Winston-Salem is probably the last place on Earth you would expect to find an animation studio, but we got one. 

The company is called Out Of Our Minds, and they are putting the finishing touches on their first full-length feature, called The Magistical.  It stars the voice of Jeffrey Holder (as well as some local talent) and the music of Bobby McFerrin, Celtic Women, and Gaelic Storm.   It’s a fairy tale with dragons and mystics and focuses on a boy who has to save the people he loves.

It’s a tough market, virtually dominated by Pixar.  As I understand it, Out of Our Minds is shopping for a distributor for The Magistical.  The animation (the clips I’ve seen) is stunning and vibrant — kind of a throwback to the glisteny world 1950’s Disney, but with the latest in computer 3D animation.

Keep an eye out for this film and this studio.  (Pictured above, a screenshot from their BAFTA awaard-winning animated short, Dear Sweet Emma).