'Sam And Julia', 'Starseed', 'The Wild And The Tame'

Source: Cartoon Movie

‘Sam And Julia’, ‘Starseed’, ‘The Wild And The Tame’

Screen selects 10 projects spanning a mix of territories, genres and target audiences being showcased at the Cartoon Movie coproduction and pitching forum. 

Before They Were Gods (In concept)
Dir: Måns Mårlind
Swedish director and series creator Måns Mårlind, internationally known for Underworld: Awakening and as a driving force behind Nordic noir hit The Bridge, moves into animation with a coming-of-age tale that imagines Nick Cave and Joakim Thåström before they became rock icons. The film wil explore friendship, love and artistic awakening and chart their formative bond — philosophy, pop culture and teenage rebellion included. Sweden’s Mylla Films produces with Brokendoll, Qvisten Animation, Parce Que Films and the UK’s Elastic Film.

Dreamers - The Hunt for Shadowclaw (In development)
Dir: Christopher Jenkins
The director of 2024 Sundance title 10 Lives returns with a family feature centred on a cast of animals with different disabilities. The story follows an unlikely trio: Lenny, a K9-on-wheels in training; Fred, a beatboxing Indian Runner duck on the autism spectrum; and Bearnice, a joyful black bear with Down syndrome who loves to sing and dance. Together they race to rescue a runaway panther in the heart of New York. The film is being produced by Germany’s Parapictures and Epsilon Film with Canada’s Falcon Features and Kickstart Entertainment.

Hakim’s Odyssey (In development)
Dir: Patrick Imbert
Two-time César winner for The Summit Of The Gods and The Big Bad Fox And Other Tales, the director unveils his second solo feature, a 2D adventure aimed at adults. The film follows a Syrian man forced into exile who builds a fragile life in Turkey with fellow refugee Najmeh and their son. When she reaches France on a visa, father and child endure mounting hardship, culminating in a perilous Mediterranean crossing. Paris-based Folivari produces with Solab Pictures.

Halloween Vs. Day Of The Dead (In development)
Dir: Celso García
A 3D family feature set between Halloween Ville and neighbouring Day of the Dead Town. Grieving his grandfather, young Pumpkid crosses a forbidden bridge for one last reunion and meets Bony Lu, a Catrina girl embodying Mexico’s Day of the Dead tradition. When holiday candies vanish, threatening both celebrations, the pair set out to solve the mystery. Directed by Mexico’s Celso García, whose credits includeThe Thin Yellow Line, the film is led by Germany’s Studio 100 International with Spain’s 3Doubles Producciones.

Kindred Spirits (In development)
Dir: Tomm Moore
Two powerhouses of Europe’s animation, Ireland’s four-time Oscar-nominated Cartoon Saloon (Wolfwalkers, The Secret Of Kells) and French Folivari (Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia) team to develop this family-focused project. Set in 1847 New York, the story follows an Irish refugee girl and a displaced Choctaw boy who form an unlikely bond. Watched over by Mara’s restless brother from the spirit world, they set off on a magical quest for belonging, family and a place to call home.

Night Tram (In development)
Dir: Michaela Pavlátová
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Pavlátová, whose credits include My Sunny Maad, tells the story of Božena, the best tram driver of her city, despite her age. But when she loses her nerve driving a modern tram, she searches for a new direction in life — all while her body increasingly transforms into a fragile bug. The project is being produced by the Czech Republic’s Negativ, France’s Sacrebleu, Slovakia’s BFilm and Lithuania’s ArtShot.

Once Upon An Egg (In development)
Dir: Nina Gant
Oscar-shortlisted for Wander To Wonder, Gant moves into features with this stop-motion fable about two grey city pigeons who lose their nest and only egg. Their struggle for survival leads to an unlikely new family after they take care of an orphaned egg they discover. The producers are  the Netherlands’ Keplerfilm in co-production with Belgium’s A Private View and the Czech Republic’s Hauboot.

Sam And Julia (In concept)
Dir: (not yet attached)
Dutch 3D family feature Sam And Julia is an adaptation of Karina Schaapman’s miniature world The Mouse Mansion about friendship and belonging. The story follows newcomer Julia, who joins forces with solitary Sam to clear her name after a wave of toy thefts. Produced by Netherlands’ Submarine Animation, whose credits includde They Shot The Piano Player, alongside Germany’s The M.A.R.K.13 Group, Switzerland’s Superswiss Red and France’s Cielo Films.

Starseed (In production)
Dir: Anca Damian
A long-gestating project from acclaimed Romanian director Anca Damian, renowned for Crulic – The Path To Beyond, Starseed has finally entered production, with Mediawan on board as international sales agent. Produced by Damian’s Aparte Film, the 3D feature is co-produced with Special Touch Studios (France), Yzanakio (Canada), Wrong Men (Belgium) and Known Associates Group (South Africa). Set in a drought-stricken Zimbabwean township, the film follows fearless albino girl Loveness and her friends as they navigate a drought-stricken landscape, trying to free a trapped wáter goddess.

The Wild And The Tame (In development)
Dir: Tibor Bánóczki, Sarolta Szabó
This is the Hungarian directorial duo’s sophomore effort after their dystopian eco-fantasy White Plastic Sky. A  mystical film with bold artwork, The Wild And The Tame is about a Budapest painter returning home for her mother’s funeral. There she teams with a disgraced, one-armed priest to paint villagers’ nightmares onto a church, unleashing revenge, faith and reckoning. The film is produced by the directors’ label Domestic Infelicity.

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