'That Christmas'

Source: Locksmith Animation

‘That Christmas’

Locksmith Animation’s adaptation of Richard Curtis’ children’s book That Christmas is among the four animated titles Netflix has unveiled ahead of the 61st Annecy International Film Festival (June 13-18).

That Christmas is directed by Swiss-born filmmaker Simon Otto, best known for his How To Train Your Dragon trilogy, and follows multiple interweaved stories of love, loneliness, family and friends. It is produced by Nicole P. Hearon and Adam Tandy. Curtis is writing the screenplay with Peter Souter.

Another title announced is Scrooge: A Christmas Carol from Timeless Films. Featuring songs from Leslie Bricusse, this musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ story is directed by Stephen Donnelly and will be released on Netflix in December. 

The streaming platform has also picked up Spanish animation Ember by Klaus director Sergio Pablos. It tells the story of Dikkia who must venture to a faraway volcano to obtain a precious spark and save her tribe. The SPA Studios are producing.

The final new project is an untitled animated film by Wallace & Gromit: The Curse Of The Were Rabbit director Steve Box. Produced by Superprod Animation, it is a heist film about a group of stray cats who must go undercover as pampered pets in order to feed themselves

Netflix also announced four animated series - Snafu’s Pictures Bad Dinasours about a Tyrannosaurus family; Italian animation Mermaid Magic from Rainbow/Bardel; The Seven Bears from French studio Folivari; and Lime Pictures’ Wereworld about a werewolf coming of age.