This is an absolutely beautiful teaser trailer for a proposed feature by a group of Argentine animators. Diego De Rose and his grupo at Wujoco Animation sent us the trailer along with this introduction:

WUJOCO was formed by a team of professional animation artists who were determined to fuse their skill in the craft, as well as their experience in the trade, in order to produce original content of their own. So far, I would like to introduce you to an animated feature film project we are working on, whose title is Angel Vitamina.

Angel Vitamina is a low budget independent project that required a huge effort by the group, and most of our working time, just to reach to this level. We at Wujoco realize that this is just a beginning. But, nevertheless, we think this tale is something worth fighting for. Please, take a look: our Angel needs a lot of support to rise and fly!

The character designs and a short storyline can be found at angelvitamina.com. I’m certainly rooting for Wujoco to finish the film.

In case you were wondering what happened to a U.S. release of Adam Elliot’s clay animated feature Mary And Max… The film was finally picked up for US distribution by Sundance Selects, a video-on-demand service that’s an adjunct to the Sundance Channel and the Sundance Film Festival. The film will be available to purchase and view on cable and satellite systems beginning October 14th.

If you have a hankering to see the film on the big screen, the way it was designed to be seen, it starts tomorrow at the Laemmle Town Center 5 in Encino for an Oscar qualifying one week run. It will screen everyday at 10am Friday and Saturday at 10pm, Sunday through Thursday at 1pm. Asifa-Hollywood members have been invited to a private screening in Glendale next Wednesday, which will feature a Q&A with director Eliiot.

Mary and Max will also screen Wednesday October 14th, 7pm, as the opening selection at the Ottawa ‘09 International Film Festival.

(Thanks, Eric Graf)

Saw Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs last night - and it’s hilarious. It’s 3 for 3 (or 4 for 4 if you count Monster House) for Sony Pictures Animation. Phil Lord and Chris Miller made a real “cartoon”, loaded with laughs and filled eye candy (the 2D end credits are especially gorgeous). See it in a theatre this weekend! The 3D effects are outstanding, and the directors really fill the wide-screen with all sorts of Kurtzman/Elder “chicken fat”. I loved it.

How about you? If you’ve seen it (and only if you’ve seen it), post your opinion here in our comments section.

It doesn’t show much footage, and the video quality is poor, but this is our first glimpse at Dreamworks next feature - from Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois:

Get your feature film pitches ready. The Hollywood Reporter just announced that Sony Pictures Animation and Frederator Studios have teamed up to develop a slate of new animated features.

Fred Seibert says he’ll be looking for new ideas that can be developed for all manner of animation techniques: hand drawn, CG, stop motion or any other form defined as animation. Sony Pictures Animation has recently announced other development deals, including a first look agreement with The Gotham Group, distribution of Aardman Animation features and the acquisition of several properties including The Familiars and Hip Hop from Platinum Studios. And of course, Sony Animation’s next movie, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, opens on September 18th.

Shane Acker’s feature version of his UCLA short - “9″ - opens today in theatres nationwide. What did you think? This talkback is set up for our readers to discuss the feature. Only those who have seen the movie should comment below.

Here’s an intriguing trailer for a new, adult animated feature coming out of Sweden. Metropia, directed by Tarik Saleh, uses still photography, stop motion cut-outs and 2D animation. It’s due for release later this year via ATMO.

(Thanks, Ivan Sarosacz)

I ragged on an upcoming Brazillian production last week, but have since been alerted by several of our South American readers of a more ambitious, adult skewing, hand drawn film, Lutas. Buriti Movies and Gullane Filmes are producing, with animation production being done at LightStar Studios. Luiz Bolognesi is directing, with a scheduled release date in 2010.

(Thanks, Fabiana Catunda)