EXCLUSIVE: Deal with former UK animation studio includes 1954 classic Animal Farm.

Hollywood Classics has signed a deal to represent the library of classic animation studio Halas and Batchelor.

The deal was signed between Joe D’Morais and Vivien Halas, daughter of John Halas and Joy Batchelor and Hollywood Classsics.

The famous UK studio made more than 2,000 films and the deal includes features Animal Farm (1954) and Ruddigore (1964), series Max & Moritz (1976), Snip and Snap (1960) and the Foo Foo series (1960) and short films Owl and The Pussycat (1952) and Butterfly Ball (1974).

BAFTA-nominated classic Animal Farm is widely considered the first UK animated  feature.

John Ramchandani, managing director of Hollywood Classics, said: “Halas & Batchelor animations occupy a unique place in British cinema history and they are as relevant to the contemporary film landscape as they ever were.

“The catalogue of shorts and features continues to draw great attention from audiences around the world and we anticipate a healthy interest from our international licensees.”