AniMazSpot had a very close race for the top two shorts of the Third Quarter entries. Lots of terrific shorts, in different styles, different techniques, different stories, and from many different countries, and although there were several top vote getters, two clear winners emerged, which will go on to vie for Best of Festival at the fourth annual AniMazSpot 2012 festival, September 10 through 16.

Two from each quarter will make up the eight nominees for Best of Festival. The top Best of Festival Winner will receive Larry Loc’s Bozu Bronze trophy. Of course, other close runners-up will be nominated for various category awards, to be announced after the fourth and final quarter toward the middle of August. The final winners in all categories will be announced, and presented their awards on the last evening of the festival on September 16.

So, the two winners for this Third Quarter are:

Michael Zachary Huber for his Worlds Apart, which focuses on a teddy bear who’s the central character an adventure that is part science fiction, part thriller and part cautionary fairytale. Some of you may remember Mr. Huber for his short, The Offering, which was nominated for Best Design at AniMazSpot 2010. He studied animation at Cogswell College in Sunnyvale, California, and got some good advice from the AniMazSpot jury panel, and now works in the San Francisco Bay area.

and

Özgül Gürbüz for her Flawless Life, which follows a homeless man through the back alleys of Istanbul, where he finds something in a dumpster which changes his life, while giving us an insight into a life many of us can not even imagine. Ms. Gürbüz is from Istanbul, Turkey, where she studied at Anadolu University / Fine Arts / Animation. This is AniMazSpot’s first Quarterly Winner from Turkey, and if Gürbüz is any example, they hope more Turkish animators will follow.

Congratulations to these two Q3 winners, as well as the Q1 winners, Lissa Pascale and Nathan Jones, and the Q2 winners, Michaela Copikova and Michael Cawood. These six will be joined by the two winners of the Fourth and final Quarter to see who wins the Bozu Bronze trophy.

The fourth quarter now is open for entries and the deadline for submissions is July 16th, all entries are accepted and receive comments from the AniMazSpot jury panel. To submit a short visit www.animazspot.com, click “submit a short”

Animation Spotlight is delighted to announce that Kaj Pindal (Denmark/Canada) and Cinzia Bottini (Italy/Singapore) have recently joined the AniMazSpot international jury panel. Many people think of AniMazSpot as simply an annual animation festival, but actually at its core is a non profit organization with a mandate to support and promote animated shorts filmmakers.

The most important success of this mandate has been their unique panel of animation experts, who not only score each short, but give the filmmakers comments and advise. Entrants consistently tell us it’s what they appreciate most about AniMazSpot, now in its fourth year. Many filmmakers have taken advantage of the panel’s ideas to apply to their next short, and every new short of theirs that have been entered into the next festival have been much better, thanks to the AniMazSpot panel.

Pindal and Bottini join a distinguished group, which this year includes; Kine Aune (Norway), Frank Mouris (New York), Paul Dopff (France), Weiling Guo (China), Bill Matthews (California), Dr. Jose Garcia Moreno (Mexico), Yaprak Morali (Turkey), Larry Loc (California), Malcolm Turner (Australia), Jim Keeshen (California), Sharon Wu (Taiwan), Jack Bosson (California), and Monique Renault (Netherlands). Visit www.animazspot.com, click “entries”, then, “intern’l panel” to see other panel members who have come and gone over these first four year, and often return once again. They seem to enjoy it as much as the entrants.

AniMazSpot is particularly pleased with the addition of the internationally revered Kaj Pindal, who has now added an Emmy to his long list of International awards, for Peep and the Big Wide World, a half-hour animated children’s show, featuring the characters of Peep, Chirp and Quack, which introduces pre-schoolers to a range of science topics.

Kaj Pindal is a long-time professor of classical animation at Sheridan College, but the origins of Peep pre-date his 1970 beginnings at Sheridan, back to Pindal’s long creative career at the National Film Board of Canada. Pindal actually began his animation careen in his native Denmark, during the Second World War. His international acclaim began when he moved to Canada, and started woking with the NFB in 1957, animating, designing and directing shorts such as; People by the Billions, I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, the City: Osaka, and his Oscar nominated, What On Earth, among countless other animation gems.

Cinzia Bottini, on the other hand, is a relative newcomer, in comparison, to animation. She comes to AniMazSpot through the recommendation of Giannalberto Bendazzi, the historian and author of the soon to be republished version of his highly popular tomb, Cartoon, the encyclopedia of world animation.

Bendazzi was Bottini’s MA thesis advisor at the University of Milan, which she followed up by working with Bendazzi on his upcoming revision of Cartoons. In August she moves to Singapore to continue her studies in animation and work on her Ph.D. at the Nanyang Technological University, where a number of AniMazSpot entries have come from. So, AniMazSpot welcomes Kaj Pindal and Cinzia Bottini to continue our mission to advise and support animation shorts filmmakers from around the world.

With this in mind, AniMazSpot has invited a number of top animation professionals to participate in the celebration of UPA Pictures, the little studio that revolutionize the style and content of animated shorts back in the 50s. Their award winning shorts continue to inspire several generations of animation filmmakers. “Magoo at the Alex” is the event, which will take place on September 15, as part of the AniMazSpot 2012 festival, from September 10 to 16. The evening event will screen all 15 of UPA’s Oscar nominated and winning shorts, recently restored by Sony Pictures. Check www.animazspot.com, click “events” for schedules, ticket sales, and studio tours.

GRAVITY FALLS, A FRESH APPROACH TO COMEDIC STORYTELLING FROM ANIMATOR ALEX HIRSCH, FEATURING THE VOICE OF JASON RITTER AND KRISTEN SCHAAL AS CITY KIDS SENT TO SPEND THE SUMMER IN A REMOTE AND QUIRKY TOWN, PREMIERES FRIDAY, JUNE 29 ON DISNEY CHANNEL

Gravity Falls is just west of weird, slightly east of eerie and always north of normal, in a fresh new comedy series that follows city kids and twins Dipper and Mabel Pines who are sent to spend the summer with their eccentric Great Uncle Stan (aka Grunkle Stan) who runs a tourist trap called The Mystery Shack in a remote northwestern town where nothing is what it seems. There are creatures in the forest, there are monsters in the lake and even time traveling adventures. The comedy, produced by Disney Television Animation, has a special preview FRIDAY, JUNE 15 (9:55 p.m., ET/PT) and premieres FRIDAY, JUNE 29 (9:30 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel.

Created and executive-produced by 2007 CalArts graduate Alex Hirsch (Fish Hooks, The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack) and inspired by his real life adventures with his twin sister, Gravity Falls features The Voice talents of Jason Ritter (Parenthood) and Kristen Schaal (Toy Story 3, 30 Rock) in the lead roles. The cast also includes Linda Cardellini (Freaks and Geeks) and Alex Hirsch, and guest stars including Jennifer Coolidge, Will Forte, Alfred Molina, Lance Bass, Coolio and Larry King.

The schedule is as follows:

Friday, May 25

Viewers are invited to enter the elusive world of Gravity Falls at DisneyChannel.com and play the game “Mystery Shack Mystery” in which Dipper and Mable must collect objects to solve puzzles, and customize postcards with various backgrounds, objects and fun messages in the activity, “Postcard Creator.”

Friday, June 15

A full episode preview of Gravity Falls follows the premiere of “Let It Shine” (9:55 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel. In the premiere episode, “Tourist Trapped,” Dipper and Mabel arrive to spend the summer in Gravity Falls and soon discover that something is amiss with the remote town.
“Tourist Trapped” will be available on iTunes.

Friday, June 22

Gravity Fallsseries premiere available on Disney Channel SVOD.

Friday, June 29

“Tourist Trapped” encores on Disney Channel (9:00 p.m., ET/PT) and will be available immediately after on DisneyChannel.com. A new episode, “The Legend of the Gobblewonker,” follows on Disney Channel in its regular timeslot (9:30 p.m., ET/PT). In the episode, the twins embark on a mission to prove that a legendary sea monster exists at the bottom of the local lake.
Viewers can take a speed ride through Gravity Falls in the new game, “Mystery Tour Ride” featured on DisneyChannel.com.

Saturday, June 30

A new episode “Headhunters” premieres on Disney Channel (9:25 p.m., ET/PT). Larry King and Coolio guest star in a classic “whodunit’” episode filled with life-sized doppelganger wax figurines.
Series launches on Disney Channel On Demand, Mobile VOD, Microsoft Xbox and Sony Playstation.

Sunday, July 1

Encores of “Tourist Trapped,” “The Legend of the Gobblewonker” and “Headhunters” air on Disney Channel (beginning at 9:00 p.m., ET/PT).

DDMG to Establish New Animation/VFX Studio and Digital Domain Institute at twofour54

CANNES, France, May 21, 2012 — At the Cannes Film Festival today, digital production company Digital Domain Media Group, and twofour54, the Abu Dhabi government-backed media and entertainment hub, announced that they are collaborating to drive development of the local film, TV and media production industry in the Middle East.

Digital Domain Media Group (DDMG) will establish an animation, visual effects and motion capture studio and Digital Domain Institute media school in Abu Dhabi. The collaboration is designed to support the Emirate’s goal to become the region’s center of excellence for media content creation, growing both the industry and national talent.

DDMG will begin production of visual effects and animation in studios in twofour54 at the beginning of 2013, with plans to recruit and hire staff immediately from local and international talent pools. Over time the studio will employ upwards of 500 people. DDMG will develop a purpose-built 150,000 square foot (14,000 square meter) state-of-the-art entertainment production complex, which is expected to be operational by the end of 2015.

The new Digital Domain studio will create animated feature films, produce visual and 3D effects, engage in the production of original Middle Eastern-branded entertainment for global audiences and contribute to international productions. The studio will become part of Digital Domain’s global feature film VFX and animation pipeline, connected to its studios in Los Angeles, Vancouver, San Francisco, London, Florida and Mumbai.

The Digital Domain Institute/Abu Dhabi, modeled after the Digital Domain Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida, will train students in the essential skills of digital media production for entertainment, simulation and related applications. Classes at the Digital Domain Institute/Abu Dhabi are scheduled to begin early in 2014. The market development initiative and creation of the DDMG studio and school are funded by $100M (US) in grants from the Abu Dhabi government.

This marks the first time a major, global studio has established a presence in the region, highlighting the impact that twofour54 has had on the media industry in the Arab world. By bringing leading edge technologies and creative techniques to Abu Dhabi, DDMG will support the wider film and TV production industry and provide massive opportunities for talent and creative development in the region.

Separately, earlier this week, twofour54 announced that the Emirate of Abu Dhabi now offers one of the world’s most competitive production incentives — a 30% rebate for film, television and commercial media projects.

“We are incredibly excited to join twofour54 in building a strong foundation for the filmmaking industry in Abu Dhabi,” said DDMG CEO and Chairman John Textor. “There is tremendous opportunity to produce original entertainment content for Middle Eastern audiences worldwide, and to bring Hollywood work and our own original productions here as well. Pairing the studio and school enables us to help the Emirate to build a sustainable creative industries base. Abu Dhabi was the natural location for us given its strategic location, modern infrastructure and supportive government. We’re looking forward to grooming up-and-coming Arab filmmakers at a time of such great awakening in this part of the world.”

“Digital Domain represents the next great leap forward for twofour54 and Abu Dhabi — a strong move into digital production and the development of locally created feature films and TV content,” said Wayne Borg, Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer of twofour54. “The establishment of DDMG in Abu Dhabi is a significant event in the evolution of the media industry in the Middle East. It will provide incredible opportunities for young Arabs to develop skills and careers in an area of the media industry that has simply never existed before in the region.”

An award-winning digital production company founded in 1993, DDMG is a leading provider of digital visual effects and has contributed to more than 90 major motion pictures. twofour54 is the Abu Dhabi government-backed, media and entertainment hub which focuses on training and talent development, supports creative entrepreneurship and provides enabling production, post-production and broadcast facilities. twofour54 is home to more than 160 local, regional and international media companies including CNN, BBC, Ubisoft, Fox Intl Channels, Cartoon Network, Financial Times and Charisma.

Friday 18th May 2012 – London – Through Animate It!, Aardman make the highly technical world of an Oscar-winning animation studio accessible to everyone – regardless of skill, experience or talent – nurturing and inspiring a future generation of animators.

Animate It! is endorsed by Nick Park, creator of Wallace & Gromit who says: ‘The best advice I have for anyone interested in animating is ‘Have a go’ and Animate It! makes it so easy to try for yourself. I wish this had been around when I first started animating.’

Animate-It.com will become the online destination for all young animators providing hints and tips from Aardman animators, regular video tutorials, resources and assets to download and the latest behind the scenes news from the Aardman studios and the wider animation world. It will also provide a platform for young talent to showcase and share their work.

The launch of www.Animate-it.com coincides with the release of Animate It! Morph Edition, a do-it-yourself stop-motion animation pack developed in association with Aardman. It comes complete with animation software that is easy to use and compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems, flexible moulds and clay to create your own Morph and Chas models, a ‘green screen’ to enable you to drop in your own choice of backgrounds, video tutorials – and 26 episodes of Morph! It was showcased by the Guardian Games Blog as one of the five highlights from Toy Fair 2012, and a live demo featured on the first ever show of Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch on 25 March. Animate It! Morph Edition will be available from May in selected stores and from leading e-tailers including Firebox, Amazon and Play.com. Suggested retail price £29.99.

A free 14 day trial of the Animate It! software is available on www.animate-it.com, and the website will also host assets and resources to be used in conjunction with the Animate It! software to enhance your animations.

London — Aardman director Bram Ttwheam has teamed up with artist Tristan Stevens to create the much-anticipated video release for the Nordic Giants‘ debut single, “Shine,” featuring the vocals and lyrics of Cate Ferris.

Post-rock duo Nordic Giants smashed onto the scene little over a year ago. Influenced by the likes of Massive Attack and Cinematic Orchestra, the band have already shared the stage with Ratatat, Mogwai and headlined the world premiere of “The Blot Symphony,” a visual art piece by Ralph Steadman.

Hidden behind feathered masks and effortlessly changing between instruments, the Nordic Giants perform live original soundtracks to a backdrop of award winning short films.  From dreamy ambient swells, epic builds and huge moments of power to a combination of dark, funny and beautiful short films, which can bring tears, smiles and actually scare you at times.

The debut video is a fully animated tour de force made and directed by Bram Ttwheam, with the kind use of artwork by Tristan Stevens. Nordic Giants discovered Tristan Stevens, a Somerset-based artist, at his exhibition and were very quick to build a collaborative relationship with him.

“Tristan’s work feels like a complete world, it is dense and ethereal at the same time, and the creatures who populate this world have a poignancy and depth that really intrigues,” said Nordic Giants.

Ttwheam says of working with Nordic Giants, “The emotional depth of Cate Ferris’ words charged with the power of the Nordic Giants musical interpretation immediately inspired the storyteller in me.  This video may tell a simple story but it doesn’t shy away from packing an emotional punch.”

Made to celebrate the launch of Nordic Giants’ first single, the official launch of the video will take place at Hoxton Hall, London on May 31st. Nordic Giants will curate a night of art, film, music and performance with chosen collaborators including internationally acclaimed artist Chris Bucklow, photographer and collector Martin Wade, costume designer Lizzie George, artist Tristan Stevens, and a selection of films from Shorts TV and Smith and Foulkes of Nexus, among others.

Animator, Director and Designer Involved with Hatsune Miku, Doraemon, Fruits Basket, Mushishi, Pokemon, Revolutionary Girl Utena and X-men Comes This Summer’s Most Anticipated Animation, Music and Manga Convention in Southern California

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (May 18, 2012) – This year’s highly anticipated summer event, AM², June 15-17, 2012 that will be held in sunny Southern California (Anaheim, California) proudly announces the attendance of Japanese animator, designer and director (recipient of the 11^th Animation Kobe/Individual award in 2006) Hiroshi Nagahama as an official 2012 Guest of Honor.  Nagahama-san has been involved with some of the most popular animes of our time including Fruits Basket, Mushishi, Revolutionary Girl Utena, X-Men and Detroit Metal City. More info and convention registration can be found at www.am2con.org

Hiroshi Nagahama started his career at MADHOUSE as a mechanical designer for (The) Cockpit and was also a part of the production staff for Azuki-Chan.  After leaving MADHOUSE, he became a freelancer and worked on the conceptual design for the Revolutionary Girl Utena series and the storyboard writer and animation director for Sexy Command-Gaiden Sugoiyo! Masaru-San and Ojamaru.  Nagahama-san was also involved with Doraemon, Pokemon, Fruits basket, Kimi Ni Todoke, X-Men and was also the director for the highly acclaimed Mushishi (TV Series), Detroit Metal City and Hatsune Miku music videos “Downloader” and “Chime”.

“We are so honored to have Nagahama-san join us at AM²,” states Convention Representative Chase Wang, “His talent is amazing, and our attendees will have an amazing time getting to know the man who has been involved with some of the most popular recent animes.  Get your Passports today and join the fun!”

3 Day Passport Holders that also stay within the official hotel room block will be treated to a “private” panel/meet-and-greet with Guests of Honor during the convention—the official hotel is the Anaheim Hilton Hotel.

Please note that ALL Guest of Honor activities (i.e. panels, autographs, appearances, etc.) are ALL Passport preferred activities.  There will also be a private Meet & Greet event for each Guest of Honor EXCLUSIVELY for Attendees that are 3 Day Passport Holders and Anaheim Hilton Room Block Attendees (room key proof is required).

Please note that ALL film premiere events (i.e. Ace Attorney, Kaibutshu-Kun, Kaiji 2, etc.) will consist of an initial First screening (Passport ONLY & Hotel Priority)
and a 2nd Screening (Passport Preferred & General Audience).  All screenings are based upon seat availability.

Hiroshi Nagahama joins current AM² Official Guests of Honor including Tara Strong. Putumayo, Andrea Libman, Quinton Flynn, Sixh. and Toshihiro Kawamoto.

Current Main Events include Masquerade and Sixh.’s Fashion Rock Opera Concert.

Attendees can avoid the anticipated huge lines at autographs, premiere screenings, workshops, main events, concerts and panels by purchasing a Passport fast pass for the event.  The Passport fast pass will also provide holders with premier seating options at Main Events and at Concert events as well as major discounts with theme parks (including Disneyland and the grand opening of Cars Land, Knott’s Berry Farm, etc.), retailers and local restaurants.  Bypass the lines and get your Passport today and experience the difference!

AM² current activities include Exhibit Hall, AMV’s, Arcade, Summer Festival, Behind the Voice Actors Studio, Masquerade, Dances, Fashion Shows, Table Top, Console Gaming, Workshops, Panels, Concerts and more!

Summer Festival performers Yukie Dong, Brathzo, Icarus Kid, Kazha, Lucid, Momotoma, and Ant1Nett

AM² Premieres, screenings and exclusive screenings include Ace Attorney, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Star Of Milos, Kaibutsu-Kun The Movie, Kaiji 2 and more!

Current Major Sponsors Include: Anime News Network and Snakebyte USA.

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Follow us on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/AM2Con

WORLD PREMIERE • GRAND OPENING

June 18, 2012

World Premiere of Disney•Pixar’s Brave Heads to Hollywood for Grand Opening of the Dolby Theatre

Epic Action Adventure Joins 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival Lineup

BURBANK, Calif. and SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (May 18, 2012) – Disney•Pixar’s Brave, a groundbreaking adventure full of humor, heart and breathtaking action, extends its pioneering spirit to its world premiere on June 18, 2012, marking the Grand Opening of Hollywood’s Dolby® TheatreSM. The red-carpet event is a special presentation for Film Independent’s 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival. Premiering in Dolby 3D, a state-of-the-art imaging solution providing audiences with a superior 3D experience, Brave is an epic tale set in the mystical Scottish Highlands where the film’s headstrong protagonist, Merida, is forced to discover the meaning of true bravery. The film hits theatres nationwide on June 22, 2012.

“With a spirited heroine and enchanting setting in the ancient Scottish Highlands, Brave represents some exciting firsts for Pixar,” said Ricky Strauss, president, marketing, The Walt Disney Studios. “We are proud that the world premiere of Brave will serve as the inaugural premiere at the new Dolby Theatre as part of the LA Film Festival, a fitting way to launch Merida’s extraordinary adventure.”

According to Ramzi Haidamus, executive vice president, sales and marketing at Dolby Laboratories, the 180,000-square-foot, 3,400-seat Dolby Theatre will be a world stage for entertainment and a top venue to host world premieres and launch events. “The world premiere of Disney•Pixar’s Brave in conjunction with the LA Film Festival is perfect for kicking off the next era for Dolby,” said Haidamus. “We are committed to creating the best entertainment experiences, and now with the grand opening of the Dolby Theatre, we are honored to host the best as well. This is the first of many exclusive and exciting events—from movie premieres to awards ceremonies—in which Dolby and our technologies will play a featured role.”

Celebrating 18 years, the Los Angeles Film Festival will make this special presentation available to Festival attendees with Platinum All-Access or Gold Passes. An additional Gala screening of the film will be held the next day at Regal Cinemas at L.A. LIVE for pass and ticket holders. “We are thrilled to present the world premiere of Brave, a beautiful adventure story, to our LA Film Fest audience,” said Festival Director Stephanie Allain. “As Disney•Pixar’s first film with a female protagonist, it fits perfectly with our celebration of Women in Animation programming we’ll be holding during the Festival.”

With its grand opening, the Dolby Theatre is set to be a showcase for Dolby innovation, including Dolby Atmos, Dolby 3D and other new technologies for years to come. The Brave world premiere is sponsored by VisitScotland.