Two Daughters Sneak Peeks ‘The Land of Sometimes’ at Annecy

Two Daughters Entertainment, the U.K. studio behind international hit Moley, hopped the Channel last week to make some wishes come true at France’s Annecy Festival and MIFA market, where the studio presented its animated family fantasy feature The Land of Sometimes to international buyers.

On site, director Leon Joosen, producer Tony Nottage, Two Daughters’ founder James Reatchlous and CEO Simon Bobin discussed the film’s production, and showcased a new trailer as well as two completed scenes featuring Ewan McGregor, Alisha Weir and Andrei Shen (both of Matilda: The Musical). Attendees were also among the first to hear one of the film’s original songs, “Dare Make a Wish” by singer, songwriter & actress Francesca Longrigg.*

As previously announced,  The Land of Sometimes will also feature three original songs written by EGOT winner Tim Rice (The Lion King, Evita) — his first such efforts in 25 years. A special message for the audience from Rice and songwriting partner Pete Hobbs was shared during the Annecy presentation.

“It was a special moment to be back at Annecy and sharing the first completed scenes with an animation-loving audience,” said Joosen. “As with any animated feature the production process take time and as we’re approaching completion of the film, we’re so excited to bring it to audiences across the world later this year.”

The first-look footage introduced twin brother and sister Alfie (Shen) and Elise (Weir), who live with their mother in a house at the top of a sea-facing cliff. Drawn by the power of the “Wish Watch” left by their father, the kids are soon visited by the Wish Collector (McGregor), a curious and enthusiastic character with the look of a circus ringmaster. Hopping aboard his luminescent flying whale, the twins are whisked away to a technicolor island — The Land of Sometimes.

The scenes revealed some of the colorful denizens of the island — such as the hot pink, many-limbed “fliggle” who can turn invisible and bonds instantly with anyone who feeds it, much to Elise’s dismay — as well as whimsical plant life and rare delicacies, from gigglenuts to tootberries (which have self explanatory side effects). Alfie and Elise also encounter the sinister, crab-like mechanoid known as The Guardian, who will stop at nothing to take the Wish Watch for his own before the kids can fulfill their six wishes and escape the island.

The Land of Sometimes is currently in production with delivery slated for Q3 2025. Kaleidoscope (kaleidoscopefilmdsitribution.com) is handling distribution. Two Daughters is represented in the U.S. by Zero Gravity Management; learn more about the studio at twodaughtersentertainment.com.