Recently launched Toonz Feature Films and China’s Golden Valley Films have entered into 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 sales and distribution of the titles, beginning in the coming Cannes Market where executives from both the companies will work side by side out of the same office.
title included Pierre the Pigeon-HawkLed by songwriter and rapper will.i.am as the titular protagonist in a voice cast including Jennifer Coolidge, Luis Guzmán, Jennifer Hudson, Snoop Dogg, Whoopi Goldberg and Howie Mandel, among others.
The film, which is due for delivery in 2024, was previously announced to be sold internationally by Highland Group. CAA Media Finance is handling the sale of the home.
The slate also includes previously announced co-productions from Toonz and Gold Valley China. little emma,
Currently in post-production, the film is directed by Leo (Lewis) Liao (Ella and the Little Sorcerer, Mulan: Warrior Princess) and Alice Tzu (Sour, Steps). Natalie Grace (T-Rex Ranch) is the voice of Emma, a miniature human girl adopted by animal parents who longs to discover the truth about her human roots.
The deal also includes an Oscar Wilde animated adaptation. the Canterville Ghostwhich Toonz is co-producing with Robert Chandler’s Space Age Films (the amazing maurice) and Los Angeles-based Align Pictures US Inc.
The feature, which will be distributed globally by American film distributor Cinema Management Group (CMG), was previewed at an exclusive sneak peek event. Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June.
The other three projects will be announced soon.
“This is a terrific matchup between two prolific animation studios. The combined expertise and resources will result in an ideal flow of films in terms of quality and quantity for our distribution arm,” said Ariel Veneziano, president of Toonz Feature Film.
Their new division was launched by India-based Toonz Media Group in February to focus on production and distribution of in-house and third-party projects.
Gold Valley Films was founded in 2013 by Roger (King) Chen and Adam (Hao Qiang) Qiu. It has produced eight independent animated features to date, including Ella and the Little Magician, Mulan: Warrior Princess, cinderella and the secret princeAnd Academy of Magic,
“We are excited to launch our new partnership in 2023 ear market, I firmly believe that the two companies, with their international outlooks, complement each other’s strengths, and will deliver more exciting animated films to global audiences in the future,” said Chen.
Toonz Media Group CEO P Jayakumar said the tie-up is a sign that the film division is taking shape.
“We are pleased with the way the Toonz feature film division is developing since its launch in Berlin in 2023. I am glad to see such a wonderful partnership between Toonz and Gold Valley Films and how much progress we have made together in such a short span of time. ,” They said.