Heading into the Cannes Film Market, Epsilon Film has signed on with the family 3D CG-animated features Dreamers – The Hunt for Shadowclaw as co-producer and worldwide sales agent. Global pre-sales for the pic, which centers on an unlikely trio of animals with disabilities, will launch at Cannes this month with a first-look scene available for buyers.
Production is set to being soon, with a target release date timed to the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
Dreamers stars Lenny, a young German shepherd who joined a circus after he failed the police canine test — not because of his mobility wheels, but because of his stubborn attitude; Fred, an Indian Runner duck with autism who creates musical beats with his beak; and Bearnice, a brown bear with Down syndrome who loves dancing for the crowds at her circus. Together, they must turn their differences into strengths and overcome their fears to rescue Shadowclaw, the mysterious circus panther, from the middle of New York City.
The project is created by Andreas Schneider of Parapictures Film Production, who also produces alongside German animation veteran Ulrich Schwarz (Dragon Rider, Nessie Junior), Thomas Baumgarten (Klaus) and Falcon Features. Dreamers is being animated by Kickstart Entertainment in Vancouver, Canada (Barbie Mysteries, Deepa & Anoop).
The creative team includes character designer Heiko Hentschel (The Amazing Maurice, Luis and the Aliens). The scrip was written by Rob Moreland (Gnome Alone, Happily N’Ever After) and award-winning children’s book author Alison James.
Dreamers – The Hunt for Shadowclaw received development funding from MOIN and FFA in Germany and Creative BC in Canada.
[Source: Variety]
