Road to the Oscar® Continues for 'The ChubbChubbs'
PRNewswire
12/13/2002
Animated Short Film Awarded Top Prizes at
Film Festivals in Australia and Ireland
'Stuart Little 2' Receives Animation Award and
Nod From Parents' Choice
CULVER CITY, Calif., Dec. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- "The ChubbChubbs," the first all CG animated short film from Sony Pictures Imageworks Inc., continued its festival winning streak last week with wins at the Australian Effects & Animation Festival (AEAF) and The Northern Ireland International Film Festival/Foyle Festival.
"The ChubbChubbs" was named Best Animated Short Film at AEAF and Best Animation at the Foyle Festival. These recent wins mark the third and fourth consecutive top-prize awards for "The ChubbChubbs," following wins at the London Effects & Animation Festival (LEAF) and The Los Angeles International Short Film Festival.
In addition, the animation of "Stuart Little 2" was recognized by AEAF, being named Best Feature Film Animation.
"Everyone at Imageworks is very proud of the quality of animation done on both 'Stuart Little 2' and 'The ChubbChubbs,' " stated Tim Sarnoff, president of Sony Pictures Imageworks. "For both projects to be recognized by AEAF as the best in the field of animation is truly an honor."
Produced by Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher and under the direction of Rob Minkoff ("Stuart Little," "The Lion King"), the animation and visual effects team at Sony Pictures Imageworks used the most advanced techniques to create "Stuart Little 2's" menagerie of computer birds and animals, seamlessly weaving them into scenes featuring Stuart's human family, his mother Mrs. Little (Geena Davis), father Mr. Little (Hugh Laurie) and brother George (Jonathan Lipnicki).
To date, "Stuart Little 2" has a worldwide box-office total of $164.4 million.
This past week, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences included "Stuart Little 2" on its list of the 17 films eligible to compete for the Best Animated Feature Film Oscar®.
"We are obviously very honored by the Academy's decision," said Sarnoff. "The character animation in 'Stuart Little 2' is the result of a very talented team of individuals who worked together to create this film."
Directed by Eric Armstrong and produced by Jacquie Barnbrook, "The ChubbChubbs," is the first digitally animated short film produced by Imageworks, the award-winning character animation and visual effects division of Sony Pictures Digital. "The ChubbChubbs" introduces the inhabitants of the planet Glorf, including Meeper, its earnest but oh so awkward hero, the singing Diva, the ZyZaks and the ChubbChubbs.
"Stuart Little 2" is now available on DVD and Home Video from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment. The DVD/Home Video received a Parents' Choice 2002 award and is among the small percentage of products selected to receive a Parents' Choice commendation. "The ChubbChubbs" is available on the "Men in Black II" DVD as an added bonus.
Sony Pictures Digital's commitment to CG animation began with the award-winning visual effects and character animation created by Imageworks and continues to build with the establishment of Sony Pictures Animation. Formed in May 2002, Sony Pictures Animation is responsible for the development and production of CG features for Sony Pictures Entertainment.
About Sony Pictures Imageworks
Sony Pictures Imageworks is an award-winning state-of-the-art visual effects and animation company dedicated to the art and artistry of digital production and character animation. Its most recent projects include "I-Spy," "Stuart Little 2," "Men in Black II," "Spider-Man," "Charlie's Angels," "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and "Cast Away." Some projects in production include "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle," "Anger Management," "Big Fish" and the sequel to "Spider-Man."
About Sony Pictures Digital
Sony Pictures Digital, an operating unit of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE), oversees the activities of SPE's digital production and online assets including Sony Pictures Animation, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Sony Online Entertainment, Sony Pictures Digital Networks Division which includes SoapCity, Screenblast, the studio's online promotional arm, SPiN, and the UK interactive television service GoPlayTV. Sony Pictures Digital focuses on three areas: 1) producing and developing visual effects, digital character animation and full-length CG motion pictures; 2) developing new forms of online content, games and interactive programming; and 3) leading SPE's efforts to provide online, open-access video-on-demand, interactive and wireless entertainment.
SOURCE: Sony Pictures Imageworks Inc.
CONTACT: Jerry Schmitz of Sony Pictures Digital, +1-310-840-7326,
JSchmitz@sonypictures.com
Web site: http://www.sonypictures.com/