Latest news with #animación
Forbes
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Tim Burton Says He's Working On A New Animated Project
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JUNE 24: Tim Burton poses during a masterclass ahead the inauguration of the ... More immersive experience 'Laberinto' at Panteon Dolores on June 24, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Medios) Iconic filmmaker Tim Burton says he's returning to animation for an upcoming project. Burton, who got his start an animator with Walt Disney Animation Studios out of CalArts, directed the classic stop-motion animated short Vincent while with the studio in 1982. Later on, the filmmaker produced the stop-motion animated classic Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas (which was directed by Henry Selick) in 1993, co-directed Corpse Bride (with Mike Johnson) in 2005 and directed Frankenweenie (based on his 1984 live-action short film) in 2012. Now, just weeks before the return of Netflix's Wednesday Season 2 — which he executive produces and directs some of the episodes — Burton is teasing at least one of his upcoming projects. During a recent interview with the Mexican press outlet Milenio (via World of Reel) at the opening of his new exhibition Tim Burton's Labyrinth in Mexico City, Burton said, 'I am working on something as an animated project. So, hopefully I'll have the script soon and take it from there. It's something I'm very excited about.' MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JUNE 25: Tim Burton poses for a photo on the Red Carpet for the Tim Burton's ... More Exhibition 'Laberinto' at Lienzo Charro Constituyentes on June 25, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Medios) Tim Burton Did Not Indicate What Style Of Animation He Would Be Using For The Project While Tim Burton didn't get into any details about his upcoming animated project, it's quite likely that he will be filming in stop-motion animation again given his extensive history in the stop-motion field. In addition to his work on Vincent, Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride and Frankenweenie, Burton has worked stop-motion animated sequences into many of his live-action films, including Pee-wee's Big Adventure, Beetlejuice, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and most recently, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. In the latter, stop-motion was used in the script to reveal the fate of Deetz family patriarch Charles Deetz, which also includes a cameo appearance by Burton. Stop-motion animation also is used in other key scenes in the film, including the return of the iconic black-and-white-stripped sandworm introduced in the original Beetlejuice. 'Tim made it very clear from the beginning that his intention was to use some stop-motion,' Beetlejuice Beetlejuice visual effects supervisor Angus Bickerton said in a Zoom conversation in November 2024. 'He knew he also wanted to — and we should mention the great work done by [creature effects creative supervisor] Neil Scanlan — use prosthetics, a creature effects team and a lot of on-set puppetry to capture the same vibe as the original," Bickerton added. Tim Burton's Labyrinth exhibition runs through Jan. 18, 2026, in Mexico City. Wednesday Season 2, starring Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams, returns to Netflix with Part 1 (Episodes 1-4) on Wednesday, Aug. 6, and Part 2 on Wednesday, Sept. 3 (Episodes 5-8).
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Quirino Awards Announces Dates for Inaugural Quirino Lab in Tenerife (EXCLUSIVE)
In a newly-unveiled partnership between the Quirino Awards and the Tenerife Council through Tenerife Tourism and the Tenerife Film Commission, the Ibero-American animation industry will hold its first specialised workshop in Tenerife this November. The Quirino Lab will take place over Nov. 19-22 and aim to professionalize and strengthen the Ibero-American animation industry at a key moment in its development. More from Variety Key Latin America Animation Titles to Come Under the Spotlight at Annecy-MIFA's La Liga Focus An Art Form Grows Up: The Transformation and Evolution of Animation Is Celebrated at Annecy AI Startup Cartwheel Raises $10 Million; Releases Its First Character Animation Tools (EXCLUSIVE) The Quirino Awards, the prestigious trans-Atlantic ceremony recognizing excellence in Ibero-American animation, developed the new initiative in response to 'the urgent need to reinforce the Ibero-American animation industry and prepare its professionals for global changes in the sector.' The team behind the initiative also highlighted how the Quirino Lab 'marks a new stage in the professionalisation of regional animation, offering specialised training to prepare Ibero-American producers for global challenges and setting a new standard for the sector.' The announcement of the new initiative also emphasized how animation has become 'an economic and cultural driving force,' which requires something more and more scarce in the industry: time and space to reflect on business strategies and next steps within the industry. While the initiative was first unveiled during the Quirino Awards Gala last month, the enterprise can now reveal further details about its fabric, including the Lab dates in November and July 1 as the opening of calls for applications, closing on July 24. The specialized program will feature 20 producers from across Ibero-America and will be specially designed to 'forge lasting connections that transcend borders and markets.' The four-day initiative will feature cutting-edge training with specialized workshops ranging from new market trends, audiences, exploitation models, to the impact of Artificial Intelligence in production processes and at a global level, including financial development, IP development, and innovative organizational methodologies. Plus, of course, the opportunity for strategic networking with not only Tenerife-based companies but also global industry leaders. The call is open to emerging and established Ibero-American animation talents. Candidates must be executive producers with experience in the sector and must have produced at least one animated series, one animated feature film, or two animated short films. Other production professionals may be considered, but the priority remains executive producers. Another key requirement is for professionals who can 'demonstrate active commitment to the development of the animation industry in their country and in the Ibero-American region.' Qualifying countries include: Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Spain, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The Quirino Lab marks the latest effort by the Quirino Awards to advance industry development. The initiative joins the Ibero-American Animation Space Futures Lab, a recently launched initiative in collaboration with the Ortega Marañón Foundation to drive the future of animation in the region. Established in 2018, the Quirino Awards are primarily sponsored by the Tenerife Council through Tenerife Tourism, which emphasizes its commitment to promoting animation as a cultural and economic force in the region. Quirino Lab key dates: ● July 1, 2025: Open call for applications; ● July 24 2025: Deadline for applications (23:59 CET); ● Nov. 19-22 2025: First edition of the Quirino Lab in Tenerife. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Laying the Foundation: How Catalonia Is Building a Global Animation Powerhouse
In 2023, Spanish animation stunned the world when 'Robot Dreams,' a melancholic tale of friendship and loss directed by Pablo Berger, earned an Oscar nomination. Though Berger hails from Madrid, the film was backed by the Barcelona-based Arcadia Motion Pictures, a detail that underscores a larger trend: Catalonia has quietly but steadily transformed into one of Europe's most exciting hubs for animation. Now, in 2025, the Catalan animation industry stands at a pivotal moment. With a wave of exciting new titles like 'Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake,' 'The Light of Aisha' and 'The Treasure of Barracuda,' and a robust ecosystem of institutions and talent behind them, this momentum no longer feels like a fluke; it feels like a movement. More from Variety Xilam and TF1 Team Up on Animated Series 'Turbo Twins' Ahead of Annecy, MIFA Dandelooo Cinéma Pre-Sells 'Born in the Jungle' to Several Key Territories (EXCLUSIVE) Australia's Pixel Zoo Animation Studios Launches L.A.-Based Original IP Unit Pixel Labs (EXCLUSIVE) Ahead of this year's Annecy Animation Festival, Variety spoke with the producers who are making waves in the region to better understand what's behind this creative boom and what challenges remain. Their insights reveal a sector rich in talent, grounded in community, and reaching for global influence. Public Support: The Cornerstone of Catalonia's Animation Boom Nearly everyone in the industry agrees: without consistent public investment, Catalan animation would not be where it is today. 'One of the key factors has been the strong public support for animated features from institutions like ICEC and ICAA,' says filmmaker and producer Alba Sotorra, referring to the Catalan government's film-TV agency and the Spanish film agency. She is currently developing the eco-fable 'Pink Punk Delta,' which will be presented at this year's MIFA Feature Pitches at Annecy. 'Their funding has made it possible for producers to take creative risks and develop ambitious projects'. Mikel Mas, producer of Annecy competition player 'Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake' – the first ever Catalan stop-motion feature – concurs. 'There's been a real push from the administration. ICEC, especially, has made a strong commitment to animation, both in series and feature films. That's what's made this moment possible.' This public investment isn't just symbolic. The creation of a dedicated animation funding line in 2017 allowed ICEC to finance hours of animated content each year, strengthening an industry that had once struggled to sustain itself. Education and Talent Development: A Pipeline of Excellence Talent has never been in short supply in Catalonia, but now, thanks to its educational infrastructure, it is more visible and employable than ever. Sotorra highlights the region's world-class institutions: 'Catalonia is home to some of the most respected schools in Spain and Europe, L'Idem, La Salle and master's programs at ESCAC and Pompeu Fabra. These schools are constantly training great professionals who feed directly into the local industry'. Marta Alonso, executive producer at Teidees and co-producer of the upcoming series 'Under the Sofa,' which the company will be sharing with distributors at this year's Annecy MIFA amrket, sees this as a core pillar of industry growth. 'There's always been talent, but now that talent is more visible because it's being nurtured. If we give people the opportunity to work and grow, the whole sector benefits'. Adding to this are grassroots institutions like Pepe School Land, which focuses on training with open-source software like Blender, lowering barriers to entry and encouraging diverse voices to join the field. International Co-Productions: A Strategic Imperative In today's global animation economy, few independent projects can be produced within a single territory. For Catalan producers, international co-productions are not only an advantage but a necessity. Peekaboo Animation's Iván Agenjo, who will be at this year's MIFA with his company's 2D series projects 'My Little Heroes,' 'WAW Resort' and 'BFFS!,' among other ambitious proposals, breaks it down: 'It's almost impossible to finance a project exclusively with funds from Catalonia or Spain. We always look for international partners, it's part of our DNA.' For Anna Shchur of Siesta Entertainment, whose current project 'Black Moth' is animated in Armenia with creative leadership in the U.S., this strategy is about quality and survival. 'Producing entirely in Catalonia is possible, but it's much more expensive. Co-producing gives us access to different markets, funding systems and talent pipelines.' Siesta will be showing off 'Black Moth' and its 2D kids' series 'Biggie and the Magic Bag' at this year's MIFA. However, co-production also comes with its own complexities. Alonso compares finding the right partner to 'finding the right person to marry… when it works, it's a miracle. When it doesn't, it's a nightmare.' Despite the challenges, these partnerships are crucial for accessing foreign markets. As Shchur notes, 'If you want to distribute in Canada or France, you often need to produce there. Co-production opens that door.' Grounded Storytelling with Global Appeal What truly sets Catalan films apart from the pack is not big-budget aesthetics or groundbreaking technological advances; it's a motivated base of talented and uniquely experienced artists using their craft to tell stories rooted in lived experience and featuring cultural authenticity. 'We have a creative mix that's very special here,' says Sotorra. 'Many animated films are made by directors who come from documentary or live-action backgrounds. They bring a different sensibility, grounded stories, emotional depth.' Mas sees this as a defining strength of 'Olivia,' which deals with childhood homelessness through stop-motion. 'The film speaks to a social issue, but in a way that's accessible to children. That balance, between the heavy and the hopeful, is what makes it powerful'. Agenjo notes that projects must walk a fine line: 'They can be rooted in local culture, but they have to resonate internationally. That's how we attract partners and distributors abroad.' Even commercial projects are incorporating more meaningful themes. Shchur's 'Black Moth' focuses on female empowerment and music as a means of identity-building. 'It's high-quality, and the narrative is strong,' she says. 'It's not just content, it's storytelling with purpose'. Distribution: The Lingering Weak Link For all its strengths, Catalan animation still faces significant hurdles in distribution, especially at home. 'It's actually harder to distribute in Spain than it is abroad,' Shchur admits. Alonso notes a discrepancy in support during and after production has wrapped: 'We need money not just to make the films, but to get them out into the world. Distribution is where we're lagging behind countries like France'. Mas adds that public broadcasters like RTVE and TV3 could be doing more: 'These are public institutions, they should be helping get culturally valuable films in front of more people. When a commercial film like 'Tadeo Jones' ('Tad the Lost Explorer') premieres, it's everywhere. Our films should get that kind of push, too.' There is hope, however. Initiatives like Eurimages and select E.U. distribution grants are beginning to make an impact. But as Mas argues, 'There's a double standard in animation. People expect us to get into Cannes and win awards, but also sell popcorn like Hollywood. We need to recognize both cultural and commercial success.' Looking Ahead With several major projects rolling out in 2025, including 'The Light of Aisha,' 'The Treasure of Barracuda,' and 'Hanna's Forgotten Christmas,' Catalan animation is poised to extend its winning streak. But sustaining this momentum will require more than creative excellence. It demands sustained public investment, better distribution strategies and a continued focus on international collaboration. 'If we maintain the key pillars: public funding, high-level education, international reach and authorial voice, Catalan animation can become a global reference for auteur animation,' says Sotorra. In short, Catalonia's animation industry isn't experiencing a bubble, but the laying of a foundation. And if nurtured properly, Catalonia may soon become one of the world's leading centers for animated storytelling. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Animated Program — Can Netflix Score Big With 'Arcane,' 'Devil May Cry' and the Final Season of 'Big Mouth?' What's Coming to Netflix in June 2025
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Guillermo del Toro-Backed El Taller del Chucho, Fasten Films, Martfilms Team on ‘Sira and the Secret of the Park,' From Adrià García, Ángeles Cruz (EXCLUSIVE)
Mexico's Guillermo del Toro backed El Taller del Chucho and Martfilms are partnering with Spain's Fasten Films on 'Sira and the Secret of the Park,' an animated feature in development from Goya-winning director Adrià García ('Nocturna') and Ariel-winning writer-director and actor Ángeles Cruz ('Nudo Mixteco'). Backed by ICEC, Creative Europe MEDIA and Ibermedia, the Spanish-Mexican co-production blends fantasy and coming-of-age genres in a visually ambitious project that explores identity, generational memory and ancestral myth. More from Variety Bread Zombies, Operatic Tapeworms, Nuclear Fallout and Storm Trooper Trauma Feature in our 10 Shorts Not to Miss at Annecy 2025 Anime-Inspired 'Miraculous' Spinoff 'Miraculous Stellar Force' Acquired by Disney With a 2025 Special and 2027 Series Launch Planned (EXCLUSIVE) 'Spidey and his Amazing Friends,' 'Dragon Striker' and 'Sam Witch' Headline Disney Branded TV's Annecy Slate (EXCLUSIVE) Set in a vast urban park in Barcelona, 'Sira and the Secret of the Park' follows a 12-year-old girl living in a modest home hidden among the trees. When she stumbles upon an enchanted necklace, Sira is pulled into a magical world that mirrors her emotional journey. As both realms begin to blur, she must navigate a path between them to restore a fragile balance only she can sense. 'In 'Sira,' the world of the park is almost a projection of the character's inner life,' García told Variety. 'It's not just about escaping into another world — it's about making that world meaningful, intertwined with who the character is and what they're going through.' To reflect that duality, the film will employ a hybrid animation approach. 'Sira's everyday world which feels rigid, structured and formal might be represented through stop-motion, giving it a solid, tangible weight,' García added. 'Meanwhile, the magical hideout in the park would be hand-drawn: organic, fluid, in constant motion. The collision of these two worlds will create a unique visual experience.' The screenplay is written by Cruz, whose work draws deeply from her Indigenous Mixtec heritage and personal mythology. 'The stories I've written are shaped by the perspective that forms me — not something recent, but inherited from my grandmothers, from the community I belong to, from the forest that nourished my spirit,' Cruz said. 'That's why I feel that 'Sira' also tells my story — those legends and tales that nourished me as a child, my nagual that protects me, and those things we must see with the soul.' García called Cruz's perspective 'essential' to the project. 'Her deeply human vision brings a sensitivity and a connection to the ancestral and the magical that we truly need,' he said. The film is based on an original idea by Spanish author Aixa de la Cruz. The prestige producer partnership takes in Adrià Monés Murlans ('The End of It') for Fasten Films, Claudia Calviño ('Yuli') for Cuba, Martha Orozco ('Pornomelancholia') for Martfilms and Angélica Lares (Guillermo del Toro's 'Pinocchio') for El Taller del Chucho. 'We see this as a producer-driven project,' said Lares. 'When Adrià Monés reached out to Martha Orozco with the idea, she directly contacted me to start building Sira's world. We want to tell a deeply touching coming-of-age story of a young person finding her path and diving into a rich otherworld filled with mythical creatures from our different cultures. That makes it a perfect fit for El Taller. Adding Ángeles Cruz also seemed natural to give Sira a voice. We're very excited to be working with her.' Currently in development, 'Sira and the Secret of the Park' is seeking additional international partners ahead of a targeted production launch. Best of Variety 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Animated Program — Can Netflix Score Big With 'Arcane,' 'Devil May Cry' and the Final Season of 'Big Mouth?'
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Quirino Awards' New Director Silvina Cornillón Charts a Bold Future for Ibero-American Animation
Silvina Cornillón, a well-known champion of Latin American animation, steps into her new role as director of the Quirino Awards with a clear mission: expand the event's reach and cement its position as a driving force for Ibero-American animation. 'This isn't just symbolic,' Cornillón told Variety of her appointment as the first Latin American director of the Quirino Awards, which will take place this weekend on the Spanish Canary Island of Tenerife. 'It's a commitment to ensuring diverse voices are represented and strengthening the bridge connecting all of Ibero-America.' More from Variety 'Buffalo Kids,' 'They Shot the Piano Player,' 'Black Butterflies' Lead 2025 Quirino Award Nominations Silvina Cornillón Takes the Helm at the Ibero-American Animation Quirino Awards Amid Record Submissions Spanish Animation Wins Big at the Quirino Awards With Gongs for 'Robot Dreams' 'Jasmine & Jambo,' 'Sultana's Dream' Cornillón took the reins in a transitional year, joining mid-cycle as the eighth edition of Quirino geared up for its annual gathering in Tenerife. Alongside the team, she's already steering big ideas, particularly the launch of the new Futures Lab, which she described as a 'collective intelligence project' designed to generate forward-looking strategies for the regional animation sector. 'Every year, we've built platforms for collaboration, but we realized the conversation often stayed between us,' she explained. 'With the Futures Lab, we want to think bigger. We're not just organizing meetings; we're committing the sector's key players to sit together, anticipate future scenarios, and transform ideas into concrete actions.' Backed by Spain's ICAA, the Futures Lab will bring together top industry names, public institutions, and policy thinkers to map out trends, tackle challenges like sustainability, explore the implications of AI, and deliver a strategic roadmap that can be presented at upcoming cultural summits. There are hopes this initiative will even feed into national policies across the region. Importantly, Cornillón is not blind to the anxieties surrounding new technologies. While acknowledging the fears, particularly around the integration of AI into production pipelines, she sees opportunity. 'Like any new technology, it creates uncertainty, even fear,' she admits. 'But if we can integrate AI smartly, it could offer smaller studios and independent creators the tools to make content more competitively and at lower cost.' This measured optimism echoes through Quirino as an intimate gathering attracting some global heavyweights such as Disney, Warner Bros., and Titmouse, all present at the event's Co-Production and Business Forum alongside local, independent producers and filmmakers. 'When international executives find projects with authentic perspectives, and when regional producers see how they can align their strategies, the entire ecosystem strengthens,' Cornillón said. 'It's not just about dealmaking; it's about real collaboration.' Cornillón's own track record includes years of advocacy both as assistant manager of animation at the National Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual Arts of Argentina (INCAA) and coordinating the revered Animation! section of Ventana Sur, but she's cognisant that true industry change requires more than just raising profiles; it's about shifting structures. She points to success stories like the Chile-Spain co-production 'Firsts,' which started life winning La Liga award in 2019 before being pitched at Annecy in 2020 and arrives at Quirino successfully completed and nominated in Best Series. 'These are the kinds of stories where you see that what we do at Quirino has a real, traceable impact on careers,' Cornillón said. 'It's a privilege to be part of that.' The Quirino team, led alongside longtime collaborators, including the current executive producer of the awards, José Luis Farias, has broad ambitions to secure long-term stability and expansion. 'There's so much possibility,' she said, reflecting on the team's plans for a multi-year strategy post-2025. 'We want to think beyond one edition to the next; we want to create a plan, a roadmap.' She also sees the uniqueness of Quirino as key to its strength: 'It's not Cannes; it's not Annecy. There's space here, space for connection, for reflection, for meaningful exchange between small players and big ones.' This style of leadership seems set to combine pragmatism with a utopian spirit, one she believes defines the animation world itself. 'Animation is an incredibly demanding craft,' she reflects. 'It takes love, discipline, and often this almost utopian desire to change the world. So when you can help make one of those dreams real, that's when everything makes sense.' Quirino's opens for its eighth edition with Cornillón and her team not just celebrating Ibero-American talent, but determined to shape its future. Best of Variety All the Godzilla Movies Ranked Final Oscar Predictions: International Feature – United Kingdom to Win Its First Statuette With 'The Zone of Interest' 'Game of Thrones' Filming Locations in Northern Ireland to Open as Tourist Attractions
