CULVER CITY, Calif., Oct. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA – the record-setting 3D computer-animated monster comedy from Sony Pictures Animation that ranked as the biggest September opening in movie history and the best opening ever for the studio – is releasing a new animated short as a special Halloween treat.

Beginning October 26, all digital showings of HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA in Regal Entertainment Group Cinemas around the country will be preceded with a new traditionally animated short directed by the film's director, 13-time Emmy nominee (and three-time Emmy winner) Genndy Tartakovsky (Dexter's Laboratory, Samurai Jack, Star Wars: Clone Wars), who also animated every key frame of the new short.

Entitled "Goodnight, Mr. Foot," the short stars none other than the legendary monster Bigfoot, and follows his adventure as he, too, checks in to Dracula's five-stake resort in search of a little R-and-R, only to find himself faced with an enthusiastic witch-maid, eager to make Mr. Foot's stay a memorable one. 

Genndy Tartakovsky commented, "After we finished HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA I got an itch to animate! Taking inspiration from my favorite directors Bob Clampett, Tex Avery, and Chuck Jones I animated a short cartoon in the traditional 2D style. It was difficult and exhilarating all at once and I hope people will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it."

To commemorate the debut of the animated short, an exclusive new collectible one-sheet—designed by Tartakovsky himself—will also be given away at all showings of HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA in Carmike Cinemas nationwide from October 26 (while supplies last). 

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA fans surfing the internet might just keep any eye out (not literally!) for a specially-created promo video popping up some time around October 31 (date TBD). 

The new traditionally animated short film, exclusive poster and online video make a new (or return!) visit to HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA which critics called "a treat for the kids as Halloween draws near" (Chris Knight, NATIONAL POST), as well as the perfect family outing for Halloween 2012—"a total scream for boys and ghouls of all ages" (Jeff Craig, SIXTY SECOND PREVIEW)!

The feature film debut of Genndy Tartakovsky, Sony Pictures Animation's HOTEL TRANSVYLVANIA proved to be the biggest September opening for a film in U.S. history, and went on to open #1 in many territories around the world, including Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Colombia, Ecuador, Malaysia Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Slovenia, South Africa, and Sweden.

Welcome to the HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA, where monsters and their families can live it up, free to be the monsters they are without humans to bother them. On one special weekend, Dracula has invited some of the world's most famous monsters — Frankenstein and his wife, the Mummy, the Invisible Man, a family of werewolves, and more — to celebrate his daughter Mavis' 118th birthday. For Drac, catering to these infamous friends is no problem — but his world could come crashing down when a human stumbles on the hotel for the first time and befriends Mavis.

Columbia Pictures presents a Sony Pictures Animation film, HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA.  The film features the voices of Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James, Fran Drescher, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon, David Spade, and CeeLo Green.  Directed by Genndy Tartakovsky.  Produced by Michelle Murdocca.  Screenplay by Peter Baynham and Robert Smigel.  Story by Todd Durham and Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman.  Executive producers are Adam Sandler, Robert Smigel and Allen Covert.  Music by Mark Mothersbaugh.  Music Supervision by Liza Richardson.  Imagery and Animation by Sony Pictures Imageworks Inc.

ABOUT SONY PICTURES ANIMATION

Sony Pictures Animation produces a variety of animated entertainment for audiences around the world.  The studio is following its worldwide comedy hits—the 2012 monster hit comedy Hotel Transylvania (3D), the 2011 hybrid live action/animated blockbuster, The Smurfs (3D) and the 2009 mouth-watering Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (3D)—with The Smurfs 2 (3D) in July 2013 and Cloudy 2: Revenge of the Leftovers (3D) in February 2014.  Sony Pictures Animation, in conjunction with Aardman Animations, has produced two critically acclaimed feature films:  the CG-animated family comedy Arthur Christmas (3D); and the stop-frame animated high-seas adventure, The Pirates! Band of Misfits (3D).  In 2007, Surf's Up received an Academy Award® nomination for Best Animated Feature Film.  The division, whose first feature film Open Season led to a very successful movie franchise, is turning 10 this year.  Sony Pictures Animation is an operating unit of Sony Pictures Digital Productions.

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SOURCE Sony Pictures Animation