Critically acclaimed stop-motion animated Cannes selection directed by Claude Barras is Best Foreign Language submission from Switzerland for the 2017 Academy Awards.
NEW YORK -- Independent animation distributor GKIDS has acquired North American distribution rights to My Life as a Zucchini (original French language title Ma vie de Courgette), the debut feature from Swiss director Claude Barras, based on a script from Céline Sciamma (director/writer of Girlhood and Tomboy). The deal was negotiated by Eric Beckman for GKIDS and Nicolas Eschbach, head of sales & co-founder of Indie Sales.
My Life as a Zucchini is the official Swiss submission for the “Best Foreign Language” category for the 2017 Academy Awards. GKIDS will qualify the film for awards consideration this fall followed by national theatrical release in 2017.
My Life as a Zucchini made its critically acclaimed world premiere earlier this year in the Director’s Fortnight section at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. It went on to win both the Grand Prize (Cristal) and the Audience Award at the 2016 Annecy International Animation Film Festival. My Life as a Zucchini also beat out 350 features to win the Audience Award - Best Feature at the Melbourne International Film Festival. My Life as a Zucchini will make its North American premiere at this year’s 2016 Toronto International Film Festival, in the TIFF Kids section.
Here’s the official synopsis:
After his mother’s sudden death, Zucchini is befriended by a police officer, Raymond, who accompanies him to his new foster home, filled with other orphans his age. At first he struggles to find his place in this at times strange and hostile environment. But with Raymond’s help and his newfound friends, Zucchini eventually learns to trust and love, as he searches for a new family of his own. Brought to life through striking character designs and expressive stop-motion animation, the story soars with laughter, sorrow, and joy, and stands as a testament to the resilience of the human heart. Beginning with its debut at Cannes, the film has stirred up an overwhelming response on the festival circuit, taking home top jury and audience prizes at Annecy, Melbourne and Angoulême, as it prepares to melt hearts in North America with its premiere at Toronto.
My Life as a Zucchini is produced by RITA Productions, Blue Spirit Productions, Gebeka Films and KNM, in coproduction with the RTS - Radio Télévision Suisse, SRG-SSR, France 3 Cinéma, Rhône Alpes Cinéma and Helium Films, with international sales handled by Indie Sales.
Source: GKIDS
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.
