Actor Louis Koo is a household name in Hong Kong but off-screen, he’s an influential entertainment industry investor, producer and entrepreneur.
Rising to prominence during the “golden age” of Hong Kong cinema, Koo built a respected career over the decades but less flashy are his businesses and investments.
One Cool Group is one such revenue stream. Launched by Koo in 2013, the company has transitioned from a local film production entity to a dominant force in the Asian film industry. With over 300 staff across offices in Hong Kong, mainland China, Thailand and South Korea, the company manages every aspect of filmmaking from financing to distribution.
One Cool Group announced a slate of five films March 11 during FilMart.
“Diversified development has always been our major goal, like last year, when we broadened our business scope to music concerts and theatrical play production,” said Sean Man, One Cool Group’s business development and communications director.
Rising to prominence during the “golden age” of Hong Kong cinema, Koo built a respected career over the decades but less flashy are his businesses and investments.
One Cool Group is one such revenue stream. Launched by Koo in 2013, the company has transitioned from a local film production entity to a dominant force in the Asian film industry. With over 300 staff across offices in Hong Kong, mainland China, Thailand and South Korea, the company manages every aspect of filmmaking from financing to distribution.
One Cool Group announced a slate of five films March 11 during FilMart.
“Diversified development has always been our major goal, like last year, when we broadened our business scope to music concerts and theatrical play production,” said Sean Man, One Cool Group’s business development and communications director.
- 3/16/2024
- by Faye Bradley
- Variety Film + TV
Thanksgiving weekend featured an animation face-off between a titan of the industry, the 100-year-old Walt Disney Animation Studios, and a relative upstart, Netflix, which only started releasing its own animated features in 2019.
Disney’s holiday movie, “Wish,” was a musical extravaganza featuring the watercolor backgrounds of the studio’s past combined with cutting-edge CGI, while Netflix’s “Leo” was a more budget-conscious musical set in modern-day Florida.
It was a showdown of theatrical versus streaming, legacy studio versus blustery upstart, fairy tale versus contemporary storytelling. And the results were startling.
While “Wish” came in third at the box office with a disappointing $31.6 million, the Adam Sandler-starring “Leo” debuted to 34.6 million views (which is hours viewed divided by total runtime), according to Netflix, which in box office terms equaled a haul of around $500 million for its opening weekend, one insider with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap. “Leo” has been...
Disney’s holiday movie, “Wish,” was a musical extravaganza featuring the watercolor backgrounds of the studio’s past combined with cutting-edge CGI, while Netflix’s “Leo” was a more budget-conscious musical set in modern-day Florida.
It was a showdown of theatrical versus streaming, legacy studio versus blustery upstart, fairy tale versus contemporary storytelling. And the results were startling.
While “Wish” came in third at the box office with a disappointing $31.6 million, the Adam Sandler-starring “Leo” debuted to 34.6 million views (which is hours viewed divided by total runtime), according to Netflix, which in box office terms equaled a haul of around $500 million for its opening weekend, one insider with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap. “Leo” has been...
- 12/11/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Leo is an animated musical comedy film directed by Robert Marianetti, Robert Smigel, and David Wachtenheim, from a screenplay by Robert Smigel, Paul Sado, and Adam Sandler. The Netflix film revolves around Leo the Lizard who has been stuck in the same Florida school for over seven decades, and when he finds out that he only has a year to live but instead he ends up helping the students. Leo has a very talented star cast giving their voices to the characters including Sandler’s whole family, Bill Burr, Rob Schneider, Jason Alexander, and Cecily Strong. So, if you loved the Netflix film, here are some similar animated movies you could watch next.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Disney+) Credit – Disney+
Synopsis: Greg Heffley is a scrawny but ambitious kid with an active imagination and big plans to be rich and famous – he just has to survive middle school first.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Disney+) Credit – Disney+
Synopsis: Greg Heffley is a scrawny but ambitious kid with an active imagination and big plans to be rich and famous – he just has to survive middle school first.
- 11/24/2023
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
Lin-Manuel Miranda reportedly has set his sights on his next musical for the stage. The multiple Tony and Grammy award winner is adapting a stage musical version of The Warriors, based on Sol Yurick’s 1965 novel that was later turned into the 1979 action thriller film directed by Walter Hill, according to the New York Post‘s Johnny Oleksinski.
The project would be Miranda’s first full stage musical since his global phenom Hamilton, winner of 11 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, in 2016..
The Warriors is a familiar setting for New York City native Miranda. The film centers on a fictitious New York City street gang who must travel 30 miles, from the north end of the Bronx to their home turf in Coney Island in southern Brooklyn, after they are framed for the murder of a respected gang leader.
The project would be Miranda’s first full stage musical since his global phenom Hamilton, winner of 11 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, in 2016..
The Warriors is a familiar setting for New York City native Miranda. The film centers on a fictitious New York City street gang who must travel 30 miles, from the north end of the Bronx to their home turf in Coney Island in southern Brooklyn, after they are framed for the murder of a respected gang leader.
- 8/4/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The acclaimed actor accepted an honorary award at the New York Asian Film Festival.
Filmmakers will never be surpassed by artificial intelligence (AI), according to acclaimed Hong Kong actor and producer Louis Koo.
Speaking on stage at the New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff), Koo referenced the SAG-AFTRA strikes in the US, which has seen tens of thousands of actors and screenwriters walk out over concerns about pay, working conditions and the industry’s use of AI.
“I know that in America there has been strikes, writers strikes as well as actors strikes,” he told a packed cinema on Wednesday...
Filmmakers will never be surpassed by artificial intelligence (AI), according to acclaimed Hong Kong actor and producer Louis Koo.
Speaking on stage at the New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff), Koo referenced the SAG-AFTRA strikes in the US, which has seen tens of thousands of actors and screenwriters walk out over concerns about pay, working conditions and the industry’s use of AI.
“I know that in America there has been strikes, writers strikes as well as actors strikes,” he told a packed cinema on Wednesday...
- 7/20/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
DreamWorks Animation’s “Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken” (in theater’s now) is a different kind of undersea adventure.
The title character is a seemingly regular teenage girl living in the town of Oceanside (voiced by Lana Condor) who knows that her family is keeping something from her but doesn’t understand that she is actually the latest descendant in an underwater kraken kingdom. Thankfully, she reconnects with her grandmother (Jane Fonda) and together they unlock her kraken powers. Or maybe the right phrase is release the kraken.
And she’ll need it, as she’s got to do battle with a cute, popular girl who is also an evil mermaid. This leads to an unexpectedly epic kaiju battle between mermaid and kraken that is pretty amazing.
TheWrap spoke to director Kirk DeMicco, who helmed “Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken” (with co-director Faryn Pearl), shortly before the movie’s splashy (get it?...
The title character is a seemingly regular teenage girl living in the town of Oceanside (voiced by Lana Condor) who knows that her family is keeping something from her but doesn’t understand that she is actually the latest descendant in an underwater kraken kingdom. Thankfully, she reconnects with her grandmother (Jane Fonda) and together they unlock her kraken powers. Or maybe the right phrase is release the kraken.
And she’ll need it, as she’s got to do battle with a cute, popular girl who is also an evil mermaid. This leads to an unexpectedly epic kaiju battle between mermaid and kraken that is pretty amazing.
TheWrap spoke to director Kirk DeMicco, who helmed “Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken” (with co-director Faryn Pearl), shortly before the movie’s splashy (get it?...
- 7/8/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
It’s time to go Big! This summer, experience Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken – In Theaters June 30.
For your chance to receive a family 4-pack of passes, enter below.
http://gofobo.com/WxONs05005
Winners will be chosen June 22 at 5pm. No Purchase Required.
Rated PG
https://www.teenagekrakenmovie.com
Sometimes the hero you are meant to be lies just beneath the surface.
This summer, DreamWorks Animation dives into the turbulent waters of high school with a hilarious, heartfelt action comedy about a shy teenager who discovers that she’s part of a legendary royal lineage of mythical sea krakens and that her destiny, in the depths of the oceans, is bigger than she ever dreamed.
Sweet, awkward 16-year-old Ruby Gillman is desperate to fit in at Oceanside High, but she mostly just feels invisible.
She’s math-tutoring her skater-boy crush, who only seems to admire her for her fractals, and she...
For your chance to receive a family 4-pack of passes, enter below.
http://gofobo.com/WxONs05005
Winners will be chosen June 22 at 5pm. No Purchase Required.
Rated PG
https://www.teenagekrakenmovie.com
Sometimes the hero you are meant to be lies just beneath the surface.
This summer, DreamWorks Animation dives into the turbulent waters of high school with a hilarious, heartfelt action comedy about a shy teenager who discovers that she’s part of a legendary royal lineage of mythical sea krakens and that her destiny, in the depths of the oceans, is bigger than she ever dreamed.
Sweet, awkward 16-year-old Ruby Gillman is desperate to fit in at Oceanside High, but she mostly just feels invisible.
She’s math-tutoring her skater-boy crush, who only seems to admire her for her fractals, and she...
- 6/15/2023
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
This Summer, DreamWorks Animation will blow the myths about mermaids out of the water and introduce a new hero from the ocean depths! From the studio that brought you Shrek and How to Train Your Dragon comes the Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken trailer, starring Lana Condor as a mythical creature on the verge of discovering her hidden powers and becoming a legend.
Per DreamWorks’ official press release, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken dives into the turbulent waters of high school with a hilarious, heartfelt action comedy about a shy teenager who discovers that she’s part of a legendary royal lineage of mythical sea krakens and that her destiny, in the depths of the oceans, is bigger than she ever dreamed.
Sweet, awkward 16-year-old Ruby Gillman is desperate to fit in at Oceanside High but mostly feels invisible.
She’s math-tutoring her skater-boy crush, who only seems to admire her for her fractals.
Per DreamWorks’ official press release, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken dives into the turbulent waters of high school with a hilarious, heartfelt action comedy about a shy teenager who discovers that she’s part of a legendary royal lineage of mythical sea krakens and that her destiny, in the depths of the oceans, is bigger than she ever dreamed.
Sweet, awkward 16-year-old Ruby Gillman is desperate to fit in at Oceanside High but mostly feels invisible.
She’s math-tutoring her skater-boy crush, who only seems to admire her for her fractals.
- 3/16/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Universal Pictures is set to release DreamWorks Animation’s new original movie, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken, in theaters on June 30.
Oscar nominee Kirk De Micco directed the film along with Faryn Pearl as co-director. The ensemble voice cast includes Lana Condor in the titular role, Toni Collette as her overprotective mother and Jane Fonda as Ruby’s commanding grandmother, in addition to Colman Domingo, Annie Murphy, Sam Richardson and Blue Chapman.
Dimicco was Oscar-nominated for DreamWorks Animation’s The Croods and most recent helmed Vivo, the animated Lin Manuel-Miranda musical, for Netflix. And Jane Fonda is returning to animation after voicing a lead role in last year’s Luck for Skydance Animation.
The coming-of-age movie was originally called Meet the Gillmans. Condor plays Ruby Gillman, a shy high school student desperate to fit in, only to find she is a direct descendant of the warrior Kraken queens and will...
Oscar nominee Kirk De Micco directed the film along with Faryn Pearl as co-director. The ensemble voice cast includes Lana Condor in the titular role, Toni Collette as her overprotective mother and Jane Fonda as Ruby’s commanding grandmother, in addition to Colman Domingo, Annie Murphy, Sam Richardson and Blue Chapman.
Dimicco was Oscar-nominated for DreamWorks Animation’s The Croods and most recent helmed Vivo, the animated Lin Manuel-Miranda musical, for Netflix. And Jane Fonda is returning to animation after voicing a lead role in last year’s Luck for Skydance Animation.
The coming-of-age movie was originally called Meet the Gillmans. Condor plays Ruby Gillman, a shy high school student desperate to fit in, only to find she is a direct descendant of the warrior Kraken queens and will...
- 3/16/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lana Condor, Toni Collette and Jane Fonda are playing a family of sea monster queens in DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming film “Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken.”
Condor voices Ruby, “a shy teenager who discovers that she’s part of a legendary royal lineage of mythical sea krakens and that her destiny, in the depths of the oceans, is bigger than she ever dreamed.” Collette plays her mother, who forbade Ruby from ever stepping foot in the water, and Fonda is her grandmother, from whom Ruby is destined to inherit the throne of the kraken queens.
Here’s the logline: “Sweet, awkward 16-year-old Ruby Gillman is desperate to fit in at Oceanside High, but she mostly just feels invisible. She’s math-tutoring her skater-boy crush (Jaboukie Young-White), who only seems to admire her for her fractals, and she’s prevented from hanging out with the cool kids at the beach because her...
Condor voices Ruby, “a shy teenager who discovers that she’s part of a legendary royal lineage of mythical sea krakens and that her destiny, in the depths of the oceans, is bigger than she ever dreamed.” Collette plays her mother, who forbade Ruby from ever stepping foot in the water, and Fonda is her grandmother, from whom Ruby is destined to inherit the throne of the kraken queens.
Here’s the logline: “Sweet, awkward 16-year-old Ruby Gillman is desperate to fit in at Oceanside High, but she mostly just feels invisible. She’s math-tutoring her skater-boy crush (Jaboukie Young-White), who only seems to admire her for her fractals, and she’s prevented from hanging out with the cool kids at the beach because her...
- 3/16/2023
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
Denver-based distributor Fathom Events and Spain’s Bosco Films are teaming to release this September in 700 U.S. theaters the Spanish documentary “Libres” (“Free”).
Portraying the cloistered life of 12 monasteries in Spain, “Free” will be the fourth feature both partners jointly release stateside.
Their distribution relationship kicked-off last year, with the U.S. release of faith-based doc “Vivo” (“Alive”), which scored $352,000 on its April 24 launch, entering into the domestic box office Top Ten.
Further recent Fathom-Bosco releases include Spanish biopic “Esclavos y reyes” (“Claret”) and French pilgrimage documentary “Lourdes.”
For “Free’s” Latin American and Mexican bows, scheduled for Sept. 21, Madrid-based Bosco Films has inked deals with key exhibition chains such as Cinemex, Cinemark and Cinépolis.
Bosco opens “Free” in Spanish theaters on April 21.
Directed by Santos Blanco and written by Javier Lorenzo, “Free” is a journey into the interior of men through the lives of those people who have...
Portraying the cloistered life of 12 monasteries in Spain, “Free” will be the fourth feature both partners jointly release stateside.
Their distribution relationship kicked-off last year, with the U.S. release of faith-based doc “Vivo” (“Alive”), which scored $352,000 on its April 24 launch, entering into the domestic box office Top Ten.
Further recent Fathom-Bosco releases include Spanish biopic “Esclavos y reyes” (“Claret”) and French pilgrimage documentary “Lourdes.”
For “Free’s” Latin American and Mexican bows, scheduled for Sept. 21, Madrid-based Bosco Films has inked deals with key exhibition chains such as Cinemex, Cinemark and Cinépolis.
Bosco opens “Free” in Spanish theaters on April 21.
Directed by Santos Blanco and written by Javier Lorenzo, “Free” is a journey into the interior of men through the lives of those people who have...
- 3/14/2023
- by Emiliano De Pablos
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Released in August, Louis Koo’s sci-fi action thriller Warriors Of Future has become not just the highest-grossing local film in Hong Kong ever, but the highest-grossing Asian film ever released in the territory, with a gross of HK81.7M (US10.5M). The film also raked in 100m in China over the summer and is currently number four in Netflix’s global ranking of non-English language films after launching worldwide on December 2.
It’s an encouraging result for Hong Kong’s film industry, which suffered through some of the most frequent and lengthy cinema shutdowns during the pandemic – the last one only ending this April. It’s also an extraordinary achievement for a Hong Kong sci-fi movie, as the territory has never before attempted to produce a film of this genre and at this scale.
Directed by visual effects specialist Ng Yuen-fai (Bodyguards And Assassins), the 56m film was...
It’s an encouraging result for Hong Kong’s film industry, which suffered through some of the most frequent and lengthy cinema shutdowns during the pandemic – the last one only ending this April. It’s also an extraordinary achievement for a Hong Kong sci-fi movie, as the territory has never before attempted to produce a film of this genre and at this scale.
Directed by visual effects specialist Ng Yuen-fai (Bodyguards And Assassins), the 56m film was...
- 12/15/2022
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
24 feature projects, including four documentary and three animation films, received funding
Portuguese filmmaker Miguel Gomes and Danish director Charlotte Sieling have both received co-production support for projects from Eurimages’ third round of funding for 2022.
Some €6.7m sum has been awarded to 24 feature projects including four documentary and three animation films.
Gomes has received €500,000 for Grand Tour, about an engaged couple travelling from Burma to China in 1918. The film is a co-production between Portugal’s Uma Pedra No Sapato, Italy’s Vivo Film, France and Germany.
Also receiving €500,000 is Titanic Ocean, the feature debut from Greek director Konstantina Kotzamani whose shorts have been screened at Cannes,...
Portuguese filmmaker Miguel Gomes and Danish director Charlotte Sieling have both received co-production support for projects from Eurimages’ third round of funding for 2022.
Some €6.7m sum has been awarded to 24 feature projects including four documentary and three animation films.
Gomes has received €500,000 for Grand Tour, about an engaged couple travelling from Burma to China in 1918. The film is a co-production between Portugal’s Uma Pedra No Sapato, Italy’s Vivo Film, France and Germany.
Also receiving €500,000 is Titanic Ocean, the feature debut from Greek director Konstantina Kotzamani whose shorts have been screened at Cannes,...
- 12/5/2022
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
Elena Trapé, whose character-driven ensemble pieces “Blog” and “The Distances” marked her out as a talent to watch, is attached to direct “Gwendolyne, Diary of a Fan,”, one of two series being brought onto the market at Ventana Sur’s Spanish Screenings by Barcelona-based Coming Soon Films.
Screenplay for “Gewndlyne” is by Marta Buisán and Jordi Casado and Miguel Ibánez Monroy.
Led by Marta Ramírez, post-production coordinator on J.A. Bayona’s “The Orphanage,” Coming Soon, which already produced Trapé’s “The Distances,” is also introducing in Buenos Aires “The Summer of Dead Toys,” (“El verano de los juguetes muertos”), a procedural adapting Catalan Tony Hill’s acclaimed debut crime novel of the same title, produced with Barcelona’s Corte y Confección de Películas.
“Gwendolyne’s” titular protagonist, now 30, had one of the times of her life – one of the only times of her life – when 15, she was chasing the Sexy Gods,...
Screenplay for “Gewndlyne” is by Marta Buisán and Jordi Casado and Miguel Ibánez Monroy.
Led by Marta Ramírez, post-production coordinator on J.A. Bayona’s “The Orphanage,” Coming Soon, which already produced Trapé’s “The Distances,” is also introducing in Buenos Aires “The Summer of Dead Toys,” (“El verano de los juguetes muertos”), a procedural adapting Catalan Tony Hill’s acclaimed debut crime novel of the same title, produced with Barcelona’s Corte y Confección de Películas.
“Gwendolyne’s” titular protagonist, now 30, had one of the times of her life – one of the only times of her life – when 15, she was chasing the Sexy Gods,...
- 11/25/2022
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Lin-Manuel Miranda is set for a key guest-starring role on Disney+’s upcoming series Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
Based on Rick Riordan’s bestselling book series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians tells the fantastical story of a 12-year-old modern demigod, Percy Jackson (Walter Scobell), who’s just coming to terms with his newfound divine powers when the sky god Zeus accuses him of stealing his master lightning bolt. With help from his friends Grover (Aryan Simhadri) and Annabeth (Leah Sava Jeffries), Percy must embark on an adventure of a lifetime to find it and restore order to Olympus.
Miranda, who is a fan of the Percy Jackson books along with his son, will play Hermes, the messenger god who looks out for travelers and thieves, and is a bit of a trickster himself. He is charismatic & boisterous, the life of the party. Unfortunately, his charm does not do...
Based on Rick Riordan’s bestselling book series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians tells the fantastical story of a 12-year-old modern demigod, Percy Jackson (Walter Scobell), who’s just coming to terms with his newfound divine powers when the sky god Zeus accuses him of stealing his master lightning bolt. With help from his friends Grover (Aryan Simhadri) and Annabeth (Leah Sava Jeffries), Percy must embark on an adventure of a lifetime to find it and restore order to Olympus.
Miranda, who is a fan of the Percy Jackson books along with his son, will play Hermes, the messenger god who looks out for travelers and thieves, and is a bit of a trickster himself. He is charismatic & boisterous, the life of the party. Unfortunately, his charm does not do...
- 11/7/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The film has screened at Toronto and San Sebastian
Sovereign has secured UK and Ireland rights to Diego Lerman’s Argentinian thriller The Substitute from Urban Sales.
Set in Buenos Aires, the film follows a substitute teacher who becomes caught in a conflict between a drug gang and one of his students.
‘The Substitute’: San Sebastian Review
After a world premiere at Toronto The Substitute screened in competition in San Sebastian, winning the best supporting actor award for Renata Lerman. She stars with Juan Minujín, Alfredo Castro, Barbara Lennie and Lucas Arrua
The producers are El Campo Cine; Italy...
Sovereign has secured UK and Ireland rights to Diego Lerman’s Argentinian thriller The Substitute from Urban Sales.
Set in Buenos Aires, the film follows a substitute teacher who becomes caught in a conflict between a drug gang and one of his students.
‘The Substitute’: San Sebastian Review
After a world premiere at Toronto The Substitute screened in competition in San Sebastian, winning the best supporting actor award for Renata Lerman. She stars with Juan Minujín, Alfredo Castro, Barbara Lennie and Lucas Arrua
The producers are El Campo Cine; Italy...
- 10/21/2022
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
Netflix Animation has laid off 30 employees, Variety has confirmed.
The news comes after recent executive shake-ups, with Netflix earlier this year appointing Karen Toliver as vice president of animated film content and Traci Balthazor as vice president of animated film production.
The layoffs are a result of Netflix consolidating its animation film production team under one central leader, Balthazor, as she continues to work closely with Toliver.
The downsizing does not signal a decrease in output from Netflix Animation, which has earned seven Oscar nominations since 2020, winning for “If Anything Happens, I Love You.”
The streamer’s slate of animated features and shorts includes “Robin,” “Klaus,” “Over the Moon, Back to the Outback,” Richard Linklater’s “Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood” and Chris Williams’ “The Sea Beast.” Coming soon are Henry Selick and Jordan Peele’s “Wendell & Wild,” Nora Twomey’s “My Father’s Dragon,” Guillermo del Toro’s “Pinocchio,...
The news comes after recent executive shake-ups, with Netflix earlier this year appointing Karen Toliver as vice president of animated film content and Traci Balthazor as vice president of animated film production.
The layoffs are a result of Netflix consolidating its animation film production team under one central leader, Balthazor, as she continues to work closely with Toliver.
The downsizing does not signal a decrease in output from Netflix Animation, which has earned seven Oscar nominations since 2020, winning for “If Anything Happens, I Love You.”
The streamer’s slate of animated features and shorts includes “Robin,” “Klaus,” “Over the Moon, Back to the Outback,” Richard Linklater’s “Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood” and Chris Williams’ “The Sea Beast.” Coming soon are Henry Selick and Jordan Peele’s “Wendell & Wild,” Nora Twomey’s “My Father’s Dragon,” Guillermo del Toro’s “Pinocchio,...
- 9/14/2022
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
Features the voices of: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ynairaly Simo, Zoe Saldana, Juan de Marcos González, Brian Tyree Henry | Written by Kirk DeMicco, Quiara Alegria Hudes | Directed by Kirk DeMicco
Vivo follows a one-of-kind kinkajou, who spends his days playing music to the crowds in a lively square with his beloved owner Andrés (Buena Vista Social Club’s Juan de Marcos). Though they may not speak the same language, Vivo and Andrés are the perfect duo through their common love of music.
But when tragedy strikes shortly after Andrés receives a letter from the famous Marta Sandoval (three-time Grammy-winning Latin pop legend Gloria Estefan), inviting her old partner to her farewell concert with the hope of reconnecting, it’s up to Vivo to deliver a message that Andrés never could: A love letter to Marta, written long ago, in the form of a song. Yet in order to get to Marta, who lives a world apart,...
Vivo follows a one-of-kind kinkajou, who spends his days playing music to the crowds in a lively square with his beloved owner Andrés (Buena Vista Social Club’s Juan de Marcos). Though they may not speak the same language, Vivo and Andrés are the perfect duo through their common love of music.
But when tragedy strikes shortly after Andrés receives a letter from the famous Marta Sandoval (three-time Grammy-winning Latin pop legend Gloria Estefan), inviting her old partner to her farewell concert with the hope of reconnecting, it’s up to Vivo to deliver a message that Andrés never could: A love letter to Marta, written long ago, in the form of a song. Yet in order to get to Marta, who lives a world apart,...
- 8/19/2022
- by Caillou Pettis
- Nerdly
New Release Wall
David Cronenberg plays the hits in “Crimes of the Future” (Neon), but there’s no other filmmaker today with hits like his. Viggo Mortensen and Léa Seydoux are a pair of surgery-based performance artists whose interests intersect with a sect of plastic-eaters, while bureaucrats Kristen Stewart (giving the screen’s most divisive performance since Jared Leto in “House of Gucci”) and Don McKellar look on in fannish amazement. If you enjoy the auteur’s brand of surgical implements that look like insect exoskeletons and furniture that looks like tumors, this is your kind of movie.
Also available:
“Charm City Kings” (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment): Denied a proper release during the pandemic lockdown, this saga of a young Baltimorean getting involved in the city’s motorbike culture is a powerful drama not to be missed.
“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” (Marvel Studios): Audiences differed...
David Cronenberg plays the hits in “Crimes of the Future” (Neon), but there’s no other filmmaker today with hits like his. Viggo Mortensen and Léa Seydoux are a pair of surgery-based performance artists whose interests intersect with a sect of plastic-eaters, while bureaucrats Kristen Stewart (giving the screen’s most divisive performance since Jared Leto in “House of Gucci”) and Don McKellar look on in fannish amazement. If you enjoy the auteur’s brand of surgical implements that look like insect exoskeletons and furniture that looks like tumors, this is your kind of movie.
Also available:
“Charm City Kings” (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment): Denied a proper release during the pandemic lockdown, this saga of a young Baltimorean getting involved in the city’s motorbike culture is a powerful drama not to be missed.
“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” (Marvel Studios): Audiences differed...
- 8/2/2022
- by Alonso Duralde
- The Wrap
Bugs, Daffy, and the rest of the Looney Tunes gang are about to tread the boards: Warner Bros. Animation will create Bye Bye Bunny: A Looney Tunes Musical for HBO Max and Cartoon Network.
The original animated family movie event will feature original song and dance numbers and new orchestrations from the Warner Bros. library of movie musicals. Here’s the logline: “After starring in a long-running Looney Tunes Broadway smash production, an exhausted Bugs Bunny decides it’s time to trade in sold-out shows for life as a regular rabbit. Ever the spotlight opportunist, Daffy Duck attempts to step into the lead role, but his star ambitions are quickly sidetracked when he is kidnapped by an obsessive fan who has more sinister plans for her favorite stage duck. With his ticket to Broadway retirement in danger, Bugs sets off on a rescue mission to find Daffy and, with the...
The original animated family movie event will feature original song and dance numbers and new orchestrations from the Warner Bros. library of movie musicals. Here’s the logline: “After starring in a long-running Looney Tunes Broadway smash production, an exhausted Bugs Bunny decides it’s time to trade in sold-out shows for life as a regular rabbit. Ever the spotlight opportunist, Daffy Duck attempts to step into the lead role, but his star ambitions are quickly sidetracked when he is kidnapped by an obsessive fan who has more sinister plans for her favorite stage duck. With his ticket to Broadway retirement in danger, Bugs sets off on a rescue mission to find Daffy and, with the...
- 6/15/2022
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Bugs, Daffy, and the rest of the Looney Tunes gang will be back in a Broadway-set “Bye Bye Bunny: A Looney Tunes Musical,” the first-ever Looney Tunes Original animated movie musical, which is produced by Warner Bros. Animation.
Envisaged as a family event, “Bye Bye Bunny” will screen on HBO Max and Cartoon Network.
The announcement brought to a climax a mega studio focus on Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios Hanna -Barbera Studios Europe held at France’s Annecy Festival where the three studios presented an early look at some of their latest and greatest projects coming soon.
With a screenplay and lyrics by Emmy Award winner Ariel Dumas, a head writer on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and huge Looney Tunes fan, “Bye Bye Bunny” shows Warner Bros. Animation pursuing one of its main mandates: Drawing upon the studio’s voluminous library vault in animation and then...
Envisaged as a family event, “Bye Bye Bunny” will screen on HBO Max and Cartoon Network.
The announcement brought to a climax a mega studio focus on Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios Hanna -Barbera Studios Europe held at France’s Annecy Festival where the three studios presented an early look at some of their latest and greatest projects coming soon.
With a screenplay and lyrics by Emmy Award winner Ariel Dumas, a head writer on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and huge Looney Tunes fan, “Bye Bye Bunny” shows Warner Bros. Animation pursuing one of its main mandates: Drawing upon the studio’s voluminous library vault in animation and then...
- 6/15/2022
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix has been home to some incredible animated feature films as of late, including "Klaus," "Vivo," "Over the Moon," and "The Mitchells vs. The Machines." In their latest, wholly original production, Disney alum Chris Williams takes audiences on a nautical adventure sailing the seas and battling larger-than-life monsters. The co-director of "Bolt," "Big Hero 6," and "Moana" is setting sail on "The Sea Beast," due out on Netflix this summer, on July 8, 2022. The film is about a legendary sea monster hunter named Jacob Holland (Karl Urban) who, during his most dangerous hunting expedition, discovers a...
The post The Sea Beast Director Chris Williams Wants You to Remember Why We Love Gigantic Monster Movies [Interview] appeared first on /Film.
The post The Sea Beast Director Chris Williams Wants You to Remember Why We Love Gigantic Monster Movies [Interview] appeared first on /Film.
- 5/18/2022
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
Exclusive: Laura Fitzpatrick has joined Sony Pictures Imageworks as VP New Business. In her new role, she will be responsible for third party VFX business development and strategic planning for long-term growth. She will also oversee worldwide sales, marketing and client engagement, reporting to EVP Michelle Grady. Upcoming projects Fitzpatrick will have a hand in include the animated features The Sea Beast and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
Fitzpatrick most recently served as Global Managing Director at visual effects company Mr. X, where she was responsible for strategic growth planning, financial oversight, and management of teams across multiple facilities.
“Laura is a strategic, forward-thinking executive who is admired by peers throughout the industry,” said Grady. “We are extremely excited to welcome Laura into the Imageworks fold.”
“I am thrilled to join the award-winning team at Sony Pictures Imageworks,” added Fitzpatrick. “Their creativity and innovative genius is unparalleled in the industry and...
Fitzpatrick most recently served as Global Managing Director at visual effects company Mr. X, where she was responsible for strategic growth planning, financial oversight, and management of teams across multiple facilities.
“Laura is a strategic, forward-thinking executive who is admired by peers throughout the industry,” said Grady. “We are extremely excited to welcome Laura into the Imageworks fold.”
“I am thrilled to join the award-winning team at Sony Pictures Imageworks,” added Fitzpatrick. “Their creativity and innovative genius is unparalleled in the industry and...
- 5/16/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Animayo Gran Canaria, Spain’s foremost Canary Islands-based animation festival, is venturing deep into the metaverse with experts in artificial intelligence, virtual reality and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) joining leading voices in animation from major studios, including DreamWorks, Walt Disney, Skydance, Sony Pictures and Platige Image.
Some 23 guests will be participating across 14 master classes, three debate panels, three workshops, 10 recruitment sessions and other events at the in-person 17th edition held over May 4-7 in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria.
An online edition is slated to launch in October. “This year the debates are a novelty because it’s a must to create a meeting forum in this increasingly polarized society,” said Damian Perea, founder-director of the festival, which also encompasses VFX and video gaming.
The festival’s impact on local production continues to grow as the Canary Islands now boasts at least 20 animation and VFX companies, Perea told Variety.
Among the other...
Some 23 guests will be participating across 14 master classes, three debate panels, three workshops, 10 recruitment sessions and other events at the in-person 17th edition held over May 4-7 in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria.
An online edition is slated to launch in October. “This year the debates are a novelty because it’s a must to create a meeting forum in this increasingly polarized society,” said Damian Perea, founder-director of the festival, which also encompasses VFX and video gaming.
The festival’s impact on local production continues to grow as the Canary Islands now boasts at least 20 animation and VFX companies, Perea told Variety.
Among the other...
- 4/29/2022
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The Black List is partnering with Academy Award-winning studio Sony Pictures Animation for its first writers program geared toward emerging, diverse talent in animation.
The Sony Pictures Animation x The Black List Writers Program will select one writer to work in-house at the studio for a six-month period, with that creative being responsible for crafting dialogue for custom animation pieces, diving into scripts on the development slate, pitching their own ideas, and more. They will receive 50,000 for their services, which will be covered under the jurisdiction of the Sony Pictures Animation I.A.T.S.E. Agreement.
Only individual writers interested in developing their skill set in the world of animation, who represent the global, diverse audience the studio seeks to entertain, will be eligible for the program. Scripts submitted can come from any genre, and take the form of a feature film, play or musical, though pilot scripts won’t be accepted.
The Sony Pictures Animation x The Black List Writers Program will select one writer to work in-house at the studio for a six-month period, with that creative being responsible for crafting dialogue for custom animation pieces, diving into scripts on the development slate, pitching their own ideas, and more. They will receive 50,000 for their services, which will be covered under the jurisdiction of the Sony Pictures Animation I.A.T.S.E. Agreement.
Only individual writers interested in developing their skill set in the world of animation, who represent the global, diverse audience the studio seeks to entertain, will be eligible for the program. Scripts submitted can come from any genre, and take the form of a feature film, play or musical, though pilot scripts won’t be accepted.
- 4/6/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Fathom Events and Spain’s Bosco Films are partnering to bring faith-based documentary “Vivo” (“Alive”) to about 700 North American locations on April 25.
Produced by Hakuna Films and directed by Jorge Pareja, “Alive” narrates four real-life stories filmed in Spain of people who tell how Christian’s Eucharist transformed their lives.
“Alive,” which previously bowed by Bosco in Spain and 14 Latin American territories, marks the Spanish indie distributor’s leap into the international market, where it’s been closing a bundle of exhibition agreements with local and international operators.
The peak in “Alive’s” international theatrical career comes with the U.S. release after the Fathom Events deal.
“In the event cinema business, we see that people come to the theater in groups, having a true community experience,” said Ray Nutt, CEO of Fathom Events.
“To be able to bring this same experience to the Spanish speaking community is very important to us.
Produced by Hakuna Films and directed by Jorge Pareja, “Alive” narrates four real-life stories filmed in Spain of people who tell how Christian’s Eucharist transformed their lives.
“Alive,” which previously bowed by Bosco in Spain and 14 Latin American territories, marks the Spanish indie distributor’s leap into the international market, where it’s been closing a bundle of exhibition agreements with local and international operators.
The peak in “Alive’s” international theatrical career comes with the U.S. release after the Fathom Events deal.
“In the event cinema business, we see that people come to the theater in groups, having a true community experience,” said Ray Nutt, CEO of Fathom Events.
“To be able to bring this same experience to the Spanish speaking community is very important to us.
- 4/4/2022
- by Emiliano De Pablos
- Variety Film + TV
People of color “helped keep Hollywood afloat” with heavy movie consumption during pandemic challenges in 2021, according UCLA’s bi-annual Hollywood Diversity Report.
The report, released Thursday, concluded that people of color made up the majority of opening-weekend, domestic ticket sales for six of the top 10 films released in theaters. The study also tracked progress for women and minorities in acting, directing and writing roles and examined the top 252 English-language films released in theaters or on streaming services in 2021.
In 2021, study found that films with casts that were at least somewhat diverse — 21%to 30% minority — enjoyed the highest median global box office receipts. But as in earlier reports, films featuring casts with the lowest amount of diversity (less than 11% nonwhite actors) performed the most poorly at the box office, the report said.
“Mortal Kombat” (Warner Bros.)
Streaming films with majority-nonwhite casts won high ratings among viewers in the 18- 49-year-old demographic and Black households,...
The report, released Thursday, concluded that people of color made up the majority of opening-weekend, domestic ticket sales for six of the top 10 films released in theaters. The study also tracked progress for women and minorities in acting, directing and writing roles and examined the top 252 English-language films released in theaters or on streaming services in 2021.
In 2021, study found that films with casts that were at least somewhat diverse — 21%to 30% minority — enjoyed the highest median global box office receipts. But as in earlier reports, films featuring casts with the lowest amount of diversity (less than 11% nonwhite actors) performed the most poorly at the box office, the report said.
“Mortal Kombat” (Warner Bros.)
Streaming films with majority-nonwhite casts won high ratings among viewers in the 18- 49-year-old demographic and Black households,...
- 3/24/2022
- by Diane Haithman
- The Wrap
Skydance Animation has landed another major talent.
Rich Moore, director of “Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph” and “Ralph Breaks the Internet,” is joining the team in an exclusive, multi-year overall deal. Under the new pact, Moore will create, develop and produce original animated features for the studio.
After leaving Disney in 2019, Moore did a brief stint at Sony Pictures Animation. The only feature he helped with, last year’s “Vivo,” was released directly to Netflix.
The move to Skydance Animation sees Moore reuniting with his old boss, former Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios chief creative officer John Lasseter. Lasseter took a six month sabbatical from Disney and Pixar in 2017 after sexual misconduct allegations emerged; he was ultimately never rehired (he consulted until the end of 2018). In January 2019, Lasseter was hired to head Skydance Animation, which then had an exclusive deal with Paramount and is now in partnership with Apple TV+.
Moore...
Rich Moore, director of “Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph” and “Ralph Breaks the Internet,” is joining the team in an exclusive, multi-year overall deal. Under the new pact, Moore will create, develop and produce original animated features for the studio.
After leaving Disney in 2019, Moore did a brief stint at Sony Pictures Animation. The only feature he helped with, last year’s “Vivo,” was released directly to Netflix.
The move to Skydance Animation sees Moore reuniting with his old boss, former Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios chief creative officer John Lasseter. Lasseter took a six month sabbatical from Disney and Pixar in 2017 after sexual misconduct allegations emerged; he was ultimately never rehired (he consulted until the end of 2018). In January 2019, Lasseter was hired to head Skydance Animation, which then had an exclusive deal with Paramount and is now in partnership with Apple TV+.
Moore...
- 3/16/2022
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
“The Power of the Dog” took top honors from this year’s edition of the Latino Entertainment Journalists Association (Leja), winning best picture, best director and best editing from the organization.
The Latino Entertainment Journalists Association announced its winners on Sunday afternoon, honoring the top achievements of 2021 films. Other major winners during the afternoon included Ariana DeBose in supporting actress for “West Side Story” and Disney’s Encanto in the categories of best voice or motion capture performance for Stephanie Beatriz, best animated film, best musical score and best song written for a film.
Heading into the awards, “West Side Story” led the field with a total of 13 nominations. Lin-Manuel Miranda received the most individual nominations of any person with seven: best picture for “In the Heights,” best director for “Tick, Tick … Boom!,” voice or motion capture performance for “Vivo” and a trio of song mentions from the animated film “Encanto” including “Dos Oruguitas,...
The Latino Entertainment Journalists Association announced its winners on Sunday afternoon, honoring the top achievements of 2021 films. Other major winners during the afternoon included Ariana DeBose in supporting actress for “West Side Story” and Disney’s Encanto in the categories of best voice or motion capture performance for Stephanie Beatriz, best animated film, best musical score and best song written for a film.
Heading into the awards, “West Side Story” led the field with a total of 13 nominations. Lin-Manuel Miranda received the most individual nominations of any person with seven: best picture for “In the Heights,” best director for “Tick, Tick … Boom!,” voice or motion capture performance for “Vivo” and a trio of song mentions from the animated film “Encanto” including “Dos Oruguitas,...
- 3/6/2022
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
Lin-Manuel Miranda‘s directorial debut, “tick, tick, Boom!” is now an Oscar nominee for Best Actor and Best Film Editing, while the multi-hyphenate himself is nominated in Best Original Song for penning a tune from “Encanto.” Miranda also saw his first stage musical, “In the Heights,” be adapted to a film last year and penned additional songs for the animated film “Vivo.”
Miranda recently spoke with Gold Derby contributing writer David Buchanan about adapting “tick, tick, Boom!” to the big screen, his personal connection to the late composer Stephen Sondheim and his work writing songs for “Encanto” and “Vivo.” If he wins the Oscar for songwriting, that will complete his Egot after previously winning at the Emmys, Grammys and Tonys. Watch the full interview and read the transcript below.
SEEAndrew Garfield interview: ‘tick, tick… Boom!’
Gold Derby: I want to start by asking you about your personal experience with Jonathan Larson...
Miranda recently spoke with Gold Derby contributing writer David Buchanan about adapting “tick, tick, Boom!” to the big screen, his personal connection to the late composer Stephen Sondheim and his work writing songs for “Encanto” and “Vivo.” If he wins the Oscar for songwriting, that will complete his Egot after previously winning at the Emmys, Grammys and Tonys. Watch the full interview and read the transcript below.
SEEAndrew Garfield interview: ‘tick, tick… Boom!’
Gold Derby: I want to start by asking you about your personal experience with Jonathan Larson...
- 3/2/2022
- by Kevin Jacobsen
- Gold Derby
The 2022 NAACP Image Awards were presented on BET tonight, with Jennifer Hudson emerging as a top winner, taking home both the coveted Entertainer of the Year and Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture awards. Will Smith also emerged as Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture, with “The Harder They Fall” winning Outstanding Motion Picture. Many more winners were announced this week during the non-televised NAACP Image Awards.
Take a look at the full winners list below.
Entertainer of the year
Jennifer Hudson
Lil Nas X
Megan Thee Stallion
Regina King
Tiffany Haddish
Outstanding motion picture
“The Harder They Fall”
“Judas and the Black Messiah”
“King Richard”
“Respect”
“The United States vs. Billie Holiday”
Outstanding actor in a motion picture
Will Smith, “King Richard”
Denzel Washington, “The Tragedy of Macbeth”
Jonathan Majors, “The Harder They Fall”
Lakeith Stanfield, “Judas and the Black Messiah”
Mahershala Ali, “Swan Song”
Outstanding actress in a motion picture
Jennifer Hudson,...
Take a look at the full winners list below.
Entertainer of the year
Jennifer Hudson
Lil Nas X
Megan Thee Stallion
Regina King
Tiffany Haddish
Outstanding motion picture
“The Harder They Fall”
“Judas and the Black Messiah”
“King Richard”
“Respect”
“The United States vs. Billie Holiday”
Outstanding actor in a motion picture
Will Smith, “King Richard”
Denzel Washington, “The Tragedy of Macbeth”
Jonathan Majors, “The Harder They Fall”
Lakeith Stanfield, “Judas and the Black Messiah”
Mahershala Ali, “Swan Song”
Outstanding actress in a motion picture
Jennifer Hudson,...
- 2/27/2022
- by William Earl
- Variety Film + TV
The Latino Entertainment Journalists Association (or Leja) has announced its fourth annual awards nomination. Steven Spielberg's remake of West Side Story leads with a whopping 13 nominations. The year's other big Latino musical In the Heights received 4 nominations. Lin-Manuel Miranda alone reaped 7 nominations. The year's other big Latino musical In the Heights received four nominations. The nominees are after the jump and their winners will be announced on March 6th...
- 2/22/2022
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
The Latino Entertainment Journalists Association announced its annual nominations where Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” leads the way with 13 nominations, including best picture, director, supporting actor, supporting actress, and adapted screenplay.
Lin-Manuel Miranda received the most individual nominations of any person with seven: best picture for “In the Heights,” best director for “Tick, Tick … Boom!,” voice or motion capture performance for “Vivo” and a trio of song mentions from the animated film “Encanto” including “Dos Oruguitas,” “Surface Pressure” and “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.” The Leja membership also selected Miranda as the recipient of the Latino Activism Award. Past winners of that award include America Ferrera, Eva Longoria, Rosie Perez.
John Leguizamo is being honored with the 2022 Rita Moreno Lifetime Achievement Award for this year’s special honorees. For decades, the Special Tony and Emmy-winning actor, producer, and comedian have been a tireless force in the Latino community.
Lin-Manuel Miranda received the most individual nominations of any person with seven: best picture for “In the Heights,” best director for “Tick, Tick … Boom!,” voice or motion capture performance for “Vivo” and a trio of song mentions from the animated film “Encanto” including “Dos Oruguitas,” “Surface Pressure” and “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.” The Leja membership also selected Miranda as the recipient of the Latino Activism Award. Past winners of that award include America Ferrera, Eva Longoria, Rosie Perez.
John Leguizamo is being honored with the 2022 Rita Moreno Lifetime Achievement Award for this year’s special honorees. For decades, the Special Tony and Emmy-winning actor, producer, and comedian have been a tireless force in the Latino community.
- 2/22/2022
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Lin-Manuel Miranda is ready to talk about Bruno.
The ridiculously talented multihyphenate had an incredible 2021, which saw (amongst other things) an adaptation of his beloved musical “In the Heights” released, a long-gestating animated musical called “Vivo” finally come out, and his debut feature as a writer/director, “Tick, Tick … Boom!” hit Netflix.
And then there’s “Encanto.”
Miranda’s second feature for Walt Disney Animation Studios after “Moana,” “Encanto” tells the story of a family in Colombia at the turn of the 20th century, each of whom is gifted with a magical ability … all except awkward Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz). While it was released into theaters at Thanksgiving, it really made a splash at Christmas, when it debuted on Disney+. Since then, it has been nominated for three Oscars (including one for Best Original Song), the soundtrack has dominated the Billboard charts, and it has been immortalized in countless TikTok videos,...
The ridiculously talented multihyphenate had an incredible 2021, which saw (amongst other things) an adaptation of his beloved musical “In the Heights” released, a long-gestating animated musical called “Vivo” finally come out, and his debut feature as a writer/director, “Tick, Tick … Boom!” hit Netflix.
And then there’s “Encanto.”
Miranda’s second feature for Walt Disney Animation Studios after “Moana,” “Encanto” tells the story of a family in Colombia at the turn of the 20th century, each of whom is gifted with a magical ability … all except awkward Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz). While it was released into theaters at Thanksgiving, it really made a splash at Christmas, when it debuted on Disney+. Since then, it has been nominated for three Oscars (including one for Best Original Song), the soundtrack has dominated the Billboard charts, and it has been immortalized in countless TikTok videos,...
- 2/16/2022
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
The 2022 Oscar nominations are finally here, and some of the biggest films of 2021 were able to nab a couple of nominations. Leading the pack this year is "The Power of the Dog" with a whopping 12 nominations, with "Dune" following behind with 10. Disney's "Encanto" also snagged a total of three nominations - which include best original score, best animated feature film, and best original song for Lin-Manuel Miranda's "Dos Oruguitas." But sadly for fans of the film, its big record, "We Don't Talk About Bruno," wasn't eligible for an Oscar this year.
Per the Academy's set deadline, all songs to be considered for nominations should've been sent in by Nov. 1, 2021. But "Encanto" was released on Nov. 24 and hadn't been screened by critics at that point, so there was no way for Walt Disney Studios to know that audiences would rave over "We Don't Talk About Bruno" the way they did.
Per the Academy's set deadline, all songs to be considered for nominations should've been sent in by Nov. 1, 2021. But "Encanto" was released on Nov. 24 and hadn't been screened by critics at that point, so there was no way for Walt Disney Studios to know that audiences would rave over "We Don't Talk About Bruno" the way they did.
- 2/9/2022
- by Njera Perkins
- Popsugar.com
If there was a breakthrough original song from last year’s crop of contenders, it was undoubtedly “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” the Lin-Manuel Miranda-penned earworm from “Encanto” that has gone on to become a certifiable blockbuster (it currently has nearly 125 million streams on Spotify and is the No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100). But when the Oscar nominations were announced Tuesday morning, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” was conspicuously absent. Instead, the stirring “Dos Oruguitas” from “Encanto” scored the nomination.
But why?
The short answer is: because Disney didn’t submit “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” for contention. Each studio has to put forth the songs that they think will make the most impact. In the past, Disney submitted multiple songs for the category, particularly during the lucrative Disney Renaissance period (for example “Hakuna Matata” and “Circle of Life” were submitted from “The Lion King...
But why?
The short answer is: because Disney didn’t submit “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” for contention. Each studio has to put forth the songs that they think will make the most impact. In the past, Disney submitted multiple songs for the category, particularly during the lucrative Disney Renaissance period (for example “Hakuna Matata” and “Circle of Life” were submitted from “The Lion King...
- 2/8/2022
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
“Belfast,” “Coda,” “King Richard,” “House of Gucci,” “West Side Story” and “The Power of the Dog” are among the films nominated for the 37th Annual Artios Awards, presented by the Casting Society of America.
The awards honor casting directors’ contribution to film, television and theatre. Winners will be revealed on March 17 via a virtual ceremony.
Among the animated features nominated are “Encanto,” “Luca,” “The Mitchells Vs. The Machines,” “Raya and the Last Dragon” and “Vivo.”
Lucy Bevan, Avy Kaufman, Carmen Cuba, Nina Gold and Cindy Tolan are just some of the casting directors who landed nominations. While the Academy has had a casting branch for the past eight years, it has yet to establish an Oscar for casting.
View the nominations in full below:
Animation
“Encanto” – Jamie Sparer Roberts, Grace C. Kim (Associate)
“Luca” – Kevin Reher, Natalie Lyon, Kate Hansen-birnbaum (Associate)
“The Mitchells Vs The Machines” – Tamara Hunter
“Raya And The Last Dragon...
The awards honor casting directors’ contribution to film, television and theatre. Winners will be revealed on March 17 via a virtual ceremony.
Among the animated features nominated are “Encanto,” “Luca,” “The Mitchells Vs. The Machines,” “Raya and the Last Dragon” and “Vivo.”
Lucy Bevan, Avy Kaufman, Carmen Cuba, Nina Gold and Cindy Tolan are just some of the casting directors who landed nominations. While the Academy has had a casting branch for the past eight years, it has yet to establish an Oscar for casting.
View the nominations in full below:
Animation
“Encanto” – Jamie Sparer Roberts, Grace C. Kim (Associate)
“Luca” – Kevin Reher, Natalie Lyon, Kate Hansen-birnbaum (Associate)
“The Mitchells Vs The Machines” – Tamara Hunter
“Raya And The Last Dragon...
- 2/1/2022
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
The Producers Guild of America (PGA) has announced nominations in the Motion Pictures and Television categories for the 33rd Annual Producers Guild Awards, which will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at the Fairmont Century Plaza.
The PGA is a sturdy bellwether for the likely nominees for the Best Picture Oscar, which will be a guaranteed ten this year. This opens up the field to more adventurous choices. While ABC is rooting for a global blockbuster like “Spider-Man: No Way Home” to gain a Best Picture slot, it is not listed by the more mainstream PGA. Since its inception, the PGA has predicted 22 of the past 32 winners of the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Additionally, the PGA has extended the the voting window for select categories. Final ballots for TV and Film will now close on March 8; Final Ballots for Children’s, Short Form and Sports Programs will remain on their...
The PGA is a sturdy bellwether for the likely nominees for the Best Picture Oscar, which will be a guaranteed ten this year. This opens up the field to more adventurous choices. While ABC is rooting for a global blockbuster like “Spider-Man: No Way Home” to gain a Best Picture slot, it is not listed by the more mainstream PGA. Since its inception, the PGA has predicted 22 of the past 32 winners of the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Additionally, the PGA has extended the the voting window for select categories. Final ballots for TV and Film will now close on March 8; Final Ballots for Children’s, Short Form and Sports Programs will remain on their...
- 1/27/2022
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
The Producers Guild of America (PGA) has announced nominations in the Motion Pictures and Television categories for the 33rd Annual Producers Guild Awards, which will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at the Fairmont Century Plaza.
The PGA is a sturdy bellwether for the likely nominees for the Best Picture Oscar, which will be a guaranteed ten this year. This opens up the field to more adventurous choices. While ABC is rooting for a global blockbuster like “Spider-Man: No Way Home” to gain a Best Picture slot, it is not listed by the more mainstream PGA. Since its inception, the PGA has predicted 22 of the past 32 winners of the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Additionally, the PGA has extended the the voting window for select categories. Final ballots for TV and Film will now close on March 8; Final Ballots for Children’s, Short Form and Sports Programs will remain on their...
The PGA is a sturdy bellwether for the likely nominees for the Best Picture Oscar, which will be a guaranteed ten this year. This opens up the field to more adventurous choices. While ABC is rooting for a global blockbuster like “Spider-Man: No Way Home” to gain a Best Picture slot, it is not listed by the more mainstream PGA. Since its inception, the PGA has predicted 22 of the past 32 winners of the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Additionally, the PGA has extended the the voting window for select categories. Final ballots for TV and Film will now close on March 8; Final Ballots for Children’s, Short Form and Sports Programs will remain on their...
- 1/27/2022
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Nominees for the 53rd NAACP Image Awards are officially in, with Netflix taking the lead with 52 noms overall for titles across film and TV including The Harder They Fall, Passing, Bruised, The Upshaws and Maid.
The Harder They Fall’s nominations include for Outstanding Motion Picture, where it joins fellow nominees Judas and the Black Messiah and King Richard from Warner Bros, MGM/Uar’s Respect and Hulu’s The United States vs. Billie Holiday.
The show announcing marquee winners is set to place February 26 at 8 p.m. Et/Pt live on BET. The NAACP will recognize winners in non-televised categories February 21-25, with those ceremonies to stream on NAACPImageAwards.net.
The Image Awards celebrates the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color across more than 80 competitive categories spanning film, television, streaming, music, literature and podcasts. That category count is up from the 70-plus categories recognized earlier this year.
The Harder They Fall’s nominations include for Outstanding Motion Picture, where it joins fellow nominees Judas and the Black Messiah and King Richard from Warner Bros, MGM/Uar’s Respect and Hulu’s The United States vs. Billie Holiday.
The show announcing marquee winners is set to place February 26 at 8 p.m. Et/Pt live on BET. The NAACP will recognize winners in non-televised categories February 21-25, with those ceremonies to stream on NAACPImageAwards.net.
The Image Awards celebrates the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color across more than 80 competitive categories spanning film, television, streaming, music, literature and podcasts. That category count is up from the 70-plus categories recognized earlier this year.
- 1/18/2022
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Lin-Manuel Miranda has delivered a wealth of gifts to audiences over the past year, including Broadway’s improvisational hip-hop comedy show “Freestyle Love Supreme,” his feature directorial debut, “Tick, Tick… Boom!” and the double animated dose of “Vivo” and “Encanto.”
Miranda wrote eight new songs for “Encanto,” which have gone viral — including “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.” The film was number one at the box office over the Thanksgiving holiday, and is now being discovered by more viewers via Disney Plus. “To share that score, that I’m so proud of, it’s more sophisticated than anything I’ve been able to do before in the animated space,” he tells Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast. The thesis was to get an entire family on screen. “That’s the story – 12 major characters and we’re not saving the world, and the relationships between those characters is the story.”
The Awards...
Miranda wrote eight new songs for “Encanto,” which have gone viral — including “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.” The film was number one at the box office over the Thanksgiving holiday, and is now being discovered by more viewers via Disney Plus. “To share that score, that I’m so proud of, it’s more sophisticated than anything I’ve been able to do before in the animated space,” he tells Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast. The thesis was to get an entire family on screen. “That’s the story – 12 major characters and we’re not saving the world, and the relationships between those characters is the story.”
The Awards...
- 1/13/2022
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
“We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from Disney’s “Encanto” is a global sensation. Besides trending on social media, topping the music charts, and being played on repeat in every household with kids (and unapologetic Disney adults), the music and the movie seem to be capturing the zeitgeist. So how does a sensation like “Bruno” not get submitted by Disney for best original song for the upcoming Academy Awards?
Hindsight is always 20/20 on what will strike a chord with audiences, especially for the Oscars. “Encanto” is Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 60th feature and arguably one of its best. Emmy, Grammy and Tony winner Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote eight original songs for the film, including “Dos Oruguitas,” the emotional number that reveals the truth about the Madrigal matriarch’s tragic past, among the 15 songs shortlisted for the upcoming 94th Oscars. Miranda, who received his first Oscar nomination for the song “How Far...
Hindsight is always 20/20 on what will strike a chord with audiences, especially for the Oscars. “Encanto” is Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 60th feature and arguably one of its best. Emmy, Grammy and Tony winner Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote eight original songs for the film, including “Dos Oruguitas,” the emotional number that reveals the truth about the Madrigal matriarch’s tragic past, among the 15 songs shortlisted for the upcoming 94th Oscars. Miranda, who received his first Oscar nomination for the song “How Far...
- 1/6/2022
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Disney’s “Raya and the Last Dragon,” the studio’s first Southeast Asian action-adventure, led Asifa-Hollywood’s 49th Annie Awards with 10 nominations, including best animated feature. Disney’s Colombian-set musical “Encanto,” followed with nine nods, while Pixar’s Italian-set “Luca” tied for eight with Sony Animation/Netflix’s innovative, 2D-inspired “The Mitchells vs. The Machines.” This year’s ceremony is scheduled to return live on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at UCLA’s Royce Hall.
The best feature noms went to “Raya,” (from “Big Hero Six” Oscar-winning director Don Hall), “Encanto”, “Luca,” “The Mitchells” (from “Spider-Verse” Oscar-winning producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller), and Illumination’s “Sing 2.” The competitive studio race for best feature could go Disney’s way or “The Mitchells'” (winner of the NYFCC animated feature award).
The race for best independent feature, meanwhile, was led by GKids’ “Belle,” the metaverse “Beauty and the Beast”-inspired musical from director Mamoru Hosoda...
The best feature noms went to “Raya,” (from “Big Hero Six” Oscar-winning director Don Hall), “Encanto”, “Luca,” “The Mitchells” (from “Spider-Verse” Oscar-winning producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller), and Illumination’s “Sing 2.” The competitive studio race for best feature could go Disney’s way or “The Mitchells'” (winner of the NYFCC animated feature award).
The race for best independent feature, meanwhile, was led by GKids’ “Belle,” the metaverse “Beauty and the Beast”-inspired musical from director Mamoru Hosoda...
- 12/21/2021
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Netflix’s investment in animation has paid off in a big way, as the streamer picked up a whopping 52 nominations at the 49th Annie Awards. Following behind is Disney, which received 29 bids between its film and TV projects.
Taking place on Feb. 26, 2022 at UCLA’s Royce Hall and presented by the Los Angeles branch of the International Animated Film Association, the Annie Awards recognize excellence in cinema and television.
Netflix picked up nine nominations for “Arcane,” its series based on Riot Games’ online multiplayer game “League of Legends.” The hit film from Sony Pictures Animation “The Mitchells vs. The Machines” earned eight nods, and Netflix’s own limited series “Maya and the Three,” directed by Jorge Gutierrez, has seven.
While Disney lagged behind Netflix for total nominations, the studio’s “Raya and the Last Dragon” led all content with 10 nominations, followed by its studio sibling “Encanto,” which picked up nine.
Taking place on Feb. 26, 2022 at UCLA’s Royce Hall and presented by the Los Angeles branch of the International Animated Film Association, the Annie Awards recognize excellence in cinema and television.
Netflix picked up nine nominations for “Arcane,” its series based on Riot Games’ online multiplayer game “League of Legends.” The hit film from Sony Pictures Animation “The Mitchells vs. The Machines” earned eight nods, and Netflix’s own limited series “Maya and the Three,” directed by Jorge Gutierrez, has seven.
While Disney lagged behind Netflix for total nominations, the studio’s “Raya and the Last Dragon” led all content with 10 nominations, followed by its studio sibling “Encanto,” which picked up nine.
- 12/21/2021
- by Terry Flores
- Variety Film + TV
One of the “great things” about doing sound design for animated films is that one is involved from the early stages of production, says sound veteran Randy Thom, an Academy Award winner for The Incredibles and sound designer and rerecording mixer on Sony Pictures Animation’s Vivo. “The filmmakers really need sound in their early experiments to see how scenes are going to work when all they have visually is storyboards.”
For Vivo, which debuted this summer on Netflix, that included vocalizations for the title character, a kinkajou voiced by Lin-Manuel Miranda. “Vivo speaks English some of the time,...
For Vivo, which debuted this summer on Netflix, that included vocalizations for the title character, a kinkajou voiced by Lin-Manuel Miranda. “Vivo speaks English some of the time,...
- 12/8/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
One of the “great things” about doing sound design for animated films is that one is involved from the early stages of production, says sound veteran Randy Thom, an Academy Award winner for The Incredibles and sound designer and rerecording mixer on Sony Pictures Animation’s Vivo. “The filmmakers really need sound in their early experiments to see how scenes are going to work when all they have visually is storyboards.”
For Vivo, which debuted this summer on Netflix, that included vocalizations for the title character, a kinkajou voiced by Lin-Manuel Miranda. “Vivo speaks English some of the time,...
For Vivo, which debuted this summer on Netflix, that included vocalizations for the title character, a kinkajou voiced by Lin-Manuel Miranda. “Vivo speaks English some of the time,...
- 12/8/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Animation, documentary submissions also tallied.
The Academy has confirmed it has received 93 country submissions for the international feature film category in the run-up to the 94th Oscars on March 27, 2022.
The Academy said on Monday (December 6) it had also received 26 animated feature and 138 documentary feature submissions.
The entire list of international feature film submissions can be viewed here and includes a first submission from Somalia. The Academy said some of the films have not yet had their required qualifying release and must fulfil that requirement and comply with all the category’s other qualifying rules to advance in the voting process.
The Academy has confirmed it has received 93 country submissions for the international feature film category in the run-up to the 94th Oscars on March 27, 2022.
The Academy said on Monday (December 6) it had also received 26 animated feature and 138 documentary feature submissions.
The entire list of international feature film submissions can be viewed here and includes a first submission from Somalia. The Academy said some of the films have not yet had their required qualifying release and must fulfil that requirement and comply with all the category’s other qualifying rules to advance in the voting process.
- 12/6/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Animation, documentary submissions also tallied.
The Academy has confirmed it has received 93 country submissions for the international feature film category in the run-up to the 94th Oscars on March 27, 2022.
The Academy said on Monday (December 6) it had also received 26 animated feature and 138 documentary feature submissions.
The entire list of international feature film submissions can be viewed here and includes a first submission from Somalia. The Academy said some of the films have not yet had their required qualifying release and must fulfil that requirement and comply with all the category’s other qualifying rules to advance in the voting process.
The Academy has confirmed it has received 93 country submissions for the international feature film category in the run-up to the 94th Oscars on March 27, 2022.
The Academy said on Monday (December 6) it had also received 26 animated feature and 138 documentary feature submissions.
The entire list of international feature film submissions can be viewed here and includes a first submission from Somalia. The Academy said some of the films have not yet had their required qualifying release and must fulfil that requirement and comply with all the category’s other qualifying rules to advance in the voting process.
- 12/6/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
By his own admission, Lin-Manuel Miranda went back to school this year. The Latino actor, director, writer, songwriter and composer had so many projects and commitments to juggle at once this year that the only way he made it through was to pretend he was back in college.
The multi-hyphenate behind “Hamilton” saw the release of “In the Heights” (Warner Bros) the film adaptation of his first Broadway musical, which he co-wrote and produced with director Jon M. Chu; and the debut of his feature directorial debut with musical drama “Tick Tick … Boom!” (Netflix). He also contributed original songs to Disney’s animated fantasy “Encanto” and starred in the voice cast of the Netflix animated movie “Vivo.” All of his projects have received critical acclaim, with awards buzz coming for Miranda vying for a bid for best director, with two possibilities for original song.
“Because I’m not a very good multitasker,...
The multi-hyphenate behind “Hamilton” saw the release of “In the Heights” (Warner Bros) the film adaptation of his first Broadway musical, which he co-wrote and produced with director Jon M. Chu; and the debut of his feature directorial debut with musical drama “Tick Tick … Boom!” (Netflix). He also contributed original songs to Disney’s animated fantasy “Encanto” and starred in the voice cast of the Netflix animated movie “Vivo.” All of his projects have received critical acclaim, with awards buzz coming for Miranda vying for a bid for best director, with two possibilities for original song.
“Because I’m not a very good multitasker,...
- 12/2/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
The Critics Choice Association announced the honorees and presenters for the inaugural Celebration of Latino Cinema, taking place virtually on Dec. 9 at 5:30 p.m. Pt / 8:30 p.m. Et. Writer, producer, actress and comedian Cristela Alonzo will host the event.
The director award will go to Reinaldo Marcus Green, director of “King Richard,” the biopic starring Will Smith as Richard Williams, the father of Venus and Serena Williams. Presenting the award will be Aunjanue Ellis, who plays Venus and Serena’s mother Oracene in the film.
Clifton Collins Jr. will receive the actor award for starring as Jackson Silva in Clint Bentley’s drama film “Jockey.” The role also won him a Sundance special jury award in 2021. Don Cheadle will present the award.
Olga Merediz will receive the actress award for playing Abuela Claudia in Jon M. Chu’s film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “In the Heights.” Merediz...
The director award will go to Reinaldo Marcus Green, director of “King Richard,” the biopic starring Will Smith as Richard Williams, the father of Venus and Serena Williams. Presenting the award will be Aunjanue Ellis, who plays Venus and Serena’s mother Oracene in the film.
Clifton Collins Jr. will receive the actor award for starring as Jackson Silva in Clint Bentley’s drama film “Jockey.” The role also won him a Sundance special jury award in 2021. Don Cheadle will present the award.
Olga Merediz will receive the actress award for playing Abuela Claudia in Jon M. Chu’s film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “In the Heights.” Merediz...
- 11/30/2021
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
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