Town Hall- A Day to reflect, appreciate and plan

The Toonz Town Hall held on November 5th was a significant occasion filled with reflection, gratitude, and renewed purpose. The highlight of the day was the heartfelt farewell address by our CEO, P. Jayakumar. In an emotional speech, he looked back on his long journey with Toonz, recalling how every project, every challenge, and every Toonzian had contributed to shaping the organisation’s vibrant story. He spoke with pride about the interest and excitement surrounding our upcoming projects and shared detailed updates from the major global markets the team attended this year, along with insights from various departments.

Our CEO-designate, Viswanath Rao, also shared his thoughts with the gathering. Reminiscing about his childhood years spent largely in Kerala, he reflected on how warmly he has been welcomed into the Toonz family. He spoke about his admiration for the exceptional talent within the organisation and the remarkable trust and goodwill Toonz continues to enjoy in the global entertainment industry. His words offered both reassurance and enthusiasm as he prepares to lead the next chapter.

As part of the ceremony, we honoured several Toonzians who achieved remarkable service milestones. Among them was Arun Shekhar M M, who completed an impressive twenty-five years with Toonz and continues to contribute as a Senior Artist in Compositing. Vijayalakshmi S, with over twenty years of service, was recognised for her invaluable contributions as Technical Supervisor in Digital 2D. Anuja Balan, marking ten years with the company, was celebrated for her role as Asset Manager for 2D Production. Dhanesh M, completing ten years and one month, was honoured for his work as Supervisor in 3D Animation. We also acknowledged Ravin Krishna, who has completed five years and one month as a Senior Web Developer, contributing significantly to our digital initiatives.

The event also celebrated the Star Performers of the Quarter, recognising individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, creativity, and impact through their work.

Overall, the Town Hall served as a meaningful moment for all of us, a time to look back with appreciation, celebrate our achievements, and move forward with renewed energy and purpose as one Toonz family.

Toonz Unveils A Banquet for the Hungry Ghosts for Global Audiences

Toonz Media Group has announced one of its most ambitious additions to the content slate with A Banquet for the Hungry Ghosts, an animated anthology feature blending Asian folklore, culinary culture, and supernatural horror. The project, inspired by food and ghost stories from across Asia, is slated for a 2027 premiere and is being introduced for global presales at AFM 2025.

Adapted from the acclaimed book by Ying Chang Compestine, the 90-minute film is produced by Robot Playground Media, with Singaporean filmmaker and studio co-founder Ervin Han leading the project. The feature unfolds through four standalone yet interconnected stories, each inspired by an iconic Chinese dish and woven together by the presence of a spectral chef who presides over an otherworldly restaurant. With a blend of the macabre, the playful, and the poetic, the film explores themes of human frailty, ancestral guilt, and greed while delivering an elevated horror experience.

The production brings together top animation talents from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Taiwan, united under Robot Playground’s distinctive artistic vision, giving the film a uniquely Asian creative texture with global resonance.

The announcement of A Banquet for the Hungry Ghosts received widespread attention, with Deadline offering exclusive first coverage, followed soon after by all major entertainment trades, an early indication of the project’s strong global appeal.

With its fusion of culinary symbolism, supernatural intrigue, and high-concept animation, Toonz aims to deliver a genre-defining experience that appeals to both Eastern and Western audiences alike.

Celebrated Filmmakers Visit Toonz

This month, Toonz had the privilege of hosting a star-studded visit from two renowned figures in Indian cinema- National Award-winning director Chandu Mondeti and acclaimed cinematographer, director, and editor Karthik Gattamneni. They were accompanied by Durga, a representative from Sithara Entertainments.

The guests received a warm traditional welcome on arrival, after which they engaged in a series of insightful discussions. The visit featured two key meetings, one with the senior management team and another with our production crew, allowing for meaningful creative exchanges and exploration of future collaboration opportunities.

Chandu Mondeti recently won the National Award for his film Karthikeya 2, which was adjudged the Best Telugu Film. Karthik Gattamneni served as the cinematographer for the film.

Their presence and interactions were truly inspiring, marking a memorable highlight for the Toonz family.

Global Content Rollout Updates

This month has been marked by strong momentum across key global markets. Our distribution team has secured multiple strategic deals that continue to expand the reach of Toonz IPs across television, SVOD, AVOD, and FAST platforms.

We closed a significant deal with Sun TV for Sriman Rama, which will now air across all four kids’ channels under the Sun umbrella, strengthening our footprint in the South Indian broadcast space. In the North American market, Zoonicorn Season 3 has been picked up by Future Today USA for their SVOD platform, further enhancing our presence in the premium digital content segment.

Meanwhile, in Europe, we have extended our association with Story Zoo, bringing Toonz IPs—Lucky Fred, Pajama, Rat-a-Tat, and more—to audiences in Germany alongside the Netherlands. This partnership ensures availability on Amazon services in Germany, complemented by continued presence on the Story Zoo FAST channel, significantly broadening our reach in the region.

Convocation Held for Second Batch of Graphic Design & Video Editing Trainees at DAC

The convocation ceremony for the second batch of students who completed training in graphic design and video editing at the Different Arts Centre (DAC) was held on November 11th. The event witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries including Prof. (Dr.) Mohan Kunnummel, Vice Chancellor of the Kerala University of Health Sciences and the University of Kerala and Fr. Vipin Cheradil, Director of MCBS Kalagramam, who collectively applauded the effort and progress of the graduating students.

As part of its CSR initiative, Toonz Media Group offered specialized training in graphic design and video editing to 19 students, equipping them with valuable creative and technical skills. The students displayed tremendous enthusiasm, discipline, and artistic curiosity throughout the programme, culminating in the successful completion of their training.

The Different Arts Centre (DAC), known for its pioneering work in empowering children and young adults with neurodiversity, has established itself as a transformative space where art, skill-building, and social inclusion converge. Through its structured programmes and collaborative initiatives, DAC continues to create meaningful opportunities for its students to discover their abilities, nurture confidence, and prepare for independent and dignified futures. The training partnership with Toonz Media Group stands as a testament to DAC’s commitment to expanding creative horizons for its learners.

The convocation marked not just the end of a training phase but the beginning of new possibilities for the young graduates, who are now equipped to explore careers in the creative and media industries.

Toonz Academy Celebrates International Animation Day 2025 with Expert VFX Session

Toonz Academy celebrated International Animation Day (IAD) 2025 on 28th October by hosting an engaging session titled “Visual Effects Insights – Creature Workflow” for students from the Animation Filmmaking, Visual Effects, and Digital Designing departments. The session was led by industry experts from TME FX Studio, renowned for their work on blockbuster films such as Pushpa 2, Leo, Captain Miller, Jigarthanda, Indian 2, and more. Mr. Prathesh (VFX, Lighting & Look Dev Supervisor), Mr. Raju Rethnam (VFX Supervisor), and Ms. Binitha (Head – HR) addressed the students, offering deep insights into VFX processes and industry workflows. The session provided students with valuable knowledge and inspiration, making the IAD 2025 celebration both meaningful and enriching.