The New York International Children’s Film Festival (Nyicff) has officially selected its 2024 winners.
The jury, which consisted of Ira Sachs, Ilana Glazer, Uma Thurman, and more A-listers, announced short films “Magic Candies” and “Unibrow” as the two selections. Daisuke Nishio’s “Magic Candies” is an animated short and had its world premiere at the festival, where Nedda Sharshar’s “Unibrow” is live-action; both are now Oscar-qualifying. All jurors voted on both awards.
Juror Ilana Glazer called “Unibrow” a “universal” story even given its specificity. “Told viscerally with a full palette of emotions, ‘Unibrow’ is an example of excellent storytelling,” Glazer said.
Fellow juror Benjamin Renner called “Magic Candies” an “absolute delight” of a short film.
The Nyicff audience awards were determined by the votes of viewers aged three to 17, as well as audience members aged 18+ for adult-centric awards. The Grand Prize for an Animated Feature was awarded to “Kensuke’s Kingdom,...
The jury, which consisted of Ira Sachs, Ilana Glazer, Uma Thurman, and more A-listers, announced short films “Magic Candies” and “Unibrow” as the two selections. Daisuke Nishio’s “Magic Candies” is an animated short and had its world premiere at the festival, where Nedda Sharshar’s “Unibrow” is live-action; both are now Oscar-qualifying. All jurors voted on both awards.
Juror Ilana Glazer called “Unibrow” a “universal” story even given its specificity. “Told viscerally with a full palette of emotions, ‘Unibrow’ is an example of excellent storytelling,” Glazer said.
Fellow juror Benjamin Renner called “Magic Candies” an “absolute delight” of a short film.
The Nyicff audience awards were determined by the votes of viewers aged three to 17, as well as audience members aged 18+ for adult-centric awards. The Grand Prize for an Animated Feature was awarded to “Kensuke’s Kingdom,...
- 3/21/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Adaptation
“Tabby McTat,” the lively children’s story by writer Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler, is set to get the BBC treatment with a new adaptation by longtime Donaldson/Scheffler collaborators Magic Light Pictures. “Doctor Who” star Jodie Whittaker will narrate the tale about a cat who gets separated from his owner while Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísú (“Gangs of London”) will voice Tabby. Other stars lending their voices to the short include Rob Brydon (“Gavin and Stacey”), Cariad Lloyd (“Peep Show”), Joanna Scanlan (“The Thick of It”) and Susan Wokoma (“Enola Holmes”).
“Superworm” directors Sarah Scrimgeour and Jac Hamman will helm the project, which was written by Max Lang and Suzanne Lang. Barney Goodland and Michael Rose of Magic Light Pictures will produce. BBC chief content office Charlotte Moore and BBC drama commissioning editor Nawfal Faizullah acquired the film for the BBC. Red Star Studio will provide animation services.
Disney Season...
“Tabby McTat,” the lively children’s story by writer Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler, is set to get the BBC treatment with a new adaptation by longtime Donaldson/Scheffler collaborators Magic Light Pictures. “Doctor Who” star Jodie Whittaker will narrate the tale about a cat who gets separated from his owner while Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísú (“Gangs of London”) will voice Tabby. Other stars lending their voices to the short include Rob Brydon (“Gavin and Stacey”), Cariad Lloyd (“Peep Show”), Joanna Scanlan (“The Thick of It”) and Susan Wokoma (“Enola Holmes”).
“Superworm” directors Sarah Scrimgeour and Jac Hamman will helm the project, which was written by Max Lang and Suzanne Lang. Barney Goodland and Michael Rose of Magic Light Pictures will produce. BBC chief content office Charlotte Moore and BBC drama commissioning editor Nawfal Faizullah acquired the film for the BBC. Red Star Studio will provide animation services.
Disney Season...
- 5/11/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
‘Doctor Who’ Unveils Jonathan Groff First Look
Jonathan Groff has begun filming his Doctor Who scenes and the BBC has unveiled a first look. The BBC is keeping details about Groff’s character close to its chest but the images show him dressed in Victorian-style clothing flanked by the new doctor, Ncuti Gatwa, and Millie Gibson, who is playing companion Ruby Sunday. Groff, who shot to fame in Glee and has since starred in the likes of Knock at the Cabin, Mindhunter and The Matrix Resurrections, is one of the most high profile stars to have landed a role in the new season, which will air later this year. The likes of Heartstopper’s Yasmin Finney and RuPaul star Jinx Monsoon have also boarded, while David Tennant and Catherine Tate are returning for anniversary specials. Upon the Groff news last week, showrunner Russell T Davies called his signature “an incredible coup.
Jonathan Groff has begun filming his Doctor Who scenes and the BBC has unveiled a first look. The BBC is keeping details about Groff’s character close to its chest but the images show him dressed in Victorian-style clothing flanked by the new doctor, Ncuti Gatwa, and Millie Gibson, who is playing companion Ruby Sunday. Groff, who shot to fame in Glee and has since starred in the likes of Knock at the Cabin, Mindhunter and The Matrix Resurrections, is one of the most high profile stars to have landed a role in the new season, which will air later this year. The likes of Heartstopper’s Yasmin Finney and RuPaul star Jinx Monsoon have also boarded, while David Tennant and Catherine Tate are returning for anniversary specials. Upon the Groff news last week, showrunner Russell T Davies called his signature “an incredible coup.
- 5/11/2023
- by Jesse Whittock and Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler are Britain’s answer to Dr. Seuss.
Ever since publishing “The Gruffalo” — written by Donaldson and illustrated by Scheffler — in 1999, the duo have delighted millions of children with their stories of robber rats, wandering whales and fantastical fish.
In 2009, U.K. production company Magic Light Pictures turned “The Gruffalo,” about a little mouse who ventures into a deep, dark wood, into a 30-minute animated special voiced by James Corden and Helena Bonham Carter. It turned out to be the first of nine animated adaptations of Donaldson and Scheffler’s works.
(Magic Light also manage licensing for the books and films. In Britain alone, the Donaldson/Scheffler empire includes theme park rides, exhibitions, toys and educational materials. “It’s quite frightening,” says Scheffler of what he calls “Gruffalo madness.”)
Their latest holiday special, which airs in the U.K. on Christmas Day and will be rolled...
Ever since publishing “The Gruffalo” — written by Donaldson and illustrated by Scheffler — in 1999, the duo have delighted millions of children with their stories of robber rats, wandering whales and fantastical fish.
In 2009, U.K. production company Magic Light Pictures turned “The Gruffalo,” about a little mouse who ventures into a deep, dark wood, into a 30-minute animated special voiced by James Corden and Helena Bonham Carter. It turned out to be the first of nine animated adaptations of Donaldson and Scheffler’s works.
(Magic Light also manage licensing for the books and films. In Britain alone, the Donaldson/Scheffler empire includes theme park rides, exhibitions, toys and educational materials. “It’s quite frightening,” says Scheffler of what he calls “Gruffalo madness.”)
Their latest holiday special, which airs in the U.K. on Christmas Day and will be rolled...
- 12/21/2021
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Olivia Colman (“The Crown”), Matt Smith (“Doctor Who”), Patricia Allison (“Sex Education”) and Rob Brydon (“The Trip” franchise) lead the voice cast of BBC animation special “Superworm.”
Based on the book “Superworm,” written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, the half-hour show will air over Christmas on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
The show follows Superworm, who is a hero always on hand to help out all the other animals and insects, whose latest challenge is to fight the wicked Wizard Lizard and his servant Crow.
Colman said: “This is such a lovely project to be involved with. When reading the script, and imagining all those goings on at the end of the garden, I could really get a feel for the pure fun and joy that the film will bring. I’ve always loved these charming productions at Christmas and I’m delighted to be voicing the narrator.
Based on the book “Superworm,” written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, the half-hour show will air over Christmas on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
The show follows Superworm, who is a hero always on hand to help out all the other animals and insects, whose latest challenge is to fight the wicked Wizard Lizard and his servant Crow.
Colman said: “This is such a lovely project to be involved with. When reading the script, and imagining all those goings on at the end of the garden, I could really get a feel for the pure fun and joy that the film will bring. I’ve always loved these charming productions at Christmas and I’m delighted to be voicing the narrator.
- 2/5/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The BBC is once again turning to Oscar-nominated Magic Light Pictures for its latest animation special. The studio behind The Gruffalo will bring Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s book Superworm to life with a cast including Olivia Colman and Matt Smith.
Colman will narrate, while Smith will feature as hero Superworm. They are joined by Patricia Allison (Sex Education) as Butterfly, and Rob Brydon (Gavin & Stacey) as the Crow.
Super-long and super-strong, Superworm is always on hand to help out other animals and insects, but when he is kidnapped by wicked Wizard Lizard and sidekick The Crow, his friend Butterfly must come to the rescue.
Superworm is directed by Sarah Scrimgeour and Jac Hamman, from a script by Max Lang and Suzanne Lang. The producer is Barney Goodland, with executive producers Martin Pope and Michael Rose for Magic Light. The composer is Rene Aubry, while animation services are provided by Blue Zoo Animation Studio.
Colman will narrate, while Smith will feature as hero Superworm. They are joined by Patricia Allison (Sex Education) as Butterfly, and Rob Brydon (Gavin & Stacey) as the Crow.
Super-long and super-strong, Superworm is always on hand to help out other animals and insects, but when he is kidnapped by wicked Wizard Lizard and sidekick The Crow, his friend Butterfly must come to the rescue.
Superworm is directed by Sarah Scrimgeour and Jac Hamman, from a script by Max Lang and Suzanne Lang. The producer is Barney Goodland, with executive producers Martin Pope and Michael Rose for Magic Light. The composer is Rene Aubry, while animation services are provided by Blue Zoo Animation Studio.
- 2/5/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.