Noted Photographer and Filmmaker Paul De Nooijer Dies at 82
Known as one of the forerunners of staged photography made popular in the Netherlands, his stop-motion works combined photography with film, often made in collaboration with son Menno.
Tagged With: indie films
Shorts in Focus: Jordan Michael Blake’s ‘Paradise Man (ii)’
Made in 2 months on a laptop using repurposed stock animated GIFS, the uniquely designed, compellingly abstract film tells the story of how Paradise Man’s obsession with golf is waylaid when his mother has an accident, causing him to look deeply within himself.
Shorts in Focus: McKinley Benson’s ‘Two Ships’
Writer/director McKinley Benson, writer/producer Mackenzie Benson, and EP Jodi Benson talk about the beauty of the ordinary, like sticky notes left on a refrigerator, and how little moments between two people take on such special meaning in their award winning 2D film about how a couple working opposite schedules tries to maintain their connection through fleeting encounters.
‘Whale 52’ Sings a Song of Hope for the Lonely
Indie animation legend Bill Plympton’s latest short film, directed by Emmy-winning actor Daniel Neiden and starring Bruce Vilanch, tells the emotional and uplifting story of an aging widower, a school volunteer, working with a young selective mute boy, who connect through a written journal and the true legend of the ‘loneliest’ whale.
In 2D, CG, Diversity and Inclusion, Music and Sound, People, Short Films, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld | Geographic Region: All
Watch: The Making of ‘Two Ships’ Animated Short
Go behind-the-scenes with writer/director McKinley Benson and writer/producer Mackenzie Benson as they detail the production process, from development to sound design, of their award winning 2D film about how a couple working opposite schedules tries to maintain their connection through fleeting encounters.
In 2D, Art, CG, Digital Media, Music and Sound, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
‘Christo the Civilized Barbarian’: A True DIY Animated Adventure
One Pixel Brush founder, award-winning concept artist Shaddy Safadi, talks about his Annecy Cristal-winning 3DCG short comedy, years in the making, which he wrote, directed, voiced all characters for, and self-financed, that’s set in 400 AD, when decency, decorum and cleanliness were not high priorities.
In 3D, Awards, CG, Digital Media, Festival, Games, People, Short Films, Technology, Television, Voice Acting, Writing | ANIMATIONWorld | Special Events: Annecy | Geographic Region: All
Justin Leggereit Delivers 800 VFX Shots By Himself for ‘Space/Time’
The Australian filmmaker personally handled compositing, clean-up, sky replacements, screen graphics, lighting enhancements, and digital sets, as well as construction of the film’s space-time engine, over several years.
In 3D, Acting, CG, Digital Media, Films, People, Visual Effects | Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: Australia
Animating a Post-Apocalyptic Love Story
What happens when a buoy and a satellite fall in love? Sam and Andy Zuchero share their process for creating avatars with stars Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun on their indie feature, ‘Love Me.’
In 3D, Acting, CG, Films, People, Technology, Visual Effects | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News, VFXWorld | Geographic Region: All
AI-Generated Animated Feature ‘DreadClub: Vampire's Verdict’ Streams in July
From indie creator Hooroo Jackson and made for $405, the film follows a college scandal and a vampire on trial, premieres this July on major streaming platforms.
In 2D, AI, CG, Digital Media, Films, People, Technology | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Woody Allen-Narrated Animated Short ‘Mr. Fischer’s Chair’ in Production
The four-studio co-production centers on the face-off between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky during the 1972 World Chess Championship; release set for August 2025.
In 2D, CG, Event, People, Short Films, Voice Acting | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Special Events: Annecy | Geographic Region: All
Annecy 2024 Feature Films in Official Competition Roundup
AWN breaks down the stellar lineup of 12 animated features competing at this year's festival, including ‘Memoir of a Snail’ by Adam Elliot, ‘Rock Bottom' by María Trénor,’ and ‘Savages’ by Claude Barras; the 48th edition of the festival runs June 9-15.
Alkemy X Launches New Independent Film Services Division
The Philadelphia-based production company expands its focused support of independent feature film production; new effort to be led by Andrew Greenblatt, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Philadelphia Film Society.
Chiara Malta and Sébastien Laudenbach Talk ‘Chicken for Linda!’
With their award-winning film now hitting select theaters across the U.S., Canada, Japan and other countries, the directors discuss the unimagined success, with both kids and parents, of a movie about a child and an animal where the animal, for once, does not become the child’s best friend.
In 2D, Awards, Films, People | ANIMATIONWorld | Special Events: Animation is Film, Annecy | Geographic Region: All
UCLA Festival of Preservation Runs April 5-7
UCLA Film & Television Archive’s free biannual event showcases the latest restoration projects, featuring a line-up of films reflecting the breadth of moving image history; April 6 screening of restored animated classics includes ‘French Fried,’ ‘Musical Memories,’ ‘Japanese Lanterns,’ and ‘Red Riding Hood.’
In 2D, Digital Media, Event, Festival, Films, Short Films, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: North America
Hidden Gnome, Lex+Otis Team for Animated ‘Cradle’ Book Series Adaptation
A Kickstarter has been launched to fund the adaptation and give fans even greater connection to the stories, realms, and characters of Will Wight’s popular fable, with exclusive perks through donations; the grassroots fundraiser ends February 9.
Final Frontier and Le Cube Release ‘About Love & Balance’ Animated Short
The film intertwines art, illustration, and animation while navigating through complex emotions of love; also, the basis of Madrid-based Silk Gallery’s exhibition of the same name.
Podcast EP 212: How Spencer Moreland Quit Studio Life to Become a Full-Time Freelance Animator
The independent animator, filmmaker, and freelance storyboard artist shares his journey from studio life to freelance life – and what it took to get there.
Binocular Briefs – Spotlight on Annecy 2023 Part 2: Shorts
Ottawa Animation Festival artistic director Chris Robinson takes a look at 5 intriguing short films competing at this year’s Annecy International Animation Festival, which runs June 11-17.
In 2D, 3D, CG, Digital Media, Event, Festival, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld | Columns: Binocular Briefs | Special Events: Annecy | Geographic Region: All
Binocular Briefs – Spotlight on Annecy 2023 Part 1: Features
Ottawa Animation Festival artistic director Chris Robinson takes a look at 6 intriguing feature films competing at this year’s Annecy International Animation Festival, which runs June 11-17.
In 2D, 3D, CG, Digital Media, Festival, Films, People | ANIMATIONWorld | Columns: Binocular Briefs | Special Events: Annecy | Geographic Region: All
Is a New Studio Ghibli and Lucasfilm Crossover Project in the Works?
Following last November’s thoroughly adorable animated short ‘Zen: Grogu and the Dust Bunnies,’ the Studio Ghibli Twitter account has shared yet another teaser image hinting at a new collaboration.
Longtime Netflix Exec Matt Levin to Head LAIKA’s Live-Action Expansion
The cutting-edge animation studio adds veteran production leadership to take the reins of the studio’s expanding live-action efforts; first project is based on John Brownlow’s action thriller novel ‘Seventeen.’
I Wanted to Walk Out of Kantor’s ‘Letter to a Pig’: But This is Not What You Think
Some narrative animations owe their brilliance to simultaneously evoking pleasure and angst.
In 2D, 3D, CG, Digital Media, People, Short Films | Blogs: Lines of Thought | Geographic Region: Middle East
‘Santiago of the Seas’ Creator Niki López Completes Short for Nickelodeon
The Puerto Rico native, one of ‘Variety’s 10 Animators to Watch,’ made the film as part of Nick’s Intergalactic Shorts Program initiative to develop original comedy-driven content with an eye towards eventual series development.
In 2D, 3D, Business, CG, People, Short Films, Television | ANIMATIONWorld, Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Madi Piller’s ‘My Elliot:’ 24 Hours in the Life of Elliot Yarmon
Alice Walker once wrote, ‘Time moves slowly, but passes quickly.’ How do you pack a 24-hour narrative into a 3-minute film? By animating time. In conversation with the filmmaker.
In 2D, Acting, Digital Media, People, Short Films | ANIMATIONWorld | Blogs: Ambling Around | Geographic Region: All
Epic MegaGrants Shares Latest Recipients and 2022 Recap
New film and TV recipients include animated shorts - Bit Film’s ‘Little Bird,’ Westworld’s ‘The Silent Sea,’ and Chromosphere’s ‘Mall Stories;’ since its inception 4 years ago, 1,800 recipients across 6 continents have been awarded grants.
