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DeZerlin and Zycon Sign Five-Picture Deal

First two animated features to be produced under the new deal are ‘Wanhoo,’ a quirky comedy fantasy set in ancient China, and ‘Outlaws,’ a fast-paced comedy adventure that takes place in the Wild West.

BEIJING -- London-based Zycon Media and Chinese production company DeZerlin Media have signed a deal at the Beijing International Film Festival to co-finance and co-produce a slate of five animated features for the Chinese and International markets.

The pictures will be produced by Zhang Lin, CEO of Qingdao-based DeZerlin Media, and Zycon CEO Mohammed Khalid. The deal was structured by Beijing-based producer Mark Byers, the CEO of Quixotic Group, Inc.

The five pictures will be produced over the next three to four years, with a new picture entering production approximately every nine months.

The first two pictures to be produced under the new deal are Wanhoo, a quirky comedy fantasy set in ancient China, and Outlaws, a fast-paced comedy adventure that takes place in the Wild West. Both projects have been developed by DeZerlin’s in-house story team.

“DeZerlin has been unique in China, focusing on content development for the last five years, and now we are prepared to begin our original productions,” said Zhang. “Partnering with Zycon Media on these five movies is a fantastic opportunity for us to march into the international film market with such a professional and experienced team.”

“I’ve been a proponent of the Chinese animation industry for many years, and this opportunity gives us the platform to not only utilize the China/UK co-production treaty but enhance our understanding, knowledge and experience in working with a highly skilled and talented team at DeZerlin, developing the capacity of our teams to address communication and sharing of both cultures in a partnership environment that will promote creativity, and visual narrative that will touch the hearts of our audiences around the globe,” added Khalid. “This extraordinary deal with DeZerlin has been a long term strategic aim of Zycon Media and today it has come to fruition, thanks to Executive Producer Mark Byers who has been instrumental in helping us break down barriers for entering the Chinese Animation Industry.”

“Hollywood has been tracking DeZerlin since their inception, and are very excited to see DeZerlin product enter the global marketplace,” said Byers. “Zhang Lin and his extraordinary team of artists, writers, and technicians are changing animation in China, and are reaching out to the world with their films.”

DeZerlin and Zycon are supported in the movie slate by Beijing-based HG Capital, a private equity investment company specializing in the culture and entertainment industries, consumer products, medicine, energy conservation, and environmental protection. As one of the premiere investment companies in China, HG Capital has funded and co-produced some of the highest grossing films and TV series of the recent past.  

In addition to the five pictures with Zycon, DeZerlin Media has also set a co-production slate of animated movies with burgeoning New Zealand animation house Huhu Studios, headed by CEO Trevor Yaxley.

DeZerlin Media is a pioneer in IP creation, story development, and content production for the global market. Founded in 2010 by CEO Lin Zhang, DeZerlin has grown into an international powerhouse in the animation industry. Headquartered in Qingdao, China, DeZerlin has branch offices in Los Angeles and Beijing, and has established international projects and strategic partnerships for its global development.

Zycon Media, Ltd. is an independent media production company developing and supporting IP and brands in the creative media sector. The company has been established with the core objectives to create, acquire, finance, produce, and globally manage trans-media content capable of becoming international entertainment brands.

Source: Zycon Media, Ltd.

Jennifer Wolfe's picture

Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.