Exclusive: Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards, announced the 2023 Film Independent Forum, the preeminent conference for independent filmmakers and content creators.
This year’s edition of the annual event, beginning on Friday, September 29, 2023 at the Directors Guild of America Theatre in Los Angeles, will be held entirely in-person for the first time since 2019. The Forum will kick off with a screening of Billy Luther’s Frybread Face and Me, the new feature film from executive producer Taika Waititi, followed by a Q&a with writer/director and Film Independent Fellow Luther and a Filmmaker Keynote by writer/director and Film Independent Fellow Justin Simien the next day. The full program will take place over the course of two days, September 29–30, 2023, during which the inaugural Changemaker Award will be presented to three outstanding Film Independent Fellows: Smriti Mundhra...
This year’s edition of the annual event, beginning on Friday, September 29, 2023 at the Directors Guild of America Theatre in Los Angeles, will be held entirely in-person for the first time since 2019. The Forum will kick off with a screening of Billy Luther’s Frybread Face and Me, the new feature film from executive producer Taika Waititi, followed by a Q&a with writer/director and Film Independent Fellow Luther and a Filmmaker Keynote by writer/director and Film Independent Fellow Justin Simien the next day. The full program will take place over the course of two days, September 29–30, 2023, during which the inaugural Changemaker Award will be presented to three outstanding Film Independent Fellows: Smriti Mundhra...
- 8/18/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The Austin Film Festival has set producer Lauren Shuler Donner, writer-producer James V. Hart and filmmaker So Young Shelly Yo as honorees of its 30th edition, taking place from October 26 – November 2.
Donner will receive the Polly Platt Award for Producing, with Hart claiming the the Heart of Film Award and Shelly accepting the New Voice Award.
Introduced in 2019 as a means of honoring producers with a keen sense of story and a history of fostering new talent, the Producing prize has previously been bestowed upon Dede Garner, Stephanie Allain and Sarah Green.
Coming in recognition of Hart’s contributions to film and television, as well as his service to the screenwriting community, the Heart of Film Award has also since 2013 been bestowed on the likes of Enchanted producer Barry Josephson and Beverly Hills Cop scribe Daniel Petrie Jr.
Also established in 2019 was the New Voice Award, recognizing unique and captivating new voices in film,...
Donner will receive the Polly Platt Award for Producing, with Hart claiming the the Heart of Film Award and Shelly accepting the New Voice Award.
Introduced in 2019 as a means of honoring producers with a keen sense of story and a history of fostering new talent, the Producing prize has previously been bestowed upon Dede Garner, Stephanie Allain and Sarah Green.
Coming in recognition of Hart’s contributions to film and television, as well as his service to the screenwriting community, the Heart of Film Award has also since 2013 been bestowed on the likes of Enchanted producer Barry Josephson and Beverly Hills Cop scribe Daniel Petrie Jr.
Also established in 2019 was the New Voice Award, recognizing unique and captivating new voices in film,...
- 8/8/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
HollyShorts Film Festival, the Oscar-qualifying celebration of short films, has announced the jury lineup for its 2023 edition.
The 18-person jury includes Chiwetel Ejiofor (“12 Years a Slave”), Sam Worthington (“Avatar”), Zoey Deutch (“Not Okay”), Alexandra Shipp (“Barbie”), Josh Whitehouse (“Daisy Jones & the Six”), Christina Chong (“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds”), Nelu Handa (“Run the Burbs” showrunner) and Jaime Ray Newman (“Skin”). Variety international correspondent K.J. Yossman and Eric Kohn, executive editor and chief critic of IndieWire, will also serve on the jury.
Other industry professionals on the jury include Tom Berkeley and Ross White, whose film “An Irish Goodbye” won last year’s Oscar for best live-action short film; Aneil Kara, whose film “The Long Goodbye” won the Oscar in 2022; as well as short film Oscar nominees Pamela Ribon (“My Year of Dicks”) and Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby (“The Flying Sailor”). Two-time Oscar winner Joanna Quinn (“Affairs of...
The 18-person jury includes Chiwetel Ejiofor (“12 Years a Slave”), Sam Worthington (“Avatar”), Zoey Deutch (“Not Okay”), Alexandra Shipp (“Barbie”), Josh Whitehouse (“Daisy Jones & the Six”), Christina Chong (“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds”), Nelu Handa (“Run the Burbs” showrunner) and Jaime Ray Newman (“Skin”). Variety international correspondent K.J. Yossman and Eric Kohn, executive editor and chief critic of IndieWire, will also serve on the jury.
Other industry professionals on the jury include Tom Berkeley and Ross White, whose film “An Irish Goodbye” won last year’s Oscar for best live-action short film; Aneil Kara, whose film “The Long Goodbye” won the Oscar in 2022; as well as short film Oscar nominees Pamela Ribon (“My Year of Dicks”) and Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby (“The Flying Sailor”). Two-time Oscar winner Joanna Quinn (“Affairs of...
- 8/2/2023
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
After seven years of toil and trouble, a cancelation by Disney, and resurrection by Annapurna and Netflix, Nd Stevenson’s Nimona is finally ready to make a splash on the small screen. Nimona is a larger-than-life tale of identity, othering, acceptance, and finding ways to stand out in a world that fears what it does not understand. In the film, a knight in a futuristic, medieval world is framed for a crime he didn’t commit. The only one who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona — a mischievous teen who happens to be a shapeshifting creature he’s sworn to destroy. With brilliant animation from Dneg, Nimona leaps off the screen with style, vibrant colors, and attitude.
We had the pleasure of speaking with key members of the cast and crew, including Nimona creator Nd Stevenson, directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, and lead actors Chloë Grace Moretz...
We had the pleasure of speaking with key members of the cast and crew, including Nimona creator Nd Stevenson, directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, and lead actors Chloë Grace Moretz...
- 6/29/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Just four weeks ago, the Netflix streaming service unveiled a teaser trailer for the animated adventure film Nimona – and since we’re a little over two weeks from the film’s June 30th release date, it makes sense that a full trailer for the movie has now arrived online. You can check it out in the embed above.
Nimona had a bumpy ride on its way to Netflix. The project was scrapped by Blue Sky Studios when it was near completion, then canceled by Fox… but by the end of this month, it will finally be out in the world.
Inspired by Nd Stevenson‘s (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power) webcomic-turned-graphic novel, Nimona was directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane from a screenplay by Robert L. Baird and Lloyd Taylor. Here’s the synopsis: When Ballister Boldheart, a knight in a futuristic medieval world, is framed for a crime he didn’t commit,...
Nimona had a bumpy ride on its way to Netflix. The project was scrapped by Blue Sky Studios when it was near completion, then canceled by Fox… but by the end of this month, it will finally be out in the world.
Inspired by Nd Stevenson‘s (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power) webcomic-turned-graphic novel, Nimona was directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane from a screenplay by Robert L. Baird and Lloyd Taylor. Here’s the synopsis: When Ballister Boldheart, a knight in a futuristic medieval world, is framed for a crime he didn’t commit,...
- 6/14/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
The Film Independent Screenwriting Lab is 25 years old. Can you believe it? It’s officially old enough to rent a car! And sure, hardshell clams and giant tortoises can live for centuries, but you don’t reach the quarter-century mark as a Hollywood talent incubator without substance, value and tangible success.
But more than that, this year’s cohort of freshly announced Screenwriting Lab Fellows are special. Why? Because! We’re in the midst of celebrating #AD30, aka the 30th anniversary of Film Independent’s Artist Development programs. And like its elder sibling Project Involve (which got the whole ball of wax rolling in ‘93), the Screenwriting Lab has been an essential industry resource, whether your looking to develop your own skills or tap new talent.
“We’re thrilled to support this exceptional group of filmmakers, who bring compassion, authenticity and curiosity to their work exploring unique communities and characters,” says Dea Vazquez,...
But more than that, this year’s cohort of freshly announced Screenwriting Lab Fellows are special. Why? Because! We’re in the midst of celebrating #AD30, aka the 30th anniversary of Film Independent’s Artist Development programs. And like its elder sibling Project Involve (which got the whole ball of wax rolling in ‘93), the Screenwriting Lab has been an essential industry resource, whether your looking to develop your own skills or tap new talent.
“We’re thrilled to support this exceptional group of filmmakers, who bring compassion, authenticity and curiosity to their work exploring unique communities and characters,” says Dea Vazquez,...
- 4/26/2023
- by Matt Warren
- Film Independent News & More
Exclusive: Film Independent on Wednesday named the eight screenwriters set for the 25th edition of their Screenwriting Lab. The latest cohort of the intensive program, designed to provide individualized story and career development for screenwriters with fiction feature screenplays, includes Bri Brooks, Karina Dandashi, Thais Drassinower, Chloé Hung, Adam Meeks, Nat Moonhill, Veronica Moonhill and Richard Van.
Film Independent also today named Dandashi as the recipient of their latest Mpac Hollywood Bureau Writing Fellowship Grant, who will receive $10,000 in recognition of her script, Out of Water.
Over the course of the Lab, Fellows will workshop their projects under the guidance of creative advisors Andrew Ahn, Javier Fuentes-León, Jeff Stockwell and Robin Swicord. Additional guest speakers and advisors will include Ruth Atkinson, Angela Cheng Caplan, Kd Dávila, Greta Fuentes, Jordan Hart, Eliza Hittman, Ana Leocha, Ilyse McKimmie, Lauren Mann, Kiva Reardon, Pamela Ribon and Ellen Shanman.
“In our 30th year of...
Film Independent also today named Dandashi as the recipient of their latest Mpac Hollywood Bureau Writing Fellowship Grant, who will receive $10,000 in recognition of her script, Out of Water.
Over the course of the Lab, Fellows will workshop their projects under the guidance of creative advisors Andrew Ahn, Javier Fuentes-León, Jeff Stockwell and Robin Swicord. Additional guest speakers and advisors will include Ruth Atkinson, Angela Cheng Caplan, Kd Dávila, Greta Fuentes, Jordan Hart, Eliza Hittman, Ana Leocha, Ilyse McKimmie, Lauren Mann, Kiva Reardon, Pamela Ribon and Ellen Shanman.
“In our 30th year of...
- 4/26/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
An animated television series based on the digital collectible RPG game Momoguro is in development from Baobab Studios.
The independent interactive animation studio is working on the series in collaboration with Momoguro directors Martin Allias and Nico Casavecchia. While Baobab has not yet decided on a distributor, the Emmy-winning studio recently announced two upcoming projects with Disney+. With the streamer, Baobab is developing an animated anthology series titled “The Witchverse,” based on the short VR film “Baba Yaga” written by Eric Darnell, and a feline workplace comedy series called “Intercats,” created by Darnell and Pamela Ribon.
Baobab is also busy at work launching a new Roblox video game based on the Momoguro IP, which will land on the gaming platform this summer. According to its official description, Momoguro: Momo Quest is an “adventure game where you save Momo Island from the Singulars trying to snatch away its power crystals.”
The description continues,...
The independent interactive animation studio is working on the series in collaboration with Momoguro directors Martin Allias and Nico Casavecchia. While Baobab has not yet decided on a distributor, the Emmy-winning studio recently announced two upcoming projects with Disney+. With the streamer, Baobab is developing an animated anthology series titled “The Witchverse,” based on the short VR film “Baba Yaga” written by Eric Darnell, and a feline workplace comedy series called “Intercats,” created by Darnell and Pamela Ribon.
Baobab is also busy at work launching a new Roblox video game based on the Momoguro IP, which will land on the gaming platform this summer. According to its official description, Momoguro: Momo Quest is an “adventure game where you save Momo Island from the Singulars trying to snatch away its power crystals.”
The description continues,...
- 4/13/2023
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
Disney is setting sail with Moana once again, this time in vibrant live action. The studio has teamed with Dwayne Johnson to develop a live-action remake of its 2016 animated musical sensation.
Johnson plans to return to the role of Maui, the grandiose demigod of the wind and sea. He will produce via his Seven Bucks Productions along with Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia. Beau Flynn produces via Flynn Picture Co. Jared Bush, who wrote the screenplay for the original movie, is back to write the remake, along with Dana Ledoux Miller. No director is involved at this stage of development.
Disney CEO Bob Iger and Johnson shared the news during Disney’s annual shareholders meeting Monday.
“This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength,” said Johnson. “I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this...
Johnson plans to return to the role of Maui, the grandiose demigod of the wind and sea. He will produce via his Seven Bucks Productions along with Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia. Beau Flynn produces via Flynn Picture Co. Jared Bush, who wrote the screenplay for the original movie, is back to write the remake, along with Dana Ledoux Miller. No director is involved at this stage of development.
Disney CEO Bob Iger and Johnson shared the news during Disney’s annual shareholders meeting Monday.
“This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength,” said Johnson. “I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this...
- 4/3/2023
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Wif kicked off Oscar weekend with its highly-anticipated cocktail party presented by sponsors Johnnie Walker, Max Mara, and Mercedes-Benz.
Malala Yousafzai attends the 16th Annual Wif Oscar® Party Presented By Johnnie Walker, Max Mara, And Mercedes-Benz
Credit/Copyright: Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Wif
The party honored all 65 women, in front of and behind the camera, who have been nominated for an Academy Award this year, and is the only event throughout awards season that celebrates all the women nominated for Oscars. Since 2007, the annual event has celebrated the belief that collaboration between women, behind and in front of the camera, is the best way to ensure more films are made by and for women. Co-hosted by Oscar-winning producer and Wif Board President Emerita Cathy Schulman, Oscar-winning actor Marlee Matlin and director and Oscar®-winning screenwriter Siân Heder, the event was held at NeueHouse Hollywood.
Nominated attendees included Anne Alvergue,...
Malala Yousafzai attends the 16th Annual Wif Oscar® Party Presented By Johnnie Walker, Max Mara, And Mercedes-Benz
Credit/Copyright: Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Wif
The party honored all 65 women, in front of and behind the camera, who have been nominated for an Academy Award this year, and is the only event throughout awards season that celebrates all the women nominated for Oscars. Since 2007, the annual event has celebrated the belief that collaboration between women, behind and in front of the camera, is the best way to ensure more films are made by and for women. Co-hosted by Oscar-winning producer and Wif Board President Emerita Cathy Schulman, Oscar-winning actor Marlee Matlin and director and Oscar®-winning screenwriter Siân Heder, the event was held at NeueHouse Hollywood.
Nominated attendees included Anne Alvergue,...
- 3/15/2023
- Look to the Stars
Apple took home its first animated short Oscar for “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse,” a magical fable featuring a star-studded voice cast and luxurious hand-drawn animation.
The film won at the 95th Academy Awards over the category’s other nominees: Pamela Ribon and Sara Gunnarsdóttir’s buzzy “My Year of Dicks”; “The Flying Sailor” from Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby; “Ice Merchants” from João Gonzalez and Bruno Caetano; and Lachlan Pendragon’s “An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It.”
“The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” is based on the book of the same name by British artist and author Charlie Mackesy. Apple Original Films acquired the film last year and it debuted on Apple TV+ on Christmas Day 2022. The film was presented in partnership with the BBC, which made it available on broadcast and streaming in the U.
The film won at the 95th Academy Awards over the category’s other nominees: Pamela Ribon and Sara Gunnarsdóttir’s buzzy “My Year of Dicks”; “The Flying Sailor” from Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby; “Ice Merchants” from João Gonzalez and Bruno Caetano; and Lachlan Pendragon’s “An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It.”
“The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” is based on the book of the same name by British artist and author Charlie Mackesy. Apple Original Films acquired the film last year and it debuted on Apple TV+ on Christmas Day 2022. The film was presented in partnership with the BBC, which made it available on broadcast and streaming in the U.
- 3/13/2023
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
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We will update all our Oscar predictions throughout the season, so keep checking IndieWire for the latest news from the 2023 Oscar race. The nomination round of voting will take place from January 12 to January 17, 2023, with the official Oscar nominations announced on January 24, 2023. The final voting is between March 2 and 7, 2023. Finally, the 95th Oscars telecast will be broadcast on Sunday, March 12 and air live on ABC at 8:00 p.m. Et/ 5:00 p.m. Pt.
See our initial thoughts for what to expect at the 95th Academy Awards here.
The State of the Race
The exquisitely hand-drawn short, “The Boy, the Mole, The Fox and the Horse,” solidified its standing as the Oscar frontrunner with its four Annie wins February 25 at UCLA’s Royce Hall. This followed its BAFTA prize for Best British Animated Short on February 19. The tender tribute to the virtues of kindness from British illustrator Charlie Mackesy took earned Best Special Production,...
We will update all our Oscar predictions throughout the season, so keep checking IndieWire for the latest news from the 2023 Oscar race. The nomination round of voting will take place from January 12 to January 17, 2023, with the official Oscar nominations announced on January 24, 2023. The final voting is between March 2 and 7, 2023. Finally, the 95th Oscars telecast will be broadcast on Sunday, March 12 and air live on ABC at 8:00 p.m. Et/ 5:00 p.m. Pt.
See our initial thoughts for what to expect at the 95th Academy Awards here.
The State of the Race
The exquisitely hand-drawn short, “The Boy, the Mole, The Fox and the Horse,” solidified its standing as the Oscar frontrunner with its four Annie wins February 25 at UCLA’s Royce Hall. This followed its BAFTA prize for Best British Animated Short on February 19. The tender tribute to the virtues of kindness from British illustrator Charlie Mackesy took earned Best Special Production,...
- 3/3/2023
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
When Chris Williams started developing “The Sea Beast,” he knew he wanted to explore several themes and that one of them would be how the way that history is taught can affect how we act in the present. “I talked about the fact that I wanted to really examine this idea of a cycle of aggression and a cycle of violence and how it can perpetuate itself and how difficult it can be to break away from it,” he tells Gold Derby during our recent webchat (watch the exclusive video interview above).
He continued to pursue this theme because of the events that he saw happening around him and how that affected people’s view of the world. “There are times where there are powerful interests that will create narratives that can pit us against ourselves for their own gain. That felt more specific and more potent.”
See dozens of...
He continued to pursue this theme because of the events that he saw happening around him and how that affected people’s view of the world. “There are times where there are powerful interests that will create narratives that can pit us against ourselves for their own gain. That felt more specific and more potent.”
See dozens of...
- 3/1/2023
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
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We will update all our Oscar predictions throughout the season, so keep checking IndieWire for the latest news from the 2023 Oscars race. The nomination round of voting will take place from January 12 to January 17, 2023, with the official Oscars nominations announced on January 24, 2023. The final voting is between March 2 and 7, 2023. Finally, the 95th Oscars telecast will be broadcast on Sunday, March 12, and air live on ABC at 8 p.m. Et/ 5 p.m. Pt.
See our initial thoughts on what to expect at the 95th Academy Awards here.
The State of the Race
The exquisitely hand-drawn short, “The Boy, the Mole, The Fox and the Horse,” solidified its standing as the Oscar frontrunner with its four Annie wins February 25 at UCLA’s Royce Hall. This followed its BAFTA prize for Best British Animated Short on February 19. The tender tribute to the virtues of kindness from British illustrator Charlie Mackesy earned Best Special Production,...
We will update all our Oscar predictions throughout the season, so keep checking IndieWire for the latest news from the 2023 Oscars race. The nomination round of voting will take place from January 12 to January 17, 2023, with the official Oscars nominations announced on January 24, 2023. The final voting is between March 2 and 7, 2023. Finally, the 95th Oscars telecast will be broadcast on Sunday, March 12, and air live on ABC at 8 p.m. Et/ 5 p.m. Pt.
See our initial thoughts on what to expect at the 95th Academy Awards here.
The State of the Race
The exquisitely hand-drawn short, “The Boy, the Mole, The Fox and the Horse,” solidified its standing as the Oscar frontrunner with its four Annie wins February 25 at UCLA’s Royce Hall. This followed its BAFTA prize for Best British Animated Short on February 19. The tender tribute to the virtues of kindness from British illustrator Charlie Mackesy earned Best Special Production,...
- 3/1/2023
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
In December 1917, two ships collided in Halifax Harbor, triggering the biggest non-nuclear explosion ever caused by human beings. One vessel was a French cargo ship, packed to the gills with explosives. The other was a Norwegian merchant steamship sailing empty to pick up WWI relief supplies in New York. When the ships bumped into each other, the blast triggered a tsunami and wiped out nearly all structures in a two-mile radius. Some 9,000 people were injured and 1,782 died.
Amid the devastation, one sailor survived with an extraordinary story to tell. After being thrown into the air and traveling 1.2 miles, Charles Mayers landed, naked and alive. The story so fascinated Canadian filmmakers Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby that they decided to make it the premise of their latest work, “The Flying Sailor,” which was nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Short. “It’s such an unbelievable tale,” Forbis said. “And we thought: Well,...
Amid the devastation, one sailor survived with an extraordinary story to tell. After being thrown into the air and traveling 1.2 miles, Charles Mayers landed, naked and alive. The story so fascinated Canadian filmmakers Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby that they decided to make it the premise of their latest work, “The Flying Sailor,” which was nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Short. “It’s such an unbelievable tale,” Forbis said. “And we thought: Well,...
- 2/27/2023
- by Missy Schwartz
- The Wrap
Depending on your definition of “vulgar,” “My Year of Dicks” could be the first film with that type of word in its title to be nominated for an Oscar. (Up for debate: “Sausage Party” and “Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa.”) It’s a badge of honor, but Sara Gunnarsdóttir, the Icelandic filmmaker who directed the animated short about a teenage girl’s quest to lose her virginity in 1990, doesn’t understand why it’s such a big deal.
“This is such a weird word for me,” Gunnarsdóttir said during a recent interview with TheWrap. “I have the same feelings about the word ‘s—‘ because I’m like, it’s poop. We can say ‘poop.’ Why can’t we say ‘s—‘? ‘Dicks’ — like, why is this a bad word? There’s Dick’s Sporting Goods. I don’t get it.”
At the mention of the sports equipment company, Pamela Ribon, who adapted...
“This is such a weird word for me,” Gunnarsdóttir said during a recent interview with TheWrap. “I have the same feelings about the word ‘s—‘ because I’m like, it’s poop. We can say ‘poop.’ Why can’t we say ‘s—‘? ‘Dicks’ — like, why is this a bad word? There’s Dick’s Sporting Goods. I don’t get it.”
At the mention of the sports equipment company, Pamela Ribon, who adapted...
- 2/24/2023
- by Missy Schwartz
- The Wrap
The moving Oscar-nominated animated short The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, based on the illustrated book of the same name by British artist Charlie Mackesy, wasn’t initially planned as a published work or a film but rather began as a series of drawings in early 2018 that he posted on his Instagram account (now with a 1.7 million following), featuring the four titular characters and their musings about kindness, hope, friendship and courage.
For instance, in one drawing on Instagram — which is also featured in the short — the boy asks, “What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever said?” The horse replies, “Help.” Mackesy began to post more of his drawings and was moved by the response. “Everyone was discussing their feelings and what was difficult and what they hoped for,” the director tells THR.
This led to the publication of the book in 2019, followed by production of...
For instance, in one drawing on Instagram — which is also featured in the short — the boy asks, “What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever said?” The horse replies, “Help.” Mackesy began to post more of his drawings and was moved by the response. “Everyone was discussing their feelings and what was difficult and what they hoped for,” the director tells THR.
This led to the publication of the book in 2019, followed by production of...
- 2/24/2023
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Hulu has reached an agreement to stream the 2022 Oscar-nominated animated short film “My Year of Dicks” beginning Friday.
Based on Pamela Ribon’s comedic memoir, the FX Productions short follows Pam, whose desperation to lose her virginity leads her to a familiar slate of teen boys — from skater boys to indie film snobs — many of whom shatter her grandiose sexual fantasies with a taste of brutal reality. Set in 1991, “My Year of Dicks” centers a female-centric coming-of-age experience as Pam confides in her best friends along her journey of sexual awakening.
Notable cast members include Brie Tilton, Jackson Kelly, Klarissa Hernandez, Laura House and Chris Kelman.
Executive producers for the short include Ribon, Sara Gunnarsdóttir and Jeanette Jeanenne.
“My Year of Dicks” marked FX Productions first-ever Oscar nomination. In addition to the short, FX Productions has produced acclaimed series including “Archer,” “The Bear,” “Dave,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “Reservation Dogs,...
Based on Pamela Ribon’s comedic memoir, the FX Productions short follows Pam, whose desperation to lose her virginity leads her to a familiar slate of teen boys — from skater boys to indie film snobs — many of whom shatter her grandiose sexual fantasies with a taste of brutal reality. Set in 1991, “My Year of Dicks” centers a female-centric coming-of-age experience as Pam confides in her best friends along her journey of sexual awakening.
Notable cast members include Brie Tilton, Jackson Kelly, Klarissa Hernandez, Laura House and Chris Kelman.
Executive producers for the short include Ribon, Sara Gunnarsdóttir and Jeanette Jeanenne.
“My Year of Dicks” marked FX Productions first-ever Oscar nomination. In addition to the short, FX Productions has produced acclaimed series including “Archer,” “The Bear,” “Dave,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “Reservation Dogs,...
- 2/15/2023
- by Loree Seitz
- The Wrap
“My Year of Dicks” is headed to Hulu on Feb. 17.
The short film that tickled many at the 2023 Oscar nominations as Riz Ahmed read (and giggled at) its title hails from FX Productions. It was initially produced as a part of the Fxx animated anthology series “Cake” before the company encouraged writer Pamela Ribon and her team to take it on the film festival circuit, where it picked up enough awards and attention to land a nod for best animated short.
Based on Ribon’s memoir “Notes to Boys (And Other Things I Shouldn’t Share in Public),” “My Year of Dicks” is a romantic comedy set in 1991. Pam is trying very hard to lose her virginity, but it doesn’t match up to her fantasies. While searching for her ultimate partner and going through puberty, she meets up with goths, skaters, indie film snobs and straight edge posers and...
The short film that tickled many at the 2023 Oscar nominations as Riz Ahmed read (and giggled at) its title hails from FX Productions. It was initially produced as a part of the Fxx animated anthology series “Cake” before the company encouraged writer Pamela Ribon and her team to take it on the film festival circuit, where it picked up enough awards and attention to land a nod for best animated short.
Based on Ribon’s memoir “Notes to Boys (And Other Things I Shouldn’t Share in Public),” “My Year of Dicks” is a romantic comedy set in 1991. Pam is trying very hard to lose her virginity, but it doesn’t match up to her fantasies. While searching for her ultimate partner and going through puberty, she meets up with goths, skaters, indie film snobs and straight edge posers and...
- 2/15/2023
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
In a deal between corporate siblings Hulu and FX Productions, the studio’s Oscar-nominated animated short film My Year of Dicks will be available for streaming beginning Friday, February 17 on the streaming service. The move will give the short increased visibility well ahead of final Oscar voting which begins on March 2 and runs through March 7.
My Year of Dicks, based on a chapter of Pamela Ribon’s memoir Notes to Boys (And Other Things I Shouldn’t Share in Public), follows a 15-year-old Pam on a comedic journey to find the right boy to lose her virginity to. The short is split into five chapters, each following the story of a different crush with a different style of animation.
Per the logline: “It’s 1991 and Pam is trying very hard to lose her virginity, but it sure doesn’t match up to her fantasies. Always searching for her ultimate paramour,...
My Year of Dicks, based on a chapter of Pamela Ribon’s memoir Notes to Boys (And Other Things I Shouldn’t Share in Public), follows a 15-year-old Pam on a comedic journey to find the right boy to lose her virginity to. The short is split into five chapters, each following the story of a different crush with a different style of animation.
Per the logline: “It’s 1991 and Pam is trying very hard to lose her virginity, but it sure doesn’t match up to her fantasies. Always searching for her ultimate paramour,...
- 2/15/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
When Pamela Ribon set out to adapt her memoir into an animated short, producer Jeanette Jeanenne suggested director Sara Gunnarsdóttir to direct. This collaboration led to a comedic animated short that won awards at multiple festivals before finally receiving an Oscar nomination. My Year of Dicks, based on a chapter of Ribon’s memoir Notes to Boys: And Other Things I Shouldn’t Share in Public, follows a 15-year-old Pam on a comedic journey to find the right boy to lose her virginity to. The animated short is split into five chapters, each following the story of a different crush with a different style of animation.
Deadline: How did this short come about? When did you decide to make an animated short based on your memoir?
Pamela Ribon: The idea for the short came about from FX networks, when we had been talking about what I could try in the animation pipeline.
Deadline: How did this short come about? When did you decide to make an animated short based on your memoir?
Pamela Ribon: The idea for the short came about from FX networks, when we had been talking about what I could try in the animation pipeline.
- 2/14/2023
- by Ryan Fleming
- Deadline Film + TV
While this year’s Oscars are finally back on a regular schedule, and the 2023 Nominees Luncheon was back at the Beverly Hilton after a hiatus that even predated the pandemic, certain changes still abound.
In her welcome speech, newly-elected President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Janet Yang congratulated the 182 of this year’s nominees in attendance, and said, “I feel it’s important to take this rare opportunity while we’re gathered here together to address some of the Academy’s recent challenges. Last year, as I’m sure you all remember, we experienced an unprecedented event at the Oscars. What happened on stage was unacceptable, and the response from the organization was inadequate.”
Yang continued, “We learned from this that the Academy must be fully transparent and accountable in our actions, and particularly insist on acting quickly, compassionately, and decisively, for ourselves and for our industry,...
In her welcome speech, newly-elected President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Janet Yang congratulated the 182 of this year’s nominees in attendance, and said, “I feel it’s important to take this rare opportunity while we’re gathered here together to address some of the Academy’s recent challenges. Last year, as I’m sure you all remember, we experienced an unprecedented event at the Oscars. What happened on stage was unacceptable, and the response from the organization was inadequate.”
Yang continued, “We learned from this that the Academy must be fully transparent and accountable in our actions, and particularly insist on acting quickly, compassionately, and decisively, for ourselves and for our industry,...
- 2/14/2023
- by Marcus Jones
- Indiewire
In 1991, then 15-year-old Pamela Ribon set out to lose her virginity. Now the story of her quest is in the running for Best Animated Short at the Oscars. It’s not something she expected, either back then or when the film was being made, and she has made no secret of her delight at the giggles which always follow its title being announced. On top of the language issue, there’s an air of confusion amongst some people as to why the scribblings of an awkward teenage girl are getting this kind of platform. One might easily turn that question around. Why have we heard voices like hers so little in the past? Why should they be valued any less than other people’s?
Perhaps the reality of a 15-year-old girl is too much for those who prefer the illusion. Our heroine is not some wide-eyed ingenue possessed of effortless style who turns.
Perhaps the reality of a 15-year-old girl is too much for those who prefer the illusion. Our heroine is not some wide-eyed ingenue possessed of effortless style who turns.
- 1/30/2023
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
We now have our five nominees for Best Animated Short at the 2023 Oscars. While these pieces may not be as widely seen, we here at Gold Derby want to make sure you have the most information on them as you make your predictions. In that spirit, we are listing what each nominee is about as well as where you can watch some of them right now. Be sure to bookmark this page as it will be updated as more places to screen the nominees becomes available. Make sure to log your predictions in all 23 categories in our Oscar predictions center which is live now.
As a refresher, the last four winners of this category were “The Windshield Wiper” (2021), “If Anything Happens I Love You” (2020), “Hair Love” (2019) and “Bao” (2018).
See 2023 Oscar nominations: Full list of nominees in all 23 categories
Best Animated Short Oscar 2023: Where to watch the nominees
“The Boy,...
As a refresher, the last four winners of this category were “The Windshield Wiper” (2021), “If Anything Happens I Love You” (2020), “Hair Love” (2019) and “Bao” (2018).
See 2023 Oscar nominations: Full list of nominees in all 23 categories
Best Animated Short Oscar 2023: Where to watch the nominees
“The Boy,...
- 1/26/2023
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
Now that the nominations for the 95th Annual Academy Awards have been released, Oscar season is in full effect. While most awards coverage usually revolves around the top honors, it's critical to remember that categories like Best Animated Short often don't get as much chatter, which is a shame given everything that happened last year. In a truly baffling move to cut down the runtime of the ceremony, the Academy pre-taped the award, along with 7 other categories, earlier in the day and then presented edited clips of the acceptance speeches.
The kicker is that in doing this, it did absolutely nothing to shorten the program, as the ceremony ran nearly 20 minutes longer. Thankfully, this year will see the previously shafted categories presented in full during the live ceremony, especially after a wave of criticism for the boneheaded move. The fresh batch of nominees for Best Animated Short include "The Boy,...
The kicker is that in doing this, it did absolutely nothing to shorten the program, as the ceremony ran nearly 20 minutes longer. Thankfully, this year will see the previously shafted categories presented in full during the live ceremony, especially after a wave of criticism for the boneheaded move. The fresh batch of nominees for Best Animated Short include "The Boy,...
- 1/25/2023
- by Matthew Bilodeau
- Slash Film
"Because everybody has one." Yep. One surprise Oscar nominee announced yesterday was a short film with a provocative title - My Year of Dicks. This animated short premiered at the 2022 SXSW Film Festival last year, won the Cristal Award at Annecy in the summer, and is now online for everyone to watch. It's one of the five shorts nominated at the 2022 Academy Awards in the Best Animated Short Film category. If you want to give it a look, watch below. Directed by Sara Gunnarsdóttir, the film is written by and based on the memoir of Pamela Ribon, telling stories about her time as a teen in 1991 - the year she tried to lose her virginity by chasing a number of different boys. Pam tries very hard to lose her virginity and always searches for "the one". She's not alone, her best friends are with her. The voice cast includes Brie Tilton,...
- 1/25/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Roughly five minutes into the presentation of the nominees for the 95th Academy Awards, Riz Ahmed announced the category for animated short film. When he read the fourth nominee, its title was so unexpected — “My Year of Dicks” — that Ahmed and co-presenter Allison Williams had to pause their presentation as the audience at the Academy’s headquarters in Beverly Hills worked through their giggles.
Elsewhere in Los Angeles, Pamela Ribon, the film’s creator and writer — who based the short on her memoir “Notes to Boys (and Other Things I Shouldn’t Share in Public)” — was celebrating the nomination with her mother, husband and child. By that point, “My Year of Dicks” had played at several film festivals, including its premiere at SXSW, and Ribon had grown to enjoy the effect her film’s title has had on unsuspecting audiences.
“I enjoy this collection of people I admire saying ‘My...
Elsewhere in Los Angeles, Pamela Ribon, the film’s creator and writer — who based the short on her memoir “Notes to Boys (and Other Things I Shouldn’t Share in Public)” — was celebrating the nomination with her mother, husband and child. By that point, “My Year of Dicks” had played at several film festivals, including its premiere at SXSW, and Ribon had grown to enjoy the effect her film’s title has had on unsuspecting audiences.
“I enjoy this collection of people I admire saying ‘My...
- 1/25/2023
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety Film + TV
The nominations for the upcoming 95th edition of Academy Awards were announced on Tuesday by hosts Riz Ahmed and Allison Williams, with ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ leading the pack with as many as nine nominations.
The Colin Farrell-starrer film got nominated in the following categories — Best Supporting Actor (two nominations), Best Supporting Actress, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Original Score, Best Picture, Best Editing and Best Original Screenplay.
India too received three nominations for Best Original Song (‘Naatu Naatu’ from ‘Rrr’), Best Documentary Feature Film (‘All That Breathes’), and Best Documentary Short Film (‘The Elephant Whisperers’).
‘The Fabelmans’ received seven nominations followed by ‘Tar’ and ‘TopGun: Maverick’ (six each), ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ (five), ‘Avatar’ (four), and ‘The Whale’ (three).
Competing for the best picture are ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’, ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’, ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’, ‘Elvis’, ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’, ‘The Fabelmans...
The Colin Farrell-starrer film got nominated in the following categories — Best Supporting Actor (two nominations), Best Supporting Actress, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Original Score, Best Picture, Best Editing and Best Original Screenplay.
India too received three nominations for Best Original Song (‘Naatu Naatu’ from ‘Rrr’), Best Documentary Feature Film (‘All That Breathes’), and Best Documentary Short Film (‘The Elephant Whisperers’).
‘The Fabelmans’ received seven nominations followed by ‘Tar’ and ‘TopGun: Maverick’ (six each), ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ (five), ‘Avatar’ (four), and ‘The Whale’ (three).
Competing for the best picture are ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’, ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’, ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’, ‘Elvis’, ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’, ‘The Fabelmans...
- 1/24/2023
- by News Bureau
- GlamSham
Allison Williams and Riz Ahmed did an admirable job of pronouncing names and film titles at Tuesday morning’s Academy Award nominations telecast, but there’s usually one moment in the annual list reading that gets people talking.
This year, that would be “My Year of Dicks,” the Sara Gunnarsdottir short that nabbed a best animated short nod from the film academy. Immediately after announcing the title, Ahmed giggled. It was a moment of levity reminiscent of the infamous 2014 gaffe when former Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs read best cinematography nominee Dick Pope’s name as “Dick Poop.”
But “My Year of Dicks” is supposed to make one cringe, as director Gunnarsdottir weaves a beautiful and dreamlike tale of a young girl on a mission to lose her virginity in the early ‘90s. Told in five chapters, the film is adapted from the memoir “Notes to Boys: And Other Things...
This year, that would be “My Year of Dicks,” the Sara Gunnarsdottir short that nabbed a best animated short nod from the film academy. Immediately after announcing the title, Ahmed giggled. It was a moment of levity reminiscent of the infamous 2014 gaffe when former Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs read best cinematography nominee Dick Pope’s name as “Dick Poop.”
But “My Year of Dicks” is supposed to make one cringe, as director Gunnarsdottir weaves a beautiful and dreamlike tale of a young girl on a mission to lose her virginity in the early ‘90s. Told in five chapters, the film is adapted from the memoir “Notes to Boys: And Other Things...
- 1/24/2023
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Riz Ahmed struggled to contain his laughter while reading out an X-rated film title during the 2023 Academy Award nominations ceremony.
On Tuesday (24 January), the nominations for the Oscars ceremony were announced. You can read the full list of nominees here.
The nominees were presented by Riz Ahmed and Alison Williams, with the Animated Short Film category.
Among the nominees was My Year of Dicks, an animated film created by Pamela Ribon and directed by Sara Gunnarsdóttir.
The Sound of Metal star Ahmed had to take a breather after saying the film’s name, with the audience heard laughing along.
Ahmed then got a second laugh for the short film An Ostrich Told Me the World is Fake and I Think I Believe It, while his co-host could also be heard giggling.
Also nominated in the category were The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse, The Flying Sailor and Ice Merchants.
On Tuesday (24 January), the nominations for the Oscars ceremony were announced. You can read the full list of nominees here.
The nominees were presented by Riz Ahmed and Alison Williams, with the Animated Short Film category.
Among the nominees was My Year of Dicks, an animated film created by Pamela Ribon and directed by Sara Gunnarsdóttir.
The Sound of Metal star Ahmed had to take a breather after saying the film’s name, with the audience heard laughing along.
Ahmed then got a second laugh for the short film An Ostrich Told Me the World is Fake and I Think I Believe It, while his co-host could also be heard giggling.
Also nominated in the category were The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse, The Flying Sailor and Ice Merchants.
- 1/24/2023
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - Film
Icelandic Director Sara Gunnarsdóttir’s new animation My Year of Dicks is an adaptation of a chapter from Pamela Ribon’s memoir Notes To Boys (And Other Things I Shouldn’t Share In Public). It’s about a fifteen year old version of Ribon going through a burgeoning sexual awakening and the desire to lose her virginity despite the slim pickings on offer in her neighbourhood on the outskirts of Houston in the early 90s. Taking a multi-faceted style, Gunnarsdóttir enlisted the talent of a cadre of animators to bring her vision to life and paint Ribon in the varied, all-encompassing light that is reflected in the memoir. Dn spoke with Gunnarsdóttir as My Year of Dicks arrives online, in the wake of it being shortlisted for this year’s Oscars, to discuss the method she took to select her animators, the perks of collaborating with everyone remotely, and the...
- 1/23/2023
- by James Maitre
- Directors Notes
Of all the categories at the Oscars, the three that are probably the most difficult to predict year after year are the short film categories. Not just the winners, but the nominees, too. But Derbyites, you need not fear as we are here to help you! With the shortlist for these categories having just been announced on December 21, we are giving you the best chances possible to make the correct selections in our predictions center for the Best Animated Short Film race.
Don’t forget, the four most recent Oscar victors in the Best Animated Short Film category were “The Windshield Wiper” (2021), “If Anything Happens I Love You” (2020), “Hair Love” (2019) and “Bao” (2018). What will join the list this year? Read on to see the all-important details on the 15 finalists for Best Animated Short Film at the 2023 Oscars.
See 2023 Oscars shortlists in 10 categories: Documentary Feature, International Feature Film …
“Black Slide” – A...
Don’t forget, the four most recent Oscar victors in the Best Animated Short Film category were “The Windshield Wiper” (2021), “If Anything Happens I Love You” (2020), “Hair Love” (2019) and “Bao” (2018). What will join the list this year? Read on to see the all-important details on the 15 finalists for Best Animated Short Film at the 2023 Oscars.
See 2023 Oscars shortlists in 10 categories: Documentary Feature, International Feature Film …
“Black Slide” – A...
- 12/22/2022
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
There are plenty of dicks in Annecy Cristal winner “My Year of Dicks,” but very few literal penises. The hilarious and sweetly touching animated short film with a story told in five chapters follows 15-year-old Pam’s determined quest to lose her virginity in the 1990s in a small town in Texas. Her kaleidoscopic journey populated with a cast of unsavory characters echoes coming-of-age movies like “Dazed and Confused” and “Superbad.”
Deftly written by author and screenwriter Pamela Ribon and directed by Icelandic filmmaker, artist, and animator Sara Gunnarsdóttir, the 26-minute “My Year of Dicks” is adapted from Ribon’s memoir, “Notes to Boys (And Other Things I Shouldn’t Share in Public).”
The short began to take shape shortly after “Notes to Boys” was published, in a meeting between the writer and FX Networks. “And once we started talking about being able to take these letters into fantasy realms,...
Deftly written by author and screenwriter Pamela Ribon and directed by Icelandic filmmaker, artist, and animator Sara Gunnarsdóttir, the 26-minute “My Year of Dicks” is adapted from Ribon’s memoir, “Notes to Boys (And Other Things I Shouldn’t Share in Public).”
The short began to take shape shortly after “Notes to Boys” was published, in a meeting between the writer and FX Networks. “And once we started talking about being able to take these letters into fantasy realms,...
- 12/12/2022
- by Jennifer Wolfe
- Indiewire
Screenwriter Pamela Ribon has entered into a first look-agreement with Disney Television Animation.
The first project under the deal from Ribon — who wrote Disney’s “Ralph Breaks the Internet” and “Moana” and Sony Animation Studio’s “Smurfs: The Lost Village” — with Disney Branded Television and multiple Emmy Award-winning Baobab Studios is the animated sitcom “Intercats.”
Told through the big reflective eyes of cats, “Intercats” is a four-quadrant animated workplace comedy about the felines who produce viral videos on the Internet. It follows a ragtag team of cats aspiring for independence, who must navigate internal relationships and build upon their success as the premiere studio for viral cat videos.
Also Read:
‘Wall-e’ Director Andrew Stanton Explains How Pixar’s Sci-Fi Darling Joined the Criterion Collection
“We’re fortunate to be partnering with Baobab for a second time and to be working with Pam whose smart, sly, sophisticated and inspiring humor ensures...
The first project under the deal from Ribon — who wrote Disney’s “Ralph Breaks the Internet” and “Moana” and Sony Animation Studio’s “Smurfs: The Lost Village” — with Disney Branded Television and multiple Emmy Award-winning Baobab Studios is the animated sitcom “Intercats.”
Told through the big reflective eyes of cats, “Intercats” is a four-quadrant animated workplace comedy about the felines who produce viral videos on the Internet. It follows a ragtag team of cats aspiring for independence, who must navigate internal relationships and build upon their success as the premiere studio for viral cat videos.
Also Read:
‘Wall-e’ Director Andrew Stanton Explains How Pixar’s Sci-Fi Darling Joined the Criterion Collection
“We’re fortunate to be partnering with Baobab for a second time and to be working with Pam whose smart, sly, sophisticated and inspiring humor ensures...
- 11/30/2022
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Disney Branded Television is developing an animated workplace sitcom with Pamela Ribon and Baobab Studios.
Currently titled “Intercats,” the series is said to be “about the cats who produce the hysterical cat videos that go viral on the Internet. It features a ragtag team of cats aspiring to get what all cats want: their independence. But to do so, they must first learn to navigate their own internal relationships and build upon their success as the premiere studio for viral cat videos.”
Eric Darnell is the creator and executive producer of “Intercats.” Darnell is Baobab’s co-founder and chief creative officer as well as the writer and director of “Baba Yaga,” “Madagascar” and “Antz.” Gary Marsh is also an executive producer. Jony Chandra will direct.
Ribon will be heavily involved with the development on “Intercats” under a new first-look deal she has signed with Disney Branded Television’s animation studio,...
Currently titled “Intercats,” the series is said to be “about the cats who produce the hysterical cat videos that go viral on the Internet. It features a ragtag team of cats aspiring to get what all cats want: their independence. But to do so, they must first learn to navigate their own internal relationships and build upon their success as the premiere studio for viral cat videos.”
Eric Darnell is the creator and executive producer of “Intercats.” Darnell is Baobab’s co-founder and chief creative officer as well as the writer and director of “Baba Yaga,” “Madagascar” and “Antz.” Gary Marsh is also an executive producer. Jony Chandra will direct.
Ribon will be heavily involved with the development on “Intercats” under a new first-look deal she has signed with Disney Branded Television’s animation studio,...
- 11/30/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Disney Branded Television is developing Intercats, an animated cat workplace comedy for Disney+ from Baobab Studios (The Witchverse), screenwriter Pamela Ribon and Disney Television Animation, where Ribon has recently entered into a first-look deal. The project is Ribon’s first under the pact.
Here’s the logline: Told through the big reflective eyes of cats, Intercats is a four-quadrant animated workplace comedy about the cats who produce the hysterical cat videos that go viral on the Internet. It features a ragtag team of cats aspiring to get what all cats want: their independence. But, to do so, they must first learn to navigate their own internal relationships and build upon their success as the premiere studio for viral cat videos. Intercats reflects the heroic lengths we will all go to find and secure our own place in the world.
Baobab Studios co-founder and chief creative officer Eric Darnell is the creator and executive producer of Intercats. Gary Marsh is also an executive producer. Jony Chandra will direct. Disney Television Animation is working closely with Baobab Studios on the project.
“We’re fortunate to be partnering with Baobab for a second time and to be working with Pam whose smart, sly, sophisticated and inspiring humor ensures that Intercats will provide wild fun, rich characterizations and accessible entry points for every part of the Disney+ audience,” said Meredith Roberts, EVP TV Animation, Disney Branded Television. “We’re thrilled to have her on this project — and to expand the relationship to include an overall deal with our Disney TV Animation studio.”
Ribon, recipient of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival’s 2022 Cristal Award, wrote two of Disney’s Oscar-nominated and Annie Award-winning films, Ralph Breaks the Internet and Moana, and Sony Animation Studio’s Smurfs: The Lost Village. In addition to screenwriting, Ribon is a best-selling novelist, including Going in Circles and Why Girls Are Weird, inspired by her website, pamie.com, and a comic book writer. She also wrote an animated short for FX, My Year of Dicks, which this year won recognition at the Annecy International Film Festival, SXSW, the Brooklyn Film Festival, the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival and the Ottawa International Film Festival. Ribon is repped by CAA, Atlas Literary, and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher, Llp.
Nine-time Emmy-winning Baobab Studios, founded in 2015 by Maureen Fan, Darnell and Larry Cutler, has released eight projects to date — Invasion!, Asteroids!, Jack, Crow: The Legend, Bonfire, Baba Yaga, Paper Birds, and Namoo.
Pamela Ribon is represented by CAA, Atlas Literary, and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher, Llp.
Here’s the logline: Told through the big reflective eyes of cats, Intercats is a four-quadrant animated workplace comedy about the cats who produce the hysterical cat videos that go viral on the Internet. It features a ragtag team of cats aspiring to get what all cats want: their independence. But, to do so, they must first learn to navigate their own internal relationships and build upon their success as the premiere studio for viral cat videos. Intercats reflects the heroic lengths we will all go to find and secure our own place in the world.
Baobab Studios co-founder and chief creative officer Eric Darnell is the creator and executive producer of Intercats. Gary Marsh is also an executive producer. Jony Chandra will direct. Disney Television Animation is working closely with Baobab Studios on the project.
“We’re fortunate to be partnering with Baobab for a second time and to be working with Pam whose smart, sly, sophisticated and inspiring humor ensures that Intercats will provide wild fun, rich characterizations and accessible entry points for every part of the Disney+ audience,” said Meredith Roberts, EVP TV Animation, Disney Branded Television. “We’re thrilled to have her on this project — and to expand the relationship to include an overall deal with our Disney TV Animation studio.”
Ribon, recipient of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival’s 2022 Cristal Award, wrote two of Disney’s Oscar-nominated and Annie Award-winning films, Ralph Breaks the Internet and Moana, and Sony Animation Studio’s Smurfs: The Lost Village. In addition to screenwriting, Ribon is a best-selling novelist, including Going in Circles and Why Girls Are Weird, inspired by her website, pamie.com, and a comic book writer. She also wrote an animated short for FX, My Year of Dicks, which this year won recognition at the Annecy International Film Festival, SXSW, the Brooklyn Film Festival, the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival and the Ottawa International Film Festival. Ribon is repped by CAA, Atlas Literary, and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher, Llp.
Nine-time Emmy-winning Baobab Studios, founded in 2015 by Maureen Fan, Darnell and Larry Cutler, has released eight projects to date — Invasion!, Asteroids!, Jack, Crow: The Legend, Bonfire, Baba Yaga, Paper Birds, and Namoo.
Pamela Ribon is represented by CAA, Atlas Literary, and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher, Llp.
- 11/30/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Channing Tatum is set to star in his own adaptation of his children’s book ‘The One and Only Sparkella.’
As well as starring in the feature film adaptation, Tatum will serve as a producer through his company Free Association. ‘Sparkella’ is a part of Free Association’s first-look deal with MGM, which was announced last year.
The currently untitled live-action movie will “take on the magic of Sparkella that sees a father and his daughter fall headlong into the infinitely surprising world of her imagination.” There’s no word on who will play Tatum’s character’s daughter, a little girl who loves all things glitter.
Also in news – Ryan Gosling eyed for film adaptation of ‘The Fall Guy’
Tatum’s book is a charming ode to self-esteem and father-daughter love, was released in May 2021 and debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times best-seller list. It was the...
As well as starring in the feature film adaptation, Tatum will serve as a producer through his company Free Association. ‘Sparkella’ is a part of Free Association’s first-look deal with MGM, which was announced last year.
The currently untitled live-action movie will “take on the magic of Sparkella that sees a father and his daughter fall headlong into the infinitely surprising world of her imagination.” There’s no word on who will play Tatum’s character’s daughter, a little girl who loves all things glitter.
Also in news – Ryan Gosling eyed for film adaptation of ‘The Fall Guy’
Tatum’s book is a charming ode to self-esteem and father-daughter love, was released in May 2021 and debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times best-seller list. It was the...
- 5/19/2022
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Channing Tatum is set to star in and produce MGM’s live-action film adaptation of his children’s book “The One and Only Sparkella,” according to an individual with knowledge of the project.
Pamela Ribon is set to write the script for the adaptation.
Channing will produce via his Free Association banner. Michael Parets will oversee the project at Free Association. Parets, Tatum, Peter Kiernan, Reid Carolin and Cody Carolin will also serve as producers. The project is a part of Free Association’s first look deal with MGM, which was announced last year.
Also Read:
Simon Rex Joins Zoë Kravitz’s ‘Pussy Island’ With Channing Tatum at MGM
The film’s logline is “A live-action take on the magic of Sparkella that sees a father and his daughter fall headlong into the infinitely surprising world of her imagination.”
Prime-time Is Shine Time!!! @SparkellaTJones is coming to life with a live-action movie!
Pamela Ribon is set to write the script for the adaptation.
Channing will produce via his Free Association banner. Michael Parets will oversee the project at Free Association. Parets, Tatum, Peter Kiernan, Reid Carolin and Cody Carolin will also serve as producers. The project is a part of Free Association’s first look deal with MGM, which was announced last year.
Also Read:
Simon Rex Joins Zoë Kravitz’s ‘Pussy Island’ With Channing Tatum at MGM
The film’s logline is “A live-action take on the magic of Sparkella that sees a father and his daughter fall headlong into the infinitely surprising world of her imagination.”
Prime-time Is Shine Time!!! @SparkellaTJones is coming to life with a live-action movie!
- 5/18/2022
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Channing Tatum will produce and star in a film adaptation of his children’s book The One and Only Sparkella for MGM, Deadline can confirm.
Tatum’s first picture book, illustrated by Kim Barnes, was published by Feiwel & Friends in May of last year and subsequently registered as a #1 New York Times bestseller. It centers on a father who teaches his daughter Ella the importance of being herself, after she’s made to feel like an outsider at school. Tatum will release a second children’s book, The One and Only Sparkella Makes a Plan, on May 31st, with a third also on the way.
While Tatum will play Sparkella‘s father figure, it’s not yet clear who will play Ella. Pamela Ribon (Ralph Breaks the Internet) is writing the screenplay for the live-action adaptation, which does not yet have a director. Tatum will produce under his Free Association banner,...
Tatum’s first picture book, illustrated by Kim Barnes, was published by Feiwel & Friends in May of last year and subsequently registered as a #1 New York Times bestseller. It centers on a father who teaches his daughter Ella the importance of being herself, after she’s made to feel like an outsider at school. Tatum will release a second children’s book, The One and Only Sparkella Makes a Plan, on May 31st, with a third also on the way.
While Tatum will play Sparkella‘s father figure, it’s not yet clear who will play Ella. Pamela Ribon (Ralph Breaks the Internet) is writing the screenplay for the live-action adaptation, which does not yet have a director. Tatum will produce under his Free Association banner,...
- 5/18/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Channing Tatum to Star in Adaptation of His Children’s Book ‘The One and Only Sparkella’ (Exclusive)
Channing Tatum is turning his children’s book “The One and Only Sparkella” into a feature film.
Tatum will star in the live-action movie, which is set at MGM and does not have a title yet. Per the official logline, the story will “take on the magic of Sparkella that sees a father and his daughter fall headlong into the infinitely surprising world of her imagination.” There’s no word on who will play Tatum’s character’s daughter, a little girl who loves all things glitter.
Tatum’s book “The One and Only Sparkella,” a charming ode to self-esteem and father-daughter love, was released in May 2021 and debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times best-seller list. It was the first of a three-book deal with Feiwel and Friends. A sequel, “The One and Only Sparkella Makes a Plan,” is publishing on May 31, 2022.
Pamela Ribon, a story writer on...
Tatum will star in the live-action movie, which is set at MGM and does not have a title yet. Per the official logline, the story will “take on the magic of Sparkella that sees a father and his daughter fall headlong into the infinitely surprising world of her imagination.” There’s no word on who will play Tatum’s character’s daughter, a little girl who loves all things glitter.
Tatum’s book “The One and Only Sparkella,” a charming ode to self-esteem and father-daughter love, was released in May 2021 and debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times best-seller list. It was the first of a three-book deal with Feiwel and Friends. A sequel, “The One and Only Sparkella Makes a Plan,” is publishing on May 31, 2022.
Pamela Ribon, a story writer on...
- 5/18/2022
- by Rebecca Rubin and Ramin Setoodeh
- Variety Film + TV
Directors Orri Jonsson and David Horgdal Stefansson and producer Anton Mani Svansson are in the research phase for the film, currently titled A Deal With Chaos.
A new documentary feature about the late Icelandic composer Johann Johannsson was introduced at the Stockfish film festival’s industry days in Iceland.
Directors Orri Jonsson (Grandma Lo-Fi) and David Horgdal Stefansson and producer Anton Mani Svansson are in the research phase for the film, currently titled A Deal With Chaos, and have been gathering archive material for more than two years. The team hopes to begin shooting new interviews soon, and expects the...
A new documentary feature about the late Icelandic composer Johann Johannsson was introduced at the Stockfish film festival’s industry days in Iceland.
Directors Orri Jonsson (Grandma Lo-Fi) and David Horgdal Stefansson and producer Anton Mani Svansson are in the research phase for the film, currently titled A Deal With Chaos, and have been gathering archive material for more than two years. The team hopes to begin shooting new interviews soon, and expects the...
- 4/4/2022
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
Film Independent has set Lanre Olabisi (A Storybook Ending), Sari Arambulo (Family Style), Sanford Jenkins (Joy and Pain), Rob Connolly (Lavender Country), Elise H. Greven (Silent Spring) and Phumi Morare (There is Salt in the Water) as the participants and projects for its 2022 Screenwriting Lab/
All of of this year’s participants are from communities underrepresented in film and half the participants are women. Over the course of the intensive program, they will workshop their feature projects under the guidance of creative advisors Javier Fuentes-León, Pamela Ribon, Ellen Shanman, Robin Swicord, and Christopher Makoto Yogi. Additional guest speakers and advisors will include Ruth Atkinson, Alex Camilleri, Angela Cheng Caplan, Kd Davila, Matthew Dy, Greta Fuentes, Sam Intili, Amanda Marshall, Alex Moratto, Sheila Hanahan Taylor and Elliott Whitton.
Film Independent also announced today that the inaugural Hyde Park Entertainment & Warner Music Group Screenwriting Fellowship is being awarded to Arambulo, who will...
All of of this year’s participants are from communities underrepresented in film and half the participants are women. Over the course of the intensive program, they will workshop their feature projects under the guidance of creative advisors Javier Fuentes-León, Pamela Ribon, Ellen Shanman, Robin Swicord, and Christopher Makoto Yogi. Additional guest speakers and advisors will include Ruth Atkinson, Alex Camilleri, Angela Cheng Caplan, Kd Davila, Matthew Dy, Greta Fuentes, Sam Intili, Amanda Marshall, Alex Moratto, Sheila Hanahan Taylor and Elliott Whitton.
Film Independent also announced today that the inaugural Hyde Park Entertainment & Warner Music Group Screenwriting Fellowship is being awarded to Arambulo, who will...
- 3/18/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The 2022 jury and special award winners of the 29th SXSW Film Festival were unveiled on Tuesday night out of Austin, Texas. Feature films receiving jury awards were selected from the narrative and documentary competitions. Juried awards for shorts, design, and Xr experience were also announced.
Special awards announced included: Louis Black “Lone Star” Award, Adobe Editing Award, Adam Yauch Hörnblowér Award, Zeiss Cinematography Award, the Mailchimp Support the Shorts Award, and the Fandor New Voices Award.
All 2022 film categories will be eligible for category-specific audience awards, which will be certified by the accounting firm of Maxwell Locke & Ritter. Online screenings and audience award voting will conclude 9 a.m. Ct on Monday, March 21. Winners will be announced via sxsw.com that week.
“It was extraordinary to gather together in person again after so long and we are so grateful to the filmmakers and audience who joined us at SXSW 2022 in...
Special awards announced included: Louis Black “Lone Star” Award, Adobe Editing Award, Adam Yauch Hörnblowér Award, Zeiss Cinematography Award, the Mailchimp Support the Shorts Award, and the Fandor New Voices Award.
All 2022 film categories will be eligible for category-specific audience awards, which will be certified by the accounting firm of Maxwell Locke & Ritter. Online screenings and audience award voting will conclude 9 a.m. Ct on Monday, March 21. Winners will be announced via sxsw.com that week.
“It was extraordinary to gather together in person again after so long and we are so grateful to the filmmakers and audience who joined us at SXSW 2022 in...
- 3/16/2022
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Sometimes there’s nothing better than real-life experience to bring home the feel of something and it does sound as though Pamela Ribon, who’s a co-creator for Slam!, did spend some time with the LA Derby Dolls, a Roller Derby team that inspired her and fellow creator Veronica Fish to come up with this comic. There’s a good chance that a lot of us have seen or at least heard about Roller Derby, but the fact is that while it’s not really that complicated it might appear that way to those that know nothing about it. Reading up on the rules
Roller Derby Comic Slam! Being Adapted as Animated Series For HBO Max...
Roller Derby Comic Slam! Being Adapted as Animated Series For HBO Max...
- 3/17/2021
- by Tom
- TVovermind.com
Exclusive: Slam!, a graphic novel series set in the world of all-female roller derby, is being adapted as an animated series for HBO Max.
Pamela Ribon, who co-created the comic with Veronica Fish and co-wrote feature films including Moana and Ralph Breaks the Internet, is adapting her book, with WarnerMedia-owned Rooster Teeth Studios, Boom! Studios and Minnow Mountain.
The half-hour series, set in the fast-paced, hard-hitting, super cheeky, all-female world of banked track roller derby, follows two young women who will have to decide if their budding friendship is stronger than the pull of a team when a win is on the line.
It will be made using a combination of rotoscoped and 3D animation with Craig Staggs and Steph Swope’s Minnow Mountain, the Texas-based studio behind Amazon’s Undone, animating.
The comic book was originally published by Boom! Studios, which is also behind the live-action adaptation R.L. Stine...
Pamela Ribon, who co-created the comic with Veronica Fish and co-wrote feature films including Moana and Ralph Breaks the Internet, is adapting her book, with WarnerMedia-owned Rooster Teeth Studios, Boom! Studios and Minnow Mountain.
The half-hour series, set in the fast-paced, hard-hitting, super cheeky, all-female world of banked track roller derby, follows two young women who will have to decide if their budding friendship is stronger than the pull of a team when a win is on the line.
It will be made using a combination of rotoscoped and 3D animation with Craig Staggs and Steph Swope’s Minnow Mountain, the Texas-based studio behind Amazon’s Undone, animating.
The comic book was originally published by Boom! Studios, which is also behind the live-action adaptation R.L. Stine...
- 3/9/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, Atlas Literary is born, Emily Tosta is cast in Nicolas Cage’s “Wally’s Wonderland” and Netflix confirms it’s closed a deal for Radha Blank’s “The 40-Year-Old Version.”
Division Launch
Atlas Entertainment is expanding into literary management with the acquisition of HertzbergMedia and launch of Atlas Literary.
Atlas chief Charles Roven and Alex Hertzberg made the announcement Wednesday. Hertzberg will lead the new division as CEO as they focus on literary creators with unique artistic identities and brands.
“Atlas Entertainment has since its inception had the good fortune to manage some of the world’s most talented creative voices both in front of the camera and musically,” Roven said. “These relationships have always enhanced Atlas’ content creation in the motion picture, television and music mediums. We are excited to establish similar relationships in the literary arena. We are thrilled to have Alex, with...
Division Launch
Atlas Entertainment is expanding into literary management with the acquisition of HertzbergMedia and launch of Atlas Literary.
Atlas chief Charles Roven and Alex Hertzberg made the announcement Wednesday. Hertzberg will lead the new division as CEO as they focus on literary creators with unique artistic identities and brands.
“Atlas Entertainment has since its inception had the good fortune to manage some of the world’s most talented creative voices both in front of the camera and musically,” Roven said. “These relationships have always enhanced Atlas’ content creation in the motion picture, television and music mediums. We are excited to establish similar relationships in the literary arena. We are thrilled to have Alex, with...
- 2/6/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Pixar’s “Incredibles 2” and Disney’s “Ralph Breaks the Internet” topped the 46th annual Annie Awards nominations with 11 and 10, respectively. All told, the Walt Disney Company, which owns Pixar, snapped up a total of 42 nominations among a wide array of film and TV projects.
Joining “Incredibles 2” and “Ralph” in the contest for best animated feature are Aardman Animations’ “Early Man,” Wes Anderson’s stop-motion “Isle of Dogs” and Sony Pictures Animation’s “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.”
In addition to its bid for animated feature, “Incredibles 2” picked up nominations for director (Brad Bird), animated effects, character animation, character design, music, voice acting (Holly Hunter); writing (Bird), editorial and two for storyboarding.
Additional nominations for “Ralph” include director (Rich Moore and Phil Johnston); animated effects, character animation, character design, music, storyboarding, voice acting (Sarah Silverman), writing (Johnston and Pamela Ribon) and editorial.
In addition to Bird, Moore and Johnston,...
Joining “Incredibles 2” and “Ralph” in the contest for best animated feature are Aardman Animations’ “Early Man,” Wes Anderson’s stop-motion “Isle of Dogs” and Sony Pictures Animation’s “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.”
In addition to its bid for animated feature, “Incredibles 2” picked up nominations for director (Brad Bird), animated effects, character animation, character design, music, voice acting (Holly Hunter); writing (Bird), editorial and two for storyboarding.
Additional nominations for “Ralph” include director (Rich Moore and Phil Johnston); animated effects, character animation, character design, music, storyboarding, voice acting (Sarah Silverman), writing (Johnston and Pamela Ribon) and editorial.
In addition to Bird, Moore and Johnston,...
- 12/3/2018
- by Terry Flores
- Variety Film + TV
Features the voices of: John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Gal Gadot, Taraji P. Henson, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch, Alan Tudyk, Alfred Molina, Ed O’Neill, Flula Borg, Ali Wong, Sean Giambrone | Written by Phil Johnston, Pamela Ribon | Directed by Phil Johnston, Rich Moore
Taking place six years after saving the arcade from Turbo’s vengeance, the Sugar Rush arcade cabinet has broken, forcing Ralph and Vanellope to travel to the Internet via the newly-installed Wi-Fi router in Litwak’s Arcade to retrieve the piece capable of saving the game.
Ralph Breaks the Internet is the sequel to Disney’s critically and financially acclaimed John C. Reilly and Sarah Silverman starring Wreck-It Ralph, released in 2012. Six years later Reilly, as loveable angst-fuelled arcade villain turned hero Ralph and Silverman, as the adorable glitch Vanellope, return in the sequel that thrusts both their friendship and fate into the depths of the perils,...
Taking place six years after saving the arcade from Turbo’s vengeance, the Sugar Rush arcade cabinet has broken, forcing Ralph and Vanellope to travel to the Internet via the newly-installed Wi-Fi router in Litwak’s Arcade to retrieve the piece capable of saving the game.
Ralph Breaks the Internet is the sequel to Disney’s critically and financially acclaimed John C. Reilly and Sarah Silverman starring Wreck-It Ralph, released in 2012. Six years later Reilly, as loveable angst-fuelled arcade villain turned hero Ralph and Silverman, as the adorable glitch Vanellope, return in the sequel that thrusts both their friendship and fate into the depths of the perils,...
- 11/29/2018
- by Jak-Luke Sharp
- Nerdly
Chicago – The internet we know today is a fairly young invention full of some of the greatest conveniences known to man, but also some of the greatest distractions and nuisances currently in our lives. “Ralph Breaks the Internet” embodies just that, and while it doesn’t quite reach the high score of its predecessor, the maturity and wisdom displayed in it more than makes up for it.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
Now that the film has moved from the arcade to the internet, a world wide web of possibilities has opened up for the film. Aside from poking fun at some of the internet cultures most known jokes, there is a bombardment of product placement. Everything from eBay to Twitter to Spotify is on full display, but rather than seeming like a cash-grab (though it might be just that), it comes off as an authentic exploration of the internet’s most popular companies.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
Now that the film has moved from the arcade to the internet, a world wide web of possibilities has opened up for the film. Aside from poking fun at some of the internet cultures most known jokes, there is a bombardment of product placement. Everything from eBay to Twitter to Spotify is on full display, but rather than seeming like a cash-grab (though it might be just that), it comes off as an authentic exploration of the internet’s most popular companies.
- 11/22/2018
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
I knew things weren’t going to go as hoped when the lack of a short film before Ralph Breaks the Internet brought a filmed introduction by three of its middle-aged, male creators instead. They pretend as though they’re personally beaming themselves into our theater to share their gratitude with fake buffering circles freezing frames every now and then as one tells us the hardest part of making this sequel was fitting everything they love about the internet in. It’s spoken with a transparent insecurity boomers have when speaking about trendy topics they know superficially. But you go with it because, why not? Well the answer arrives when another asks, “How do I turn this off?” Let’s just say these dad joke-spouting, contradictory “tech wizards” set the stage perfectly.
The reason I loved Wreck-It Ralph (and still do after numerous re-watches) is because it didn’t do what I thought it would.
The reason I loved Wreck-It Ralph (and still do after numerous re-watches) is because it didn’t do what I thought it would.
- 11/22/2018
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
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