Once upon a time, Netflix was in the business of auteur-driven animation, allowing filmmakers like Guillermo del Toro work on his dream project "Pinocchio," giving Henry Selick his first movie in 13 years after Disney killed his previous project, letting Charlie Kaufman deliver an existential kids' animated movie in "Orion and the Dark," and rescuing "Nimona" after Disney pulled the plug. The streamer has partnered with the likes of Glen Keane, Sergio Pablos, Richard Linklater, Chris Williams, Craig McCracken, and Jorge R. Gutiérrez, but a name that won't join this list anytime soon is legendary filmmaker David Lynch.
Speaking with Deadline, Lynch offered an update on his long-gestating animated movie "Snootworld," which he's been teasing since at least 2009. Lynch co-wrote the script for his animated feature debut with Caroline Thompson ("The Nightmare Before Christmas"), with Lynch penning the second of the film's three acts.
"I like this story. It's something that...
Speaking with Deadline, Lynch offered an update on his long-gestating animated movie "Snootworld," which he's been teasing since at least 2009. Lynch co-wrote the script for his animated feature debut with Caroline Thompson ("The Nightmare Before Christmas"), with Lynch penning the second of the film's three acts.
"I like this story. It's something that...
- 4/10/2024
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
Thanksgiving weekend featured an animation face-off between a titan of the industry, the 100-year-old Walt Disney Animation Studios, and a relative upstart, Netflix, which only started releasing its own animated features in 2019.
Disney’s holiday movie, “Wish,” was a musical extravaganza featuring the watercolor backgrounds of the studio’s past combined with cutting-edge CGI, while Netflix’s “Leo” was a more budget-conscious musical set in modern-day Florida.
It was a showdown of theatrical versus streaming, legacy studio versus blustery upstart, fairy tale versus contemporary storytelling. And the results were startling.
While “Wish” came in third at the box office with a disappointing $31.6 million, the Adam Sandler-starring “Leo” debuted to 34.6 million views (which is hours viewed divided by total runtime), according to Netflix, which in box office terms equaled a haul of around $500 million for its opening weekend, one insider with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap. “Leo” has been...
Disney’s holiday movie, “Wish,” was a musical extravaganza featuring the watercolor backgrounds of the studio’s past combined with cutting-edge CGI, while Netflix’s “Leo” was a more budget-conscious musical set in modern-day Florida.
It was a showdown of theatrical versus streaming, legacy studio versus blustery upstart, fairy tale versus contemporary storytelling. And the results were startling.
While “Wish” came in third at the box office with a disappointing $31.6 million, the Adam Sandler-starring “Leo” debuted to 34.6 million views (which is hours viewed divided by total runtime), according to Netflix, which in box office terms equaled a haul of around $500 million for its opening weekend, one insider with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap. “Leo” has been...
- 12/11/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
“Moana” and “Raya and the Last Dragon” producer Osnat Shurer has left the Magic Kingdom.
She has joined Baobab Studios, where she will serve as co-chief creative officer alongside company founder and Cco Eric Darnell, a DreamWorks veteran who worked as a director on “Antz” and every “Madagascar” film (including “Penguins of Madagascar”).
Shurer joined Disney more than a decade ago as a VP of development, having come from Pixar where she oversaw short films like the Oscar-nominated “Boundin’” and “Lifted.” She also worked on shorts that appeared on the studio’s home video releases like “Jack Jack Attack,” written and directed by Brad Bird, which appeared on the home video release of “The Incredibles.”
Baobab Studios describes itself as “the leading interactive animation studio” and has produced a number of award-winning VR experiences. At Baobab Shurer joins Maureen Fan, the chief creative officer (she is a veteran of game...
She has joined Baobab Studios, where she will serve as co-chief creative officer alongside company founder and Cco Eric Darnell, a DreamWorks veteran who worked as a director on “Antz” and every “Madagascar” film (including “Penguins of Madagascar”).
Shurer joined Disney more than a decade ago as a VP of development, having come from Pixar where she oversaw short films like the Oscar-nominated “Boundin’” and “Lifted.” She also worked on shorts that appeared on the studio’s home video releases like “Jack Jack Attack,” written and directed by Brad Bird, which appeared on the home video release of “The Incredibles.”
Baobab Studios describes itself as “the leading interactive animation studio” and has produced a number of award-winning VR experiences. At Baobab Shurer joins Maureen Fan, the chief creative officer (she is a veteran of game...
- 9/27/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Osnat Shurer, an Oscar-nominated producer of Disney Animation’s Moana and Raya and the Last Dragon, has joined Baobab Studios as co-chief creative officer, alongside company founder and Cco Eric Darnell (Madagascar).
Previously, Shurer served as Walt Disney Feature Animation’s vp development and as executive producer of the short films group at Pixar, where she produced or executive produced shorts such as 2006’s Lifted and 2003’s Boundin’.
As she joins interactive animation studio Baobab, Shurer joins creative leaders including Darnell, chief content officer Kane Lee and advisors and investors such as Pixar co-founder Ed Catmull and Disney legend Glen Keane.
“We are thrilled to welcome Osnat to Baobab,” said Maureen Fan, CEO and co-founder of the studio. “She has a gift for launching franchises with beloved characters that resonate across ages and cultures. Osnat’s extensive background brings invaluable expertise to our growing story franchises across film, television, games and books.
Previously, Shurer served as Walt Disney Feature Animation’s vp development and as executive producer of the short films group at Pixar, where she produced or executive produced shorts such as 2006’s Lifted and 2003’s Boundin’.
As she joins interactive animation studio Baobab, Shurer joins creative leaders including Darnell, chief content officer Kane Lee and advisors and investors such as Pixar co-founder Ed Catmull and Disney legend Glen Keane.
“We are thrilled to welcome Osnat to Baobab,” said Maureen Fan, CEO and co-founder of the studio. “She has a gift for launching franchises with beloved characters that resonate across ages and cultures. Osnat’s extensive background brings invaluable expertise to our growing story franchises across film, television, games and books.
- 9/27/2023
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Indie animation studio Baobab Studios has brought in Oscar-nominated producer Osnat Shurer (Moana) to serve as Co-Chief Creative Officer alongside Cco Eric Darnell (Madagascar).
Boasting 30+ years of experience in animation, Shurer comes to the company from Walt Disney Feature Animation, where she served as VP of Development, having simultaneously held a role as the executive producer of the short films group at Pixar. Going forward, she’ll be part of a creative brain trust which includes Darnell and Kane Lee (Chief Content Officer), and such advisors and investors as Ed Catmull and Oscar-winning filmmaker Glen Keane, among others.
Among the first projects Shurer will work on at Baobab are the Momoguro multiplatform franchise, which includes a digital collectibles game, an upcoming Roblox game, and a TV series in development, and two falling under a TV development deal with Disney+.
Boasting 30+ years of experience in animation, Shurer comes to the company from Walt Disney Feature Animation, where she served as VP of Development, having simultaneously held a role as the executive producer of the short films group at Pixar. Going forward, she’ll be part of a creative brain trust which includes Darnell and Kane Lee (Chief Content Officer), and such advisors and investors as Ed Catmull and Oscar-winning filmmaker Glen Keane, among others.
Among the first projects Shurer will work on at Baobab are the Momoguro multiplatform franchise, which includes a digital collectibles game, an upcoming Roblox game, and a TV series in development, and two falling under a TV development deal with Disney+.
- 9/27/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Blue Whales: Return Of The Giants 3D takes viewers on a journey of a lifetime to explore the world of the magnificent blue whale, a species rebounding from its near extinction. Following two scientific expeditions—one to find a missing population of blues off the exotic Seychelles Islands, the other to chronicle whale families in Mexico’s stunning Gulf of California—the film transforms our understanding of the largest animal ever to have lived. From its almost incomprehensible size to its spectacular feeding habits; from the surprising role it plays in the health of our oceans to its awesome long-distance communications, the film provides an unforgettable window into the lives these animals live—and the extremes scientists must endure to study them. Joined by a cast of supporting characters—from dolphins and sperm whales to sea lions and orcas—the blue whale finally gets its star turn … in life size,...
- 7/21/2023
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
As part of the final full day of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Disney debuted a whopping 20 minutes of its upcoming animated feature “Wish.” Meant as a celebration of Walt Disney Animation Studio’s legacy, with nods to its illustrious past, it also marks a bold step forward visually for the studio, incorporating a painterly art style that sets it apart from virtually every other computer-animated movie in the library.
Originally announced at D23 Expo in 2022, back then what exactly “Wish” was remained fuzzy. During that presentation, it was mentioned that the movie would make nods to the company’s past but that it would be an original musical fairy tale, full of characters both dashing and devilish. Also that it would serve as a kind of origin story for the wishing star that has been featured in so many Disney classics. It was intriguing and confounding in equal measure.
Originally announced at D23 Expo in 2022, back then what exactly “Wish” was remained fuzzy. During that presentation, it was mentioned that the movie would make nods to the company’s past but that it would be an original musical fairy tale, full of characters both dashing and devilish. Also that it would serve as a kind of origin story for the wishing star that has been featured in so many Disney classics. It was intriguing and confounding in equal measure.
- 6/16/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Ming-Na Wen, who voiced Mulan in Disney’s animated feature of the same name, is set to narrate a new documentary titled “Pencils Vs Pixels.”
Co-directed by Bay Dariz (“Hypochondriac”) and Phil Earnest, “Pencils Vs Pixels” is a celebration of 2D hand-drawn animation.
The documentary, which will have its world premiere at Annecy International Animation Film Festival next week, will explore the Disney-led 2D animation boom of the late 1980s and early 1990s which was soon eclipsed by the dawn of computer animation. But, as the film shows, a resurgence of 2D animation suggests there is still hope for the medium.
The documentary features interviews with the great and good of the animation world including Pete Docter, John Musker (“The Little Mermaid”), Tony Bancroft (“Mulan”), Jorge R. Gutiérrez (“The Book of Life”), Seth MacFarlane (“Family Guy”), Glen Keane (“Beauty and the Beast”), Tina Price (“Hercules”), Lorna Cook (“Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron...
Co-directed by Bay Dariz (“Hypochondriac”) and Phil Earnest, “Pencils Vs Pixels” is a celebration of 2D hand-drawn animation.
The documentary, which will have its world premiere at Annecy International Animation Film Festival next week, will explore the Disney-led 2D animation boom of the late 1980s and early 1990s which was soon eclipsed by the dawn of computer animation. But, as the film shows, a resurgence of 2D animation suggests there is still hope for the medium.
The documentary features interviews with the great and good of the animation world including Pete Docter, John Musker (“The Little Mermaid”), Tony Bancroft (“Mulan”), Jorge R. Gutiérrez (“The Book of Life”), Seth MacFarlane (“Family Guy”), Glen Keane (“Beauty and the Beast”), Tina Price (“Hercules”), Lorna Cook (“Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron...
- 6/9/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The animation indie behind Netflix’s Trash Truck and My Dad the Bounty Hunter has been acquired by France Télévisions’ studio arm.
France.TV Studio becomes a majority owner of Dwarf Animation Studios, providing the animation producer and facility with a “more robust operational infrastructure and accelerating the long-term goal of building a creative hub in the South of France,” according to France.TV Studio. Financials were not disclosed and the deal is the France.TV Studio’s first acquisition.
France.TV Studio, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of French national broadcaster France Télévisions, will build out Dwarf’s front-end pre-production such as visual development and storyboarding, while sharing technical facilities.
Dwarf Animation Studio is best known for Netflix animation double My Dad the Bounty Hunter from Everett Downing and Trash Truck, which is EPd by Oscar-winning animation vet Glen Keane, along with Disney+ show Monsters at Work. The studio...
France.TV Studio becomes a majority owner of Dwarf Animation Studios, providing the animation producer and facility with a “more robust operational infrastructure and accelerating the long-term goal of building a creative hub in the South of France,” according to France.TV Studio. Financials were not disclosed and the deal is the France.TV Studio’s first acquisition.
France.TV Studio, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of French national broadcaster France Télévisions, will build out Dwarf’s front-end pre-production such as visual development and storyboarding, while sharing technical facilities.
Dwarf Animation Studio is best known for Netflix animation double My Dad the Bounty Hunter from Everett Downing and Trash Truck, which is EPd by Oscar-winning animation vet Glen Keane, along with Disney+ show Monsters at Work. The studio...
- 6/8/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
When people think of moments from Disney movies, they often focus on the sweeter examples. From Snow White dancing with Dopey to Jasmine and Aladdin discovering a whole new world, there's no shortage of adorable Disney scenes to choose from. Yet, as many Disney fans know, there's always been a darker side to the Mouse House's films. This comes through clearest in the studio's most frightening sequences, especially those that focus on the not-so-magical topic of death.
To some, the death of Bambi's mother remains a traumatic memory. For others, Mufasa's tragic demise in "The Lion King" left an inescapable mark on their youth. Whether they feature a dreadful antagonist's end or an adorable sidekick's demise, these moments deserve our admiration for giving us goosebumps well into our adult years. While we won't be focusing on any Pixar moments (since they deserve a spotlight of their own), there are...
To some, the death of Bambi's mother remains a traumatic memory. For others, Mufasa's tragic demise in "The Lion King" left an inescapable mark on their youth. Whether they feature a dreadful antagonist's end or an adorable sidekick's demise, these moments deserve our admiration for giving us goosebumps well into our adult years. While we won't be focusing on any Pixar moments (since they deserve a spotlight of their own), there are...
- 4/9/2023
- by Dalin Rowell
- Slash Film
Burny Mattinson, a Disney Legend who served as an animator, producer, director and story artist in his nearly 70-year career with the studio, died Monday at the age of 87 following a short illness. Disney announced his death on their official website.
The story goes that Mattinson, who was born in San Francisco in 1935, was transformed when his mother took him to see Walt Disney’s “Pinocchio” at the age of 6. He knew what he wanted to do. As Don Hahn, who produced some of Disney’s most beloved movies during the Disney Renaissance, said of Mattinson’s life: “His life could be a Disney movie: teenaged kid shows up at the Disney gate with his portfolio under his arm and stays for 70 years. He was our story sensei, a brilliant draftsman who showed us what it was like to grind on a story until it was right.”
Mattinson’s first...
The story goes that Mattinson, who was born in San Francisco in 1935, was transformed when his mother took him to see Walt Disney’s “Pinocchio” at the age of 6. He knew what he wanted to do. As Don Hahn, who produced some of Disney’s most beloved movies during the Disney Renaissance, said of Mattinson’s life: “His life could be a Disney movie: teenaged kid shows up at the Disney gate with his portfolio under his arm and stays for 70 years. He was our story sensei, a brilliant draftsman who showed us what it was like to grind on a story until it was right.”
Mattinson’s first...
- 2/27/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
‘Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio’ Wins Five Trophies Including the Top Prize at the 50th Annie Awards
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio topped the 50th Annie Awards for animation, collecting five prizes including best animation feature, direction (del Toro and Mark Gustafson), character animation, music and production design.
“Fuck,” said del Toro as he and Gustafson took the stage to accept the directing award. “I hope to stay with you as peers with this beautiful, beautiful craft we have.” He noted that he’s been directing for 30 years and “the most creative ideas-filled group I worked with is animation.” Del Toro added his hope is that the community pushes the medium for future generations and “change the way we are perceived as a medium, not for us, but for the people coming up.” He got laughs and cheers as he wrapped by exclaiming, “Can I say, I wanted an Annie so much!”
Also Saturday at UCLA’s Royce Hall, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On won three awards,...
“Fuck,” said del Toro as he and Gustafson took the stage to accept the directing award. “I hope to stay with you as peers with this beautiful, beautiful craft we have.” He noted that he’s been directing for 30 years and “the most creative ideas-filled group I worked with is animation.” Del Toro added his hope is that the community pushes the medium for future generations and “change the way we are perceived as a medium, not for us, but for the people coming up.” He got laughs and cheers as he wrapped by exclaiming, “Can I say, I wanted an Annie so much!”
Also Saturday at UCLA’s Royce Hall, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On won three awards,...
- 2/26/2023
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The early 2000s were a weird time for everyone -- Disney included. Like an exhausted millennial desperately rephrasing their resume, Walt Disney Animation Studios was eager to latch onto anything that would permit the company a new lease on life. For context, the Disney Renaissance, which began with "The Little Mermaid" in 1989 and shuttered its majestic doors with "Tarzan" in 1999, was over and the studio wanted to prove it could create stories that were more than musically charged fantasies. What's more, Disney also wanted to explore more computer-generated imagery or, as it's better known, CGI. Throw in an increasingly voracious audience with a highly specific hunger for science-fiction and, well, two and two makes four.
Look, this is a gross exaggeration of how Disney functioned in the early 2000s. It seems like the company was working with a strict "throw everything at the wall and see what sticks" mentality. Nothing...
Look, this is a gross exaggeration of how Disney functioned in the early 2000s. It seems like the company was working with a strict "throw everything at the wall and see what sticks" mentality. Nothing...
- 1/21/2023
- by Cameron Roy Hall
- Slash Film
It’s nearly Christmas, which means it’s time to watch Christmas movies, sip hot chocolate, and cosy up in the pleasant weather. From Scrooge: A Christmas Carol to The Christmas Chronicles 2 here are a list of fun titles on Netflix that are the perfect watch for the holiday season.
Scrooge: A Christmas Carol
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without carol singing, right? Directed by Stephen Donnelly and starring Luke Evans, Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley in lead roles. Scrooge: A Christmas Carol is a Netflix musical animated movie. An adaptation of Charles Dickens novel Holiday Chestnut, the story centres around Ebenezer Scrooge, a selfish miser who is presented with an opportunity to fix his past mistakes and improve his future by an unexpected guest.
Holiday Home Makeover with Mr. Christmas
Netflix’s Holiday Home Makeover with Mr. Christmas is a lighthearted drama about an interior designer featuring Benjamin Bradley as Mr. Christmas.
Scrooge: A Christmas Carol
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without carol singing, right? Directed by Stephen Donnelly and starring Luke Evans, Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley in lead roles. Scrooge: A Christmas Carol is a Netflix musical animated movie. An adaptation of Charles Dickens novel Holiday Chestnut, the story centres around Ebenezer Scrooge, a selfish miser who is presented with an opportunity to fix his past mistakes and improve his future by an unexpected guest.
Holiday Home Makeover with Mr. Christmas
Netflix’s Holiday Home Makeover with Mr. Christmas is a lighthearted drama about an interior designer featuring Benjamin Bradley as Mr. Christmas.
- 12/23/2022
- by Glamsham Editorial
- GlamSham
The BAFTA has revealed nominations for its Children and Young People Awards, which are returning for the first time in three years.
The BBC’s “Dodger” and “The Snail and the Whale” lead with three nominations each, followed by two nominations for “The Amazing World of Gumball,” “Jamie Johnson,” “JoJo & Gran Gran” and “Silverpoint.”
The ceremony will take place in London on Nov. 27, where 14 categories will be awarded in recognition of craft, performance, and games. All awards are voted on by BAFTA’s membership of children’s industry professionals. The ceremony will be hosted by TV and radio presenter Lindsey Russell.
Faraz Osman, chair of the BAFTA Children and Young People Committee, said: “It is a real joy to bring together the industry and celebrate the creativity and craft behind its recent output, especially after the pandemic, where children’s programming played a monumental role in family support. Through the...
The BBC’s “Dodger” and “The Snail and the Whale” lead with three nominations each, followed by two nominations for “The Amazing World of Gumball,” “Jamie Johnson,” “JoJo & Gran Gran” and “Silverpoint.”
The ceremony will take place in London on Nov. 27, where 14 categories will be awarded in recognition of craft, performance, and games. All awards are voted on by BAFTA’s membership of children’s industry professionals. The ceremony will be hosted by TV and radio presenter Lindsey Russell.
Faraz Osman, chair of the BAFTA Children and Young People Committee, said: “It is a real joy to bring together the industry and celebrate the creativity and craft behind its recent output, especially after the pandemic, where children’s programming played a monumental role in family support. Through the...
- 10/25/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The Disney Renaissance was a time of great experimentation for the Mouse House — one that saw its animation division tackling all sorts of challenging material, from ancient legends spanning cultures around the world to decidedly dark and mature literary classics by Victor Hugo and Edgar Rice Burroughs. But with great daring comes the risk of committing equal-sized blunders, and that's just what the studio did when it decided to turn the tale of the real-life Indigenous American woman Pocahontas (a nickname passed down by her father) into an animated musical extravaganza.
That's not just the hindsight talking. "Pocahontas" earned a lackluster critical reception upon its theatrical release in 1995, with reviews arguing it was stunningly animated but otherwise lacking in personality. The film's reputation has only worsened over the decades thanks to its soft-peddling of the violence perpetuated by European colonialism, along with its rehashing of Indigenous American stereotypes. Adding insult to injury,...
That's not just the hindsight talking. "Pocahontas" earned a lackluster critical reception upon its theatrical release in 1995, with reviews arguing it was stunningly animated but otherwise lacking in personality. The film's reputation has only worsened over the decades thanks to its soft-peddling of the violence perpetuated by European colonialism, along with its rehashing of Indigenous American stereotypes. Adding insult to injury,...
- 8/22/2022
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Many media outlets like ESPN (plus many of their on-air hosts), TMZ and even NBA.com are reporting that NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal and current superstar Steph Curry won Oscars on Sunday. But that is simply Not true. When “The Queen of Basketball” took the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short on Sunday night, the only person to receive an actual Oscar was Ben Proudfoot, the director and producer. He was also the person accepting the award at the ceremony.
SEEOscar winners list (plus all the nominees)
The Oscars website (see photo above) and the IMDb awards section confirm that Proudfoot is the only person credited with an Academy Award win. Adam Segal from the 2050 Publicity Group and David Magdael from David Magdael and Associates, which handled all campaigning for the film, also confirm this information in an email to Gold Derby. O’Neal and Curry are credited...
SEEOscar winners list (plus all the nominees)
The Oscars website (see photo above) and the IMDb awards section confirm that Proudfoot is the only person credited with an Academy Award win. Adam Segal from the 2050 Publicity Group and David Magdael from David Magdael and Associates, which handled all campaigning for the film, also confirm this information in an email to Gold Derby. O’Neal and Curry are credited...
- 3/29/2022
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Rich Ting (“Warrior”), Darren Barnet (“Never Have I Ever”) and Keiko Agena (“Better Call Saul”) have been tapped to lead the voice cast for the English-language dub of Netflix’s “The Summit of the Gods,” from César award-winning filmmaker Patrick Imbert.
Based on the acclaimed manga by Jirô Taniguchi and the novel by Baku Yumemakura, “The Summit of the Gods” poses the question, “Were George Mallory and his companion Andrew Irvine the first men to scale Everest on June 8th, 1924? Only the little Vestpocket Kodak camera they took with them might reveal the truth.”
“The Summit of the Gods” picks up in Kathmandu, 70 years after Mallory and Irvine’s journey, when a young Japanese reporter named Fukamachi Makoto (Barnet) recognizes the camera in the hands of the mysterious Habu Joji (Ting), an outcast climber believed missing for years. As the plot progresses, Fukamachi enters a world of obsessive mountaineers on...
Based on the acclaimed manga by Jirô Taniguchi and the novel by Baku Yumemakura, “The Summit of the Gods” poses the question, “Were George Mallory and his companion Andrew Irvine the first men to scale Everest on June 8th, 1924? Only the little Vestpocket Kodak camera they took with them might reveal the truth.”
“The Summit of the Gods” picks up in Kathmandu, 70 years after Mallory and Irvine’s journey, when a young Japanese reporter named Fukamachi Makoto (Barnet) recognizes the camera in the hands of the mysterious Habu Joji (Ting), an outcast climber believed missing for years. As the plot progresses, Fukamachi enters a world of obsessive mountaineers on...
- 11/23/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Star running back Reggie Bush, who became one of college sports’ most controversial athletes and gave up his Heisman Trophy award in the midst of an NCAA investigation into USC’s football program, says he’s “finally ready to tell my story.”
He’ll get that opportunity in an upcoming documentary film announced Wednesday from Believe Entertainment Group and director Kirk Fraser (ESPN’s 30 for 30: Without Bias). Bush, who played for the Trojans from 2003-2005 under head coach Pete Carroll, will serve as an executive producer on the project.
The untitled film promises to detail “the incredible untold story that led to Bush being erased from the NCAA record books and the heartbreaking loss of his Heisman Trophy.” Bush voluntarily surrendered the trophy—the most coveted in college football—in 2010 after the NCAA determined that sports agents had secretly provided Bush and members of his family with cash, travel and other expenses,...
He’ll get that opportunity in an upcoming documentary film announced Wednesday from Believe Entertainment Group and director Kirk Fraser (ESPN’s 30 for 30: Without Bias). Bush, who played for the Trojans from 2003-2005 under head coach Pete Carroll, will serve as an executive producer on the project.
The untitled film promises to detail “the incredible untold story that led to Bush being erased from the NCAA record books and the heartbreaking loss of his Heisman Trophy.” Bush voluntarily surrendered the trophy—the most coveted in college football—in 2010 after the NCAA determined that sports agents had secretly provided Bush and members of his family with cash, travel and other expenses,...
- 7/14/2021
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Three new animated feature films and series from Asian American creators are coming to Netflix in 2023, including Stephen Chow’s “The Monkey King,” starring the voice talents of Jimmy O. Yang, Bowen Yang, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Jo Koy, Ron Yuan, Hoon Lee, Stephanie Hsu, Andrew Pang, Andrew Kishino, Jodi Long, James Sie and Bd Wong.
“The Monkey King” is inspired by the famous Chinese tale “Journey to the West,” in which a special monkey fights gods, demons, dragons — and his own hubris. The film is executive produced by Chow, with “Over the Moon’s” Peilin Chou and “How to Train Your Dragon 2’s Kendra Haaland producing. Anthony Stacchi (“The Boxtrolls”) is directing.
“The Monkey King has endured for generations with his unique character and spirit,” said Chow. I’m so excited to be collaborating with Tony, Peilin, and everyone at Netflix to bring this joyful tale to audiences worldwide!”
Additionally,...
“The Monkey King” is inspired by the famous Chinese tale “Journey to the West,” in which a special monkey fights gods, demons, dragons — and his own hubris. The film is executive produced by Chow, with “Over the Moon’s” Peilin Chou and “How to Train Your Dragon 2’s Kendra Haaland producing. Anthony Stacchi (“The Boxtrolls”) is directing.
“The Monkey King has endured for generations with his unique character and spirit,” said Chow. I’m so excited to be collaborating with Tony, Peilin, and everyone at Netflix to bring this joyful tale to audiences worldwide!”
Additionally,...
- 5/20/2021
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
The Oscar race for animated feature is between Pixar’s Black-led “Soul” and Cartoon Saloon’s hand-drawn Irish folktale, “Wolfwalkers” (co-produced by Apple Original Films). Both led Asifa-Hollywood’s prestigious Annie Awards, but the momentum is with “Soul.”
The other nominees include Pixar’s first fantasy, “Onward,” and two entries from Netflix: “Over the Moon,” the gorgeous musical fantasy about the Chinese Moon Goddess from Disney legend Glen Keane (Oscar winner for the “Dear Basketball” short), and Aardman’s “A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon.”
With director/chief creative officer Pete Docter at the helm, Pixar accomplished its most ambitious film yet by contrasting gritty New York City with the ethereal Great Before. That’s the pre-birth training center where aspiring jazz pianist Joe Gardner (Jamie Foxx) finds himself after eluding death in The Great Beyond. He teams up with risk averse new soul, 22 (Tina Fey), on a journey...
The other nominees include Pixar’s first fantasy, “Onward,” and two entries from Netflix: “Over the Moon,” the gorgeous musical fantasy about the Chinese Moon Goddess from Disney legend Glen Keane (Oscar winner for the “Dear Basketball” short), and Aardman’s “A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon.”
With director/chief creative officer Pete Docter at the helm, Pixar accomplished its most ambitious film yet by contrasting gritty New York City with the ethereal Great Before. That’s the pre-birth training center where aspiring jazz pianist Joe Gardner (Jamie Foxx) finds himself after eluding death in The Great Beyond. He teams up with risk averse new soul, 22 (Tina Fey), on a journey...
- 4/19/2021
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Directors Behind Animated Films ‘Over the Moon’ and ‘Onward’ Talk Creating Identifiable Environments
Animation allows filmmakers to imagine vibrant new worlds that should induce amazement while still making sure the “audience can identify with the experience,” explains Disney legend Glen Keane, the director of Netflix’s Over the Moon.
For Keane, one of the scariest parts of this movie was creating Lunaria, the city on the moon. “How are you going to create a world that’s so outlandishly wonderful and new, not earthly, the equivalent of Oz?” Keane says. “And how do you create a city on the moon that doesn’t look like it was from Earth? No matter ...
For Keane, one of the scariest parts of this movie was creating Lunaria, the city on the moon. “How are you going to create a world that’s so outlandishly wonderful and new, not earthly, the equivalent of Oz?” Keane says. “And how do you create a city on the moon that doesn’t look like it was from Earth? No matter ...
- 4/16/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Directors Behind Animated Films ‘Over the Moon’ and ‘Onward’ Talk Creating Identifiable Environments
Animation allows filmmakers to imagine vibrant new worlds that should induce amazement while still making sure the “audience can identify with the experience,” explains Disney legend Glen Keane, the director of Netflix’s Over the Moon.
For Keane, one of the scariest parts of this movie was creating Lunaria, the city on the moon. “How are you going to create a world that’s so outlandishly wonderful and new, not earthly, the equivalent of Oz?” Keane says. “And how do you create a city on the moon that doesn’t look like it was from Earth? No matter ...
For Keane, one of the scariest parts of this movie was creating Lunaria, the city on the moon. “How are you going to create a world that’s so outlandishly wonderful and new, not earthly, the equivalent of Oz?” Keane says. “And how do you create a city on the moon that doesn’t look like it was from Earth? No matter ...
- 4/16/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
When it was time to make the “Oz”-like leap on “Over to the Moon” from contemporary China to fantasy moonscape Lunaria, Disney legend Glen Keane introduced production designer Céline Desrumaux to the iconic CD cover of Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon” for inspiration. “I was taken by the design,” she said. “I could see the inky black darkness for the animation with that simple prism of white light and refracted colors. He said he had no idea what Lunaria looks like, but that it needs to be as bold as that cover.”
From there, Desrumaux began creating a backstory for Lunaria, home of the towering, diva-like Moon goddess, Chang’e (Phillipa Soo). According to their update of the Chinese fable, Chang’e takes a magic potion and spends eternity on the moon longing for her lover. When 12-year-old Fei Fei (Cathy Ang) mourns the passing of her mother,...
From there, Desrumaux began creating a backstory for Lunaria, home of the towering, diva-like Moon goddess, Chang’e (Phillipa Soo). According to their update of the Chinese fable, Chang’e takes a magic potion and spends eternity on the moon longing for her lover. When 12-year-old Fei Fei (Cathy Ang) mourns the passing of her mother,...
- 4/1/2021
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Netflix not only grabbed a ton of Oscar nominations for its live-action films, it also grabbed three noms for animated fare including “Over the Moon” and “A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon.” They scored in the animated feature category alongside Disney/Pixar’s “Soul” and “Onward,” and GKids/Apple TV Plus’ “Wolfwalkers,” while “If Anything Happens, I Love You” is the frontrunner in animated shorts.
It’s an impressive haul for a part of the streaming giant that is relatively new.
“It’s hard to even find the words to describe how thrilling it is,” says Melissa Cobb, VP of kids and family entertainment at Netflix. She is an animation veteran who was brought over from DreamWorks in 2017 to lead the division.
“I started there about 3½ years ago, and for filmmakers to choose to entrust their film, but also their time — three or four years of their life that it...
It’s an impressive haul for a part of the streaming giant that is relatively new.
“It’s hard to even find the words to describe how thrilling it is,” says Melissa Cobb, VP of kids and family entertainment at Netflix. She is an animation veteran who was brought over from DreamWorks in 2017 to lead the division.
“I started there about 3½ years ago, and for filmmakers to choose to entrust their film, but also their time — three or four years of their life that it...
- 4/1/2021
- by Carole Horst
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Netflix is in development on the new animated musical Steps, with Amy Poehler producing and Alyce Tzue set to make her directing debut.
Poehler will produce through her Paper Kite Productions banner along with her partner Kim Lessing, with The Croods producer Jane Hartwell also producing. Riki Lindhome will pen the script from a story she wrote with Kate Micucci. Lindhome and Micucci also will exec produce and writing all the music in addition to overseeing it.
“We are so excited to be working with Netflix and the great Riki, Kate and Alyce on this joyful and much-needed story,” Poehler said.
The story is a spin on the classic Cinderella story. Two stepsisters are overlooked for marriage by the prince and embark on an epic journey, realizing that their own perfect fairytales might be different from what they originally thought.
“Our step-sisters are a pair of young Asian immigrants to a fairytale world,...
Poehler will produce through her Paper Kite Productions banner along with her partner Kim Lessing, with The Croods producer Jane Hartwell also producing. Riki Lindhome will pen the script from a story she wrote with Kate Micucci. Lindhome and Micucci also will exec produce and writing all the music in addition to overseeing it.
“We are so excited to be working with Netflix and the great Riki, Kate and Alyce on this joyful and much-needed story,” Poehler said.
The story is a spin on the classic Cinderella story. Two stepsisters are overlooked for marriage by the prince and embark on an epic journey, realizing that their own perfect fairytales might be different from what they originally thought.
“Our step-sisters are a pair of young Asian immigrants to a fairytale world,...
- 3/29/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
David Fincher’s monochromatic “Mank” dominated the Oscar crafts on Monday for Netflix, grabbing six nominations for Erik Messerschmidt’s cinematography, costume design, makeup and hair, production design, score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, and sound. Paul Greengrass’ post-Civil War western, “News of the World,” followed with four nominations.
Netflix also did well by collecting three nominations apiece from Aaron Sorkin’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”, in addition to solo nominations from George Clooney’s sci-fi “The Midnight Sky” (visual effects), Spike Lee’s “Da 5 Bloods” (Terence Blanchard’s score), and “The Life Ahead (La Vita Davanti a Se),” as Diane Warren secured her 12th original song nomination for “Io Si (Seen).”
Significantly, Chloé Zhao’s Best Picture frontrunner, “Nomadland,” the recessionary road odyssey, scored two nominations for Joshua James Richards’ cinematography and her editing, which puts Zhao in a select...
Netflix also did well by collecting three nominations apiece from Aaron Sorkin’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”, in addition to solo nominations from George Clooney’s sci-fi “The Midnight Sky” (visual effects), Spike Lee’s “Da 5 Bloods” (Terence Blanchard’s score), and “The Life Ahead (La Vita Davanti a Se),” as Diane Warren secured her 12th original song nomination for “Io Si (Seen).”
Significantly, Chloé Zhao’s Best Picture frontrunner, “Nomadland,” the recessionary road odyssey, scored two nominations for Joshua James Richards’ cinematography and her editing, which puts Zhao in a select...
- 3/15/2021
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Actor-producer Priyanka Chopra Jonas and singer, songwriter, and actor Nick Jonas announced the 93rd Oscars® nominations today (March 15), live from London, via a global live stream on Oscar.com, Oscars.org, the Academy’s digital platforms, an international satellite feed, and broadcast media.
Mank led the field with 10 nominations and becomes the seventh black-and-white film to be nominated for Costume Design and the seventeenth for Cinematography since separate categories for color and black-and-white films were merged in 1967. David Fincher’s film offers a vivid look at Hollywood in the 1930s when movie studios were at the height of their power and influence, and 100 million Americans went to the pictures every week.
Chopra Jonas and Jonas announced the nominees in 23 categories at 5:19 a.m. Pt. For a complete list of nominees, visit the official Oscars website, www.oscar.com.
Academy members from each of the 17 branches vote to determine the...
Mank led the field with 10 nominations and becomes the seventh black-and-white film to be nominated for Costume Design and the seventeenth for Cinematography since separate categories for color and black-and-white films were merged in 1967. David Fincher’s film offers a vivid look at Hollywood in the 1930s when movie studios were at the height of their power and influence, and 100 million Americans went to the pictures every week.
Chopra Jonas and Jonas announced the nominees in 23 categories at 5:19 a.m. Pt. For a complete list of nominees, visit the official Oscars website, www.oscar.com.
Academy members from each of the 17 branches vote to determine the...
- 3/15/2021
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
This morning, animation legend Glen Keane was up before the sun and learned that he’d scored his first Oscar nom for Best Animated Feature Film, for his debut feature — Netflix musical fantasy, Over the Moon.
“It’s pretty exciting. I tend to get up around four o’clock anyway, but this was something to get up at four o’clock for,” says the director. “I am just so thankful that [the Academy] recognized the beauty of this movie. It was such a labor of love.”
In conversation with Deadline, Keane shared his feeling that the message of his film is “the right one for this year: healing and love.”
“There’s a moment in the movie where Fei Fei says, ‘I just wish things could go back to the way they were,’ but we don’t go backwards, as we’re finding out,” he added. “We go forward, and it’s...
“It’s pretty exciting. I tend to get up around four o’clock anyway, but this was something to get up at four o’clock for,” says the director. “I am just so thankful that [the Academy] recognized the beauty of this movie. It was such a labor of love.”
In conversation with Deadline, Keane shared his feeling that the message of his film is “the right one for this year: healing and love.”
“There’s a moment in the movie where Fei Fei says, ‘I just wish things could go back to the way they were,’ but we don’t go backwards, as we’re finding out,” he added. “We go forward, and it’s...
- 3/15/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The late Audrey Wells was a prolific screenwriter and director whose work focused on strong female characters, from 2003’s Under the Tuscan Sun and 1999’s Guinevere through to 2018’s The Hate U Give. That trend continued with Over the Moon, Netflix’s animated musical about based on a Chinese myth about a determined 14-year-old girl named Fei Fei who, coping with the loss of her mother, builds a rocket ship and blasts off, hoping to meet a mythical moon goddess.
Wells was brought on to pen the screenplay in March 2016; by that time she had already known that she had cancer and that the script would be her final work.
After a trip to China for inspiration she turned in a draft nine months later. Peilin Chou, the producer who brought Wells aboard the project, remembered weeping after reading it.
“She told me it was the most important script she had ever written,...
Wells was brought on to pen the screenplay in March 2016; by that time she had already known that she had cancer and that the script would be her final work.
After a trip to China for inspiration she turned in a draft nine months later. Peilin Chou, the producer who brought Wells aboard the project, remembered weeping after reading it.
“She told me it was the most important script she had ever written,...
- 3/8/2021
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
A version of this story about “Over the Moon” first appeared in the Oscar Nominations Preview issue of TheWrap’s awards magazine.
Glen Keane draws. It’s the way he communicates. It’s how he started at Walt Disney Animation Studios in 1974, how he sketched Ariel in “The Little Mermaid” and the Beast’s transformation in “Beauty and the Beast,” and how he and Kobe Bryant won an Oscar for the hand-drawn short “Dear Basketball” in 2017.
And while his film “Over the Moon” is a large-scale and often dazzling computer-animated fantasy, it also contains a sequence early on that uses Keane’s line drawings to tell the story of the Chinese moon goddess Chang’e.
“When I was reading the script, I thought, ‘Ok, I am going to hang onto this little piece, and this is going to be my moment,'” he said. “For me, I need to get...
Glen Keane draws. It’s the way he communicates. It’s how he started at Walt Disney Animation Studios in 1974, how he sketched Ariel in “The Little Mermaid” and the Beast’s transformation in “Beauty and the Beast,” and how he and Kobe Bryant won an Oscar for the hand-drawn short “Dear Basketball” in 2017.
And while his film “Over the Moon” is a large-scale and often dazzling computer-animated fantasy, it also contains a sequence early on that uses Keane’s line drawings to tell the story of the Chinese moon goddess Chang’e.
“When I was reading the script, I thought, ‘Ok, I am going to hang onto this little piece, and this is going to be my moment,'” he said. “For me, I need to get...
- 3/4/2021
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Variety's Awards Circuit is home to the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars from Film Awards Editor Clayton Davis. Following Academy Awards history, buzz, news, reviews and sources, the Oscar predictions are updated regularly with the current year's contenders in all categories. Variety's Awards Circuit Prediction schedule consists of four phases, running all year long: Draft, Pre-Season, Regular Season and Post Season. Eligibility calendar and dates of awards will determine how long each phase lasts and will be displayed next to revision date.
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit The Collective
Draft>>>Pre Season>>>Regular Season>>>Post Season
2021 Oscars Predictions:
Best Animated Feature
Updated: Mar. 4, 2021
Awards Prediction Commentary: “Over the Moon” continues to miss in a few key spots like art directors and could be that Oscar morning snub we aren’t anticipating, even with the love for Glen Keane pouring through the branch.
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit The Collective
Draft>>>Pre Season>>>Regular Season>>>Post Season
2021 Oscars Predictions:
Best Animated Feature
Updated: Mar. 4, 2021
Awards Prediction Commentary: “Over the Moon” continues to miss in a few key spots like art directors and could be that Oscar morning snub we aren’t anticipating, even with the love for Glen Keane pouring through the branch.
- 3/4/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
The directors of nine of the animated films under consideration for Academy Award nominations will discuss their craft in a free online PreVIEW event Friday, March 5, beginning at 10 a.m. Pt.
“Animated Features Oscar Contenders – A Directors’ Discussion,” presented by the View Conference, features Glen Keane (“Over the Moon”); Pete Docter and Kemp Powers (“Soul”), Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart (“Wolfwalkers”), Joel Crawford (“The Croods: A New Age”), Walt Dohrn (“Trolls World Tour”), Kris Pearn (“The Willoughbys”), Dan Scanlon (“Onward”), Gitanjali Rao (“Bombay Rose”), and Will Becher and Richard Phelan (“A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon”).
“The annual awards season always encourages lively discussion, and this year is no exception,” says View Conference director Dr. Maria Elena Gutierrez. “It is such an honor for View Conference to host this conversation between 12 of our leading filmmakers. Their contribution to the art and craft of animated features is immeasurable, and I cannot...
“Animated Features Oscar Contenders – A Directors’ Discussion,” presented by the View Conference, features Glen Keane (“Over the Moon”); Pete Docter and Kemp Powers (“Soul”), Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart (“Wolfwalkers”), Joel Crawford (“The Croods: A New Age”), Walt Dohrn (“Trolls World Tour”), Kris Pearn (“The Willoughbys”), Dan Scanlon (“Onward”), Gitanjali Rao (“Bombay Rose”), and Will Becher and Richard Phelan (“A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon”).
“The annual awards season always encourages lively discussion, and this year is no exception,” says View Conference director Dr. Maria Elena Gutierrez. “It is such an honor for View Conference to host this conversation between 12 of our leading filmmakers. Their contribution to the art and craft of animated features is immeasurable, and I cannot...
- 3/4/2021
- by Terry Flores
- Variety Film + TV
This marks the fourth year that the entire membership of the academy can take part in the nomination stage of the Animated Feature Oscar race. Previously, only select members of the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch and invited members from the other branches could serve on the committee that decided the nominees. Collectively, the committee tended to favor traditional and stop-motion films over CG fare. (Scroll down for the most up-to-date 2021 Oscars predictions for Best Animated Feature.)
Mandatory attendance at screenings has been dropped and voters who want to be on the nominations committee need only attest to having seen all the contenders at theaters or screenings or by way of the the academy’s streaming site.
And the method of determining the nominees has been changed. Gone is the system where voters scored a film from 6 (poor) to 10 (excellent) with only those movies meriting an average mark of...
Mandatory attendance at screenings has been dropped and voters who want to be on the nominations committee need only attest to having seen all the contenders at theaters or screenings or by way of the the academy’s streaming site.
And the method of determining the nominees has been changed. Gone is the system where voters scored a film from 6 (poor) to 10 (excellent) with only those movies meriting an average mark of...
- 3/3/2021
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Pixar’s “Soul” and Apple/Gkids’s “Wolfwalkers” may have topped the Annie Award nominations with 10 each, but it was Netflix that walked away with the most nominations overall, picking up 40 across an array of projects.
Netflix scored six nominations each for its features “The Willoughbys” and “Over the Moon,” and three for “A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon.” Other Netflix projects receiving nominations include “Hilda,” “The Midnight Gospel,” “Bojack Horseman,” “Big Mouth,” “Alien Xmas,” “Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy,” “The Christmas Chronicles 2,” “The Umbrella Academy,” “Bna,” “The Great Pretender,” “Blood of Zeus,” “Trash Truck,” “Buddi,” “She-Ra and the Princesses of Power,” “Fast & Furious: Spy Racers,” “Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous,” “Tales of Arcadia: Wizards,” “Dragons Rescue Riders,” “Cops and Robbers” and “If Anything Happens I Love You.”
The next biggest studio tallies were Pixar and DreamWorks Animation with 20 nominations each, followed by Apple/Gkids with 10, Disney with nine,...
Netflix scored six nominations each for its features “The Willoughbys” and “Over the Moon,” and three for “A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon.” Other Netflix projects receiving nominations include “Hilda,” “The Midnight Gospel,” “Bojack Horseman,” “Big Mouth,” “Alien Xmas,” “Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy,” “The Christmas Chronicles 2,” “The Umbrella Academy,” “Bna,” “The Great Pretender,” “Blood of Zeus,” “Trash Truck,” “Buddi,” “She-Ra and the Princesses of Power,” “Fast & Furious: Spy Racers,” “Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous,” “Tales of Arcadia: Wizards,” “Dragons Rescue Riders,” “Cops and Robbers” and “If Anything Happens I Love You.”
The next biggest studio tallies were Pixar and DreamWorks Animation with 20 nominations each, followed by Apple/Gkids with 10, Disney with nine,...
- 3/3/2021
- by Terry Flores
- Variety Film + TV
Pixar’s ethereal “Soul” and Cartoon Saloon’s exquisitely hand-drawn “Wolfwalkers” — the two animated Oscar frontrunners — both grabbed 10 nominations each at Asifa-Hollywood’s 48th Annie Awards (to be streamed live on April 16). Pixar collected another seven nominations from “Onward” to dominate the feature competition.
“Soul” and “Wolfwalkers” are both expected to come away with the top prize from their respective best feature and best indie feature categories, but they compete head to head for direction (Pete Docter and Kemp Powers vs. Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart), FX, character animation, character design, production design, score, storyboarding, and writing. “Soul” was additionally nominated for editorial, and “Wolfwalkers” for voice acting. But Jamie Foxx, who voiced “Soul’s” jazz pianist, Joe Gardner, was surprisingly overlooked.
Scoring six nominations were Netflix’s “Over the Moon” (directed by Disney legend Glen Keane) and “The Willoughbys,” and DreamWorks’ “Croods: A New Age.” But Keane’s gorgeous...
“Soul” and “Wolfwalkers” are both expected to come away with the top prize from their respective best feature and best indie feature categories, but they compete head to head for direction (Pete Docter and Kemp Powers vs. Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart), FX, character animation, character design, production design, score, storyboarding, and writing. “Soul” was additionally nominated for editorial, and “Wolfwalkers” for voice acting. But Jamie Foxx, who voiced “Soul’s” jazz pianist, Joe Gardner, was surprisingly overlooked.
Scoring six nominations were Netflix’s “Over the Moon” (directed by Disney legend Glen Keane) and “The Willoughbys,” and DreamWorks’ “Croods: A New Age.” But Keane’s gorgeous...
- 3/3/2021
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
It’s truly a measure of the pandemic that the 19th annual Ves Awards (to be held virtually on April 6) was dominated by Disney+’s “The Mandalorian” with 13 nominations (topped by photoreal episode). Like the Oscar shortlist, there was an absence of big budget, VFX-intensive studio films. But, truth be told, Season 2 of Jon Favreau’s engaging “Star Wars” bounty hunter series offered the industry’s most innovative tech (wrapped around Industrial Light & Magic’s improved StageCraft virtual production system).
Pixar’s “Soul” was the top animation contender with five nominations, while the feature competition was split between “Project Power,” the Netflix superhero film, Robert Zemeckis’ “The Witches” (which streamed on HBO Max), and Disney’s live-action “Mulan” (which streamed on Disney+), each garnering three nominations.
Joining “Project Power” and “The Witches” in the top photoreal feature category were Netflix’s “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey” and “The Midnight Sky...
Pixar’s “Soul” was the top animation contender with five nominations, while the feature competition was split between “Project Power,” the Netflix superhero film, Robert Zemeckis’ “The Witches” (which streamed on HBO Max), and Disney’s live-action “Mulan” (which streamed on Disney+), each garnering three nominations.
Joining “Project Power” and “The Witches” in the top photoreal feature category were Netflix’s “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey” and “The Midnight Sky...
- 3/2/2021
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
The nominations for the 19th Annual Visual Effects Society Awards have been announced with “The Mandalorian” and “Soul” leading.
“The Mandalorian” leads with 13 nominations including outstanding visual effects in a photoreal episode. “Soul” was next with five nominations, followed by “The Witches” and “Project Power.”
The Ves awards will be handed out in a virtual ceremony and will stream worldwide on April 6.
“Traditions find a way to persist,” said Lisa Cooke, Ves Board Chair. “With vision and a lot of hard work, we are proud to host our annual celebration of the artistry, ingenuity and passion of visual effects practitioners around the world – virtually. We are seeing best in class work that elevates the art of storytelling and engages the audience in new and innovative ways. The Ves Awards is the only venue that showcases and honors these outstanding artists across a wide range of disciplines, and we are extremely proud of all our nominees!
“The Mandalorian” leads with 13 nominations including outstanding visual effects in a photoreal episode. “Soul” was next with five nominations, followed by “The Witches” and “Project Power.”
The Ves awards will be handed out in a virtual ceremony and will stream worldwide on April 6.
“Traditions find a way to persist,” said Lisa Cooke, Ves Board Chair. “With vision and a lot of hard work, we are proud to host our annual celebration of the artistry, ingenuity and passion of visual effects practitioners around the world – virtually. We are seeing best in class work that elevates the art of storytelling and engages the audience in new and innovative ways. The Ves Awards is the only venue that showcases and honors these outstanding artists across a wide range of disciplines, and we are extremely proud of all our nominees!
- 3/2/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
The Visual Effects Society today announced the nominees for its 19th annual Ves Awards, which recognize VFX artistry in 25 categories spanning film, TV, animation, commercials and video games. Winners will be announced during a virtual ceremony on Tuesday, April 6.
Disney+’s The Mandalorian leads all TV shows and films with 13 noms, and Disney/Pixar’s animated Soul tops the film side with five. Project Power and The Witches tied for second among movies with three noms apiece in a decidedly strange year for VFX-heavy projects.
Vying for the Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature prize are Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, The Midnight Sky, Project Power, Tenet and The Witches. The films up for
Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature are Da 5 Bloods, Extraction, Mank, News of the World and Welcome to Chechnya.
Soul will battle it out for the Visual Effects in an Animated Feature trophy against fellow Pixar pic Onward,...
Disney+’s The Mandalorian leads all TV shows and films with 13 noms, and Disney/Pixar’s animated Soul tops the film side with five. Project Power and The Witches tied for second among movies with three noms apiece in a decidedly strange year for VFX-heavy projects.
Vying for the Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature prize are Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, The Midnight Sky, Project Power, Tenet and The Witches. The films up for
Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature are Da 5 Bloods, Extraction, Mank, News of the World and Welcome to Chechnya.
Soul will battle it out for the Visual Effects in an Animated Feature trophy against fellow Pixar pic Onward,...
- 3/2/2021
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
The most important decision that Glen Keane made as director of “Over the Moon,” Netflix’s exquisite update of the ancient Chinese Moon Goddess fable, was going with Sony Pictures Imageworks in Vancouver as the animation studio. And he did so primarily because of their Oscar-winning work on “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.”
“We really benefited by them having just done ‘Into the Spider-Verse,’” Keane said. “They were approaching the subtlety in animation, celebrating a realism in that acting that really was just the best. I built on that whole team’s performance. We leaned heavily into drawing on ‘Over the Moon.'”
In “Over the Moon,” the Disney legend faced his most daunting challenge yet because the level of detail in the character animation was very new to him. But he was immediately drawn to Fei Fei (Cathy Ang), the 12-year-old girl obsessed with building a rocket to the enchanting...
“We really benefited by them having just done ‘Into the Spider-Verse,’” Keane said. “They were approaching the subtlety in animation, celebrating a realism in that acting that really was just the best. I built on that whole team’s performance. We leaned heavily into drawing on ‘Over the Moon.'”
In “Over the Moon,” the Disney legend faced his most daunting challenge yet because the level of detail in the character animation was very new to him. But he was immediately drawn to Fei Fei (Cathy Ang), the 12-year-old girl obsessed with building a rocket to the enchanting...
- 3/1/2021
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Variety's Awards Circuit is home to the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars from Film Awards Editor Clayton Davis. Following Academy Awards history, buzz, news, reviews and sources, the Oscar predictions are updated regularly with the current year's contenders in all categories. Variety's Awards Circuit Prediction schedule consists of four phases, running all year long: Draft, Pre-Season, Regular Season and Post Season. Eligibility calendar and dates of awards will determine how long each phase lasts and will be displayed next to revision date.
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit The Collective
Draft>>>Pre Season>>>Regular Season>>>Post Season
2021 Golden Globe Predictions:
Best Motion Picture – Animated
Updated: Feb. 24, 2021
Awards Prediction Commentary: The Golden Globes nominations were announced on Feb. 3, with Netflix’s “Mank” from David Fincher leading with six nods. As the ceremony approaches on Feb. 28, the categories have been analyzed to determine...
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit The Collective
Draft>>>Pre Season>>>Regular Season>>>Post Season
2021 Golden Globe Predictions:
Best Motion Picture – Animated
Updated: Feb. 24, 2021
Awards Prediction Commentary: The Golden Globes nominations were announced on Feb. 3, with Netflix’s “Mank” from David Fincher leading with six nods. As the ceremony approaches on Feb. 28, the categories have been analyzed to determine...
- 2/24/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Oscar-winning animator Glen Keane spent decades illustrating some of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ most memorable characters, with notable classics that include “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Aladdin.” After 38 years, he left the company in 2012 to pursue other creative endeavors, which led him to directing “Dear Basketball,” a short animated film written by the late NBA legend, Kobe Bryant. That collaboration won Keane his first Academy Award in 2018 and led to him helming his first feature “Over the Moon.”
Shortly after premiering at the Montclair Film Festival in October, “Over the Moon” was released on Netflix and grossed an impressive $860,000 in limited theatrical release. The film tells the story of a young girl named Fei Fei (Cathy Ang), whose mother passed away from a terminal illness. After her father gets engaged to another woman and reveals that he no longer believes in the story of the Moon goddess,...
Shortly after premiering at the Montclair Film Festival in October, “Over the Moon” was released on Netflix and grossed an impressive $860,000 in limited theatrical release. The film tells the story of a young girl named Fei Fei (Cathy Ang), whose mother passed away from a terminal illness. After her father gets engaged to another woman and reveals that he no longer believes in the story of the Moon goddess,...
- 2/18/2021
- by Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
Netflix said Thursday that it is turning Sulwe, the bestselling children’s book by Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o, into an animated musical, the latest move by the streamer to bolster its feature animation slate that already includes Richard Linklater’s Apollo 10½: A Space Age Adventure, Henry Selick’s Wendell & Wild, Nora Twomey’s My Father’s Dragon and Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio among others.
Sulwe, written by Nyong’o with illustrations by Vashti Harrison, follows Sulwe, a child who has skin darker than anyone she knows — and all she wants is to be beautiful and bright. One night, she is visited by a shooting star sent by the Night and embarks on a magical journey where she learns the eye-opening story of the sisters Night and Day. The book tells a story about colorism, self-esteem and learning that true beauty comes from within.
Sulwe, written by Nyong’o with illustrations by Vashti Harrison, follows Sulwe, a child who has skin darker than anyone she knows — and all she wants is to be beautiful and bright. One night, she is visited by a shooting star sent by the Night and embarks on a magical journey where she learns the eye-opening story of the sisters Night and Day. The book tells a story about colorism, self-esteem and learning that true beauty comes from within.
- 2/18/2021
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Lupita Nyong’o’s illustrated children’s book “Sulwe” will be adapted into a musical, animated feature film set at Netflix.
Nyong’o will also produce “Sulwe” based on her picture book released last year. The book was written by Nyong’o and illustrated by Vashti Harrison, and it hit #1 on the New York Times Bestsellers list for picture books.
Here’s the logline:
“Sulwe” is the story of a girl named Sulwe with skin the color of midnight. She is darker than everyone she knows, but all she wants is to be beautiful and bright. One night, Sulwe is visited by a shooting star sent by the Night, and embarks on a magical journey where she learns the eye-opening story of the sisters Night and Day. Sulwe is a story about colorism, self-esteem, and learning that true beauty comes from within.
No director, cast or composer is attached just yet.
Nyong’o will also produce “Sulwe” based on her picture book released last year. The book was written by Nyong’o and illustrated by Vashti Harrison, and it hit #1 on the New York Times Bestsellers list for picture books.
Here’s the logline:
“Sulwe” is the story of a girl named Sulwe with skin the color of midnight. She is darker than everyone she knows, but all she wants is to be beautiful and bright. One night, Sulwe is visited by a shooting star sent by the Night, and embarks on a magical journey where she learns the eye-opening story of the sisters Night and Day. Sulwe is a story about colorism, self-esteem, and learning that true beauty comes from within.
No director, cast or composer is attached just yet.
- 2/18/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Cathy Ang has signed with ICM Partners for representation in all areas.
The up-and-coming Chinese-Filipino-American actress and singer most recently starred as Fei Fei in Netflix/Pearl Studios’ Golden Globe- and NAACP Image Award-nominated feature film Over the Moon, directed by legendary animator Glen Keane. Ang additionally received an individual nomination for best animated performance from the Hollywood Critics Association Film Awards.
She also recently voiced the lead role of Lara opposite Ian McShane in Google Spotlight Stories’ animated short film Age of Sail and can also be seen in the hit Hulu series Ramy.
An accomplished theatre veteran, Ang recently starred in the English-language debut of the Korean musical Maybe Happy Ending directed by Tony nominee Michael Arden at the Alliance Theatre in Georgia. During her time studying musical theatre at NYU Steinhardt, she starred in Spring Awakening and A Little Night Music. Additional theatre credits include Kpop...
The up-and-coming Chinese-Filipino-American actress and singer most recently starred as Fei Fei in Netflix/Pearl Studios’ Golden Globe- and NAACP Image Award-nominated feature film Over the Moon, directed by legendary animator Glen Keane. Ang additionally received an individual nomination for best animated performance from the Hollywood Critics Association Film Awards.
She also recently voiced the lead role of Lara opposite Ian McShane in Google Spotlight Stories’ animated short film Age of Sail and can also be seen in the hit Hulu series Ramy.
An accomplished theatre veteran, Ang recently starred in the English-language debut of the Korean musical Maybe Happy Ending directed by Tony nominee Michael Arden at the Alliance Theatre in Georgia. During her time studying musical theatre at NYU Steinhardt, she starred in Spring Awakening and A Little Night Music. Additional theatre credits include Kpop...
- 2/17/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
One of the most influential artists working in the medium of animation over the last half-century, Glen Keane brought his long-awaited debut feature to the screen just last fall. That film—the musical fantasy Over the Moon—certainly was worth the wait.
Bringing splendid life to both modern-day China and a fantastical realm known as Lunaria, Over the Moon centers on Fei Fei, a 14-year-old Chinese girl who has long been told the legend of the Moon goddess Chang’e. While struggling to cope with the loss of her mother, the teenager decides to journey into space to prove that the immortal being is real. Produced by Pearl Studio and Netflix Animation, from a script by the late Audrey Wells, the animated feature is the first distributed by a major Hollywood studio to center on an entirely Asian cast.
Spending 38 years at Walt Disney Animation Studios—where he illustrated such...
Bringing splendid life to both modern-day China and a fantastical realm known as Lunaria, Over the Moon centers on Fei Fei, a 14-year-old Chinese girl who has long been told the legend of the Moon goddess Chang’e. While struggling to cope with the loss of her mother, the teenager decides to journey into space to prove that the immortal being is real. Produced by Pearl Studio and Netflix Animation, from a script by the late Audrey Wells, the animated feature is the first distributed by a major Hollywood studio to center on an entirely Asian cast.
Spending 38 years at Walt Disney Animation Studios—where he illustrated such...
- 2/16/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
“My Little Pony,” an animated movie aimed at family audiences, is heading to Netflix.
Paramount Pictures was originally set to distribute the film, which had been scheduled to open in theaters on Sept. 24, 2021. Hasbro’s entertainment studio Entertainment One produced the movie and sold it to Netflix. It will retain distribution rights in China.
Though the exact release date is unclear, “My Little Pony” is expected to land on Netflix later this year.
In the wake of ongoing movie theater closures, Hollywood studios have continued to either postpone their upcoming films or send them to streaming services. Paramount has sold several titles to streamers amid the pandemic, including Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall’s “Coming 2 America,” Aaron Sorkin’s courtroom drama “The Trial of the Chicago 7” and “Without Remorse” starring Michael B. Jordan. Elsewhere, Disney moved “Mulan, “Soul” and “Raya and the Last Dragon” to Disney Plus, and...
Paramount Pictures was originally set to distribute the film, which had been scheduled to open in theaters on Sept. 24, 2021. Hasbro’s entertainment studio Entertainment One produced the movie and sold it to Netflix. It will retain distribution rights in China.
Though the exact release date is unclear, “My Little Pony” is expected to land on Netflix later this year.
In the wake of ongoing movie theater closures, Hollywood studios have continued to either postpone their upcoming films or send them to streaming services. Paramount has sold several titles to streamers amid the pandemic, including Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall’s “Coming 2 America,” Aaron Sorkin’s courtroom drama “The Trial of the Chicago 7” and “Without Remorse” starring Michael B. Jordan. Elsewhere, Disney moved “Mulan, “Soul” and “Raya and the Last Dragon” to Disney Plus, and...
- 2/12/2021
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Brian Jacques’ beloved “Redwall” books are being adapted into a feature film and TV series thanks to a new rights deal between Netflix and Penguin Random House Children. The fantasy novels have sold 30 million copies globally and have attracted an avid following with their tales of heroism, villainy and derring do all played out by mice, moles, hares and badgers. Think J.R.R. Tolkien with cuddlier protagonists.
Netflix announced it has enlisted Patrick McHale, creator of Cartoon Network’s “Over the Garden Wall,” to write the feature film. That film will be based on Jacques’ first book in the series, “Redwall”. Netflix is also developing an event series based on the character of Martin the Warrior.
The deal marks the first time that the film rights to the entire book series have been held by the same company and the first time a feature film of any of Jacques’ works will be made.
Netflix announced it has enlisted Patrick McHale, creator of Cartoon Network’s “Over the Garden Wall,” to write the feature film. That film will be based on Jacques’ first book in the series, “Redwall”. Netflix is also developing an event series based on the character of Martin the Warrior.
The deal marks the first time that the film rights to the entire book series have been held by the same company and the first time a feature film of any of Jacques’ works will be made.
- 2/10/2021
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Is there a chance that the race for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars is a bit more fluid than we think? And which film would stand to benefit if that is case? Right now, according to our odds, it just might be Netflix’s animated musical “Over the Moon.” The film is in third place in our combined odds (9/2) behind “Wolfwalkers” (19/5) and “Soul” (82/25). And the idea isn’t as far-fetched as you might think.
“Over the Moon” tells the story of a young Chinese girl named Fei Fei (Cathy Ang). Several years after losing her mother to a terminal illness, her father gets engaged to another woman, which angers Fei Fei. When her father additionally reveals that he no longer believes in the story of the Moon goddess Chang’e (which she first learned about from her late mother), Fei Fei constructs a rocket to fly to the moon...
“Over the Moon” tells the story of a young Chinese girl named Fei Fei (Cathy Ang). Several years after losing her mother to a terminal illness, her father gets engaged to another woman, which angers Fei Fei. When her father additionally reveals that he no longer believes in the story of the Moon goddess Chang’e (which she first learned about from her late mother), Fei Fei constructs a rocket to fly to the moon...
- 2/9/2021
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
The idea that Audrey Wells‘ original script for the Netflix film “Over the Moon” was not written as a musical might seem unbelievable but Marjorie Duffield says that the way it was set up fit perfectly to turn it into one. “We were gifted with Audrey Wells’ beautiful script that, strangely, is almost like the perfect libretto to a musical without the songs. Audrey would build her moments to these places where the characters would just have to sing. They just had to move into song,” Duffield, along with co-songwriters Christopher Curtis and Helen Park, tells Gold Derby in our recent webchat (watch the exclusive video above).
Some restructuring of the script was required to make it work better in the mold of a musical but Duffield felt that there were moments in the script that were just begging to musicalized. “Structurally, Audrey almost had these moments just perfectly paced...
Some restructuring of the script was required to make it work better in the mold of a musical but Duffield felt that there were moments in the script that were just begging to musicalized. “Structurally, Audrey almost had these moments just perfectly paced...
- 2/8/2021
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.