Animation Nation

While live action films continue to have a difficult time at the box office it's good to know that animation is holding its own with first rate content that audiences enjoy.

Add "Shaun the Sheep" to the list of upcoming features we can expect this year. It's the latest from Aardman Animation and is scheduled for release on August 7 2015. Here's the official trailer along with a few more to view. You can also follow Shaun the Sheep on Facebook and Twitter along with its website. In addition to the trailer you can see a lot more videos at this link.

Needlecraft, by Animage Films highlights the cruel practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) which affects more than 130 million women and girls all over the world including the UK. Co-directed by the Oscar winning animator Daniel Greaves, Needlecraft uses an animated embroidery metaphor to communicate this complex issue with sensitively and with impact. The film is funded by Comic Relief and The Sigrid Rausing Trust and with support from the End FGM Guardian Global Media campaign. Needlecraft was written, created and co-directed by the award winning filmmaker and writer Ruth Beni. See also the making of video which follows...

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Get ready for the third installment of the Kung Fu Panda feature film series from DreamWorks coming next year in January 2016. Kung Fu Panda is on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr.

Next up from Illumination is the feature film "The Secret Life of Pets" and it's on the way summertime 2016. So we have a year to enjoy teasers and trailers for the movie like the one below. You can follow Illumination on Facebook in the meantime.

Something to look forward to later in the year when "The Peanuts Movie" from Blue Sky Studios is released on November 6 2015. Here's the new trailer. Follow Blue Sky on Facebook and on Twitter.

Here's a new video game that's on the way. It's called "Cuphead" from Studio MDHR and it's a classic run and gun action game heavily focused on boss battles. Stylistically inspired by cartoons of the 1930's, the visuals and audio are painstakingly created to emulate the same production techniques of the era. We can expect a release sometime next year. Meanwhile take a look at the Cuphead trailer for this year's E3 Expo in Los Angeles...

The crowdfunding campaign for "The Book of Mojo" is in progress on Indiegogo through June 30 2015. “In my 15 year career at Pixar, Blue Sky and Dream Works, I observed and learned from the mavericks in the industry,” shared Everett Downing, the project's creator. Now that creative experience is being applied to an intriguing and exciting new animated property. Follow the link to the Book of Mojo campaign and check out the video for more info. You can also see the online comic here and find the Book of Mojo on Facebook.

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If there's any doubt that superb character based animated content can be created from without the major studio system through independent artist controlled situations take a look at this teaser of "Klaus" from Sergio Pablos Animation in Madrid, Spain.

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Here's a look at what we can expect from the Walt Disney Company next year in March 2016. You know, the same company that, contrary to federal labor statutes, is laying off its domestic employees and having them train their replacements from other countries before they're let go in light of records profits and exorbitant executive bonuses.

It's called "Zootopia" and you can spend time following the movie on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr.

Another of this season's roster of student films includes "Hola Llamigo" from the Ringling College in Florida. Created by Charlie Parisi and Christina Chang, the narrative involves a little boy and the friendship he develops with the animals on a pinata farm. This clever and imaginative project is indicative of the fine content being created by animation students all over the world, helping to propel the art ever forward. Follow Hola Llamigo on Facebook and enjoy the viewing experience...

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