Take a peak at some of the films by Filmax Animation, a Spanish studio that has created/produced some slick looking 2D (cel) Animation as well as 3D cgi work.
Or perticular interest would be two of their Cel Style/2D films El Cid: the legened and Nocturna. Both are a mixed of some great 2D artwork and mixed with 3D effects.
In the aging orphanage the days pass very uneventfully, but the nights are something quite different; at least for Tim they are. The light reflected from the stars is the only cure for his fear of the dark.
One night this fear leads him to the orphanage rooftop. Where he discovers that his favorite star has disappeared, and unfortunately it´s not going to be the last one.
Tim also discovers a peculiar character that goes by the name of the Cat Shepherd; together with his faithful cat Tobermory, that will become Tim’s personal guardian, the Shepherd is in charge of making children sleep peacefully.
But Tim is not about to go to bed. He needs his star more than anything in the world, and will do what it takes to see it shine in the night sky once again.
Tim convinces the Shepherd to take him to see Moka, the guardian of the night, and pleads for him to return the stars to the night sky. Moka pays scarce attention to the boys pleas, so Tim asks the Cat Shepherd to take him to the Lighthouse of the Stars, where he thinks he may find the answer to the strange phenomena.
Tim, the Shepherd, and Tobermory race against the clock through the streets of Nocturna, a world in which hundreds of the most diverse creatures work to create the night as we all know it.
Little by little our friends will discover something strange is happening. An ominous threat is putting in danger the night and the inhabitants of Nocturna, and Tim is unknowingly the one behind it all.
EL CID: THE LEGEND (2003)
-view the trailer (quicktime format)
Rodrigo is the perfect candidate for hero: a, handsome, well-humored, brave young man with a brilliant future lying before him. Son of a Castellian Nobleman, he combines his royal upbringing, with his friendship for the King´s first-born son, and successor to the throne Sancho, and clandestine visits to his beloved Gimena, the daughter of the Duke of Gormaz, Alférez, who has zeaoulously forbidden their courtship.
But Rodrigo´s times of content are not eternal in the royal court, and upon King Fernando´s death, Rodrigo finds himself caught-up in a conspiring and plot-laden world that will put an end to Sancho´s life and crown his brother “Prince Alfonso” king. Suddenly Rodrigo loses everything he has so easily come-by: his best friend, his beloved Gimena, his honor… and is unjustly exiled from Castilla.
Far from home, and in hostile terrain, Rodrigo together with a few good men and the special help of the Arab prince Al-Mutamin, will begin a passionate, and unforgettable action-packed adventure, as they recuperate territories and wage war against the newly crowned King´s bitter enemy, the dreaded Ben Yussuff, who has sworn to conquer the peninsula.
In his quest to receive King Alfonso’s pardon, recuperate his position, honor and beloved Gimena, Rodrigo will discover the deep universal esteem for friendship, love and honor.
EL CID, THE LEGEND is the story of a boy who becomes a man, a man who becomes a hero, and a hero that finally converts into a legend that will last to this very day: the legend of Rodrigo de Vivar; better known as EL CID.
It would be great to be able to at least see these movies on english DVD, have to keep our fingers crossed.
