2014 is off to a great start with the huge success of Warner Bros.’ hilarious and extremely clever hit The LEGO Movie. The animated feature films scheduled to open in the U.S. over the next few months will offer filmgoers a variety of stories, styles, and experiences that all look “awesome” to us. Marc Vibbert and Tom Fonss discuss the spring features in episode 62 of the Animation Fascination podcast. Here’s my take on what to expect with the animated features coming to theaters this spring.
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ mega-hit Frozen continues to dominate the award circuit–this time winning Best Animated Feature at ASIFA-Hollywood’s 41st annual Annie Awards. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ brilliant short film Get a Horse! took home the award for Best Animated Short Subject.
ASIFA-Hollywood announced today the nominations for its 41st Annual Annie Awards. With 30 award categories that encompass animation production, individual achievement, and juried awards, the Annie Awards honor and recognize the year’s best animation in film, TV, and commercials.
If you haven’t heard, the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have changed some of the rules in the Best Animated Feature category for 2013’s Academy Awards. The most drastic change is that the Academy members will not have to attend screenings in LA to vote on the films. They will have the option of viewing the movies on DVD, thus opening up the voting pool to many more of the 6,000 members who don’t reside in SoCal. The members also only have to view 66% of the films to vote as opposed to the 80% in previous years.
The Stuttgart Festival of Animated Film (aka ITFS—International Trickfilm -Festival Stuttgart) wrapped up over the weekend. The popular festival, now in its 20th year, sponsors screenings and competition programs in nine different animation categories along with an audience award. ITFS also offers lectures and workshops, as well as school and studio presentations.
“Cartoon Movie is neither a fair nor a festival, but rather a co-production forum for European animated feature films. For two intense days, European producers have the opportunity to pitch their animation project in order to speed up financing, find cross-border partners and interest international distributors and sales agents.”
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