International Puppetry News
Africa and the Middle East
Chester Missing was literally missing when Air France briefly lost Conrad Koch’s beloved political puppet this week.
Asia
Cute characters are attracting young audiences to traditional Japanese puppet theatre in Osaka.
A new independently produced film in Taiwan is stirring interest in traditional Potehi glove puppetry.
Australia and New Zealand
Wellington puppeteer Jon Coddington’s Puppet Fiction is headed to the Edinburgh Fringe.
Europe
A list of all the puppetry coming to the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
The Bristol Festival of Puppetry begins in Bristol, England on August 27th.
The classic “Supermarionation” Thunderbirds series may get new episodes.
The Brighton Puppetry School officially launches with a special party on September 13th.
NVP-UNIMA Netherlands has welcomed a new councilor, Martine van Ditzhuyzen.
The seventh edition of the ARTtítere Puppet Festival is taking place in Leon, Spain until August 28th (link goes to a Spanish language web site).
The work of S.A. Marionetas is being exhibited in Lisbon, Portugal (link goes to a Spanish language web site).
North America
The University of Connecticut is gearing up to host the Puppeteers of America’s National Puppetry Festival.
Stephanie D’Abruzzo talks about her puppetry career on the Getting Felt Up podcast.
Get a sneak peak at the new Jim Henson Gallery at the Center for Puppetry Arts.
Steve Whitmire, Cheryl Henson and Carol Spinney are coming to DragonCon in Atlanta, Georgia this year.
Bob Kramer’s Marionettes are celebrating fifty years of puppetry entertainment.
A review of the pilot episode of the new Muppets TV series.
Discover the work of Texas-based puppet and creature makers Animal Firm.
Beloved L.A. based mechanical designer, fabricator and puppeteer Brock Winkless sadly passed away on July 18 at age 56.
Renowned monster maker Shannon Shea discusses his 30 year career in special effects.
Calls for Entry
Submissions are now open for the 2015 Sploid Short Film Festival.
Workshops and Training Opportunities
Mirth & Misery’s Sian Kidd and String Theatre Marionettes’ Soledad Zarate offer marionette lessons at the Curve Gardens in London, England on August 15th (link goes to a Facebook Event Page, login or registration may be required).
You can learn to master marionettes with Scott Land in an online course from the Stan Winston School.
