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Today's Highlight - December 5th, 2008 12:59 PM by Aaron H. Bynum

"Animation's Highest Honor" once again takes to the ballots, as the annual Annie Award presentations have offered their nominations for the best in writing, directing, and design in feature, television and commercial animation over the past year. From "Avatar" to 'Phineas and Ferb' to 'Morel Orel'; from 'The Tale of Despereaux' to 'Kung Fu Panda'; this year's Annie nominations are now up for consideration.

written by: Aaron H. Bynum published: January 5th, 2009

The local Hollywood UCB theater will play host to Dorothea Gillim's heroine of the english language in late January. Two events, one a live onstage reading with popular comedians, the other a family screening, offer the public a chance to experience 'The Adventures of WordGirl' like never before. The animated edu-comedy is a production of Soup2Nuts and Scholastic Media.

written by: Aaron H. Bynum published: January 2nd, 2009

Swedish fashion designer Bea Szenfeld, with international licensing and marketing group Plus Licens, recently hosted the Hello Kitty Celebration Party. The exhibition celebrated classic and contemporary Hello Kitty consumer products. Plus Licens announced that Szenfeld would partner with Eastern European home textiles group Almedahls for a new line of teen merchandise.

written by: Aaron H. Bynum published: January 2nd, 2009

Dick Bruna's famous little bunny design for preschool readers has been acquired under license by regional brand managers Kidz Entertainment/EEMC, based in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Miffy brand will make an appearance in high end retailer KappAhl in the near future, as local partners plan to expand the property's appeal to teenage girls. The 120th 'Miffy' book is due this year.

written by: Aaron H. Bynum published: December 31st, 2008

One middle-class girl's amusing romantic and increasingly dramatic relationship with four posh boys at her upper crust high school makes its live-action premiere in South Korea. 'Hana Yori Dango' ("Boys Over Flowers") is a successful manga series, anime series, and live-action drama in Japan and Taiwan; now, Korean audiences will get a taste Tsukushi Makino's undeniable charisma.

written by: Aaron H. Bynum published: December 31st, 2008

Review of the first Stateside home video release of 'Shaun the Sheep.' A hilarious stop-motion adventure always ensues when a fun and sometimes trouble-making little sheep named Shaun gets an idea. From Aardman Animations, the 'Shaun the Sheep' TV shorts are giggle-worthy from start to finish, and should consistently serve as a wonderful treat for younger viewers.

written by: Aaron H. Bynum published: December 31st, 2008

The first new 'Dora the Explorer' television special of the new year, "Dora Saves Three Kings Day" will land on Nickelodeon in the first full week of January. In the episode, Dora and her friends celebrate the season when the three magi made their ancient and memorable travel, while helping animals along the way. The episode will be available online after the premiere.

written by: Aaron H. Bynum published: December 29th, 2008

Saturday morning programming block The CW4Kids (7:00am-12n) has announced their tentative schedule for the first month of the new year. New adventure animation 'Huntik' joins up with network carryovers 'Chaotic: M'arrilliam Invasion' and 'Sonic X' alongside relative favorites, such as 'TMNT: Back to the Sewer.' The block airs on The CW Network, and is looking to bolster its position on broadcast network weekends.

written by: Aaron H. Bynum published: December 29th, 2008

The YTV network is planning a couple of series and movie premieres in the new year. New programs to Canada's youth network include 'Kid vs. Kat' and two recently produced 'Zorro' animated specials. As a side note, Treehouse TV, for younger audiences, will be premiering 'Wubbzy's Big Movie' to kick off the new year.

written by: Aaron H. Bynum published: December 29th, 2008

The Early 2009 schedule for the Canadian specialty-network TELETOON Retro. From classic 1960s and 1970s television animation to more recent favorites ('The Smurfs,' 'ReBoot'), Retro houses slightly older cartoons twenty-four-seven. The daily schedule for winter 2009 is inside.

written by: Kimberly Morales published: December 24th, 2008

Review of the first half-season boxed set of the supernatural anime 'Ghost Hunt'. The Shibuya Psychic Research team could give real life ghosthunters a run for their money. Mai Taniyama is a freshman with a love for the paranormal. When handsome boy-CEO Kazuya arrives to investigate the supposed haunting of the empty building next door, Mai finds herself involved with an investigation that ultimately lands her with a part-time spook-finding job.