Philip Seymour Hoffman (Capote) has joined the cast of the new claymation feature Mary and Max, to voice the role of Max.

Mary and Max is the first film from writer/director Adam Elliot and producer Melanie Coombs, since their Oscar winning animated short Harvie Krumpet, winner of the 2004 Oscar for Best Short Film - animated.

Seymour Hoffman joins Toni Collette (Little Miss Sunshine) as Mary. The film is narrated by Australian star Barry Humphries.

CEO of Icon Film Distribution Mark Gooder commented: 'Mary And Max is one of our highlights for release next year. Adam and Melanie have assembled a stunning voice-cast and the addition of Phillip Seymour Hoffman is the icing on the cake.'

Director Adam Elliot said: 'Sometimes in animation when you combine a beautiful voice with wonderful images, for some odd reason they don't marry. Not only did Philip's voice marry, but it enlivened, invigorated and supported the suspension of disbelief so crucial in a stopmotion film.'

Mary and Max is a tale of pen-friendship between two very different people that spans 20 years and 2 continents; Mary Dinkle, a chubby lonely eight year old girl living in the suburbs of Melbourne, and Max Horovitz, a 44 year old, severely obese, Jewish man with Asperger's Syndrome living in the chaos of New York.

Mary and Max was financed by Screen Australia, Adirondack Pictures and Film Victoria and is being sold internationally by Icon Entertainment International (IEI).

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