KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS new trailer

Focus Features will release the new movie from animation studio LAIKA nationwide on August 19, 2016

https://youtu.be/YMmrKORgNFc

 

 

Synopsis:

Kubo and the Two Strings is an epic action-adventure set in a fantastical Japan from acclaimed animation studio LAIKA. Clever, kindhearted Kubo (voiced by Art Parkinson of “Game of Thrones”) ekes out a humble living, telling stories to the people of his seaside town including Hosato (George Takei), Akihiro (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa), and Kameyo (Academy Award nominee Brenda Vaccaro). But his relatively quiet existence is shattered when he accidentally summons a spirit from his past which storms down from the heavens to enforce an age-old vendetta. Now on the run, Kubo joins forces with Monkey (Academy Award winner Charlize Theron) and Beetle (Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey), and sets out on a thrilling quest to save his family and solve the mystery of his fallen father, the greatest samurai warrior the world has ever known. With the help of his shamisen – a magical musical instrument – Kubo must battle gods and monsters, including the vengeful Moon King (Academy Award nominee Ralph Fiennes) and the evil twin Sisters (Academy Award nominee Rooney Mara), to unlock the secret of his legacy, reunite his family, and fulfill his heroic destiny.

Director: Travis Knight

Writers: Marc Haimes and Chris Butler (“ParaNorman”)

Voice Cast: Art Parkinson, Matthew McConaughey, Charlize Theron, Rooney Mara, Ralph Fiennes, George Takei, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Brenda Vaccaro

 

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ON ICE is a contender for Best Animated Short Subject at tonight’s ANNIE AWARDS. It is the first and only VR short to be nominated for an Annie Award, as well as the first to be submitted on a mobile phone! 
Emmy Award®-winning artist Shannon Tindle (Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends) directed ON ICE which is currently in the final phases of production at Evil Eye Pictures in San Francisco. The upcoming Spotlight Story tells the story of an over-the-top, sci-fi themed ice show and its star, who suddenly finds he has competition for the spotlight from an unlikely rival.

DHX MEDIA ANNOUNCES DHX STUDIOS

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DHX MEDIA ANNOUNCES DHX STUDIOS

New 60,000 square-foot animation studio under construction in Vancouver

Halifax, NS, 29 January 2016 – DHX Media (“DHX” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: DHXM; TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B), a global leader in kids and family entertainment content, announces the rebranding of its content-creation arm to DHX Studios – dedicated to developing and producing the highest quality, original content in both animation and live action for kids and families. DHX is also building a brand new 60,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art animation studio in Vancouver, to consolidate its West Coast production operations of approximately 700 personnel. The new facility is slated for completion in December 2016.

DHX Studios unites development, production and interactive under a veteran management team, led by Asaph Fipke as Chief Content Officer, and Ken Faier in the role of Senior Vice President and General Manager. In addition, Kirsten Newlands is Senior Vice President, Animation Production; Stephanie Betts is Vice President, Development and Current Series; Logan McPherson is Vice President, Creative – Animation Production; Phillip Stamp is Vice President, Current Production, Halifax; Tracey Jardine is Vice President, Live Action. LA-based Josh Fisher recently joined the company as Vice President, Creative Affairs, reporting to Stephanie Betts. DHX Studios will report to DHX Media’s President and Chief Operating Officer, Steven DeNure, and will drive the development and production of original animated and live action content for the Company’s world renowned library, and continue to partner with key content creators around the globe.

Steven DeNure, President and COO of DHX Media, stated: “The reorganization of this business unit cements DHX Media’s dedication to producing outstanding original content. We’re excited to launch DHX Studios under this strong management group, and to be bringing our 2D and 3D Vancouver animation teams together into one facility.”

Asaph Fipke, DHX Studios CCO, added: “At DHX, we pride ourselves on putting creativity first. The formation of DHX Studios integrates the expertise of our creative teams in Vancouver, Toronto and Halifax and allows us to push our industry’s standards for creative excellence. We’re proud to be producing the highest quality animation and live action in the industry, and continuing our work with top content creators in the kids and family business.”

Recent original DHX productions include Inspector Gadget, Slugterra, Dr. Dimensionpants, Super Noobs, Teletubbies, Make It Pop, and Degrassi: Next Class. Other series recently announced and currently in either production or development by DHX Studios include Airmageddon, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and Stephen & Lucy Hawking’s Secret Key to the Universe.

About DHX Studios

DHX Studios is the dedicated content-creation arm of DHX Media Ltd., a key player internationally in the production, distribution, broadcast and licensing of entertainment content for children and families. DHX Studios is a global leader in the creation of high-quality kids and family entertainment across platforms, genres and ages. Our diverse portfolio features award-winning original series plus productions for some of the top third-party kids brands in the world. Encompassing animation, live action and interactive, our properties includes Teletubbies, Inspector Gadget, Degrassi: Next Class, Slugterra, Make It Pop, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Super Noobs and Dr. Dimensionpants. DHX Studios produces 18-20 series per year, and employs more than 900 personnel at its animation studios in Vancouver and Halifax, and its live action studio in Toronto. www.dhxmedia.com

About DHX Media Ltd.

DHX Media Ltd. (www.dhxmedia.com) is a key player internationally in the production, distribution, broadcast and licensing of entertainment content for children and families. Owner of the world’s largest independent library of kids’ and family content, at more than 11,000 half-hours, DHX Media is recognized globally for such brands as Teletubbies, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Caillou, In the Night Garden, Inspector Gadget, Make It Pop, Slugterra and the multiple award-winning Degrassi franchise. DHX Media is comprised of four main business units: DHX Studios creates high-quality original entertainment at its Vancouver and Halifax animation studios, its Toronto live-action studio, and in working with top international producers; DHX Distribution is a major provider of content to the global market; DHX Television, home to the Family suite of channels, is dedicated to delivering best-in-class programming to Canadian families; and DHX Brands specializes in creating, building and managing high-profile global entertainment brands within the children’s and young-adult markets. DHX Media also owns the full-service international licensing agency, Copyright Promotions Licensing Group Ltd. (CPLG), which represents numerous entertainment, sport and design brands. DHX Media has offices in 15 cities worldwide, including Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Barcelona, Milan, Munich, Amsterdam and Beijing. The Company is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol DHXM, and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols DHX.A and DHX.B.

Disclaimer
This press release contains forward looking statements with respect to DHX including the completion of production of multiple series, the business strategies of DHX, and the future operating activities and performance of DHX. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on information currently available to the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, among other things, include risk factors discussed in materials filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time including matters discussed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Annual Information Form and annual Management Discussion and Analysis, which form part of the Company’s registration statement on Form 40-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS TEASER TRAILER LIVE!

Laika’s latest film looks to be pretty cool! Looking forward to it!

Synopsis: Kubo and the Two Strings is an epic action-adventure set in a fantastical Japan from acclaimed animation studio LAIKA.

Clever, kindhearted Kubo (voiced by Art Parkinson of Game of Thrones) ekes out a humble living, telling stories to the people of his seaside town including Hosato (George Takei), Hashi (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa) and Kamekichi (Academy Award nominee Brenda Vaccaro). But his relatively quiet existence is shattered when he accidentally summons a spirit from his past which storms down from the heavens to enforce an age-old vendetta. Now on the run, Kubo joins forces with Monkey (Academy Award winner Charlize Theron) and Beetle (Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey), and sets out on a thrilling quest to save his family and solve the mystery of his fallen father, the greatest samurai warrior the world has ever known. With the help of his shamisen – a magical musical instrument – Kubo must battle gods and monsters, including the vengeful Moon King (Academy Award nominee Ralph Fiennes) and the evil twin Sisters (Academy Award nominee Rooney Mara) to unlock the secret of his legacy, reunite his family and fulfill his heroic destiny.

Director: Travis Knight
Writers: Marc Haimes and Chris Butler (“ParaNorman”)
Voice Cast: Art Parkinson, Matthew McConaughey, Charlize Theron, Rooney Mara, Ralph Fiennes, George Takei, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Brenda Vaccaro

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Yeti Farm Creative launches original production division

Sweet Tweets

Kelowna-based Yeti Farm Creative expands
and launches original production division

Kelowna, B.C. – Yeti Farm Creative, a Kelowna-based animation studio founded in 2007, has recently expanded into a 7,000 sq. ft., open space, state-of-the-art, dark fibre, geothermal studio in the heart of the burgeoning tech district of Kelowna, British Columbia. The area is often referred to as Silicon Vineyard because of its proximity to the region’s world-class wine country and the growing number of animation, digital and tech companies, such as Disney Interactive, Bardel Entertainment and Hyper Hippo Games, that have set up shop in the community about 390 km east of Vancouver. Along with their move into the larger, more tricked-out studio, Ashley Ramsay, Catalyst and Co-founder, also announced that the studio has launched YetiLABS, a digital-first animation production and distribution company. Their first two original digital-first productions are Knobs and Sweet Tweets and, although it’s early at this point, Knobs has garnered in excess of 200,000 views between both Facebook and YouTube combined in a little less than one month.

Knobs

“It is an exciting time at Yeti Farm Creative and YetiLABS,” says Ramsay. She explains that over the past eight years, the team at Yeti Farm Creative has been quietly building momentum for both production services, original content development and digital rights acquisition. “We have strategically managed our growth. We hired the right people, found the right location for our new studio, and we made sure that we attracted key partners.” She adds: “We knew that to fully meet our long-term business and creative objectives, we wanted to balance production services with the investment in developing our own original work. We also had to make sure that we continued to provide the world-class quality of work that our clients expect, while we were growing and expanding. Our client feedback and growing client roster tells us that we have done all of that and more.”

Over the years, Yeti Farm Creative has delivered production services, from design to final animation, to industry leaders such as Atomic Cartoons, DDB Canada, EA Sports and Kickstart Entertainment. They currently have three original digital productions on the go, with two original television properties in development, some of which have interest from major merchandise partners.

Ramsay explains that YetiLABS came about in response to the rapidly changing tides of content consumption, from cable television to mobile. “YetiLABS was actually born about two years ago, but we kept a low profile so that we could develop our projects to the point where we – and they – were ready to share with an audience online.” Ramsay says: “Today, YouTube and Facebook are going head to head in their quest for viewers. YetiLABS is fully immersed and committed to producing and distributing our content for these platforms as they emerge and develop in real time.”

YetiLABS’ first original series is an edgy, youth-based comedy, Knobs (http://www.youtube.com/knobscartoon), targeting 14 to 18-year-olds, created by YetiLABS Co-Founder and Studio Creative Director Todd Ramsay. The second original series, Sweet Tweets (http://www.youtube.com/sweettweets), is made up of episodes of newly spun nursery rhymes for infants and millennial parents. Conjured up by well-known creative genius Jon Izen, the series debuts today on YouTube and Facebook. The third series, now in development, is a girl-skewed action sports and lifestyle series that will debut at Kidscreen in February 2016.

-END-

For more information or an interview with Ashley Ramsay, please contact Ruth Atherley at: ruth@ahacreative.com or 604-886-1788.

FINAL KIDSCREEN HOT50 RANKINGS ANNOUNCED

Kidscreen-Hot-50

FINAL KIDSCREEN HOT50 RANKINGS ANNOUNCED!

Netflix, DHX Media, LEGO and Cartoon Network

all secure number-one spots

Toronto, October 28, 2015: Kidscreen is thrilled to announce the results of its Hot50 ranking of 2015’s leading companies in broadcasting, production, distribution, licensing and digital media.

These rankings were determined by vote, with all of Kidscreen’s 15,000+ magazine and newsletter subscribers invited to participate over a three-week period earlier this month. Here are the final results by category:

BROADCASTING

  1.  Netflix
  2. Cartoon Network US
  3. CBeebies
  4. PBS KIDS
  5. Disney Channel
  6. DHX Media
  7. Sprout
  8. KiKa
  9. Super RTL
  10. YTV

 

PRODUCTION

  1. Cartoon Network Studios
  2. 9 Story Media Group
  3. DreamWorks Animation Television
  4. DHX Media
  5. Sinking Ship Entertainment
  6. Animaccord Animation Studio
  7. Amazon Studios
  8. Breakthrough Entertainment
  9. Brown Bag Films
  10. Spin Master Entertainment

 

DISTRIBUTION

  1. DHX Media
  2. CAKE
  3. 9 Story Media Group
  4. Entertainment One (eOne)
  5. Sesame Workshop
  6. Nelvana Enterprises
  7. The Jim Henson Company
  8. PGS Entertainment
  9. Breakthrough Entertainment
  10. Saban Brands

 

LICENSING

  1. The LEGO Group
  2. Entertainment One Family (eOne Family)
  3. DHX Brands
  4. Nelvana Enterprises
  5. Sesame Workshop
  6. Saban Brands
  7. Wicked Cool Toys
  8. Zodiak Kids
  9. Budge Studios
  10. ITV Studios Global Entertainment

 

DIGITAL MEDIA

  1. Cartoon Network Digital
  2. Toca Boca
  3. DHX Media
  4. Sesame Workshop
  5. Hopster
  6. Rovio Entertainment
  7. DreamWorksTV
  8. Maker Studios
  9. Nelvana Digital
  10. National Geographic Kids

 

The top-ranked companies in each category will be formally inducted into the Kidscreen Hot50 Hall of Fame in a celebration to be held during Kidscreen Summit 2016 (February 8-11 • Miami, Florida).

And all of the Hot50 companies will be profiled in a special print issue due out on December 10 that will be mailed to Kidscreen’s full circulation list, plus distributed at NATPE and Kidscreen Summit in the new year.

Kidscreen will also showcase the Hot50 companies on a dedicated microsite for a full year, and then archive this content so it’s still searchable and accessible online.

For further details, please contact:

Janet Balmforth at DDA Blueprint PR

Tel: +44 (0) 208 868 0511 Email: janet@ddablueprint.com