Former Axis Studios Team Forms Zaratan
The new animation production company, co-founded by Andrew Pearch and Paula Bird, will specialize in older-skewing animation, with financing provided by ‘Animal Farm’ production company Aniventure.
Tagged With: Business
Armen Kevorkian Named Ingenuity Studios President
The VFX veteran will lead the company as it consolidates its global footprint to North America, reporting to Streamland Media CEO Bill Romeo.
In Business, Films, Jobs & Recruiting, People, Television, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
BrightFrame Studios Opens Atmos Post-Production Facility in Burbank
Company’s second location extends service offerings, featuring a PMC-powered 9.1.4 Dolby Atmos mixing room with an Avid S6 console; includes curated selection of premium microphones, preamps, and outboard equipment bookable now ahead of its July 17 launch.
Alkemy X Expands Operations to Toronto
Building on its existing presence in Vancouver, the post-production and VFX studio moves to reinforce its ‘long-term investment in and commitment to the Canadian market, and to the varying needs’ of its clients.
In Business, CG, Digital Media, Films, People, Post-production, Television, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: North America
‘SNL’ VFX Workers Unanimously Ratify First Union Contract
All 15 eligible voters said ‘Yes’ to the agreement, negotiated this past May ahead of the 50th season’s final episode.
Nickelodeon Adds ‘Unicorn Academy,’ ‘Vida The Vet’ to Lineup
Episodes from the Spin Master Entertainment animated series will air on Nickelodeon and Nick Jr., respectively, beginning this month.
Animaj Raises $85 Million to Create AI-Powered Global Kids Franchises
The funding will support the company’s strategy to transform children’s IPs into multi-format properties through a hybrid model combining AI-powered production with platform-native content development; strategic IP acquisitions will be accelerated.
Digital Domain Gets Combat Ready for ‘A Minecraft Movie’
VFX Supervisor Piotr Karwas and Senior Animation Supervisor Liz Bernard talk the challenges of honoring the hugely popular game’s blocky aesthetic while creating the visually appealing final battle filled with 500 Piglins fighting dozens of Iron Golems, much with keyframe animation, all obeying the laws of physics.
Wattpad WEBTOON Studios Rebrands as WEBTOON Productions
David Madden named president of the company’s North American entertainment and IP business, with executives Maximilian Jo and Tina McIntyre also assuming new positions.
Annecy Shifts 2026 Festival Dates
Amid security and logistic concerns about next year’s G7 Summit being held in the Haute-Savoie during the original festival dates, organizers have moved the event to June 21-27.
In Business, Event, Festival | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Special Events: Annecy | Geographic Region: All
Call for Entries: Quirino Lab First Edition
Tenerife will host the Quirino Awards’ new training program focused on professional development for animation executive producers; registration for the 20 spots will be open until August 5.
In Business, Call for Entries, Education and Training, Event, Films, People, Short Films, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Xilam Animation Inks Multiple Global Licensing Partnerships
New licensees for ‘Zig & Sharko,’ ‘Buddybot,’ ‘Space Goofs,’ and ‘Oggy and the Cockroaches’ include Game Plak, PTS, Snuggly Figs, Manne & Co., celio, Trade Invaders, and Topla.
In 2D, Business, CG, Digital Media, Licensing, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Tippett Studio Shares New VFX Showreel
Oscar winner Phil Tippett’s visual effects and animation production company showcases its latest work on projects including ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew,’ ‘The Book of Boba Fett,’ and ‘The Mandalorian.’
In 3D, CG, Digital Media, Films, People, Stop-Motion, Television, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
Lion Forge, Oware Strike First Look Deal for Global Kids & Family, YA Content
The companies will partner on a slate of select projects to develop, finance, and sell to global buyers, starting with MIPCOM and MIPJR this October.
Thunderbird Entertainment Names Joel Bradley President of Atomic Cartoons
The industry vet will lead the company’s Kids & Family Division and continue to run day-to-day operations and strategic management.
Microsoft Shutters The Initiative, Lays off Thousands of Workers
Upcoming video games ‘Perfect Dark’ and ‘Everwild,’ as well as several unannounced titles in development, have been scrapped as part of a sweeping initiative to remove ‘layers of management.’
Azuki, COMISMA, Xenotoon Establish Studio Azuki Anime Studio
The new U.S.-based company will develop, produce, and globally distribute original IPs and adaptations through unique production models; first strategic partnership is with Will Smith-founded Westbrook, Inc.
Shout! Studios Adds Thomas Breckenridge
The industry veteran and former Crunchyroll director appointed to new role of Director of Product Development and Marketing (Anime Content) and will work closely with executive vice president Melissa Boag with a focus on licensing Japanese anime media for home entertainment.
In Business, Digital Media, Films, Home Entertainment, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Overheard At Annecy
An antidote to the corporate reality distortion fields and humblebrags.
In Business, Event, Festival, People | ANIMATIONWorld, Blog Post | Blogs: Reality Bites | Special Events: Annecy | Geographic Region: Europe
PBS Kids Renews ‘Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood’ for Season 8
10 new episodes plus 2 new specials of the Emmy-winning Fred Rogers Productions series are set to debut in 2026.
In 2D, Business, Digital Media, Games, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Custom Nuts, Baboon Animation Greenlight ‘Ibn Battuta’ for 2 Seasons
The hybrid anime comedy adventure series reimagines the legendary 14th-century explorer as a wide-eyed kid with big dreams and an insatiable curiosity; set to deliver mid-2026.
In 2D, Business, Event, Festival, People, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Special Events: Annecy | Geographic Region: All
Motorica Raises Over $5M for Generative AI Expansion, Scaling
The company aims to expand integrations via SDKs and APIs; grow its data infrastructure and motion library; launch strategic partnerships; and hire across multiple departments.
In AI, Business, CG, People, Technology | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
Chronicle Studios Raises $11.6M
Patron and Point72 Ventures led the seed round for Chris deFaria and Aaron Sisto’s new entertainment company, with its proprietary promotion and analytics platform, that is supporting new, original IP development by backing creators and their ideas for TV, feature film and short-form projects.
In Business, Digital Media, Films, People, Short Films, Technology, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Industry Vets Matt Hunnicutt, Sandra Nam to Lead Psyop Media Group
The former W+K Portland, Squarespace, and Tribeca leaders bring an innovation-forward and brand partnership approach as the global studio group enters its next phase.
BBC Studios, Blink Industries Team to Develop Anime-Inspired Series
First look deal project about a kids’ martial arts tournament set in a fantastical modern-day world, ‘Children Vs Battle SuperStars’ is created by animation duo Remus Buznea and Kyriaki Kyriakou.
In 2D, Business, People, Television, Writing | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: Europe
