News

Pierre The Pigeon-Hawk, Little Emma on initial roster.

Toonz Feature Film Division president Ariel Veneziano and Gold Valley Films head of international Allen Tsang have announced a co-production and co-financing partnership on six animated features over the next three years and are joining forces on sales of their entire combined slates in Cannes.

Currently in production, Pierre The Pigeon-Hawk features the voice talent of musician will.i.am in the title role alongside Jennifer Coolidge (The White Lotus), Luis Guzmán, Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls), rapper Snoop Dogg, and Whoopi Goldberg and Howie Mandel.

The quest story sees Pigeon-Hawk set out...

The recently launched Toonz Feature Film and China’s Golden Valley Films have struck a co-production and co-financing deal for six animated pictures over the course of the next three years.

The companies will also jointly oversee the sale and distribution of the titles, kicking off at the upcoming Cannes Market where executives of both companies will work side-by-side out of the same offices.

The titles include Pierre The Pigeon-Hawk, led by songwriter and rapper will.i.am as the titular protagonist in the voice cast with other members including Jennifer Coolidge, Luis Guzmán, Jennifer Hudson, Snoop Dogg, Whoopi Goldberg and Howie Mandel.

The film, which is due for delivery in 2024, was previously announced as being sold internationally by The Highland Group but the company is no longer involved in the project. CAA Media Finance is handling domestic sales.

The slate also features Toonz and Gold Valley China’s previously announced co-production Little Emma.

US-China outfit to showcase 50 minutes of the animated feature to market buyers.

US-China animation studio Gold Valley Films (Gvf) is to showcase upcoming feature Little Emma at the EFM.

The first 50 minutes of the animation will be screened to buyers at the market in Berlin this week ahead of a planned delivery in Q2 this year. The film is directed by Leo Lewis and Isabella Blanco from a script by Sean Lamb.

The voice cast is led by Natalie Grace (T-Rex Ranch) as Emma, a miniature girl adopted by animal parents who yearns to learn the truth about her past.

Continuing adventures of protagonist draws slew of international buyers.

Chinese 3D animation studio Gold Valley Films (Gvf) has concluded a raft of AFM sales on Ella And The Little Sorcerer led by deals for the US and Canada.

Vertical Entertainment has acquired US rights to the family title and Canada’s largest exhibitor Cineplex Pictures has picked up Canadian rights and committed to a first quarter 2022 wide theatrical release through its new distribution arm.

Ella And The Little Sorcerer will open in China via Jackie Chan’s Sparkle Roll Media following their recent animation release Wish Dragon and has gone...