Toonz Media Group and Gummybear International Announce Gummibär and Friends: Operation Cotton Candy Feature Film

Toonz Media Group has partnered with Gummybear International Inc. (GBI) to produce Gummibär and Friends: Operation Cotton Candy, a 90-minute CGI-animated spy comedy adventure.

Led by Toonz in collaboration with GBI, the film builds on the success of the Gummibär and Friends series. Acclaimed producer Robert Chandler (The Amazing Maurice), director Pete Dodd (Corpse Bride, Fantastic Mr. Fox), and BAFTA-winning writer Dan Berlinka (The A-List) bring their expertise to the project.

Chandler describes Gummibär as a "disruptor with a heart of gold," finding himself in a high-stakes spy mission alongside friends Kala and Harry. Expect humor, action, and unexpected twists as they attempt to save the planet.

Gummybear International executives Christian Schneider and Jürgen Korduletsch expressed excitement for this new chapter in Gummibär’s legacy. CEO of Toonz Media Group, P. Jayakumar, emphasized the film’s potential to captivate audiences worldwide.

Since the 2007 release of I’m a Gummy Bear (The Gummy Bear Song), Gummibär has become a global phenomenon, garnering billions of views online. This feature film aims to elevate the franchise to new heights. The announcement was published exclusively in Variety, highlighting the significance of this collaboration. Stay tuned for updates as production progresses!  Stay tuned for updates as production progresses!

Town Hall lauds star performers and emerging stars

The first Town Hall of the year was held on February 4th and was a truly special occasion. To mark the event, all staff members received exclusive Toonz T-shirts and gathered at the amphitheatre for a memorable group photo. Dressed in striking black T-shirts featuring the signature yellow helm, the team came together to celebrate unity and spirit.

Following the photo session, the event moved to the Travancore Hall at Park Centre for the main Town Hall proceedings. The highlight of the gathering was the inspiring address by CEO P. Jayakumar, who urged everyone to break free from routine thinking and embrace innovation. He emphasized the importance of leadership and responsibility, using the analogy of a pilot confidently taking control of a flight.

A special mention was made of outstanding performers, particularly the team that successfully developed a game for the Election Commission in just one week. Their remarkable achievement, along with other exceptional contributions, was recognized with Star Performer certificates.

The event also featured a showcase of Toonz’s latest projects and a video capturing the highlights of recent anniversary celebrations. The gathering concluded on a warm note with refreshments, fostering camaraderie and motivation for the journey ahead.

Toonz Media Group Partners with Noorul Islam Centre for Higher Education to Launch Skilling Program in Animation and VFX

Toonz Media Group is expanding our footprint in the education sector with a partnership with Noorul Islam Centre for Higher Education (NICHE), Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu. This collaboration introduces a Bachelor of Science (BSc) program in Animation and Visual Effects, bridging the gap between academia and industry.

The four-year Honours course integrates theoretical learning with practical experience. As the industry partner, we provide students with exposure to the latest animation and VFX technologies, along with mentorship from experts.

To further support this initiative, we will establish an Incubation Centre at the NICHE campus, enabling students to work on live projects, gain hands-on experience, and secure high-value internships. This hub will drive innovation, skill development, and entrepreneurial thinking.

P. Jayakumar, CEO of Toonz Media Group, reaffirmed our commitment to upskilling and mentoring the next generation of creative talent. This program will ensure students gain industry exposure and technical expertise for successful careers in animation and VFX.

The event was attended by P. Jayakumar, CEO of Toonz Media Group, Vinod A S, VP Academics and Training, Dr. Tessy Thomas, Vice Chancellor of NICHE, and M S Faizal Khan, Pro Chancellor of NICHE.

This initiative strengthens our dedication to developing job-ready graduates. By combining academic rigor with industry-driven training, we and NICHE aim to shape the future of animation and visual effects education.

P. Jayakumar Represents Toonz Media Group at Investor Kerala Summit

Thiruvananthapuram, February 2025 – P. Jayakumar, CEO of Toonz Media Group, participated in the prestigious Investor Kerala Summit, a key platform bringing together industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to discuss the economic growth and investment potential of Kerala.

The summit served as a significant opportunity for Toonz Media Group to showcase its contributions to the animation and media industry, while also exploring avenues for expansion and collaboration in the region. P. Jayakumar engaged with prominent stakeholders, highlighting Toonz's vision for fostering innovation, talent development, and technological advancements in animation, VFX, and digital media.

During the event, P. Jayakumar underscored the importance of Kerala as a hub for creative industries and emphasized Toonz Media Group’s commitment to nurturing local talent and driving industry-led educational initiatives. His participation further reinforced Toonz’s leadership in the global animation sector and its role in shaping Kerala’s media and entertainment landscape.

Rathan Sam George Represents Toonz at Kidscreen Market

Toonz made its presence felt at the Kidscreen Market in San Diego, California, with CMO Rathan Sam George attending the event. Engaging with prospective clients, he discussed industry trends, growth opportunities, and potential collaborations in the ever-evolving animation sector.

Toonz showcased a diverse slate of shows and feature films, reinforcing its position as a key player in the global animation landscape.

Gulshan David Represents Toonz at European Film Market

Gulshan David, VP, Feature Film at Toonz travelled to Berlin for the European Film Market, bringing exciting new announcements and a diverse selection of feature films for showcase. Alongside unveiling Gummibär and Friends: Operation Cotton Candy, Toonz highlighted its acclaimed titles, including The Canterville Ghost and Bartali’s Bicycle. The event provided a valuable platform to engage with industry leaders and explore new global partnerships for Toonz's expanding content portfolio.

Toonz Animation Shines at the 10th Arunachal Film Festival

Toonz Animation proudly participated in the 10th edition of the Arunachal Film Festival (AFF), held from February 6–8, 2025, in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. The festival, a premier platform celebrating regional and global cinema, brought together filmmakers, artists, and cinephiles from across the country. Featuring a diverse lineup of screenings, panel discussions, and workshops, the event fostered creative exchange and industry collaboration.

As part of the festival, Toonz Animation showcased its films The Canterville Ghost and Bartali's Bicycle, both of which received an enthusiastic response from attendees. In addition, Toonz conducted a specialized workshop on animation filmmaking for aspiring filmmakers. Led by Vinod A. S., Head of Academics, the session provided valuable insights into the art and craft of animation, inspiring the next generation of storytellers.

Epic Games Visits Toonz Animation for Strategic Discussions on Unreal Engine

Epic Games, a leading software provider, recently visited Toonz Animation for a strategic discussion on the maximum utilization of Unreal Engine in animation production. As Toonz actively integrates Unreal Engine into its pipeline, the meeting focused on optimizing workflows and exploring advanced capabilities of the platform.

Representing Epic Games were Ben, Navaneeth, and Gaurav, while the Toonz leadership team included CEO P. Jayakumar, CMO Rathan Sam George, CFO Subbalakshmi Venkitadri, Global Delivery Head Jinu Chacko, Vice President – 3D Production Anil Nair, Technical Director Devanand and IT Head Kurian Philip. The discussions delved into harnessing Unreal Engine’s real-time rendering, virtual production, and interactive content creation to enhance efficiency and creative possibilities in animation.

This business-driven visit further strengthens the collaboration between Toonz and Epic Games, reinforcing Toonz’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology for innovative storytelling and high-quality content production.