Millennium Entertainment has picked up the 3D family animation, which has been a big seller for Cinema Management Group (CMG).

The distributor will release in North America in summer 2013 after Tristen Tuckfield negotiated the deal with CMG chief Edward Noeltner.

CMG previously licensed rights to Luxor in Russia, Santo Domingo in Mexico, VC Multimedia Portugal, Front Row in the Middle East and Asian-A in China, among others.

Khumba follows a half-striped zebra on his quest to earn his stripes. Jake T Austin, AnnaSophia Robb, Loretta Devine and Roger Jackson are among the voice cast and negotiations are underway with a high-profile name expected to be announced shortly.

Director Anthony Silverston wrote the screenplay with Lion King writer Jonathan Roberts and Raffaella Delle Donne. Stuart Forrest of Triggerfish Animation serves as producer.

“What a great way to kick off AFM,” said Noeltner. “We are excited by the plans that Millennium Entertainment has in place for the theatrical distribution of Khumba in 2013. We are thrilled to be working with everyone over at Millennium and feel our film is in good hands with a talented group behind the release.”