DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation on Monday unveiled a heavy lineup of world premieres, exclusive first looks and creative deep dives, along with new original series from Cartoon Network Studios, Adult Swim and Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe, at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France.
As both studios unveil their ultra-powerful slates, DC Studios co-chairman and co-CEO Peter Safran will join Sam Register, president of Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios and Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe, along with executive producers Tom King (“Mister Miracle”) and Rick Morales (“Creature”), for a must-see panel introducing the next era of DC animation for many at Annecy. “Commandos”), Jake Wyatt (“Adventures with Superman”, “Adventures with Green Lantern”), Josie Campbell (“Starfire!”), Matt Beans (“DC Superpowers”).
“Annecy continues to be one of the most important global gatherings for the animation community, celebrating the artistry and innovation that moves the industry forward,” Register stressed. “We can’t wait to share the work our artists have created with audiences who truly appreciate their craft. From expanding the next era of DC Animation with our partners at DC Studios to showcasing original audio across the studio, our programming this year reflects the scope, ambition, and creative momentum that drives everything we do.”
From bold new visions to reimagined iconic characters, Annecy audiences are in for even more authentic treats as three new shows receive special treatment at this year’s festival.
SuperMutant Magic Academy, the animated comedy teen melodrama produced by Cartoon Network Studios for Adult Swim and based on the Eisner Award-winning graphic novel by Jillian Tamaki, will be introduced by producers Calvin Wong and Jillian Tamaki in a panel focused on the art of adaptation. In this new show, unlikely friends Marsha and Wendy bounce between alchemy classes, dodgeball, and drama club as they grapple with the mysteries of teenage hearts (and dragons) in a melodrama of aberrations and mutants at an ailing public boarding school.
Wong and Tamaki will take Annecy audiences through a unique exploration of the creative and production process behind bringing this award-winning graphic novel to life.
As part of the Warner Bros. Animation/Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe joint Adult Animation Comedy Showcase, both studios will premiere two original half-hour comedies, “Living the Dream” and “Keeping Up with the Joneses,” offering a first look at the creative and comedic visions behind each series. From early development to creative execution, this panel will provide insight into how original ideas are brought to life across studios and continents, bringing fresh voices, unique visual styles, and boundary-pushing humor to audiences around the world.
Adult animation fans can also look forward to fresh perspectives, bold creative choices, and glimpses of the next wave of animated comedy from panelists including George Gendi from the “Living the Dream” EP and Hugh Davidson, Rachel Ramrath and Larry Dorff from the “Keeping up With The Joneses” EP.
Coming to Adult Swim, “Keep Up with the Joneses” is a half-hour animated comedy about the Newbery family as they try to “keep up” with their incredibly wealthy Dallas neighbors, including the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones, who lives next door.
The Netflix title Living the Dream features best friends Des and Ray, a really cool couple from London. They were supposed to have achieved great success by now, but they haven’t achieved great success yet, but they were still able to achieve great success. Instead, they’re stuck with a “save the planet” company called Ecofood, which does “social media” for next to nothing. Now they must overcome an awkward workplace romance, a personnel misstep, directives from the Los Angeles office, and Ray’s father’s disapproval. It could be much worse, but it could also be much better.
In addition to these can’t-miss events, fans and anime enthusiasts alike will be lining up for hours for the previously announced world premiere screening of the upcoming multi-part DC animated movie event, Batman: Nightfall Part 1: Nightfall. This feature brings to life one of the most iconic and beloved works in Batman comics’ rich history.
