Peter Baynton / Julia Pistor / Martin Hynes

Source: Helen Savage / Sarah Murray / Roy Axper

Peter Baynton / Julia Pistor / Martin Hynes

Peter Baynton, a former Screen Star of Tomorrow and co-director of the Oscar-winning short The Boy The Mole, The Fox And The Horse, will reunite with Apple Original Films on the animated feature adaptation Little Santa.

Toy Story 4 co-writer Martin Hynes adapts the screenplay from author and illustrator Jon Agee’s children’s book about a young Santa Claus whose trek through the North Pole meeting offbeat friends inspires him to create Christmas and reminds the world to believe.

Julia Pistor, whose credits include Nacho Libre and The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie, will serve as producer. New Zealand songwriter, comedian, actor and writer Bret McKenzie, who comprises one half of the musical comedy duo Flight Of The Conchords, contributes original songs.

Toronto-based WildBrain will animate Little Santa and provide pre-production services at its House Of Cool. Hynes will also serve as executive producer alongside McKenzie.

WildBrain worked on The Boy The Mole, The Fox And The Horse, Apple’s upcoming Snoopy Unleashed, and Wolfwalkers.

Baynton was a 2007 Screen Star Of Tomorrow and his credits animated include shorts and television.