Digital Art Collective Nouns Announces New Funding Round
2nd funding round opens March 1, awarding $20,000 grants for ‘Tall Short’ film ideas; ‘Short Shorts’ submissions close February 29.
Category: Community Outreach
2024 Stories x Women Applications Now Open
The FIAPF and WIA program provides mentoring and coaching from industry experts to prep women animators from emerging animation communities in Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America to pitch projects at the Annecy Festival and Market; deadline to apply is March 17, 2024.
Pixar and Renée Crown Wellness Institute Launch ‘InsideU’ App
Using characters, clips, and narratives from the Oscar-winning film ‘Inside Out,’ the app facilitates social and emotional learning skills for real-world dilemmas faced by elementary school-aged children; project involves famed Disney animator John Hubley’s grandson, Dr. Sam Hubley.
Jorge Gutierrez to Keynote 1st ‘Autism in Entertainment Conference’
The award-winning ‘Maya and the Three’ and ‘The Book of Life’ director will speak at the April 5 event that seeks to connect industry employers and talented neurodivergent individuals; conference features panel discussions, breakout sessions and entertainment.
Exclusive: Angel Studios Teases ‘The Wingfeather Saga’ Season 2
Starring Jodi Benson, Kevin McNally, Billy Boyd, and Henry Ian Cusick, the show continues the Igiby family's epic journey, promising more secrets, adventures, and heart-stopping moments.
Nickelodeon Announces 6 New ‘Artist Program’ Participants
New group selected for the 6-month program, now in its 13th year, which offers emerging talent from underrepresented backgrounds a chance to work on productions, participate in workshops, and learn from lead artists working across Storyboard, Visual Development, and CG Generalist tracks.
Disney Launches VoteDisney Website for Upcoming Board of Directors Vote
Donald Duck’s Uncle, Prof. Ludwig Von Drake, hosts an instructional video on the site urging shareholders to vote with the white Disney proxy card, rather than for Nelson Peltz’s Trian group or Blackwells Capital’s candidates.
Marvel & DC Writer’s ‘Fighting to Belong!’ Graphic Novel Kicks off Learning Initiative
TAAF, LAAUNCH and The Asian American Education Project launch Volume 1 of the new book, written by Amy Chu and Alexander Chang and illustrated by Louie Chin, that’s aimed at middle school kids to make AAPI history more accessible and provide curriculum support to educators, parents, and community groups.
Catherine Winder Launches ‘Future Chicken’
New Canadian multi-platform digital resource teaches kids about climate change without ‘Doom and Gloom;’ fun short and long-form animated videos and immersive Roblox experiences star ‘Potato the Chicken: AKA the Future Chicken!’
In 3D, Business, CG, Community Outreach, Digital Media, Games, People, Short Films, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Walt Disney Studios’ VFX Workers Vote to Unionize
Group includes artists working across James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment productions, including the ‘Avatar’ films; the group wins IATSE representation through an NLRB election, a first for U.S. vendor-side VFX artists.
In Business, Community Outreach, Films, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Television, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
Phillip Boutté Jr. and Michael Uwandi Talk ‘Building Character: Sketch to Screen’
At their January 20 Academy Museum presentation, moderated by Oscar-winning director Peter Ramsey, the 9B Collective co-founders discussed concept design, building great characters, and how they strive to support and inspire young BIPOC artists with the conceptual creativity that will fuel their imaginations for years to come.
4th Annual AfroAnimation Summit Returns to Burbank
The conference, running April 10-12, promotes diversity and inclusion throughout the entertainment industry, welcoming a coalition of industry speakers, studio execs, students, creatives and young professionals.
Dash Studio and Demo Duck Launch 2024 Motion Mentorship Program
Applications now being accepted for 6-month, online-only program, starting next month, that will provide tutorage, advice, and connection building for young creatives in the motion design industry who identify with underrepresented communities.
Richard O’Connor Talks the Good, the Bad, and the Amusing
For the Ace & Son studio founder, finding projects that matter, that focus on the complexities of living in a flawed world, brings purpose and sustainability despite the financial challenges, like the pro bono music video for The Exbats’ ‘Doorman,’ inspired by 'Superjail’s Christy Karacas, about a girl who wants to beat up a bar bouncer.
Lightfold Releases ‘Godspeed’ Pilot on YouTube
‘Final Space’ creator Olan Rogers raises $100K on Kickstarter within hours of releasing series’ pilot, ensuring funding for new episodes; reveals legendary Tom Kenny as part of voice acting lineup.
In 2D, Business, CG, Community Outreach, Digital Media, People, Television, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Nickelodeon Sets ‘Rock Paper Scissors’ Series Launch
New show, developed from the first short in Nick’s Intergalactic Shorts Program ever picked up for series, will debut February 12, 2024; it follows best friend and roommate trio Rock, Paper and Scissors, who compete over everything in hilarious and wildly absurd ways; watch the short first on Xmas day.
In 2D, Business, Community Outreach, People, Short Films, Television, Writing | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
‘Aikane’: An Eclectic Love Story Highlighting Cultures Around the World
In the new short from Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson, and Daniel Sousa, the team behind the award-winning ‘Kapaemahu,’ an island warrior who descends into a strange underwater world after being wounded in battle falls in love with the shapeshifting octopus that saves his life.
AOUSD Announces New Members
Organization reveals roadmap in push towards global OpenUSD standardization, development, evolution, and growth; 12 new general members added: Cesium, Chaos, Epic Games, Foundry, Hexagon, IKEA, Lowe's, Meta, OTOY, SideFX, Spatial, and Unity.
In 3D, Business, CG, Community Outreach, Digital Media, Education and Training, People, Technology, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
Disney’s ‘The Traveling Lab’ Animation Workers Vote to Unionize
10 remote Walt Disney Animation Studios employees are seeking official unionization election, setting the stage for a potential shift in the animation industry's approach to remote work.
Titmouse Foundation Launches ‘Future Art Directors Program’
Created in partnership with Warrior Art Camp, the 20-week online course aims to provide equitable training to animators looking to advance their careers; the application deadline is December 22.
WIA and UNESCO Partner to Support Global Gender Equity in Animation
At today’s historic signing ceremony and talk in Paris, WIA president Marge Dean noted that as new animation industries are developing around the world, the two organizations can advocate for gender parity and inclusion to be built into the foundation.
ACE Canada’s ‘Ostinato’ to Debut at Spark Animation 2023
The animated short’s creative team, part of the immersive career excel-erator program, along with Netflix and Women in Animation Vancouver, will present their film’s world premiere, including a Q&A and panel, at the festival, which runs November 13 – December 31.
Ellen Doherty Talks Fred Rogers’ Legacy and the Future of Writers' Neighborhood
22 years after the final episode of ‘Mister Rogers' Neighborhood’ aired, Fred Rogers Productions continues its mission to create quality kid’s content with a slate of award-winning series and its innovative, eight-week program for emerging BIPOC writers that focuses on how to build and sustain a career as a freelance writer in children's media.
ATF and TTB Launch 1st ‘ATF x TTB Animation Lab & Pitch’
Out of 110+ submissions, nine European and Asian projects have been selected to pitch at the Asia TV Forum & Market; online program runs now through November 3, with ATF Singapore on-site program running December 6-8.
‘Autodesk University 2023: The Design and Make Conference’ Free Digital Pass Available
Running November 13-15, the M&E-focused virtual event invites artists and creative professionals to learn about emerging technology, master cutting-edge techniques, and participate in live portfolio reviews – free!
