GKids nabs upcoming French animation “The Guardian of the Moon”

PanARMENIAN.Net - GKids has acquired the North American distribution rights to the upcoming French animated film “Mune: The Guardian of the Moon”, Variety reports.

A new, English-language version of the movie — from the producers of “The Little Prince” — will be released theatrically in early 2017. The film is directed by Alexandre Heboyan and Benoît Philippon.

“GKids has always championed international storytellers using the animation medium in new and exciting ways,” said David Jesteadt, senior VP of distribution. “We are proud to share the beautiful, bold world, and rich mythology that infuse every frame of ‘Mune: Guardian of the Moon’ with audiences nationwide.”

The film takes places in a fantastical world where a young faun named Mune is unexpectedly entrusted with the monumental title of Guardian of the Moon. The news excites Necross, the nefarious ruler of the Underworld, a corrupted ex-guardian who decides to take advantage of Mune’s weakness and steal back the sun for himself.

“Mune: The Guardian of the Moon” won the young people’s jury award at the TIFF Kids International Film Festival and nabbed best film at the Toyko Anime Awards. Meanwhile, composer Bruno Coulais was nominated for soundtrack composer of the year at the World Soundtrack Awards.

The film was sold by Kinology, which is also a co-producer on the film.

GKids movies have generated eight best animated feature Oscar nominations — second only to Disney/Pixar — with “The Secret of Kells” in 2010, “A Cat in Paris” and “Chico & Rita” in 2012, “Ernest & Celestine” in 2014, “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya” and “Song of the Sea” in 2015, and “Boy and the World” and “When Marnie Was There” in 2016.

Gkids is also an executive producer on Cartoon Saloon’s “The Breadwinner,” slated for domestic release stateside in 2017.