Twice Oscar-nominated animation studio Cartoon Saloon (‘The Secret of Kells’, ‘Song of the Sea’) have agreed a deal with Luxembourg-based Production company Melusine Production which will see the two studios work on upcoming animated film ‘The Breadwinner’.
Cartoon Saloon partner Nora Twomey, who co-directed ‘The Secret of Kells’, will direct the animation which is based on Deborah Ellis’ bestselling novel of the same name. According to Variety, Melusine will take charge of much of the animation and the backgrounds on the film. The deal was confirmed at this year’s Annecy Festival, where children animation shows ‘Nelly and Nora’ (Geronimo) and ‘Bing’ (Brown Bag Films) played in competition, as well as the short film ‘Snowfall’ (Conor Whelan).
Cartoon Saloon and Melusine have previously worked together on Tomm Moore’s ‘Song of the Sea’ which garnered an Oscar nomination earlier this year as well as winning Best Film at this year’s IFTA Awards.
‘The Breadwinner’ tells the story of Parvana, a young girl living under Taliban rule in Afghanistan who disguises herself as a boy to support her family when her father is unfairly imprisoned.
Ellis adapted the screenplay with Anita Doron (‘The End of Silence’).
The $10m production has backing from the Irish Film Board, Telefilm Canada, and private investment from Los Angeles and the Middle East.
