker Awards Adds Animation Category
A jury of industry experts will select winners in 6 categories from over 8,400 film submissions received from more than 5,000 filmmakers across 148 countries and territories; awards to be presented May 30.
LFA's 2024 Parcours de Femmes Selections Revealed
The French association Les Femmes s’Animent’s Franco-African Initiative assists French-speaking women from Africa, Europe, and overseas territories with mentoring and resources to fine-tune project pitches for presentation at the 2024 Annecy Festival’s MIFA.
In Business, Community Outreach, Diversity and Inclusion, Event, Festival, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Special Events: Annecy | Geographic Region: All
UNESCO to Support WIA’s Stories x Women Program
The first official collaboration between the two groups was announced in connection with International Women’s Day; the UN organization joins Disney as a supporter of the women’s creative initiative with an emphasis on projects from Africa.
VFX Industry Talk Set for International Women's Day
World VFX Day and UpliftHER are teaming up on an online event that examines women’s issues and developments within and beyond the visual effects industry; a diverse lineup of industry speakers will join the March 8 presentation on the World VFX Day YouTube channel.
Room to Read Announces ‘She Creates Change’ Animated Shorts Premiere Dates
Produced In partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, the 6-episode live-action/animated film series shares the stories of 6 young women courageously meeting unique challenges encountered living in low-income communities in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Vietnam; premieres in Asia March 8.
Digital Art Collective Nouns Announces New Funding Round
2nd funding round opens March 1, awarding $20,000 grants for ‘Tall Short’ film ideas; ‘Short Shorts’ submissions close February 29.
2024 Stories x Women Applications Now Open
The FIAPF and WIA program provides mentoring and coaching from industry experts to prep women animators from emerging animation communities in Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America to pitch projects at the Annecy Festival and Market; deadline to apply is March 17, 2024.
Pixar and Renée Crown Wellness Institute Launch ‘InsideU’ App
Using characters, clips, and narratives from the Oscar-winning film ‘Inside Out,’ the app facilitates social and emotional learning skills for real-world dilemmas faced by elementary school-aged children; project involves famed Disney animator John Hubley’s grandson, Dr. Sam Hubley.
Jorge Gutierrez to Keynote 1st ‘Autism in Entertainment Conference’
The award-winning ‘Maya and the Three’ and ‘The Book of Life’ director will speak at the April 5 event that seeks to connect industry employers and talented neurodivergent individuals; conference features panel discussions, breakout sessions and entertainment.
Exclusive: Angel Studios Teases ‘The Wingfeather Saga’ Season 2
Starring Jodi Benson, Kevin McNally, Billy Boyd, and Henry Ian Cusick, the show continues the Igiby family's epic journey, promising more secrets, adventures, and heart-stopping moments.
Nickelodeon Announces 6 New ‘Artist Program’ Participants
New group selected for the 6-month program, now in its 13th year, which offers emerging talent from underrepresented backgrounds a chance to work on productions, participate in workshops, and learn from lead artists working across Storyboard, Visual Development, and CG Generalist tracks.
Disney Launches VoteDisney Website for Upcoming Board of Directors Vote
Donald Duck’s Uncle, Prof. Ludwig Von Drake, hosts an instructional video on the site urging shareholders to vote with the white Disney proxy card, rather than for Nelson Peltz’s Trian group or Blackwells Capital’s candidates.
Marvel & DC Writer’s ‘Fighting to Belong!’ Graphic Novel Kicks off Learning Initiative
TAAF, LAAUNCH and The Asian American Education Project launch Volume 1 of the new book, written by Amy Chu and Alexander Chang and illustrated by Louie Chin, that’s aimed at middle school kids to make AAPI history more accessible and provide curriculum support to educators, parents, and community groups.
Catherine Winder Launches ‘Future Chicken’
New Canadian multi-platform digital resource teaches kids about climate change without ‘Doom and Gloom;’ fun short and long-form animated videos and immersive Roblox experiences star ‘Potato the Chicken: AKA the Future Chicken!’
In 3D, Business, CG, Community Outreach, Digital Media, Games, People, Short Films, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Walt Disney Studios’ VFX Workers Vote to Unionize
Group includes artists working across James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment productions, including the ‘Avatar’ films; the group wins IATSE representation through an NLRB election, a first for U.S. vendor-side VFX artists.
In Business, Community Outreach, Films, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Television, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
Phillip Boutté Jr. and Michael Uwandi Talk ‘Building Character: Sketch to Screen’
At their January 20 Academy Museum presentation, moderated by Oscar-winning director Peter Ramsey, the 9B Collective co-founders discussed concept design, building great characters, and how they strive to support and inspire young BIPOC artists with the conceptual creativity that will fuel their imaginations for years to come.
4th Annual AfroAnimation Summit Returns to Burbank
The conference, running April 10-12, promotes diversity and inclusion throughout the entertainment industry, welcoming a coalition of industry speakers, studio execs, students, creatives and young professionals.
Dash Studio and Demo Duck Launch 2024 Motion Mentorship Program
Applications now being accepted for 6-month, online-only program, starting next month, that will provide tutorage, advice, and connection building for young creatives in the motion design industry who identify with underrepresented communities.
Richard O’Connor Talks the Good, the Bad, and the Amusing
For the Ace & Son studio founder, finding projects that matter, that focus on the complexities of living in a flawed world, brings purpose and sustainability despite the financial challenges, like the pro bono music video for The Exbats’ ‘Doorman,’ inspired by 'Superjail’s Christy Karacas, about a girl who wants to beat up a bar bouncer.
Lightfold Releases ‘Godspeed’ Pilot on YouTube
‘Final Space’ creator Olan Rogers raises $100K on Kickstarter within hours of releasing series’ pilot, ensuring funding for new episodes; reveals legendary Tom Kenny as part of voice acting lineup.
In 2D, Business, CG, Community Outreach, Digital Media, People, Television, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Nickelodeon Sets ‘Rock Paper Scissors’ Series Launch
New show, developed from the first short in Nick’s Intergalactic Shorts Program ever picked up for series, will debut February 12, 2024; it follows best friend and roommate trio Rock, Paper and Scissors, who compete over everything in hilarious and wildly absurd ways; watch the short first on Xmas day.
In 2D, Business, Community Outreach, People, Short Films, Television, Writing | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
‘Aikane’: An Eclectic Love Story Highlighting Cultures Around the World
In the new short from Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson, and Daniel Sousa, the team behind the award-winning ‘Kapaemahu,’ an island warrior who descends into a strange underwater world after being wounded in battle falls in love with the shapeshifting octopus that saves his life.
