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The NFB enters Annecy with 9 films

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Annecy

The NFB takes the Annecy International Animation Film Festival by storm
with 9 films, including 7 in competition and 6 world premieres

April 24, 2014 – Montreal – National Film Board of Canada

 

At the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, which takes place from June 9 to 14, 2014, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) will present a rich selection of innovative films showcasing the talents of animation filmmakers from here and elsewhere. This year’s program boasts no less than nine short films produced or co-produced by the NFB: seven of them are in competition, six are receiving world-premiere screenings, and four are international co-productions. The NFB is extremely pleased to play a part in the worldwide renown of Canadian animated films. Animation has always had pride of place at the NFB, and is the genre par excellence through which audiences can discover the daring creativity of some of today’s finest filmmakers.

 

Among the films in competition at Annecy, the NFB is proud to present Me and My Moulton, the long-awaited new work by Norwegian-born Canadian filmmaker Torill Kove, whose The Danish Poet won an Academy Award in 2006. Other high-profile NFB-produced shorts in competition include Nul poisson oů aller (No Fish Where to Go) by Nicola Lemay and Janice Nadeau, Rainy Days by Vladimir Leschiov, Pilots on the Way Home by Olga Parn and Priit Parn, and Histoires de bus (Bus Stories) by tali. Two NFB productions are screening in special competitive sections: 3e page aprčs le soleil (Third Page from the Sun) by Theodore Ushev (whose previous film Gloria Victoria won an award at last year’s Annecy festival) is in the “Animation Off-Limits” section, and Le Sapin d’Éloďse, a short by Dominic Etienne Simard commissioned by the NFB, is in the “Commissioned Films” section. The NFB will also be represented by two major co-productions in the out-of-competition section: Bruce Alcock’s Impromptu and Michčle Cournoyer’s Soif. Cournoyer’s earlier film The Hat (1999) enjoyed considerable success and was named one of the top 100 animated shorts of all time in a 2005 survey of international experts conducted by the Annecy festival and Variety magazine.

 

In partnership with the Annecy festival, the NFB will also launch two innovative programs in the McLaren Now event designed by Marcel Jean, the event’s artistic director, marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of pioneering animator Norman McLaren. McLaren Now is a brilliant selection of works by contemporary filmmakers who are McLaren’s artistic heirs. All of its programs will subsequently be presented at various festivals and events in Canada and around the world, and then made available at NFB.ca.

 

The weeklong Annecy International Animation Film Festival, one of the oldest and most important celebrations of animation cinema in the world, hosts the industry’s leading creators and professionals every year in early June. The 2013 edition welcomed 7,100 professionals from 80 countries, presented 236 films in competition, and was attended by 110,000 filmgoers.

 

Quick facts

 

ˇ         List of NFB films selected for the Annecy International Animation Film Festival:

 

In competition:

 

o   Me and My Moulton, dir. Torill Kove (14 min) – World premiere

Unexpected drama ensues when a seven-year-old girl and her sisters ask their parents for a bicycle. Co-produced by Mikrofilm AS (Lise Fearnley) and the NFB (Marcy Page).

 

o   Nul poisson oů aller (No Fish Where to Go), dir. Nicola Lemay and Janice Nadeau (12 min) – World premiere

A little girl is forced from her home, but her painful exodus is illuminated by the friendship of a schoolgirl who belongs to another clan. Music by Jorane. Produced by the NFB (Marc Bertrand).

 

  • Rainy Days, dir. Vladimir Leschiov (8 min)

An elderly Japanese man boards a ferry, and during the voyage recollects three pivotal moments in his life. Co-produced by Lunohod Animation Studio (Vladimir Leschiov) and the NFB (Marc Bertrand).

 

  • Pilots on the Way Home, dir. Olga Parn and Priit Parn (16 min) – World premiere

Stranded in the middle of the desert, three pilots who have lost their planes fall prey to visions. Co-produced by Eesti Joonisfilm (Kalev Tamm) and the NFB (Julie Roy).

 

  • Histoires de bus (Bus Stories), dir. tali (10 min) – World premiere

A woman signs up to drive a school bus and has to cope with a faulty clutch and a boss named “Killer.” Produced by the NFB (Julie Roy).

 

In competition – “Animation Off-Limits” section:

 

  • 3e page aprčs le soleil (Third Page from the Sun), dir. Theodore Ushev

(5 min) – World premiere

An abstract exploration of a number of big issues, from the ephemerality of the digital age to recycling. Produced by the NFB (Marc Bertrand).

 

In competition – “Commissioned Films” section:

 

  • Le sapin d’Éloďse, dir. Dominic Etienne Simard (1 min)

A father and daughter prepare for the holidays, trying to respect traditions as best as they can. Produced by the NFB (Julie Roy and Marc Bertrand).

 

Out of competition:

 

  • Soif, dir. Michčle Cournoyer (8 min) – World premiere

On the screen of her life, a woman drinks away her youth, becoming completely absorbed by the desire to satisfy her thirst. Co-produced by Unité centrale (Marcel Jean and Galilé Marion-Gauvin) and the NFB (René Chénier).

 

  • Impromptu, dir. Bruce Alcock (10 min)

The chaos of a last-minute dinner party provides the backdrop for a quiet epiphany about embracing life’s rich pageant. Co-produced by Global Mechanic (Tina Ouellette) and the NFB (Annette Clarke and Michael Fukushima).

 

  • From June 9 to 14, 2014, the Annecy International Animation Film Festival will present a total of 55 short films in competition, including 12 in the “Off-Limits” section, 29 made-for-television films, 36 commissioned films, 56 graduation films and 36 out-of-competition short films.

 

Related link

 

Annecy International Animation Film Festival: http://www.annecy.org/home

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News: Peanuts teaser trailer!

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This just in from our press contact at Fox! The very first teaser trailer for the upcoming film from BlueSky/20th Century Fox film Peanuts!  When I first heard about this film I was a bit skeptical to it’s success simply because 2d films to 3d films have been done so badly in the past with films like Yogi Bear and the Smurfs. Okay let me rephrase that, the translation of the characters was a harsh one from flat 2d to 3d, one which I personally did not like. Your mileage might vary. I have to say now that I’ve seen this that they’ve really handled the  2d aspects well. I like how the camera is locked and they just pop from 3/4 to side with ease. You can tell it’s done but it’s quick and it doesn’t bother me at all. I also like how they managed to almost make it feel like it’s claymation. Great job guys and I’m really looking forward to this film now! Even more I can’t wait to see the behind the scenes of how they did it!

Also here’s a great analysis of the sneak peek!

SYNOPSIS:
For the first time ever, Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the gang we know and love from Charles Schulz’s timeless “Peanuts” comic strip will be making their big-screen debut; like they’ve never been seen before in a CG-Animated Feature film in 3D.
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News: Wildseed Studios unveil first animation-NSFW

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbDS2djZmm0

Wildseed Studios’ ambition to become the home of British animation for grown-ups and female character comedy took a step closer today as they unveiled the first episodes from two brand new shows on their YouTube channel.

The next-generation content and talent incubator, co-founded by Miles Bullough, former Head of Broadcast at Aardman Animations and former BBC creative executive Jesse Cleverly, promises a constant flow of new content on their YouTube channel with new episodes released every week and a new project every month.

The first project to go live is an adult animation based on the comic strips of Ralph Kidson who has been drawing and contributing to underground comics as long as he can remember. “It was Ralph’s writing and irreverent, dry social commentary as much as his comic-man-ship that stood out.” said Cleverly. Wildseed Studios is making animations based on three of Ralph’s strips: Animal Job Centre, which features an unemployed squirrel trying to navigate the job market, God and Jesus where God explains his plans to Jesus for his latest miracle, and Battle at Serengeti where punchy and loutish animals launch into foul-mouthed tirades against each other at the slightest provocation.

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News: Amazon’s HardBoiled Eggheads

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This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Amazon has just released an animate short for the 7-11 crowd which i was fortunate enough to work on!
Hardboiled Eggheads  is about two boys; Miles and Kelvin are regular kids…who happen to be classified special agents. The two brainiacs suit up to correct the mistakes of science battling monsters born of toxic waste, Martians lured to Earth, or even killer vegetables!

While I did do storyboards, timing and animation for this film,  I still think it’s cool because of the potential implications for the animation industry insomuch that content is being created outside the Big Three; Cartoon network, Nickelodeon, and Disney and THAT’S a GREAT thing for animation as a whole.

Here’s a clip from the pilot.

http://www.myblogstorage.net/milowerx/movies/00.HBE_ep101-Clip-ZomBeeEvilPlan-H264-Social.mov

and here’s another one.

http://www.myblogstorage.net/milowerx/movies/HBE_ep101-Clip-SuzyBeeSting-H264-Social.mov

All of the new pilots will be available for free for 30 days for anyone to watch, rate or review and I urge you to do all if only to support endeavors into animation.

Click here for a  direct link to the short pilot.

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#HardboiledEggheads
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News: ACAMAR FILMS ANNOUNCES A FULL RANGE OF PARTNERSHIPS ON BING BUNNY

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Acamar

 ACAMAR FILMS ANNOUNCES A FULL RANGE OF PARTNERSHIPS ON BING BUNNY 

Acamar is working simultaneously, in an unusual creative arrangement, with an additional two multi-award winning studio partners Brown Bag Films and Tandem Films to coproduce

Bing Bunny for MIPTV debut  

London, 6 February 2014. UK-based independent Acamar Films today announced that it is working in partnership with both leading Irish animation studio Brown Bag Films and London based Tandem Films to coproduce the much-anticipated new animated series Bing Bunny – based on the hugely popular books by award-winning author and illustrator Ted Dewan.

Acamar Films - Bing BunnyClick on image to see it larger.

Acamar will be launching the new show with initial episodes available to view at MIPTV.

The 78 x 7’ series has been meticulously developed for internationally renowned BBC pre-school channel CBeebies, which will be bringing the Bing Bunny books’ unique philosophy and story-telling to television audiences this spring. A number of key global broadcasters are also on board with sales to be announced imminently. Continue reading

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NEW YORK INT’L CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES COMPLETE 2014 SLATE

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image003

TICKETS ON SALE AT WWW.GKIDS.COM

HI-RES IMAGES AT WWW.GKIDS.COM/PRESS

 

New York, New York, February 3, 2014 – The critically acclaimed New York Int’l Children’s Film Festival has announced its full slate for the 2014 edition, which runs March 7-30 at five Manhattan locations.  The Festival will present 100 new animated and live action shorts and features, opening and closing night parties, studio showcases, retrospectives, filmmaker Q&As, filmmaking workshops, the Whole Foods Market Pop-Up Concessions Stand, audience voting and the NYICFF Awards Ceremony.

 

The 17th edition includes four weeks of groundbreaking and thought-provoking new films for ages 3-18.  Highlights include US and North American feature film premieres of Amazonia (France), Boy in the World(Brazil), Aunt Hilda! (France), Foosball (Argentina), Patema Inverted (Japan) and others, six Oscar®-qualifying short film programs, a live sing-a-long event featuring 2011’s The Muppets and hosted by Oscar®-winning producer and composer Bret McKenzie, and LAIKA: Behind the Magic, a special presentation featuring never-before-seen footage of the studio’s upcoming feature, The Boxtrolls.

 

“The 2014 Festival brings together an incredible mix of the best new film from six continents – from the newest crop of international features, special preview screenings, and even a few Oscar® nominees, to our six wonderfully eclectic short film programs, where many of the Festival’s true treasures lie,” said Festival found and creative director Eric Beckman. “Families and film-lovers of all ages can feast on four weekends of non-stop movies. It is an eye-opening, horizon-expanding experience – and just a whole lot of fun.”

 

DATES:   March 7- March 30 – Full schedule available at www.gkids.com

LOCATIONS:         DGA Theater, IFC Center, Scholastic Theater, SVA Theatre and Village East Cinema

 

SHORT FILM PROGRAMS – The Festival’s wildly popular short film programs showcase the best short films from around the world, selected from over 3,000 entries. Jury-selected winners will be eligible for Oscar® consideration in animated and live action short film categories.  Featured in this year’s lineup are Feral (Daniel Sousa, Heebie Jeebies) and Mr. Hublot (Laurent Witz, Short Films Two), both nominated for best animated short film at the 2014 Academy Awards®.

  • ·Shorts For Tots – (Ages 3 to 6)
  • ·Short Films One – (Ages 5 to 10)
  • ·Short Films Two – (Ages 8 to 14)
  • ·Flicker Lounge: For Teens & Adults Only – (Ages 12 to adult)
  • ·Heebie Jeebies: Spooky, Freaky & Bizarre – (Ages 10 to adult)
  • ·Girls’ POV – (Ages 10 to adult)

 

SPECIAL PROGRAMS:

  • ·         AMAZONIA 3D – Opening Night Film, US Premiere, Live Action, France, Thierry Ragobert.

Get ready to meet the cutest animal in the entire known universe – a baby capuchin monkey with impossibly huge eyes and impossibly human expressions – on a stunningly photographed 3D adventure into the heart of the Amazon rainforest.

Recommended ages: 5 to adult

 

  • ·         ANNIE: IT’S THE HARD KNOCK LIFE – Q&A with cast members, Documentary, United States, Joshua Seftel

In 2012, over 5,000 young girls traveled to New York City to vie for a part in the Broadway revival of Annie and a bed in Miss Hannigan’s infamous orphanage. Only eight got a part. Director Joshua Seftel takes us backstage for a behind-the-scenes look at the creative chaos that is putting on a Broadway show – from the first auditions and early choreography, to dress rehearsal calamities and opening night jitters.

In English – Recommended ages: 6 to adult

 

  • ·         LAIKA: BEHIND THE MAGIC – Special Event includes workshop, special screening of Coraline, first peek of footage from upcoming Boxtrolls, and Q&A

A rare behind-the-scenes presentation from LAIKA studios, creators of the Academy Award®-nominated Coraline and ParaNorman. LAIKA’s Mark Shapiro will give insights into the intricate stop-motion animation process, using footage of time-lapse production, exclusive clips of LAIKA animators at work, and a demonstration using the actual character models from of the movies. Followed by a complete screening of the film Coraline and an exclusive first look at never-before-seen footage from the upcoming LAIKA feature The Boxtrolls.

Recommended ages: 9 to adult

 

  • ·MUPPETS MOST WANTED – Special Preview Screening, Live Action, United States, James Bobin

The latest adventure from the beloved Muppet gang takes them across the globe as they embark on an international tour, selling out grand theaters in some of Europe’s most exciting destinations including Berlin, Madrid, Dublin, and London. James Bobin, who (like us) can’t seem to get enough of the Muppets, returns to the directing chair after the 2011 hit The Muppets. Also returning is Oscar®-winning songwriter Bret McKenzie, who is a star in his own right as half of the musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords.

Rated PG

 

  • ·MUPPETS SING-A-LONG – Live Sing-A-Long Event

Join award-winning composer and producer Bret McKenzie and Muppet pal Walter (Peter Linz) in an interactive sing-along screening of the 2011 Disney hit The Muppets, suitable for Muppet lovers of all ages. The film features Bret’s Oscar®-winning Man or Muppet, plus Life’s a Happy Song, Pictures in My Head and lots of other toe-tapping classics. Come sing along!

Rated PG

 

  • ·RIO 2 3D – Special Preview Screening, Animation, United States, Carlos Saldanha

Fly to Brazil ahead of the flock, with this special pre-release screening of Rio 2, the latest from Oscar®-winning Blue Sky Animation Studio. The Rio characters are joined by Oscar® nominee Andy Garcia, Grammy® winner Bruno Mars, Tony® winner Kristin Chenoweth, and Oscar®/Emmy®/Tony® winner Rita Moreno.

In English – Recommended: all ages

 

NYICFF 2014 FEATURE FILMS (ALPHABETICAL):

  • ·ANINA – Animation, Uruguay, Alfredo Soderguit.

With an oddly comforting charm, Anina, is a quirky, warm, simply-but-beautifully animated picture with a look that seems hand crafted from materials gently worn and loved.

      Subtitled – Recommended ages: 7 to adult (5 to adult for Spanish speaking audiences)

 

  • ·AUNT HILDA! – North American Premiere, Animation, France, Girerd/ Chieux

Jacques-Remy Girerd, creator of A Cat in Paris and Mia and the Migoo returns to NYICFF with his latest hand-drawn gem, Aunt Hilda!, a glorious throwback to the flower power classics like Yellow Submarine and The Point. Hilda lives high above the city, happily at home with tens of thousands of rare and luscious plants in her palace of a greenhouse. But down below, a new, genetically modified super-grain threatens to disrupt the delicate natural harmony. Hilda must help the Earth save itself from a very colorful biological mayhem.

Subtitled – Recommended ages: 7 to adult

 

  • ·BOY AND THE WORLD – US Premiere, Animation, Brazil, Alê Abreu.

Brazilian artist Alê Abreu brings to screen a strikingly unique visual style to show the world through the eyes of a young boy. A child, Cuca, lives a life of quiet wonder, exploring all that the countryside has to offer. His cozy life is shattered when his father leaves for the city, prompting him to embark on a quest to reunite his family.

Recommended ages: 5 to adult

 

  • ·         ERNEST & CELESTINE – 2014 Oscar® Nominee, Best Animated Feature, Animation, France, Benjamin Renner, Vincent Patar, Staphane Aubier

NYICFF 2013 Opening Night film and Grand Prize winner returns as a Best Animated Feature Oscar®-nominee! Director Benjamin Renner is our guest for the New York theatrical premiere of the new English language version, featuring Forest Whitaker, Mackenzie Foy, Lauren Bacall, Paul Giamatti, William H. Macy, Megan Mullally, Nick Offerman, and Jeffrey Wright.

In English – Recommended ages: 5 to adult

 

  • ·FOOSBALL 3D – US Premiere, Animation, Argentina, Juan José Campanella

Oscar®-winner Juan José Campanella’s first animated film obliterated box office records in his home country of Argentina and puts Hollywood on notice that high-end CGI is not the exclusive purview of the major US studios with this tale of foosball players come to life.

Subtitled – Recommended ages: 7 to adult

  • ·HOUSE OF MAGIC 3D – North American Premiere, Animation, France, Stassen/Degruson

3D maestro Ben Stassen (NYICFF 2011’s Sammy’s Adventures) returns with a rollercoaster-ride of a film filled with jack-in-the-box surprises, inventive robotic contraptions, and plenty of swooping and swooshing z-axis movement.

In English – Recommended ages: 6 to adult

 

  • ·         JACK AND THE CUCKOO CLOCK HEART – North American Premiere, Animation, France, Malzieu/Berla

Produced by Luc Besson, who gave us the 2012 opening night A Monster in Paris, this breathtaking gothic musical is the passion project of writer/director/composer Mathias Malzieu, adapted from his best-selling novel and the 2007 concept album from his rock band Dionysos.

In English – Recommended ages: 8 to adult

 

  • ·MOTHER, I LOVE YOU – New York Premiere, Live Action, Latvia, Janis Nords

Winner of top prizes at the Berlin and Los Angeles Film Festivals, Janis Nord’s instantly engaging second feature combines coming-of-age drama with slow-burn thriller to tell the story of a boy who is unable to extricate himself from a growing web of lies

Subtitled – Recommended ages: 9 to adult

 

  • ·PATEMA INVERTED – North American Premiere, Animation, Japan, Yasuhiro Yoshiura

The new feature from Time of Eve director Yasuhiro Yoshiura is a perspective-twisting sci-fi adventure about two kids separated by opposite gravities. Once they master the art of navigating competing gravitational forces, they set out to evade their respective leaders and discover the secret that keeps their worlds apart.

Subtitled – Recommended ages: 9 to adult

 

  • ·WE ARE THE BEST! – Live Action, Sweden, Lukas Moodysson

Lukas Moodysson’s fantastic new picture about trio of 13-year-old schoolgirls trying to form a punk band is overflowing with energy and youthful exuberance.

Subtitled – Recommended ages: 13 to adult

 

  • ·ZIP & ZAP AND THE MARBLE GANG – New York Premiere, Live Action, Spain, Óskar Santos

Fresh from premieres at Sundance and Toronto, Zip & Zap is one of the most talked about family films on the festival circuit – a classic mystery adventure in the vein of Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, and The Goonies

Subtitled – Recommended ages: 7 to adult

 

NYICFF 2014 JURY:

  • ·         John Canemaker – Academy Award®-winning animator (The Moon and the Son)
  • ·         Geena Davis – Academy Award®-winning actor and Founder, Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media
  • ·         Lynne McVeigh – Associate Professor of Children’s Media at NYU Tisch School of the Arts
  • ·         Matthew Modine – Award-winning actor (Full Metal Jacket, The Dark Knight Rises)
  • ·         Richard Peña – Director Emeritus New York Film Festival, Columbia University Professor of Film Studies
  • ·         Bill Plympton – Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker (Guard Dog, Idiots and Angels)
  • ·         Dana Points – Editor-in-Chief of Parents magazine
  • ·         Susan Sarandon – Academy Award®-winning actor (Dead Man Walking, Arbitrage)
  • ·         James Schamus – Award-winning filmmaker (Brokeback Mountain, The Ice Storm)
  • ·         Henry Selick– Academy Award®-nominated director (Coraline)
  • ·         Evan Shapiro – President, Participant Television
  • ·         Uma Thurman – Academy Award®-nominated actor (Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2)
  • ·         Christine Vachon – Award-winning filmmaker (Boys Don’t Cry, Mildred Pierce)
  • ·         Gus Van Sant – Award-winning director (Good Will Hunting, Milk)
  • ·         Taika Waititi – Academy Award®-nominated writer/director (Two Cars One Night, Boy)
  • ·         Jeffrey Wright – Award-winning actor (Basquiat, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire)

 

ABOUT NYICFF:

Established in 1997, NYICFF is an Oscar®-qualifying event and North America’s largest film festival for children and teens ages 3-18. The most recent edition attracted a sold-out-in-advance audience of 30,000. NYICFF 2014 takes place March 7-30, with 100+ films from around the world, plus premieres, retrospectives, filmmaker Q&As, filmmaking workshops, audience voting, and the NYICFF Awards Ceremony.  Festival sponsors include Whole Foods Market, Meredith Parents Network, and Scholastic, with funding support by National Endowment for the Arts, NY State Council on the Arts, and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.  In addition to the annual March festival, NYICFF presents year-round film programming both in New York and nationally, including annual children’s film festivals in Boston, Los Angeles, Miami and Philadelphia.