EDINBURGH, Scotland, Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MD Local Global Ltd. ("MDLG" or the "Company"), the UK-based wholly owned subsidiary of MDJM LTD (NASDAQ: UOKA), is pleased to announce a significant expansion and strategic upgrade of its cultural and creative operations. Generating sustainable cultural revenue through animation & art exhibitions; themed cultural dining; boutique accommodation; oriental garden experiences, cultural festivals and immersive programming by leveraging the future Fernie Castle ...

Taylor Will Perform Live Song From the Series at Insider ‘Table Read’ After Sneak Peak Animation Showing, December 16 at Chinese Theatre in Hollywood BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Dec. 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kartoon Studios (NYSE American: TOON), today announced that acclaimed musician, songwriter, performer, and educator, Livingston Taylor has been cast as the iconic voice of Winnie the Pooh in the Company’s upcoming animated franchise, Hundred Acre Wood’s Winnie and Friends, based on A.A. Milne’s iconic ...

Five things to know ahead of the opening bell. New evidence of China's economic troubles. Consumption, investment, and industrial output data all falling short of expectations.In November, a court in Hong Kong finding pro-democracy activists and media baron Jimmy Lie guilty of sedition and collusion with foreign countries. 78-year-old was charged under Hong Kong's controversial national security law enacted in 2020 after pro-democracy protests the year before. Sanapy shares are lower.The French drug maker f ...

回望这一年，动画电影的角色已发生根本性蜕变。一组数据足以揭示其分量：2025年，新上映及重 映的动画电影，票房占比逼近全年大盘的50%。仅暑期档，31部动画电影便席卷32.74亿元，占档期总 票房的27.4%，创下历史新高。而《哪吒之魔童闹海》单片票房，便独占全年大盘三分之一以上。我们 不禁要问：动画电影为什么这么强？ 动画电影成为2025年电影市场最闪亮的星。从年初《哪吒之魔童闹海》成为中国影史票房冠军，到 年中《浪浪山小妖怪》成为中国2D动画电影票房冠军，再到年末《疯狂动物城2》成为中国影史进口动 画票房冠军——3个"冠军"如同3个坚实的支点，稳稳撑起了全年的市场热度与话题中心。 原标题：动画电影为何这么强 动画电影的崛起，首先是对观影需求的精准回应。当下观众渴望在影像中寻找情感慰藉与自我映 照。于是，我们看到《疯狂动物城2》中历经考验却愈发坚固的友谊，见证《哪吒之魔童闹海》引爆"我 命由我不由天"的共鸣，在《浪浪山小妖怪》里看到普通人追求自我的身影。动画电影让天马行空的想 象力与真切的时代情绪充分交融，这是真人电影难以替代的独特价值。 始于共情，立于技术，最终汇聚成可感可触的商业版图。一场"动画盛宴"的 ...

Core Insights - Kartoon Studios is positioning itself for growth through the launch of its new animated franchise, "Hundred Acre Wood's Winnie and Friends," which is expected to become a significant long-term asset for the company [5][19] - The franchise is designed to appeal to a new generation of consumers while leveraging the beloved characters from A.A. Milne's classic, aiming for a billion-dollar global brand potential [4][12] Franchise Development - The franchise will include serialized short-form content with 208 episodes, aimed at broad distribution across various platforms including AVOD, FAST, and SVOD [9] - Major holiday specials are planned, starting with a Christmas premiere in 2026, along with additional specials for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Easter [10] - A comprehensive global consumer products program will encompass toys, apparel, home goods, and more, targeting various retail channels [10] - Experiential and live event extensions are in development, including themed activations and immersive family experiences [11] Creative Team and Production - The series features a unique yarn-based animation style, combining digital tools with handcrafted textures to create a warm, storybook aesthetic [15] - The creative team includes notable figures such as Linda Woolverton as Executive Producer and Danny Elfman as Composer, both bringing extensive experience from successful global franchises [16][17] Strategic Positioning - The franchise is structured as a 360° global initiative, with an integrated roadmap to maximize engagement and monetization while expanding its worldwide presence [9][19] - The overarching strategy aims to deepen family engagement across generations and establish the property as a sustainable growth engine for Kartoon Studios [19][22]

Technology & Innovation - Pixar emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between art and technology, where advancements in technology inspire artistic innovation [1][5] - RenderMan XPU utilizes GPU acceleration to enhance image rendering capabilities [2] - NVIDIA's new cards, such as the Adas and Blackwells, overcome memory limitations, enabling 99% of Pixar shots to fit on a Blackwell [3] Production Efficiency - XPU and GPU acceleration significantly impact lighting, a traditionally time-consuming process [4] - Faster processing allows lighting artists to focus on cinematography rather than technical details, improving efficiency [5] - The technology enhances render farm efficiency [4] Future Projects - Pixar plans to render a portion of Toy Story 5 with XPU [3] - Technological advancements enable Pixar to create more immersive worlds and characters [6]

Core Viewpoint - GKIDS and IMAX Corporation are expanding their partnership to bring more 4K Studio Ghibli restorations to North American theaters starting in 2026, following the success of "Princess Mononoke" [1] Group 1: Partnership Details - The partnership aims to enhance the availability of Studio Ghibli films in high-quality formats [1] - The announcement follows the successful IMAX release of "Princess Mononoke," which ranks as the second-highest grossing vault release for IMAX [1] Group 2: Market Impact - The collaboration is expected to attract a larger audience to theaters, leveraging the popularity of Studio Ghibli films [1] - The move signifies a growing trend in the animation industry towards high-quality restorations and theatrical releases [1]

Group 1: Market Updates - A data center issue has halted trading of futures and options on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, affecting stock futures, foreign exchange, and commodities trading [1] - Broker Tech US, a CME unit, has restored its electronic trading service for treasuries, allowing accurate yield data to be available [2] Group 2: Regulatory Investigations - The Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating Jeffrey's relationship with bankrupt auto parts maker First Brands Group, focusing on whether investors were adequately informed about fund exposure to the failed business [3] Group 3: Company Developments - Alibaba has launched its new AI smart glasses in China, priced starting at approximately $270, aiming to penetrate the wireless market dominated by Meta [4] - Apple is challenging India's antitrust penalty law, which could impose a fine of up to $38 billion, related to allegations of monopolistic practices in the iPhone app market [5] - Disney's Zootopia 2 achieved over $81 million in global ticket sales on its opening day, with $39.5 million from domestic sales and a record $34 million in China for a Hollywood animated film [6]

Core Insights - Kartoon Studios has formed a strategic partnership with Shriners Children's to provide free access to its content across all Shriners Children's locations nationwide [1][2] - The partnership includes a fundraising campaign featuring Stan Lee's name and likeness, aimed at inspiring donations and hope for children and families [3][4] Company Overview - Kartoon Studios, Inc. (NYSE American: TOON) is a leader in children's entertainment, offering family-safe and educational content [1][7] - The company operates various platforms, including Kartoon Channel! and Ameba, reaching audiences globally [8][9] Partnership Details - Patients and families at Shriners Children's facilities will have complimentary access to Kartoon Studios' content through hospital media systems and patient tablets [2] - The partnership aims to enhance the patient experience and promote the mission of Shriners Children's [4][5] Fundraising Campaign - The "Shriners Children's Superhero" fundraising campaign will utilize Stan Lee's brand to engage donors and support the organization's mission [3][4] - The campaign will feature curated content inspired by Stan Lee, focusing on themes of justice, courage, and compassion [4] Strategic Goals - The collaboration reflects Kartoon Studios' commitment to using entertainment as a force for good, aiming to make a meaningful impact on children's lives [4][9] - The partnership is expected to amplify the vital work of Shriners Children's while providing joy and inspiration to children [4][9]

Core Insights - The global celebration for "Zootopia 2" in Shanghai highlighted the anticipation and excitement surrounding the film, with positive audience reactions indicating confidence in its success [1][2][4] - "Zootopia" remains the highest-grossing imported animated film in China since its release in 2016, and the sequel is expected to meet audience expectations with its enriched world-building and character development [2][4] - The film is projected to achieve a global box office of around $2 billion, with North American opening weekend estimates exceeding $126 million, marking it as the second-highest Thanksgiving opening in history [4] Market Impact - "Zootopia 2" has set records in China, becoming the fastest imported animated film to surpass 100 million yuan in pre-sales and the first to exceed 200 million yuan in pre-sales [4][24] - The film's release is seen as pivotal for both Disney and the Chinese film market, which is increasingly accommodating high-quality animated films [4][24] - The animation IP is expected to drive the "film+" initiative in China, which aims to diversify revenue streams beyond box office sales [4][5] IP Strategy - The marketing strategy for "Zootopia 2" has been extensive, with over 60 collaborative activities planned across various sectors, including toys, food, and fashion, indicating a robust approach to IP monetization [18][24] - The film has engaged in unique cross-industry collaborations, such as with Miniso, marking a significant step in integrating local brands with international IP [19][21] - The success of "Zootopia" has led to a threefold increase in related licensing business in the Greater China region since December 2023, with over 2,000 licensed products expected by the end of 2025 [24][22] Audience Engagement - The sequel maintains the core themes of the original while addressing contemporary societal issues, enhancing its appeal to a broad audience [8][10] - The film's narrative focuses on the evolving relationship between the main characters, Nick and Judy, ensuring that their story remains central to the audience's experience [10][12] - The film's humor and emotional depth are designed to resonate with various demographics, making it a quintessential family film [6][8]