Moonbot Studios and William Joyce are honored to receive three nominations for the 41st annual Annie Awards, hosted by the International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood. The Annie Awards are the highest honor given for excellence in animation and voted on by society members. Moonbot's nominations are for projects across several media: a viral video for Chipotle Mexican Grill, an animated short based on an app and a PlayStation Wonderbook game. These include:

• Best Animated Special Production - Chipotle Scarecrow, a partnership with CAA Marketing and Chipotle Creative Department
• Best Animated Short Subject - The Numberlys
• Best Animated Video Game - Diggs Nightcrawler, a partnership with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and Exient

In addition to studio honors, William Joyce was nominated along with Michael Knapp and Greg Couch for Production Design in an Animated Feature Production for their work on Blue Sky's Epic. The film is based on William Joyce's bestselling book, The Leafmen and the Brave Good Bugs.

"It's mind-blowing to be nominated for the best achievement in three entirely different categories, with three different projects. It's like having a shot at medaling in three Olympic sports. And we are in Shreveport, La, with a team of just 50 incredible people going toe-to-toe with the giants!" said William Joyce. Joyce has previously received two Annie Awards for his work on the television series Rolie Polie Olie. Past Annie Award winners include studios large and small such as Disney, Pixar, Dreamworks, Laika and Psyop.

Support Movember and enter to win a William Joyce sketch!

For today's Sketch Tuesday, the bots have put together something special and 'stachey. This year, our Movember team has raised $5,000+ to support men's health initiatives on top of growing the raddest moutaches in the universe!

We're upping the ante this year. For every $20 you donate to Team Moonstache or your favorite bot, you'll be entered to win one of the following sketches from a moonbot, including William Joyce! Make a donation today! The raffle drawing happens 12/1.

Lazy Tiger, Kendra Phillips, CG Generalist (pen and pencil)

Spiderstache, Kendra Phillips, CG Generalist (gauche and colored pencil)

Walstache, Kendra Phillips, CG Generalist (gauche and colored pencil)

Robot Sketch, Logan Scelina, CG Generalist (digital print)

Stag, Bo Sayre, CTO (digital print)

Stag, Bo Sayre, CTO (digital print)

Unicorn in Disguise, Heather Shrewsbury, Developer (pencil)

William Joyce (pen and ink)

New Mischievians Discoveries!

We've been overrun by discoveries of new Mischievians who are wrecking havoc across the globe! Here are a few that have been documented by an elite team of scientists from Hunters Creek Elementary in Houston, TX. Have you found a new Mischievian? Send your discoveries to us so we can share them here on our blog and bring peace and tranquility to the world.

Don't forget you can pick up Dr. Zooper's earliest discoveries in the latest Moonbot Book.

The Makeup Stealer, discovered by scientist Georgia and animator Lucas

The Eye Stealer, discovered by scientist Blake and animator Andrew

The Lipgloselr, who steals lip gloss, discovered by scientist Colette and animator Kevin

The Gum Dropper, discovered by scientist Attel and creative director Limbert.

The eater who eats everything, discovered by scientist Austin and lead artist Joe.

Pictures from William Joyce's Book Signing in Shreveport

Three generations of William Joyce fans with a copy of William Joyce's Shoes.

A tiny fan created a doll of William Joyce holding Toothiana and an Oscar. 

Fans waited in a line that circled around Toy Fair, sharing stories about their favorite William Joyce books.

Two William Joyce fans loaded up on his new book, The Mischievians.

Two Rise of the Guardians fans picked up the new Sandman chapter book.

Fans waited in a line that circled around Toy Fair, sharing stories about their favorite William Joyce books.

 

MoonSpouse Chris Jay and Moonbot animator John Durbin uncovered the secrets of The Mischievians.

Toy Fair stocks William Joyce books including hard to find copies of Leaf Men and Santa Calls.

The staff of Toy Fair hard at work selling books, toys and other goodies.

William Joyce signed over 400 copies of The Mischievians during the evening.

The best way to pass time while waiting in line!

Shreveport Times general manager and executive editor Alan English stopped by to pick up a few books.

William Joyce and a Guardians of Childhood fan.

Toy Fair employee Justin made his own Rolie Polie Olie plushie.

William Joyce hits the road with The Mischievians and Sandman

The latest Moonbot book, The Mischievians, arrives in stores on October 22nd. It's followed up by the next installment in the Guardians of Childhood book series, Sandman and the War of Dreams, released on November 5th. Our fearless leader, William Joyce, will be traveling throughout the south for book signings. See him at one of these events:


SHREVEPORT, LA - Toy Fair - Oct. 20, 3pm
Book Signing

HOUSTON, TX - Blue Willow Bookshop - Oct. 21, 5PM
Screening of The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore and Signing

AUSTIN, TX - Book People - Oct. 22, 7PM
Screening of The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore and Signing

FRISCO, TX - Barnes and Noble - Oct. 23, 6PM
Book Signing



DALLAS, TX - Southern Methodist University, Centennial Hall - Oct. 25 4:30PM
Part of SMU's Homecoming celebrations honoring William Joyce as a distinguished alum.
Signing and Q&A, Screening of The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
Oct. 26 - 11AM Homecoming Parade with William Joyce on SMU Campus

NEW ORLEANS, LA - Octavia Books - Nov. 1, 5PM
Book Signing

BATON ROUGE, LA - Louisiana Book Festival - Nov. 2, 1PM
Screening of The Numberlys short film and presentation at the Louisiana State Library, signing to follow

MIAMI, FL - Miami Book Fair - Nov 22-24
Details to come!

Morris Lessmore honored by SIBA

Each year, hundreds of booksellers across the South vote on their favorite "handsell" books of the year. These are the "southern" books they have most enjoyed selling to customers; the ones that they couldn't stop talking about. The SIBA (Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance) Book Award was created to recognize great books of southern origin.

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore has been selected by these booksellers as the Children's Winner. It's an incredible honor to be chosen by these independent booksellers.

For more information about the SIBA and the award, please visit their website.

An Epic Summer at Artspace

This summer, artspace in Shreveport is hosting an Epic Summer of Family Fun with hands-on activities, workshops and events  to compliment "The Making of Epic” exhibition. On display through July 27th, the exhibit features a collection of William Joyce’s art and follows the evolution of “The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs” to Epic. The collection brings the gallery space to life with 3D art, sketches, and more.

Fun events include:

Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm:
Bring the kiddos to "bug out" at Moonhaven, an immersive installation inspired by the Leaf Men's lair. There's also fun hands-on art workshops where kids can learn to draw their own epic hero.

Saturday, July 20 - 11:00 am – 5:00 pm:
A free William Joyce movie marathon! Get your fill from dawn to dusk: THE FANTASTIC FLYING BOOKS OF MR. MORRIS LESSMORE, ROBOTS, MEET THE ROBINSONS, RISE OF THE GUARDIANS. Popcorn, candy, drinks and ice cream available for purchase!

Thursday, July 11 - 6:30 pm:
Hear the story of Bill's epic journey from author and illustrator of "The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs" to Epic. Taste chocolate-covered crickets and Leaf Men-inspired lettuce wraps, sip leafy libations at the cash bar and dance to the tunes of Engine! This Epic evening is $10 per person.

For more information, contact artspace.