Two Mondo Media’s shows have been chosen as official selections of the Sundance Online Film Festival. Episodes from the two shows — “Julius & Friends” and “Gone Bad” — were selected from over a hundred entries for the Animation category. “Julius & Friends” is Mondo Media’s newest mini-show series co-produced by fashion designer Paul Frank and starring his charismatic monkey with the wide smile. “Gone Bad” was produced at Mondo Media and directed by Marco Bertoldo. Viewers will select the winners at the Sundance Online Film Festival. The two shows are among the 12 episodes that the Sundance Institute selected from over a hundred entries for the Animation category. “Yeti, Set, Go” is the episode selected for “Julius & Friends.”
The Sundance Online Film Festival, whose other categories are Live-Action and New Forms, will launch December 20, 2001 and conclude on January 20, 2002. The winners in each category will be determined by online viewers who are encouraged to submit ratings for their favorite entries and will be announced January 17, 2002. Additionally, selected works of animation will screen during the Sundance Film Festival as part of its Animation Spotlight.
“I am gratified that episodes of two of my favorite shows have been chosen for the online event of the prestigious Sundance Film Festival,” said John Evershed, CEO of Mondo Media. “We see this as an important acknowledgement that web entertainment has won a permanent role in the entertainment industry, and that Mondo Media’s shows are helping to set the standard of excellence.”
“Julius & Friends” chronicles the unusual escapades of Paul Frank’s beloved and whimsical characters in Planned Pines, USA, the first planned community for cartoon characters. “Yeti, Set, Go” guest stars snowboarding celebrity Tina Basich, who also is a founder of Boarding for Breast Cancer. Other episodes in the series are available for viewing on the comedy section of Sony Screenblast at. “Julius & Friends” stars the voice of Jason Schwartzman (Rushmore) and was co-produced by Obie Scott Wade of Zeros & Ones, a Los Angeles based new media company.
“Gone Bad,” which has been described as a truly stunning work of art, was one of the first computer animated Internet pieces to grab serious attention from audiences all over. Think “Fargo” meets “Night of the Living Dead,” Gone Bad is full of dark humor and bone-chilling sequences. It takes place in a small town infested with zombies and only a handful of people left alive. “Gone Bad” was written by Italian horror writer Niccolo Ammaniti and created by Bertoldo, a 3-D animator and director for Mondo Media. Episode One from the “Gone Bad” series was showcased at last year’s Sundance Online Film Festival.
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