Damien de Froberville has been hired as EVP of production and operating strategy at Sony Pictures Animation, TheWrap has learned. He comes from his post as CEO and producer at Sergio Pablos Studio in Spain.
The industry vet’s new role was announced by Sony Pictures Animation president Kristine Belson in an email to staff Monday. The move is, in part, meant to fill the role that Pam Marsden, head of production, will leave when she retires in the new year.
Additionally, SVP of physical production Erik Vignau, who has been leading new series production, will continue to do so but will also be leading “feature productions day-to-day” (according to the email).
“Those two production leads, in addition to artist management and operations, finance, technology and post-production will all report to Damien,” Belson wrote.
You can read the full email below:
Dear all,
As many of you know, Pam Marsden...
The industry vet’s new role was announced by Sony Pictures Animation president Kristine Belson in an email to staff Monday. The move is, in part, meant to fill the role that Pam Marsden, head of production, will leave when she retires in the new year.
Additionally, SVP of physical production Erik Vignau, who has been leading new series production, will continue to do so but will also be leading “feature productions day-to-day” (according to the email).
“Those two production leads, in addition to artist management and operations, finance, technology and post-production will all report to Damien,” Belson wrote.
You can read the full email below:
Dear all,
As many of you know, Pam Marsden...
- 10/9/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Sony Pictures Animation is shoring up its executive ranks with the addition of Damien de Froberville, who has been named executive vice president of production and operating strategy.
De Froberville comes from the Spain-based shop Sergio Pablos Animation and will largely assume a portfolio held by long-serving Spa executive Pam Marsden. Marsden will retire in 2024 after nearly two decades with the studio.
Kristine Belson, leader at Sony Pictures Animation behind films like the Oscar-winning “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse,” informed her staff of the hire in a memo circulated on Monday. She touted de Froberville’s “remarkable career” and said “we know Damien will help us break new ground at Spa.”
As an independent producer, de Froberville was behind the critically acclaimed animated short film “Sith” as part of the “Star Wars: Visions” anthology series at Disney+. He was also an early employee at Netflix’s animation unit, overseeing flagship productions like the Oscar-nominated “Klaus.
De Froberville comes from the Spain-based shop Sergio Pablos Animation and will largely assume a portfolio held by long-serving Spa executive Pam Marsden. Marsden will retire in 2024 after nearly two decades with the studio.
Kristine Belson, leader at Sony Pictures Animation behind films like the Oscar-winning “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse,” informed her staff of the hire in a memo circulated on Monday. She touted de Froberville’s “remarkable career” and said “we know Damien will help us break new ground at Spa.”
As an independent producer, de Froberville was behind the critically acclaimed animated short film “Sith” as part of the “Star Wars: Visions” anthology series at Disney+. He was also an early employee at Netflix’s animation unit, overseeing flagship productions like the Oscar-nominated “Klaus.
- 10/9/2023
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” has resonated with audiences in almost as many ways as there are multiverses. There’s the emotionality of webslinger Miles Morales and his family, both inherited and found, that drives his heroism. The thematic resonance of a young person determined to tell his own story authentically. Action sequences that are as inventive as they are viscerally thrilling. And audacious animation that juxtaposes dynamic poses and painterly images.
This multidimensional success of “Across the Spider-Verse” can be directly attributed to its three directors, Kemp Powers, Joaquim Dos Santos and Justin K. Thompson — indeed, to the fact that there are three. Set to receive Variety’s Creative Impact in Animation Award on July 18, the trio leaned into individual strengths while working together toward a common goal, balancing formal innovation and timeless truths to create a forward-thinking animated classic.
“The astoundingly talented Joaquim, Justin and Kemp are individually wonderful filmmakers and people,...
This multidimensional success of “Across the Spider-Verse” can be directly attributed to its three directors, Kemp Powers, Joaquim Dos Santos and Justin K. Thompson — indeed, to the fact that there are three. Set to receive Variety’s Creative Impact in Animation Award on July 18, the trio leaned into individual strengths while working together toward a common goal, balancing formal innovation and timeless truths to create a forward-thinking animated classic.
“The astoundingly talented Joaquim, Justin and Kemp are individually wonderful filmmakers and people,...
- 7/13/2023
- by Murtada Elfadl
- Variety Film + TV
Sony Pictures Animation previewed a still unfinished 14 minutes of the eagerly anticipated Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the sequel to best animated feature Oscar winner Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, on Monday at CinemaCon.
“In 2018 we delivered the most creatively ambitious movie I’ve ever been a part of,” said Spa president Kristine Belson. “We are deeply proud of the sequel.”
The movie again follows Marvel’s Miles Morales/Spider-Man, voiced by Shameik Moore, and Gwen Stacy/Spider-Woman, voiced by Hailee Steinfeld, set across the multiverse of Spider-People. At CinemaCon, the pair were joined by new voice castmember Issa Rae (Jessica Drew) and Kemp Powers, one of the film’s trio of directors, to introduce the film.
It begins with Miles in his bedroom, when he receives an unexpected visit from Gwen Stacy. They swing and talk high above Brooklyn until they are interrupted by Miles’ parents. Before the segment ends, Miles...
“In 2018 we delivered the most creatively ambitious movie I’ve ever been a part of,” said Spa president Kristine Belson. “We are deeply proud of the sequel.”
The movie again follows Marvel’s Miles Morales/Spider-Man, voiced by Shameik Moore, and Gwen Stacy/Spider-Woman, voiced by Hailee Steinfeld, set across the multiverse of Spider-People. At CinemaCon, the pair were joined by new voice castmember Issa Rae (Jessica Drew) and Kemp Powers, one of the film’s trio of directors, to introduce the film.
It begins with Miles in his bedroom, when he receives an unexpected visit from Gwen Stacy. They swing and talk high above Brooklyn until they are interrupted by Miles’ parents. Before the segment ends, Miles...
- 4/25/2023
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sony also shows footage from The Equalizer 3, Kraven The Hunter, Gran Turismo.
First footage from Ridley Scott’s Napoleon from Apple Original Films and a 14-minute sequence from Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse were among the highlights of Sony’s CinemaCon presentation on Monday evening.
Sony Pictures Entertainment chair Tom Rothman teed up the first-look from Napoleon starring Joaquin Phoenix at the climax of a brisk session at the Colosseum in Caesar’s Palace.
Attendees got to see a fierce, large-scale action sequence believed to be from the 1805 Battle of Austerlitz as Napoleon’s army engaged Russian and Austrian forces...
First footage from Ridley Scott’s Napoleon from Apple Original Films and a 14-minute sequence from Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse were among the highlights of Sony’s CinemaCon presentation on Monday evening.
Sony Pictures Entertainment chair Tom Rothman teed up the first-look from Napoleon starring Joaquin Phoenix at the climax of a brisk session at the Colosseum in Caesar’s Palace.
Attendees got to see a fierce, large-scale action sequence believed to be from the 1805 Battle of Austerlitz as Napoleon’s army engaged Russian and Austrian forces...
- 4/25/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Leave it to Tom Rothman to get a crowd going.
It has become a tradition for the Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group chair-ceo to kick off CinemaCon with a colorful remark. This year was no different as he took to the stage in Las Vegas Monday night and addressed the state of theatrical as it continues to find its footing following the Covid-19 crisis.
“For the past three years, as the punditocracy pissed on your business, we at Sony held fast. We were the only major studio devoted entirely to theatrical,” said Rothman, sparking applause. “We were sure in the conviction that movies in movie theaters couldn’t just survive but triumph.”
Rothman also delivered another message: “The other thing pundits say is movie stars don’t matter anymore. I really hope all my competitors believe that shit. True movie stars matter more than ever, they are just more rare than ever.
It has become a tradition for the Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group chair-ceo to kick off CinemaCon with a colorful remark. This year was no different as he took to the stage in Las Vegas Monday night and addressed the state of theatrical as it continues to find its footing following the Covid-19 crisis.
“For the past three years, as the punditocracy pissed on your business, we at Sony held fast. We were the only major studio devoted entirely to theatrical,” said Rothman, sparking applause. “We were sure in the conviction that movies in movie theaters couldn’t just survive but triumph.”
Rothman also delivered another message: “The other thing pundits say is movie stars don’t matter anymore. I really hope all my competitors believe that shit. True movie stars matter more than ever, they are just more rare than ever.
- 4/25/2023
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sony is expanding the scope of the Spider-Verse this summer. Not only do we have "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" due to hit theaters in June, but the studio has also revealed that a brand new, in-universe short titled "The Spider Within" is headed our way as well. As for how you can see the short? At least at first, it's going to be a select few attending a major film festival this summer.
According to Variety, "The Spider Within" is set to premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June. Perhaps not coincidentally, this is right around the time that "Across the Spider-Verse" will be hitting theaters. We have reached out to Sony for further details regarding release plans for the short beyond Annecy but the studio has not yet responded to our request for comment. As for what the short will entail? The synopsis reads as follows:
In the short,...
According to Variety, "The Spider Within" is set to premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June. Perhaps not coincidentally, this is right around the time that "Across the Spider-Verse" will be hitting theaters. We have reached out to Sony for further details regarding release plans for the short beyond Annecy but the studio has not yet responded to our request for comment. As for what the short will entail? The synopsis reads as follows:
In the short,...
- 3/29/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Sony Pictures Animation and Sony Pictures Imageworks will release a brand new original short film titled “The Spider Within.”
Set in the world of the upcoming release “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” the animated short will debut exclusively at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival this June.
In the short, Miles Morales struggles to balance his responsibilities as a teenager, friend and student while acting as Brooklyn’s friendly neighborhood superhero. After a particularly challenging day living with these pressures, Miles experiences a panic attack that forces him to confront the manifestations of his anxiety and learn that reaching out for help can be just as brave an act as protecting his city from evil.
“The Spider Within” is part of Sony Pictures Animation and Sony Pictures Imageworks’ new mentorship program Lens (Leading and Empowering New Storytellers). Launched internally last year, the new program aims to provide high-potential candidates from underrepresented...
Set in the world of the upcoming release “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” the animated short will debut exclusively at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival this June.
In the short, Miles Morales struggles to balance his responsibilities as a teenager, friend and student while acting as Brooklyn’s friendly neighborhood superhero. After a particularly challenging day living with these pressures, Miles experiences a panic attack that forces him to confront the manifestations of his anxiety and learn that reaching out for help can be just as brave an act as protecting his city from evil.
“The Spider Within” is part of Sony Pictures Animation and Sony Pictures Imageworks’ new mentorship program Lens (Leading and Empowering New Storytellers). Launched internally last year, the new program aims to provide high-potential candidates from underrepresented...
- 3/29/2023
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Sony Pictures Animation is on the move.
The movie studio division led by president Kristine Belson — as well as affiliated VFX firm Imageworks and anime streaming service Crunchyroll — is set to depart its offices at The Culver Studios Building in Culver City for mid-Wilshire. Sony Pictures Animation’s lease at the location had been set to expire in May 2024. About 700 workers will be relocated in the move.
“After a comprehensive market search, I am pleased to report that we have signed a lease for approximately 225,000 square feet at Wilshire Courtyard, located at 5750 Wilshire Boulevard. We plan to relocate in April of 2024,” wrote Craig Schwartz, Sony Pictures evp of real estate and facilities, in a memo to staff on Feb. 2.
The move will bring the studio and its affiliates to another area, the Miracle Mile, populated by creative offices (NBCUniversal), museums (Lacma and the Academy Museum) as well as the SAG-AFTRA building,...
The movie studio division led by president Kristine Belson — as well as affiliated VFX firm Imageworks and anime streaming service Crunchyroll — is set to depart its offices at The Culver Studios Building in Culver City for mid-Wilshire. Sony Pictures Animation’s lease at the location had been set to expire in May 2024. About 700 workers will be relocated in the move.
“After a comprehensive market search, I am pleased to report that we have signed a lease for approximately 225,000 square feet at Wilshire Courtyard, located at 5750 Wilshire Boulevard. We plan to relocate in April of 2024,” wrote Craig Schwartz, Sony Pictures evp of real estate and facilities, in a memo to staff on Feb. 2.
The move will bring the studio and its affiliates to another area, the Miracle Mile, populated by creative offices (NBCUniversal), museums (Lacma and the Academy Museum) as well as the SAG-AFTRA building,...
- 2/2/2023
- by Erik Hayden
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Most animation studios have a distinct in-house style that sets them apart from their peers. For example, it's pretty easy to look at a Pixar animated film and recognize it immediately, but Sony Pictures has the rare distinction of not having an in-house style. Each of their films, made by Sony Pictures Animation (Spa) and Sony Pictures Imageworks (Spi), have their own unique look that best serves the story being told. In a 30-year retrospective, The Wrap traced the past, present, and future of Spa, and revealed that not having an in-house style is actually an important rule that kept Sony unique.
By focusing on the filmmakers' needs and ideas instead of trying to hold to a consistent style, the various films made by Spa and Spi are able to go above and beyond, breaking the boundaries of animation in bold new ways. Something as groundbreaking as "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse...
By focusing on the filmmakers' needs and ideas instead of trying to hold to a consistent style, the various films made by Spa and Spi are able to go above and beyond, breaking the boundaries of animation in bold new ways. Something as groundbreaking as "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse...
- 12/29/2022
- by Danielle Ryan
- Slash Film
As calls for diversity and gender parity in entertainment are reshaping the industry, animation continues to promote and represent women in game-changing roles, for executives and creative leaders.
Jennifer Lee leads Walt Disney Animation Studios. Kristine Belson runs Sony Animation. Karen Toliver heads Netflix’s toon arm. Ramsey Naito oversees Nickelodeon. Margie Cohn tops DreamWorks. And of course there are a many more.
“I think it was initially maybe 10 or 15 years ago, it was an area where women could get into a leadership role, somewhere on the ladder of say series production as a production executive, or studio executive in a junior way,” says Meredith Roberts, executive vice president, TV animation, Disney branded television.
“Over time they’ve had success and they’ve climbed the ladder and become much higher caliber, top producers, a senior studio level people, and along the way, because they were afforded those opportunities, they’ve...
Jennifer Lee leads Walt Disney Animation Studios. Kristine Belson runs Sony Animation. Karen Toliver heads Netflix’s toon arm. Ramsey Naito oversees Nickelodeon. Margie Cohn tops DreamWorks. And of course there are a many more.
“I think it was initially maybe 10 or 15 years ago, it was an area where women could get into a leadership role, somewhere on the ladder of say series production as a production executive, or studio executive in a junior way,” says Meredith Roberts, executive vice president, TV animation, Disney branded television.
“Over time they’ve had success and they’ve climbed the ladder and become much higher caliber, top producers, a senior studio level people, and along the way, because they were afforded those opportunities, they’ve...
- 12/5/2022
- by Karen Idelson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The Black List and Sony Pictures Animation announce Fredrick Leach as the first-ever Writers Program Fellow. He will spend the next six months as an in-house writer for Sony Pictures Animation, where he will craft dialogue for custom animation pieces, dive into scripts on the development slate, pitch his own ideas, and much more.
The Sony Pictures Animation x Black List Writers Program launched in April 2022 to identify and nurture writers who represent Sony Pictures Animation’s diverse and global audience. The partnership was the first program on blcklst.com to specifically target diverse writers in animation.
Said Kristine Belson, president of Sony Pictures Animation, “We are very excited to hit the ground running with Fredrick for this inaugural writers program. Fredrick’s professional background, transitioning from teaching into screenwriting, gives him a perspective that is evident in his work, and his sensibilities and attitude make him a great fit for Sony Pictures Animation.
The Sony Pictures Animation x Black List Writers Program launched in April 2022 to identify and nurture writers who represent Sony Pictures Animation’s diverse and global audience. The partnership was the first program on blcklst.com to specifically target diverse writers in animation.
Said Kristine Belson, president of Sony Pictures Animation, “We are very excited to hit the ground running with Fredrick for this inaugural writers program. Fredrick’s professional background, transitioning from teaching into screenwriting, gives him a perspective that is evident in his work, and his sensibilities and attitude make him a great fit for Sony Pictures Animation.
- 10/18/2022
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The Black List is partnering with Academy Award-winning studio Sony Pictures Animation for its first writers program geared toward emerging, diverse talent in animation.
The Sony Pictures Animation x The Black List Writers Program will select one writer to work in-house at the studio for a six-month period, with that creative being responsible for crafting dialogue for custom animation pieces, diving into scripts on the development slate, pitching their own ideas, and more. They will receive 50,000 for their services, which will be covered under the jurisdiction of the Sony Pictures Animation I.A.T.S.E. Agreement.
Only individual writers interested in developing their skill set in the world of animation, who represent the global, diverse audience the studio seeks to entertain, will be eligible for the program. Scripts submitted can come from any genre, and take the form of a feature film, play or musical, though pilot scripts won’t be accepted.
The Sony Pictures Animation x The Black List Writers Program will select one writer to work in-house at the studio for a six-month period, with that creative being responsible for crafting dialogue for custom animation pieces, diving into scripts on the development slate, pitching their own ideas, and more. They will receive 50,000 for their services, which will be covered under the jurisdiction of the Sony Pictures Animation I.A.T.S.E. Agreement.
Only individual writers interested in developing their skill set in the world of animation, who represent the global, diverse audience the studio seeks to entertain, will be eligible for the program. Scripts submitted can come from any genre, and take the form of a feature film, play or musical, though pilot scripts won’t be accepted.
- 4/6/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Karen Toliver has joined Netflix as vice president of animated film, Variety has learned exclusively.
The former Sony Pictures Animation senior vice president will join the streamer in March reporting to Melissa Cobb, VP of the kids and family division. She’ll be responsible for two to three animated features annually and will work alongside fellow animation VP Gregg Taylor.
“It has been an absolute dream working with Kristine Belson and her game-changing team at Sony Pictures Animation. The experience has been instrumental in shaping how I approach producing. Storytelling in animation continues to evolve and expand, and I am excited to join the team at Netflix to continue to break new ground,” Toliver told Variety.
Toliver is credited with the development of the Oscar-nominated “The Mitchells vs. the Machines,” as well as a producer on the Oscar-winning short “Hair Love.” Prior to Spa, she had a long run at...
The former Sony Pictures Animation senior vice president will join the streamer in March reporting to Melissa Cobb, VP of the kids and family division. She’ll be responsible for two to three animated features annually and will work alongside fellow animation VP Gregg Taylor.
“It has been an absolute dream working with Kristine Belson and her game-changing team at Sony Pictures Animation. The experience has been instrumental in shaping how I approach producing. Storytelling in animation continues to evolve and expand, and I am excited to join the team at Netflix to continue to break new ground,” Toliver told Variety.
Toliver is credited with the development of the Oscar-nominated “The Mitchells vs. the Machines,” as well as a producer on the Oscar-winning short “Hair Love.” Prior to Spa, she had a long run at...
- 2/10/2022
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Amazon Prime Video will stream Sony Pictures Animation’s Hotel Transylvania: Transformania on January 14 in 240 countries and territories.
The tech company licensed rights to the fourth installment in the franchise from Sony earlier this year, extending its opportunistic streak as Covid continues to disrupt the film marketplace. Deadline reported discussions with Amazon in August, which were aimed at enabling the film to avoid a head-to-head matchup with another major animated title, Addams Family 2. Both had been scheduled to come out in early October.
Sony, which is unique among major studios for not having its own streaming platform to supply, has made moves during the pandemic like selling Greyhound to Apple and reaching a major overall agreement with Netflix.
The Hotel Transylvania franchise has grossed $1.3 billion. The new outing features voice work by Selena Gomez, Brian Hull, Jim Gaffigan, Andy Samberg, Kathryn Hahn, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon, David Spade, Keegan-Michael Key,...
The tech company licensed rights to the fourth installment in the franchise from Sony earlier this year, extending its opportunistic streak as Covid continues to disrupt the film marketplace. Deadline reported discussions with Amazon in August, which were aimed at enabling the film to avoid a head-to-head matchup with another major animated title, Addams Family 2. Both had been scheduled to come out in early October.
Sony, which is unique among major studios for not having its own streaming platform to supply, has made moves during the pandemic like selling Greyhound to Apple and reaching a major overall agreement with Netflix.
The Hotel Transylvania franchise has grossed $1.3 billion. The new outing features voice work by Selena Gomez, Brian Hull, Jim Gaffigan, Andy Samberg, Kathryn Hahn, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon, David Spade, Keegan-Michael Key,...
- 10/6/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
When visual development artist Chris Appelhans (“Coraline”) realized that “Aladdin” was originally a Chinese folk tale while visiting Shanghai 20 years ago, he had an aha moment about writing and directing an animated genie-in-a-bottle retelling set in modern Shanghai. The result is “Wish Dragon” (streaming Friday on Netflix), an American-Chinese co-production with Sony Pictures Animation, in which working-class college student, Din (Jimmy Wong), teams up with pink, fluffy, snarky genie, Long (John Cho), to reunite with his long-lost childhood friend, Lina (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), now a famous model.
As Appelhans watched a friend in Shanghai “struggling with family and class and concepts of success, it seemed like that timeless [‘Aladdin’] story… about a peasant boy who lives with his mother, meets a wish-granting genie, falls in love with a princess, loses himself, and finds himself again, could have newfound relevance today,” he said. “It made me think a lot about the world.
As Appelhans watched a friend in Shanghai “struggling with family and class and concepts of success, it seemed like that timeless [‘Aladdin’] story… about a peasant boy who lives with his mother, meets a wish-granting genie, falls in love with a princess, loses himself, and finds himself again, could have newfound relevance today,” he said. “It made me think a lot about the world.
- 6/10/2021
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Netflix has licensed all global rights, sans China, to Sony Pictures Animation’s Vivo. The movie, directed by Oscar nominee Kirk DeMicco (The Croods) and co-directed by Brandon Jeffords (Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2) with new songs written and performed by Tony-winning Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, was recently scheduled for a theatrical release on June 4. The new drop date on Netflix is still to be determined.
I understand this is a similar deal to Netflix’s pickup of Sony’s Kevin Hart movie Fatherhood whereby Netflix gets the first window, which is streaming, and Sony will retain home entertainment and linear TV rights to all other territories, including China theatrical, after the pic’s exclusive run on the streamer.
Note the recent licensing of Sony’s Vivo by Netflix is outside the streamer’s new multi-year $1 billion deal with the Culver City studio. That deal commences in 2022, as previously reported,...
I understand this is a similar deal to Netflix’s pickup of Sony’s Kevin Hart movie Fatherhood whereby Netflix gets the first window, which is streaming, and Sony will retain home entertainment and linear TV rights to all other territories, including China theatrical, after the pic’s exclusive run on the streamer.
Note the recent licensing of Sony’s Vivo by Netflix is outside the streamer’s new multi-year $1 billion deal with the Culver City studio. That deal commences in 2022, as previously reported,...
- 4/26/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Former Pearl Studio Head of Development Justinian Huang has joined Sony Pictures Animation as VP of Creative.
He will report to Sony Pictures Animation President Kristine Belson.
During his tenure at Pearl Studio in Shanghai, Huang oversaw co-production on their feature Abominable, which earned $189.7M WW, in partnership with DreamWorks Animation, as well as the Netflix original Over the Moon, which is nominated at the Oscars for Best Animated Feature.
Huang was also the executive in charge of packaging Stephen Chow’s first global animated film, Monkey King, and served as a development executive for Kung Fu Panda 3, which grossed $521.2M globally at the box office.
While at Pearl Studio, Huang built and expanded upon the studio’s diverse and robust development slate, with a focus on engaging creative partnerships with Asian and Asian-American talent. He also oversaw the creative aspects of the Mandarin-language adaptations and localization of all Pearl Studio films,...
He will report to Sony Pictures Animation President Kristine Belson.
During his tenure at Pearl Studio in Shanghai, Huang oversaw co-production on their feature Abominable, which earned $189.7M WW, in partnership with DreamWorks Animation, as well as the Netflix original Over the Moon, which is nominated at the Oscars for Best Animated Feature.
Huang was also the executive in charge of packaging Stephen Chow’s first global animated film, Monkey King, and served as a development executive for Kung Fu Panda 3, which grossed $521.2M globally at the box office.
While at Pearl Studio, Huang built and expanded upon the studio’s diverse and robust development slate, with a focus on engaging creative partnerships with Asian and Asian-American talent. He also oversaw the creative aspects of the Mandarin-language adaptations and localization of all Pearl Studio films,...
- 4/12/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix has made good on its high-profile promise to deliver new movies every week.
Teased last October in national commercial spots, the streaming monolith is guaranteeing its roughly 193 million subscribers unseen features every week in 2021. Largely consisting of original productions as well as some splashy acquisitions, the slate has 71 titles across genres — from musicals to action, romantic comedies to family animation.
Dwayne Johnson, Melissa McCarthy, Halle Berry, Jason Momoa, Amy Adams, Ryan Reynolds, Chris Hemsworth and Lin-Manuel Miranda are among those featured in sizzle reel released Tuesday (watch below) showcasing their respective projects, which will roll out over the next 12 months.
Highlights include the mega-budgeted heist film “Red Notice,” starring Gal Gadot, Johnson, and Reynolds; the Western “The Harder They Fall” with Regina King, Idris Elba and “Lovecraft County” breakout Jonathan Majors; Adams’ “The Woman in The Window”; Zach Snyder’s “Army of the Dead”; Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Tick, Tick … Boom!
Teased last October in national commercial spots, the streaming monolith is guaranteeing its roughly 193 million subscribers unseen features every week in 2021. Largely consisting of original productions as well as some splashy acquisitions, the slate has 71 titles across genres — from musicals to action, romantic comedies to family animation.
Dwayne Johnson, Melissa McCarthy, Halle Berry, Jason Momoa, Amy Adams, Ryan Reynolds, Chris Hemsworth and Lin-Manuel Miranda are among those featured in sizzle reel released Tuesday (watch below) showcasing their respective projects, which will roll out over the next 12 months.
Highlights include the mega-budgeted heist film “Red Notice,” starring Gal Gadot, Johnson, and Reynolds; the Western “The Harder They Fall” with Regina King, Idris Elba and “Lovecraft County” breakout Jonathan Majors; Adams’ “The Woman in The Window”; Zach Snyder’s “Army of the Dead”; Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Tick, Tick … Boom!
- 1/12/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Matthew A. Cherry will make his directorial feature debut on “Tut,” a new take on the Egyptian boy-king Tutankhamun, that has begun in development at Sony Pictures Animation, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
“Tut” (tentatively titled) is an Afro-futuristic take on the boy king and is based on an original idea from Cherry and Monica A. Young. It will be a fantastical journey through ancient Egypt and aims to celebrate the culture that introduced the world to countless modern conventions and technologies.
Cherry and Young will also executive produce the film.
“Matthew is one of today’s most exceptional creative voices. We had the privilege of collaborating with him on his first animated short, which has since evolved into his first animated series – and we’re so proud to team up again on his first animated feature, Tut. Matthew has a bold and modern take on this story rarely told,...
“Tut” (tentatively titled) is an Afro-futuristic take on the boy king and is based on an original idea from Cherry and Monica A. Young. It will be a fantastical journey through ancient Egypt and aims to celebrate the culture that introduced the world to countless modern conventions and technologies.
Cherry and Young will also executive produce the film.
“Matthew is one of today’s most exceptional creative voices. We had the privilege of collaborating with him on his first animated short, which has since evolved into his first animated series – and we’re so proud to team up again on his first animated feature, Tut. Matthew has a bold and modern take on this story rarely told,...
- 10/14/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Sony Pictures Animation has plucked the first feature film from Academy Award winner Matthew A. Cherry.
After winning the Oscar for his acclaimed short “Hair Love,” Cherry is at work on the tentatively-titled “Tut,” an afro-futuristic, coming-of-age story of the boy king Tutankhamun.
Based on an original idea from Cherry and Monica A. Young, the film will take audiences on a journey through ancient Egypt and celebrate a culture that introduced the world to countless modern conventions and technologies.
Cherry said he was “beyond excited to explore the magical world of ancient Egypt through the eyes of its youngest ruler, King Tut. I’ve always wanted to dive deeper into the legend of the boy king and we can’t think of better partners to embark upon this journey with than Kristine Belson, Karen Toliver and the great people at Sony Pictures Animation.”
Spa president Kristine Belson called Cherry “one...
After winning the Oscar for his acclaimed short “Hair Love,” Cherry is at work on the tentatively-titled “Tut,” an afro-futuristic, coming-of-age story of the boy king Tutankhamun.
Based on an original idea from Cherry and Monica A. Young, the film will take audiences on a journey through ancient Egypt and celebrate a culture that introduced the world to countless modern conventions and technologies.
Cherry said he was “beyond excited to explore the magical world of ancient Egypt through the eyes of its youngest ruler, King Tut. I’ve always wanted to dive deeper into the legend of the boy king and we can’t think of better partners to embark upon this journey with than Kristine Belson, Karen Toliver and the great people at Sony Pictures Animation.”
Spa president Kristine Belson called Cherry “one...
- 10/14/2020
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Members of the U.S. animation community have teamed up to publish The Art of Voting, a collection of original artwork and essays by 93 illustrators, production designers, showrunners, writers and activists to encourage people to vote this November. The book was put together entirely by volunteers and all proceeds go to Fair Fight, an organization founded by Stacey Abrams to promote fair elections and voter participation.
The project was sponsored by Illumination head Chris Melendandri, Sony Pictures Animation president Kristine Belson, Illumination executive producer Latifa Ouaou, and Dreamworks Animation producer Karen Foster, and published by the Bric Foundation, whose founder and ...
The project was sponsored by Illumination head Chris Melendandri, Sony Pictures Animation president Kristine Belson, Illumination executive producer Latifa Ouaou, and Dreamworks Animation producer Karen Foster, and published by the Bric Foundation, whose founder and ...
- 10/12/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Members of the U.S. animation community have teamed up to publish The Art of Voting, a collection of original artwork and essays by 93 illustrators, production designers, showrunners, writers and activists to encourage people to vote this November. The book was put together entirely by volunteers and all proceeds go to Fair Fight, an organization founded by Stacey Abrams to promote fair elections and voter participation.
The project was sponsored by Illumination head Chris Melendandri, Sony Pictures Animation president Kristine Belson, Illumination executive producer Latifa Ouaou, and Dreamworks Animation producer Karen Foster, and published by the Bric Foundation, whose founder and ...
The project was sponsored by Illumination head Chris Melendandri, Sony Pictures Animation president Kristine Belson, Illumination executive producer Latifa Ouaou, and Dreamworks Animation producer Karen Foster, and published by the Bric Foundation, whose founder and ...
- 10/12/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
While mature and adult-themed animation has thrived in Japan and around the globe, PG-13 and R-rated animated fare has been a niche market here in North America. But, according to Kristine Belson, president of Sony Pictures Animation, Features and Series, our current state of global quarantine during this pandemic is increasing audience desire for these types of films. No, not porn, you purveyors…...
- 6/25/2020
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Kristine Belson, president of Sony Pictures Animation, Features and Series, predicts more animated titles will aim for older audiences as a result from an overall boom in interest caused by Covid-19.
Speaking Thursday at the Collision From Home virtual conference, she said animation, which has managed to prosper during the pandemic, will accelerate its current trend toward diversification.
“I don’t think you’re going to see more family animated movies because that’s very saturated,” she said. “There will be more R-rated animated movies.” While Sony hasn’t yet made one, she added, “There are a couple we’re working on and we’re really excited about releasing our first one. I think you’re going to see PG-13 animated movies, which is something you haven’t seen before. Harder action-adventure sort of stuff.”
While Sony has been in feature animation for nearly two decades, it saw a breakthrough...
Speaking Thursday at the Collision From Home virtual conference, she said animation, which has managed to prosper during the pandemic, will accelerate its current trend toward diversification.
“I don’t think you’re going to see more family animated movies because that’s very saturated,” she said. “There will be more R-rated animated movies.” While Sony hasn’t yet made one, she added, “There are a couple we’re working on and we’re really excited about releasing our first one. I think you’re going to see PG-13 animated movies, which is something you haven’t seen before. Harder action-adventure sort of stuff.”
While Sony has been in feature animation for nearly two decades, it saw a breakthrough...
- 6/25/2020
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
In the wake of TriStar boss Hannah Minghella heading to lead Bad Robot’s film department, Sony Motion Pictures Group Chairman Tom Rothman this morning promptly announced that TriStar Evp Nicole Brown will be taking over the division, an organic order of progression. Brown came to TriStar from Good Universe six years ago as Svp.
Brown’s career in the independent world focused on discovering new talent and working with first time directors like Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, Drew Barrymore, Lorene Scafaria and Diablo Cody. At Good Universe she served as Evp of Production, and executive produced Rogen comedies including This Is The End in addition to developing features like Last Vegas and Neighbors.
Here is Rothman’s email to staff:
Dear colleagues,
I want to make you aware of some changes affecting our TriStar label.
After 14 terrific years of dedicated service to the company, Hannah Minghella will be...
Brown’s career in the independent world focused on discovering new talent and working with first time directors like Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, Drew Barrymore, Lorene Scafaria and Diablo Cody. At Good Universe she served as Evp of Production, and executive produced Rogen comedies including This Is The End in addition to developing features like Last Vegas and Neighbors.
Here is Rothman’s email to staff:
Dear colleagues,
I want to make you aware of some changes affecting our TriStar label.
After 14 terrific years of dedicated service to the company, Hannah Minghella will be...
- 10/17/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Josh Greenstein and Sanford Panitch have each been named to the new shared position of President Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, Sony Motion Pictures Group Chairman Tom Rothman announced Thursday.
The duo will assume a senior role that has been vacant since Doug Belgrad left the studio in 2016. Greenstein and Panitch’s responsibilities and reporting lines remain unchanged. Greenstein’s previous title was Sony Pictures President of Worldwide Marketing & Distribution and Panitch previously served as president of Columbia Pictures.
In addition, Rothman noted the recent promotions of Kristine Belson to president of Sony Pictures Animation, Features and Series and Spring Aspers to president of Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, Music.
Also Read: Marvel, Sony Pictures Reach Deal for Another 'Spider-Man' Film
Read the memo below…
From: Office of Tom Rothman
Sent: Thursday, October 3, 2019
To: Office of Tom Rothman
Subject: Mpg Promotions
Good morning,
I am pleased to share with all...
The duo will assume a senior role that has been vacant since Doug Belgrad left the studio in 2016. Greenstein and Panitch’s responsibilities and reporting lines remain unchanged. Greenstein’s previous title was Sony Pictures President of Worldwide Marketing & Distribution and Panitch previously served as president of Columbia Pictures.
In addition, Rothman noted the recent promotions of Kristine Belson to president of Sony Pictures Animation, Features and Series and Spring Aspers to president of Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, Music.
Also Read: Marvel, Sony Pictures Reach Deal for Another 'Spider-Man' Film
Read the memo below…
From: Office of Tom Rothman
Sent: Thursday, October 3, 2019
To: Office of Tom Rothman
Subject: Mpg Promotions
Good morning,
I am pleased to share with all...
- 10/3/2019
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Exclusive: This morning Sony Motion Pictures Group Chairman Tom Rothman informed studio staff about a round of recent promotions, with Josh Greenstein and Sanford Panitch each being named to the new shared position of President Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, a title which has been vacant since Doug Belgrad’s departure.
It’s all for a job well done by the duo with Panitch in production and Greenstein leading global marketing and distribution as Sony recently saw their highest grossing movie of all-time with Spider-Man: Far From Home‘s $1.13 billion global gross, and Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood being the highest grossing original film at the B.O. year to date with $357.6M (the filmmaker’s second-highest grossing movie after Django Unchained). Not to mention, Sony is primed to clear $1 billion at the domestic box office soon and potentially best their 2018 $1.3B take following the releases...
It’s all for a job well done by the duo with Panitch in production and Greenstein leading global marketing and distribution as Sony recently saw their highest grossing movie of all-time with Spider-Man: Far From Home‘s $1.13 billion global gross, and Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood being the highest grossing original film at the B.O. year to date with $357.6M (the filmmaker’s second-highest grossing movie after Django Unchained). Not to mention, Sony is primed to clear $1 billion at the domestic box office soon and potentially best their 2018 $1.3B take following the releases...
- 10/3/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Executive shepherded Oscar-winner Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse.
Sony Pictures Animation president Kristine Belson, under whose watch the latest entry in the Hotel Transylvania franchise attained record international and global box office results, has renewed her contract and expanded her role to include producing animated series for television and streaming platforms.
In her new role as president, Sony Pictures Animation, features and series, Belson will continue to report to Sony Pictures Entertainment motion picture group chairman Tom Rothman.
For television projects, she will liaise with Sony Pictures Television chairman Mike Hopkins and work with Sony Pictures Television Studios co-presidents Chris Parnell...
Sony Pictures Animation president Kristine Belson, under whose watch the latest entry in the Hotel Transylvania franchise attained record international and global box office results, has renewed her contract and expanded her role to include producing animated series for television and streaming platforms.
In her new role as president, Sony Pictures Animation, features and series, Belson will continue to report to Sony Pictures Entertainment motion picture group chairman Tom Rothman.
For television projects, she will liaise with Sony Pictures Television chairman Mike Hopkins and work with Sony Pictures Television Studios co-presidents Chris Parnell...
- 10/2/2019
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Sony Pictures Animation President Kristine Belson has renewed her contract to continue running the Oscar-winning film division, the studio announced on Wednesday.
In addition to re-upping her deal, Belson will also expand her responsibilities to include producing animated series for TV and streaming. Belson’s new title is president of Sony Pictures Animation, Features and Series. She will continue to report to Sony’s motion picture group chairman Tom Rothman.
On the television side, Belson will liaise with Sony Pictures TV Chairman Mike Hopkins and work with Chris Parnell and Jason Clodfelter, co-presidents of Sony Pictures TV Studios, on some projects.
Also Read: Marvel, Sony Pictures Reach Deal for Another 'Spider-Man' Film
“For the last few years, Sony Pictures Animation has thrived under Kristine’s expert leadership,” Rothman said. “Under her watch, we’ve seen ‘Hotel Transylvania’ grow to a $1.3 billion franchise and the team win their first-ever Oscar for ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
In addition to re-upping her deal, Belson will also expand her responsibilities to include producing animated series for TV and streaming. Belson’s new title is president of Sony Pictures Animation, Features and Series. She will continue to report to Sony’s motion picture group chairman Tom Rothman.
On the television side, Belson will liaise with Sony Pictures TV Chairman Mike Hopkins and work with Chris Parnell and Jason Clodfelter, co-presidents of Sony Pictures TV Studios, on some projects.
Also Read: Marvel, Sony Pictures Reach Deal for Another 'Spider-Man' Film
“For the last few years, Sony Pictures Animation has thrived under Kristine’s expert leadership,” Rothman said. “Under her watch, we’ve seen ‘Hotel Transylvania’ grow to a $1.3 billion franchise and the team win their first-ever Oscar for ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
- 10/2/2019
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
Sony Pictures Animation president Kristine Belson has renewed her contract, a deal the studio said Wednesday will expand her scope to include producing series for TV and streaming. Her new title is President, Sony Pictures Animation, Features and Series.
She will continue to report to Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group chairman Tom Rothman, while now also working with the studio’s TV auspices.
During her tenure, Belson, who was hired by Sony from DreamWorks Animation in 2015, has shepherded Sony’s Hotel Transylvania franchise as well as the Oscar-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
At Dwa, she was an executive producer on How to Train Your Dragon and The Croods.
Variety broke the news first today.
She will continue to report to Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group chairman Tom Rothman, while now also working with the studio’s TV auspices.
During her tenure, Belson, who was hired by Sony from DreamWorks Animation in 2015, has shepherded Sony’s Hotel Transylvania franchise as well as the Oscar-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
At Dwa, she was an executive producer on How to Train Your Dragon and The Croods.
Variety broke the news first today.
- 10/2/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony Animation President Kristine Belson Renews Deal, Expands Duties to Streaming and TV (Exclusive)
Newly-minted Oscar winner Kristine Belson has signed a new deal to remain president of Sony Pictures Animation, and will expand her purview to television.
Belson, who reports to Sony motion picture group chairman Tom Rothman, has been on the Culver City lot since 2015, and is largely credited with reviving the division thanks to hits like the “Hotel Transylvania” franchise and the recent, genre-bending “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.”
In her expanded role, Belson will tackle series projects for TV and streaming partners. She will liaise with Sony Pictures Television chairman Mike Hopkins and work with Chris Parnell and Jason Clodfelter, co-presidents of Sony Pictures Television Studios. Her new title will read as president, Sony Pictures Animation, features and series.
“For the last few years, Sony Pictures Animation has thrived under Kristine’s expert leadership,” Rothman tells Variety. “Under her watch, we’ve seen ‘Hotel Transylvania” grow to a $1.3 billion franchise and...
Belson, who reports to Sony motion picture group chairman Tom Rothman, has been on the Culver City lot since 2015, and is largely credited with reviving the division thanks to hits like the “Hotel Transylvania” franchise and the recent, genre-bending “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.”
In her expanded role, Belson will tackle series projects for TV and streaming partners. She will liaise with Sony Pictures Television chairman Mike Hopkins and work with Chris Parnell and Jason Clodfelter, co-presidents of Sony Pictures Television Studios. Her new title will read as president, Sony Pictures Animation, features and series.
“For the last few years, Sony Pictures Animation has thrived under Kristine’s expert leadership,” Rothman tells Variety. “Under her watch, we’ve seen ‘Hotel Transylvania” grow to a $1.3 billion franchise and...
- 10/2/2019
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Karen Rupert Toliver is continuing her tenure at Sony Pictures Animation. The longtime animation executive has been promoted from senior vice president of creative development, the position she started in when she joined the company in 2017, to executive vice president of creative.
In her new role, Toliver will oversee creative supervision of a number of upcoming features for the studio and is also in charge of recruiting key storytelling talent. She’s also responsible for discovering and acquiring new creative material and intellectual property aligned with Sony Animation’s vision including original concepts, books, comics, video games, shorts, websites, and toys.
“Karen is an outstanding and deeply experienced executive with a unique ability to bring out the best in our storytellers, said Kristine Belson, president of Sony Pictures Animation. “At Sony Animation, we are a community designed to support filmmakers bringing big, bold films to the world, and we...
In her new role, Toliver will oversee creative supervision of a number of upcoming features for the studio and is also in charge of recruiting key storytelling talent. She’s also responsible for discovering and acquiring new creative material and intellectual property aligned with Sony Animation’s vision including original concepts, books, comics, video games, shorts, websites, and toys.
“Karen is an outstanding and deeply experienced executive with a unique ability to bring out the best in our storytellers, said Kristine Belson, president of Sony Pictures Animation. “At Sony Animation, we are a community designed to support filmmakers bringing big, bold films to the world, and we...
- 7/24/2019
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Variety‘s fifth annual 10 Animators to Watch celebrated what’s new, what’s different and what’s to come in animation.
Variety and Nickelodeon partnered for the event, held at NeueHouse in Hollywood on Tuesday night and hosted by Variety’s executive vice president of content Steve Gaydos. The 10 Animators to Watch — Henry Bonsy, Jérémy Clapin, Trevor Dalmer, Emily Limyun Dean, Valerie Lapointe, Natalie Nourigat, Keely Propp, Miguel Puga, Troy Quane, Malenga Mulendema — took the stage in honor of their auspicious careers in animation. Kristine Belson, president of Sony Pictures Animation, received the honor for Creative Impact in Animation.
“[Animation] is no longer a medium or genre for just kids. It’s a medium — and some of us think it’s the best medium — of storytelling for all audiences to enjoy,” Belson told the crowd upon accepting the honor.
Belson recalled the process of overhauling Sony Pictures Animation during her four...
Variety and Nickelodeon partnered for the event, held at NeueHouse in Hollywood on Tuesday night and hosted by Variety’s executive vice president of content Steve Gaydos. The 10 Animators to Watch — Henry Bonsy, Jérémy Clapin, Trevor Dalmer, Emily Limyun Dean, Valerie Lapointe, Natalie Nourigat, Keely Propp, Miguel Puga, Troy Quane, Malenga Mulendema — took the stage in honor of their auspicious careers in animation. Kristine Belson, president of Sony Pictures Animation, received the honor for Creative Impact in Animation.
“[Animation] is no longer a medium or genre for just kids. It’s a medium — and some of us think it’s the best medium — of storytelling for all audiences to enjoy,” Belson told the crowd upon accepting the honor.
Belson recalled the process of overhauling Sony Pictures Animation during her four...
- 7/10/2019
- by Dano Nissen
- Variety Film + TV
Kristine Belson made her first trip to the Annecy Animated Film Festival as president of Sony Pictures Animation three years ago, not long after taking control of the studio. In a speech there, she sketched out a new philosophical direction for the division: In an animation landscape dominated by longtime juggernauts and franchises, Belson wanted to make Sony Animation a filmmaker-driven studio, one without a house style, which could take chances on projects other companies might struggle to fit into their more tried-and-true pipelines.
“It was well-received at the time, but it was all theoretical,” she says of her inaugural Annecy address. “Everyone says they want to be filmmaker-driven, and I believe all of us at the various animation studios believe it, but there’s a difference between talking the talk and walking the walk.”
When Belson, who is receiving Variety’s Creative Impact in Animation award on July 9, went...
“It was well-received at the time, but it was all theoretical,” she says of her inaugural Annecy address. “Everyone says they want to be filmmaker-driven, and I believe all of us at the various animation studios believe it, but there’s a difference between talking the talk and walking the walk.”
When Belson, who is receiving Variety’s Creative Impact in Animation award on July 9, went...
- 7/9/2019
- by Andrew Barker
- Variety Film + TV
Sony Pictures Animation unveiled an expanded slate Wednesday at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in Annecy, France.
Coming off the success of its Oscar-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, the studio announced that China’s Tencent has boarded Jackie Chan’s Wish Dragon, and also revealed three projects in development – a reimagining of The Boondocks, horror series Hungry Ghosts, based on the Dark Horse Graphic Novel by the late Anthony Bourdain and Joel Rose, and comedy Superbago, a collabortion with Stoopid Buddy Stoodios – along with two new adult-skewing animated features from Genndy Tartakovsky.
The studio also announced a big international initiative spearheaded by Oscar-winning producer Aron Warner. With the initiative, Sony Animation will collaborate with storytellers from different countries around the world to develop and produce a wide variety of animated features for both local and global release.
Warner is currently producing the initiative’s first release,...
Coming off the success of its Oscar-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, the studio announced that China’s Tencent has boarded Jackie Chan’s Wish Dragon, and also revealed three projects in development – a reimagining of The Boondocks, horror series Hungry Ghosts, based on the Dark Horse Graphic Novel by the late Anthony Bourdain and Joel Rose, and comedy Superbago, a collabortion with Stoopid Buddy Stoodios – along with two new adult-skewing animated features from Genndy Tartakovsky.
The studio also announced a big international initiative spearheaded by Oscar-winning producer Aron Warner. With the initiative, Sony Animation will collaborate with storytellers from different countries around the world to develop and produce a wide variety of animated features for both local and global release.
Warner is currently producing the initiative’s first release,...
- 6/12/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony Pictures Animation is set to reboot The Boondocks and is in development on the anthology series Hungry Ghosts based on the late Anthony Bourdain's graphic novel.
In an expansive presentation Wednesday at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival, Spa president Kristine Belson unveiled the studio's full slate. Fresh off of its Oscar win for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, the studio is moving full steam ahead.
Belson brought out Hotel Transylvania director Genndy Tartakovsky, who holds rock-star status in Annecy, to show first images from his new films Black Knight and the dog tale Fixed. But the exec also made several key announcements.
Spa ...
In an expansive presentation Wednesday at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival, Spa president Kristine Belson unveiled the studio's full slate. Fresh off of its Oscar win for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, the studio is moving full steam ahead.
Belson brought out Hotel Transylvania director Genndy Tartakovsky, who holds rock-star status in Annecy, to show first images from his new films Black Knight and the dog tale Fixed. But the exec also made several key announcements.
Spa ...
- 6/12/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Sony Pictures Animation is set to reboot The Boondocks and is in development on the anthology series Hungry Ghosts based on Anthony Bourdain's graphic novel.
In an expansive presentation at Annecy, Spa president Kristine Belson unveiled the studio's full slate. Fresh off of its Oscar win with Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, the studio is moving forward full steam ahead.
Belson brought out Hotel Transylvania director Genndy Tartakovsky, who holds rock star status in Annecy, to show first images from his new films Black Knight and the dog tale Fixed. But she also made several key announcements.
The studio is “committed to making big,...
In an expansive presentation at Annecy, Spa president Kristine Belson unveiled the studio's full slate. Fresh off of its Oscar win with Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, the studio is moving forward full steam ahead.
Belson brought out Hotel Transylvania director Genndy Tartakovsky, who holds rock star status in Annecy, to show first images from his new films Black Knight and the dog tale Fixed. But she also made several key announcements.
The studio is “committed to making big,...
- 6/12/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Annecy — In an expansive mode after the huge critical, commercial and Academy Award validation for “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” Sony Pictures Animation announced at Annecy on Wednesday that China’s Tencent has boarded Jackie Chan’s “Wish Dragon,” plus a reimagining of “The Boondocks,” horror series “Hungry Ghosts,” comedy series “Superbago” and two new Genndy Tartakovsky movies.
There was a sense at Annecy that this is a studio with wind in its sails and an empowering confidence.
All the moves are encompassed in the creation of two new bold production lines unveiled by Kristine Belson, Spa president, at an Annecy Spa presentation on Wednesday which proved one of the hottest tickets in town: An international initiative, headed by producer Aaron Warner, and a slate of alternative animation taking in not only “The Boondocks” with Sony Pictures Television and original creator Aaron McGruder, but the horror anthology “Hungry Ghosts,” “Superbago” and...
There was a sense at Annecy that this is a studio with wind in its sails and an empowering confidence.
All the moves are encompassed in the creation of two new bold production lines unveiled by Kristine Belson, Spa president, at an Annecy Spa presentation on Wednesday which proved one of the hottest tickets in town: An international initiative, headed by producer Aaron Warner, and a slate of alternative animation taking in not only “The Boondocks” with Sony Pictures Television and original creator Aaron McGruder, but the horror anthology “Hungry Ghosts,” “Superbago” and...
- 6/12/2019
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Like the art form it celebrates, the Annecy International Animated Film Festival has been growing creatively and commercially by leaps and bounds — increasingly attracting attention from Hollywood’s expanding roster of animation studios.
Annecy artistic director Marcel Jean says the number of festival goers has nearly doubled since 2013 to 11,700 in 2018. The number of projects has also soared, prompting the addition this year of a competition called Contrechamps for lower-budget, indie feature films.
And while the Mifa market at the Imperial Palace drew nearly 3,800 badge-holders last year, an annual increase of 22 percent, it’s the festival’s appreciation of and openness to the creativity of animation that draws an influential audience too tempting for studios to pass up.
“It’s really about the art of animation there, not so much about the business of animation,” says Melissa Cobb, VP of kids and family at Netflix, which is officially attending the festival...
Annecy artistic director Marcel Jean says the number of festival goers has nearly doubled since 2013 to 11,700 in 2018. The number of projects has also soared, prompting the addition this year of a competition called Contrechamps for lower-budget, indie feature films.
And while the Mifa market at the Imperial Palace drew nearly 3,800 badge-holders last year, an annual increase of 22 percent, it’s the festival’s appreciation of and openness to the creativity of animation that draws an influential audience too tempting for studios to pass up.
“It’s really about the art of animation there, not so much about the business of animation,” says Melissa Cobb, VP of kids and family at Netflix, which is officially attending the festival...
- 6/5/2019
- by Thomas J. McLean
- Variety Film + TV
Women in Animation, Les Femmes s’Animent announce June 10 date, programme line-up.
Celebrated academic and inclusion expert Stacy Smith and French actor and women’s activist Julie Gayet will be among the speakers at the Women in Animation World Summit in Annecy, France, on June 10.
Organised by Women in Animation (Wia) and Les Femmes s’Animent (Lfa), the third summit takes place in conjunction with the Annecy International Animation Festival and Mifa 2019 and has chosen the notion of belonging as this year’s theme.
The Walt Disney Studios vice-president of multicultural audience engagement and Wia secretary Julie Ann Crommett will kick off the day-long,...
Celebrated academic and inclusion expert Stacy Smith and French actor and women’s activist Julie Gayet will be among the speakers at the Women in Animation World Summit in Annecy, France, on June 10.
Organised by Women in Animation (Wia) and Les Femmes s’Animent (Lfa), the third summit takes place in conjunction with the Annecy International Animation Festival and Mifa 2019 and has chosen the notion of belonging as this year’s theme.
The Walt Disney Studios vice-president of multicultural audience engagement and Wia secretary Julie Ann Crommett will kick off the day-long,...
- 5/24/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
When animation guru John Lasseter was ousted from his post at Pixar last year, trailed by a series of allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct, it seemed like a wake-up call for an animation industry that was slowly coming around to its own #MeToo moment. Yet Lasseter’s controversial hiring by Skydance Animation just months later highlighted the challenges of reshaping an industry that many women say has systematically worked against them.
“I do feel like there’s been a glass ceiling that I’ve been hitting up against,” Marge Dean, president of Women in Animation, says. “I feel like I have to justify myself and my position, or explain myself in more detail than my male colleagues have to. I think I have to work a little bit harder to prove myself.”
Some of the most powerful positions in the animation industry are held by women, including newly minted DreamWorks Animation president Margie Cohn,...
“I do feel like there’s been a glass ceiling that I’ve been hitting up against,” Marge Dean, president of Women in Animation, says. “I feel like I have to justify myself and my position, or explain myself in more detail than my male colleagues have to. I think I have to work a little bit harder to prove myself.”
Some of the most powerful positions in the animation industry are held by women, including newly minted DreamWorks Animation president Margie Cohn,...
- 5/15/2019
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Sony Pictures Animation has named Alison Mann as a VP of creative and strategy, Variety has learned exclusively.
Mann joins the Culver City studio from Illumination Entertainment, in a newly created role. She will report directly to Sony Pictures Animation president Kristine Belson
She will advise on film and series-based development across the Sony Animation brand. Mann will focus specifically on developing global-facing content and dialing up outreach to international talent.
In her previous role at Illumination, Mann worked as a VP in talent. She began her career at Nickelodeon Animation Studio as a finance department intern while attending Columbia College Chicago. She continued at Viacom as talent recruiter. She has also worked at Disney Animation Studio, Zynga, Disney Interactive, and Paramount Pictures Animation.
Mann is also a co-founder and CEO of the Bric Foundation, an organization that hopes to help create new access points for women and people from...
Mann joins the Culver City studio from Illumination Entertainment, in a newly created role. She will report directly to Sony Pictures Animation president Kristine Belson
She will advise on film and series-based development across the Sony Animation brand. Mann will focus specifically on developing global-facing content and dialing up outreach to international talent.
In her previous role at Illumination, Mann worked as a VP in talent. She began her career at Nickelodeon Animation Studio as a finance department intern while attending Columbia College Chicago. She continued at Viacom as talent recruiter. She has also worked at Disney Animation Studio, Zynga, Disney Interactive, and Paramount Pictures Animation.
Mann is also a co-founder and CEO of the Bric Foundation, an organization that hopes to help create new access points for women and people from...
- 5/6/2019
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Credits include The Simpsons feature and series episodes.
Rich Moore, the Oscar-winning animation director whose credits include Zootopia and Wreck It Ralph, is leaving the Disney fold and will join Sony Pictures Animation to develop, produce and direct original animated features.
Moore will also be available to act in an advisory capacity with ongoing feature film and series-based projects at the studio.
Moore directed Oscar-winner Zootopia (pictured) with Byron Howard and made his directorial debut with Disney Animation on the 2012 Oscar-nominated Wreck-It Ralph. He most recently directed the 2018 Oscar-nominated follow-up, Ralph Breaks The Internet with Phil Johnston.
Sony Pictures Animation president Kristine Belson said,...
Rich Moore, the Oscar-winning animation director whose credits include Zootopia and Wreck It Ralph, is leaving the Disney fold and will join Sony Pictures Animation to develop, produce and direct original animated features.
Moore will also be available to act in an advisory capacity with ongoing feature film and series-based projects at the studio.
Moore directed Oscar-winner Zootopia (pictured) with Byron Howard and made his directorial debut with Disney Animation on the 2012 Oscar-nominated Wreck-It Ralph. He most recently directed the 2018 Oscar-nominated follow-up, Ralph Breaks The Internet with Phil Johnston.
Sony Pictures Animation president Kristine Belson said,...
- 4/8/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Rich Moore, who won an Academy Award for “Zootopia,” will be joining Sony Pictures Animation to develop, produce, and direct original animated features.
Sony Pictures Animation, which made the announcement on Monday, said Moore will also be be available to act in an advisory capacity with ongoing feature film and series-based projects.
Kristine Belson, president of Sony Pictures Animation, said, “Rich is a world-class storyteller and he brings with him a wealth of experience and a unique sensibility for story, comedy, and heart. We are so excited for him to join our team of filmmakers at Sony Pictures Animation as we continue to develop a slate of animated features that are big, bold, and will take audiences by surprise.”
Moore also received Oscar nominations for “Wreck-It Ralph” and “Ralph Breaks the Internet” with fellow director Phil Johnston. He was one of the original three directors on “The Simpsons,” directing episodes...
Sony Pictures Animation, which made the announcement on Monday, said Moore will also be be available to act in an advisory capacity with ongoing feature film and series-based projects.
Kristine Belson, president of Sony Pictures Animation, said, “Rich is a world-class storyteller and he brings with him a wealth of experience and a unique sensibility for story, comedy, and heart. We are so excited for him to join our team of filmmakers at Sony Pictures Animation as we continue to develop a slate of animated features that are big, bold, and will take audiences by surprise.”
Moore also received Oscar nominations for “Wreck-It Ralph” and “Ralph Breaks the Internet” with fellow director Phil Johnston. He was one of the original three directors on “The Simpsons,” directing episodes...
- 4/8/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Oscar-winning animated feature director and Disney veteran Rich Moore is jumping from Disney to Sony Pictures Animation after 10 years and will develop, produce and direct feature films for the studio.
Moore won an Oscar in 2017 for Best Animated Feature for “Zootopia.”
“Rich is a world-class storyteller and he brings with him a wealth of experience and a unique sensibility for story, comedy and heart,” Sony Pictures Animation president Kristine Belson said in a statement. “We are so excited for him to join our team of filmmakers at Sony Pictures Animation as we continue to develop a slate of animated features that are big, bold, and will take audiences by surprise.”
Also Read: Sony Pictures Television Names Marie Jacobson Head of New 'Indie Feature Film Style' Production Unit
In addition to “Zootopia,” which grossed more than $1 billion worldwide, Moore directed the Oscar-nominated “Wreck-It Ralph” and last year’s “Ralph Breaks the Internet” for Disney.
Moore won an Oscar in 2017 for Best Animated Feature for “Zootopia.”
“Rich is a world-class storyteller and he brings with him a wealth of experience and a unique sensibility for story, comedy and heart,” Sony Pictures Animation president Kristine Belson said in a statement. “We are so excited for him to join our team of filmmakers at Sony Pictures Animation as we continue to develop a slate of animated features that are big, bold, and will take audiences by surprise.”
Also Read: Sony Pictures Television Names Marie Jacobson Head of New 'Indie Feature Film Style' Production Unit
In addition to “Zootopia,” which grossed more than $1 billion worldwide, Moore directed the Oscar-nominated “Wreck-It Ralph” and last year’s “Ralph Breaks the Internet” for Disney.
- 4/8/2019
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
Newly minted Oscar winners Sony Pictures Animation have announced a fourth installment in Genndy Tartakovsky’s “Hotel Transylvania” series.
Not a surprising move, considering the Adam Sandler-led family spin on classic movie monsters has grossed over $1.3 billion at the worldwide box office.
While it’s unclear what tone the film will take, Sony will release it Dec. 21, 2021, in the Christmas release block.
Last year’s “Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation” netted a series best and a new benchmark for Sony with a $528.6 million global haul. That starred Sandler, Selena Gomez, Kathryn Hahn, Andy Samberg, Kevin James, and Fran Drescher. It was written by Tartakovsky and Michael McCullers, with Michelle Murdocca serving as producer.
“Hotel” sees Sandler as a hapless version of Dracula, running an elite hotel for monsters which includes his pals Frankenstein (James) and his bride (Drescher), a werewolf (Steve Buscemi), the invisible man (David Spade), and a hunchback (Jon Lovitz).
On Sunday,...
Not a surprising move, considering the Adam Sandler-led family spin on classic movie monsters has grossed over $1.3 billion at the worldwide box office.
While it’s unclear what tone the film will take, Sony will release it Dec. 21, 2021, in the Christmas release block.
Last year’s “Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation” netted a series best and a new benchmark for Sony with a $528.6 million global haul. That starred Sandler, Selena Gomez, Kathryn Hahn, Andy Samberg, Kevin James, and Fran Drescher. It was written by Tartakovsky and Michael McCullers, with Michelle Murdocca serving as producer.
“Hotel” sees Sandler as a hapless version of Dracula, running an elite hotel for monsters which includes his pals Frankenstein (James) and his bride (Drescher), a werewolf (Steve Buscemi), the invisible man (David Spade), and a hunchback (Jon Lovitz).
On Sunday,...
- 2/26/2019
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
In a major validation for Sony and Marvel, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” has won the Academy Award for animated feature for Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.
While accepting the award, Lord celebrated what the representation in the movie meant for many. “When we hear that somebody’s kid was watching the movie and turned to them and said, ‘He looks like me,’ or ‘They speak Spanish like us,’ we feel like we already won.”
Sunday’s win capped a strong awards season run for the film, which won the top animated film honor at the Annies, Golden Globes, BAFTA and Producers Guild Awards. It’s one of the biggest awards to date for a title based on Marvel characters, along with “Big Hero 6,” which also won the animated feature trophy in 2015.
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” centers on 13-year-old Brooklynite Miles Morales, who becomes one of many Spider-Men,...
While accepting the award, Lord celebrated what the representation in the movie meant for many. “When we hear that somebody’s kid was watching the movie and turned to them and said, ‘He looks like me,’ or ‘They speak Spanish like us,’ we feel like we already won.”
Sunday’s win capped a strong awards season run for the film, which won the top animated film honor at the Annies, Golden Globes, BAFTA and Producers Guild Awards. It’s one of the biggest awards to date for a title based on Marvel characters, along with “Big Hero 6,” which also won the animated feature trophy in 2015.
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” centers on 13-year-old Brooklynite Miles Morales, who becomes one of many Spider-Men,...
- 2/25/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
“There are mimosas upstairs,” a staffer reminds Sony Pictures Animation president Kristine Belson on a recent Friday in her sunny and serene office, just a brisk walk from the studio lot in Culver City, Calif.
Belson waves off the offer. “Not today,” she responds politely. She cites a packed schedule of home entertainment meetings, as well as a conversation with Variety about the studio’s current Oscar contender “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” and her ambitious upcoming slate.
But if anyone should be popping bottles, it’s Belson. After roughly four years in the post, she has transformed a sleepy studio shingle into a global powerhouse, built on inclusion and largely run by women. In addition to her unique leveraging of a certain wall-crawling hero, Belson is preparing three original titles for release over the next two years. She’s made herself indispensable at a time when the shadows of Disney,...
Belson waves off the offer. “Not today,” she responds politely. She cites a packed schedule of home entertainment meetings, as well as a conversation with Variety about the studio’s current Oscar contender “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” and her ambitious upcoming slate.
But if anyone should be popping bottles, it’s Belson. After roughly four years in the post, she has transformed a sleepy studio shingle into a global powerhouse, built on inclusion and largely run by women. In addition to her unique leveraging of a certain wall-crawling hero, Belson is preparing three original titles for release over the next two years. She’s made herself indispensable at a time when the shadows of Disney,...
- 2/20/2019
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are producing and directing their live-action movie “The Last Human” for Sony/TriStar.
Sony announced Monday that it had topped bids from Netflix, Warner Bros., and Universal for the movie rights to the upcoming novel by Lee Bacon, set in a future in which robots have eliminated humans, when a 12-year-old robot discovers and befriends a human girl, then sets off on a journey toward a mysterious point on a map. The story is described as a “reverse Et.” Bacon has also written the “Joshua Dread” and “Legendtopia” books.
The project was announced a day after “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” won the BAFTA trophy for top animated feature. The film, which also won at the Golden Globes and the Producers Guild, is up for an Academy Award.
Besides “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” Lord and Miller have made the two “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs...
Sony announced Monday that it had topped bids from Netflix, Warner Bros., and Universal for the movie rights to the upcoming novel by Lee Bacon, set in a future in which robots have eliminated humans, when a 12-year-old robot discovers and befriends a human girl, then sets off on a journey toward a mysterious point on a map. The story is described as a “reverse Et.” Bacon has also written the “Joshua Dread” and “Legendtopia” books.
The project was announced a day after “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” won the BAFTA trophy for top animated feature. The film, which also won at the Golden Globes and the Producers Guild, is up for an Academy Award.
Besides “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” Lord and Miller have made the two “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs...
- 2/11/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
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