Image in Media Inc. (Image) announced that it has signed a $20 million co-production agreement for a 3D animation feature film entitled MONSTER CLUB THE MOVIE with China Film Animation Ltd. and UK-based producer Treehouse Film and Television Ltd. Production is planned to start in Q1 2006 and be completed within 12 months.
"MONSTER CLUB is an important milestone for Image," said Paul Allard, president/ceo. "It is the starting point of a long term relationship with CFA, our Chinese partner and it is our first major international co-production that demonstrates the strength of our business model. This production has generated strong interest from a major U.S. distributor for theatre release. As we focus in building a catalogue of content for exploitation on the international market, we have to collaborate with independent producers around the world that share our vision. MONSTER CLUB is the first of a series of productions supporting that plan."
The 90-minute film is based upon the successful U.K. comic created by Kit Wallis, published by U.K.-based AP Comics Ltd. "The film idea was developed after a leading U.S. distributor contacted us to see if there was a chance of developing the comic idea to film," said U.K. co-producer Phil Littler. "We were already going along those lines so we followed them up by sending the distributor a script, then things moved very quickly."
Image announced on Oct. 13, 2005, that it has agreed to be acquired by Section Rouge Media Inc. Section Rouge is also proceeding with a private placement of common shares to raise a minimum of $2.5 million and a maximum of $4 million with Research Capital Corporation acting as the agent. It is expected that the closing of the placement and the acquisition of Image will occur during the first quarter of 2006.
Image acquires, produces and exploits television and film content for the international market. The company also owns the International Program Exchange for Television, a unique digital platform used by buyers and sellers of television programs around the world. IPEXTV is the first phase of Image's Digital Exploitation Plan.
China Film Animation Ltd. is one of two media joint ventures established by China Film Group Co., the largest state film enterprise in China. CFA is backed by all existing resources of CFG, which is involved in film and television production, film distribution and exhibition, film importation and exportation, cinema circuit management, digital cinema construction, the CCTV-6 movie channel, print developing and processing, film equipment management, digital film production, film and TV compact disc production, ancillary products, advertising, property management and real estate. CFG subsidiary China Film Co-production Corp., is charged by China's top media regulator, the State Administration of Radio Film and Television to oversee and manage all international co-productions.
EAE Group Inc. is a media management enterprise based in Toronto, that has worked with CFG since 2002 to establish CFA. EAE promotes the development of original family oriented content for the Chinese and international markets.
Treehouse Film and Television Ltd. was set up in 2004, by Phil Littler to deal with the film rights of MONSTER CLUB THE MOVIE along with other projects. Treehouse specializes in the development and production of projects from initial idea to final delivery and has always worked with international partners. Littler has been in the animation business as a producer/director for 24 years.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
