Los Angeles, CA, April 25th-  NOW WHAT!? is a new non-profit animation initiative that intends to use the power of cartoons to illuminate politics and policies for younger voters. Because animation is a wonderful medium of expression and connection through imagery and comedic storytelling, the initiative hopes to demystify political ideas through effective communication.     The first fundraiser for the non-profit will take place on Friday, May 17th at Titmouse in Los Angeles. The event will provide the opportunity to meet artists and creatives in the animation industry as wel ..read more

Glendale, CA- This week, DreamWork Animation announced that never-before-seen footage from their upcoming feature, The Wild Robot, will be shown at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival ahead of the studio’s 30th anniversary. From three-time Academy Award® nominee Chris Sanders and featuring Academy Award® winner Lupita Nyong’o, the film is a beautiful adaptation based on the celebrated #1 New York Times bestselling novel by Peter Brown.   The Wild Robot is an adventure whose central character is a robot: ROZZUM unit 7134, called “Roz” for short. Roz is stranded on an uni ..read more

This week, Creo was excited to announce a shortlist of 30 international filmmakers for the upcoming “Sony Future Filmmaker” Awards. The selected artists will be awarded by being invited to workshops and events on the Sony lot in Los Angeles, providing a unique opportunity to experience behind the scenes. The awards ceremony will take place on May 30th, 2024, and winners across six categories will be announced. Established by Creo and sponsored by Sony, the sophomore edition of the major annual awards program for short films provides a gateway for the development of exceptional cinematic talen ..read more

This year, Netflix will return to the Annecy Festival with a full itinerary following their recent wins and nominations. Such accolades include Oscar nominations for Nimona, a BAFTA nomination for Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, and several wins for Blue Eye Samurai at the Annie’s this past February. In only five years after launching its first animated feature, the streaming platform achieved critical acclaim when it won an Academy Award for Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio. Netflix is also responsible for Adam Sandler’s largest animated film debut, Leo. Annecy will feature an on-stage p ..read more

Academy Award nominee Jeff Fowler (of the animated short “Gopher Broke”) directed the blockbuster first two installments in the “Sonic the Hedgehog” film franchise. He returns for “Sonic 3” (in theaters this December) and also serves as executive producer and director of the first episode of new spinoff series Knuckles. The six-episode event, with the return of Idris Elba as the voice of the title character, premieres this Friday April 26th on Paramount+. Fowler joins me for this fun Animation Scoop Q&A. (This interview was edited for length and clarity.) Jackson Murphy: When I saw t ..read more

This week, the Tribeca Film Festival revealed the titles selected for its 2024 festival lineup, which begins June 5th. MARS, an animated feature from The Whitest Kids U’ Know, has been officially designated as a part of the festival’s Midnight section. The animated film will have its world debut at the Tribeca Film Festival on Thursday, June 6th, with more screenings to follow on June 8th and June 15th. The first glimpse of  MARS was released this week and is included below, showing a motley crew of dauntless voyagers as they journey to the planet that this feature is named after. Dir ..read more

NEW YORK, NY (April 17, 2024), Oscar-winning producer and distributor, GKIDS, announced its acquisition of the North American theatrical distribution rights for Mamoru Oshii’s acclaimed masterpiece, GHOST IN THE SHELL 2: INNOCENCE. To celebrate the film’s 20th anniversary, GKIDS will release a restoration of the film in theaters throughout the nation in 4k this summer. Before the film is released nationwide, the new 4K restoration will premiere at the renowned Music Box Theatre in Chicago. Originally premiering in 2004, the film is Oshii’s follow-up to his 1995 feature Ghost in the Shell, ba ..read more

From Spanish director Pablo Berger, Oscar-nominated animated feature Robot Dreams has secured a theatrical release in the U.S.  Coming to New York City on May 31st, the film can be seen at the Film Forum and AMC Lincoln Square. Called “exquisite… one of the best animations in recent years” by The Observer and regarded as “one of the best films of the year” by The Film Stage, Robot Dreams is being released by indie distributor NEON. Writer and director Pablo Berger is a recognized Spanish director, known for the celebrated Spanish and French production of Blancanieves (2012).   ..read more

The Queen of Cartoons is More Popular Than Ever with New Apparel, Accessories, Pet Products, and an Upcoming Broadway Musical Leading brand-licensing agency Global Icons and Fleischer Studios, owner of a number of classic animated characters including Betty Boop, have entered into a wide range of new licensing collaborations for the beloved Queen of Cartoons, including upcoming launches for stylish new apparel, accessories, and pet products. In addition, dynamic new character art will be unveiled for licensees in May at the upcoming International Licensing Show in Las Vegas. This fall, the n ..read more

Cartoon Saloon, the animation house behind The Secret of Kells, The Breadwinner and Wolfwalkers, is unveiling its latest feature. Puffin Rock and the New Friends — a continuation of the popular TV series — is available to rent or purchase on Google TV, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV beginning Tuesday April 16th. Director Jeremy Purcell and animation director Lorraine Lordan share how the movie took flight — and how it fits right in line with Cartoon Saloon’s mission — in this Animation Scoop Q&A. (This interview was edited for length and clarity.) Jackson Murphy: Congratulations on the m ..read more