Inside the Animation Is Film Festival with Matt Kazantzik (Ep. 328)
Jim Hill and Drew Taylor welcome special guest Matt Kazantzik, Program Director for the Animation Is Film Festival, to talk about what fans can expect at this year’s event at the TCL Chinese Theatre. From exclusive screenings and panels to the state of the animation industry, this episode dives deep into the heart of Hollywood’s celebration of animated storytelling. Jim and Drew also cover the latest box-office chatter, streaming updates, and big animation headlines.
• Why Tron: Ares may still have a chance to rebound despite a soft opening• The premiere lineup and behind-the-scenes planning of the Animation Is Film Festival• Drew’s firsthand look at Sony’s new Animation campus and Infinity Festival highlights• Updates on Primal Season 3, Bat-Fam, and The Bad Guys: Breaking In• Guillermo del Toro’s new stop-motion school and what it means for future filmmakers
Whether you’re a longtime animation fan or just curious about what’s next on the big screen, this episode of Fine Tooning packs plenty of insight, stories, and laughter from Hollywood’s animation insiders.
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Inside “Zootopia 2” – Drew’s First Look at Disney’s Next Big Sequel (Ep. 327)
This week on Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor, Jim Hill and Drew dive into Disney’s animation future, beginning with Drew’s firsthand report from the “Zootopia 2” press day. From the creative direction behind the sequel to updates on everything from “The Simpsons Movie 2” to Quentin Tarantino’s surprise animated project, this episode covers the wild world of animation news and commentary with Jim and Drew’s trademark insight.
What Drew learned at Disney’s “Zootopia 2” press day
Why “The Simpsons Movie 2” finally got the green light
Quentin Tarantino’s new animated sequence for “Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair”
The legacy of Disney animator Rick Hoppe
How Elon Musk’s latest controversy pulled “Dead End: Paranormal Park” back into the spotlight
From sequel scoop to animation history, this week’s Fine Tooning is packed with stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Tune in for the latest news and a heartfelt tribute to one of Disney’s greats.
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The Long, Strange Journey of The Cobbler and the Thief (Ep. 326)
Jim Hill and Drew Taylor wrap up September with a packed episode of Fine Tooning. From this year’s sold-out Halloween Horror Nights in Hollywood to the long, winding saga of Richard Williams’ unfinished opus The Cobbler and the Thief, the guys cover the latest in animation news, box office battles, and even a courtroom clash over Steamboat Willie.
Highlights from Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights 2025
Pixar’s Gatto facing off against heavy-hitting sequels in 2027
Crunchyroll’s Oscar campaign for Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle
Richard Williams’ book Adventures in Animation and the legacy of The Cobbler and the Thief
With October on the horizon, Jim and Drew bring insights, history, and some big questions about the future of animation.
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How Mighty Mouse Accidentally Invented Saturday Morning Cartoons (Ep. 325)
This week on Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor rewind to the mid-1950s to uncover how a forgotten studio sale and one scrappy rodent changed television forever. Along the way, they’ll cover everything from box office updates to Paw Patrol holiday specials, plus the latest shake-ups inside Disney corporate.
The Disney-related twist behind CBS launching Mighty Mouse Playhouse in 1955
How that decision created the Saturday morning cartoon tradition
What the Jimmy Kimmel controversy means for Bob Iger and Disney’s upcoming animated releases
New trailers and festival buzz for projects like The Sisters Grimm and Splinter Cell: Deathwatch
From network rivalries of the 1950s to today’s streaming-first landscape, Jim and Drew connect the dots on how animation keeps reshaping the industry.
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Demon Slayer Shatters Records, Toy Story 5 Sneak Peek, and Skydance Eyes Warner Bros (Ep. 324)
Jim Hill and Drew Taylor are back with another packed episode of Fine Tooning. From anime shattering records at the box office to Pixar showing off the future of Toy Story, the duo break down the biggest stories shaping animation this week.
Demon Slayer’s record-breaking $70 million North American debut and what set this release apart
Toy Story’s 30th anniversary celebration and the first five minutes of Toy Story 5 revealed at Destination D
Disney updates on Frozen 3, Incredibles 3, and Coco 2
Streaming and theatrical news for Elio, Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc, Cat’s Eye, and ParaNorman
Skydance’s reported bid for Warner Bros. Discovery and its potential impact on animation
From record-breaking anime to billion-dollar mergers, Jim and Drew guide listeners through an especially eventful week in the world of animation.
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Jim and Drew break down the animation world frame by frame, until you get the singular picture. If you love Disney animation, Pixar, and the classics that were hand sketched, or built out of 1's and 0's in a computer, this is the podcast that draws you in.
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