Ariel Veneziano, President of Toonz Feature Film Division, and Allen Tsang, Head of International at Gold Valley Films, today announced a co-production and co-financing deal for six animated pictures over the course of the next three years. Additionally, the two companies will join forces across their entire slate for sales and distribution of their pictures starting at the upcoming Cannes Market.
The deal includes previously announced projects Pierre the Pigeon-Hawk and Little Emma, as well as several movies to be announced shortly.
Currently in Production, Pierre the Pigeon-Hawk stars acclaimed singer, songwriter and rapper will.i.am playing the titular character; Golden Globe recipient, Primetime Emmy Award and two-time Screen Actors Guild Awards recipient, Jennifer Coolidge; Luis Guzmán (Oz, Narcos, Carlito’s Way); Academy Award recipient for Best Supporting Actor for Dreamgirls, Jennifer Hudson; rapper and actor Snoop Dogg; along with Whoopi Goldberg and Howie Mandel, both comedians, television personality, actor and producer.
To find out where he belongs, a mixed-breed Pigeon-Hawk sets out on a quest of self-discovery. While embracing the things that make him different, he finds the courage to change the world he lives in.
Set for a 2024 delivery, the film is directed by John D. Eraklis and Tara Whitaker, written by Ciaran Crampton and Jay Dowski, produced by Toonz Media Group and Telegael.
Little Emma is a co-production between Toonz and Gold Valley Films China, currently in post-production. The film is directed by Leo (Lewis) Liao (Ella and the Little Sorcerer, Mulan: Princess Warrior) and written by Alyce Tzue (Soar, Steps). The movie is voiced by Natalie Grace (T-Rex Ranch) as Emma; Broadway / recording artist and entertainer Travis Cloer as Edward; Bar Topaz as Newton; Niko Gerentes (Death by Dying) as Sancho, Mr. White and Bear; and Amy Margolis (Law and Order, House) as Mrs. Whit.
Emma, a miniature human girl adopted by animal parents, yearns to find the truth about her human roots. But when she discovers a hidden island full of tiny humans, it’s not the fairy tale she hoped for. Will she risk all she’s ever known to uncover secrets from her past?
Toonz is already involved in other animated feature film productions, including The Canterville Ghost, which an adaptation of the Oscar Wilde classic of the same name. The animated theatrical feature is being co-produced by Toonz along with Robert Chandler’s Space Age Films (whose The Amazing Maurice was selected at the Sundance Film Festival) and Los Angeles-based Align Pictures U.S. Inc. The feature will be distributed globally by the American film distributors Cinema Management Group (CMG).
“This is a terrific match between two prolific animation studios. The joined expertise and resources will result in ideal flow of films, in terms of quality and volume for our distribution arm,” said Veneziano for Toonz.
Gold Valley Films, established in 2013 by Roger (Qing) Chen and Adam (Hao Qiang) Qiu, has produced eight independent animated features; such as Ella and the Little Sorcerer, Mulan: Princess Warrior, Cinderella and the Secret Prince and The Academy of Magic.
“We are excited to launch our new partnership at the 2023 Cannes Market. I strongly believe that both companies, with their international perspectives, complement each other’s strengths, and will be delivering more exciting animated films to a global audience in the future,” said Chen.
P Jayakumar, Chief Executive Officer of Toonz Media Group, added, “We are delighted with the way Toonz Feature Film Division is evolving since its launch in Belin in 2023. I am glad to see such wonderful partnership between Toonz and Gold Valley Films and how much progress we have made together in a short period of time.”
