DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation unveiled Monday a heavweight line-up of world premieres, exclusive first looks and creative deep-dives at France’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival, alongside new original series from Cartoon Network Studios, Adult Swim and Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe.
As the two studios unmask their super-powered slate, DC Studios Co-Chairman and Co-CEO Peter Safran will join Sam Register, Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios, Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe president to host what for many at Annecy will be a must-attend panel presenting the next era of DC animation, along with executive producers Tom King (“Mister Miracle”), Rick Morales (“Creature Commandos”), Jake Wyatt (“My Adventures with Superman,” “My Adventures with Green Lantern”), Josie Campbell (“Starfire!”), and Matt Beans (“DC Super Powers”).
“Annecy continues to be one of the most important global gatherings for the animation community, celebrating the artistry and innovation that move our industry forward,” underlined Register. “We can’t wait to share the work our artists have been building with an audience that truly appreciates the craft. From expanding the next era of DC animation with our partners at DC Studios to showcasing original voices across our studios, our programming this year reflects the range, ambition and creative momentum driving everything we do.”
From bold new visions to iconic characters reimagined, Annecy’s audience is in for yet another real treat, as three new shows will get special treatment this year at the Festival.
Produced by Cartoon Network Studios for Adult Swim and based on the Eisner award-winning graphic novel from Jillian Tamaki, the animated comedy teen melodrama “SuperMutant Magic Academy” will be presented by producers Calvin Wong and Jillian Tamaki in a panel focusing on the art of adaptation. In this new show, unlikely friends Marsha and Wendy wrestle with the mysteries of the teenage heart (and dragons), while jumping between alchemy class, dodgeball and theater club in a melodrama about the unusual humans and mutants that attend an ailing public boarding school.
Wong and Tamaki are set to walk an Annecy audience through an exclusive exploration of the creative and production process behind bringing this award-winning graphic novel to life.
As part of a joint Warner Bros. Animation / Hanna Barbera Studios Europe Adult Animation Comedy Showcase, the 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 vision behind each series. From early development to creative execution, this panel offers insight into how original ideas are brought to life across studios and continents, delivering fresh voices, distinct visual styles, and boundary-pushing humor for global audiences.
Adult animation fans can also expect fresh perspectives, bold creative choices, and a glimpse at the next wave of animated comedy, with panelists including “Living the Dream” EP George Gendi and “Keeping up With The Joneses” EPs Hugh Davidson, Rachel Ramras, and Larry Dorf.
Coming to Adult Swim, “Keeping up With the Joneses” weighs in as a half-hour animated comedy that follows the Newberry family as they try to “keep up” with their staggeringly wealthy Dallas neighbors, including the one next door, Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys.
Netflix title “Living the Dream” features best friends Des and Ray, a couple of really cool guys from London who should have made it big by now but haven’t but still could. Instead, they’re stuck at a we’re-gonna-save-the-planet type company called Ecofood, doing “social media” for hardly any money. Now they must navigate awkward workplace romance, HR blunders, directives from the L.A. office and Ray’s dad’s disapproval. Could be worse, but could be much, much better.
Beyond these not-to-miss events, the previously announced world-premiere screening of upcoming multi-part DC animated film event “Batman: Knightfall Part 1: Knightfall” will surely have fans and animation buffs alike lining up for hours. The feature brings to life one of the most iconic and beloved runs in the rich history of Batman comics.
