Congratulations to Academy of Art University alumna Alyce Tzue for signing on as the director for Lobo, an upcoming animated feature film based on the children’s book The Pup Who Cried Wolf by Chris Kurtz. Produced by Tokyo production company Ichigo Ichie Films, Lobo follows the story of a tiny Chihuahua with dreams of joining a wolf pack. According to Animation Magazine, the producers estimate the film will be released in 2019.

Alyce is a 2014 MFA graduate of the School of Animation & Visual Effects. Her 3D animated short film Soar was met with much success across the festival circuit—winning the 2015 Gold Medal Student Academy Award, as well as first place for “Best Student Animation” at the Palm Springs International ShortFest. Soar was also a BAFTA Award finalist and recognized as “Best Animated Short” at the USA Film Festival.

“Alyce is the greatest,” said Tom Bertino, graduate director of the School of Animation and Visual Effects in an article in Academy Art U News. “Every member of the faculty had the same impression on first contact with her and with this project—that it was a beautiful project that had heart and soul and deserved all the support the Academy could give it, and also, that she would not be deterred.”