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Red Kite Sails to Scotland with New Film Studio for Nocturna

Animation production company Red Kite makes its foray into theatrical-release animation, launching Red Kite Films with a major new feature-length film NOCTURNA. The film is a collaboration with Filmax Animation (Spain) and Animakids (France), set for theatrical release at Christmas 2006.

NOCTURNA tells the story of Tim, an orphan who sees a star fall from the sky and is instantly transported into a world of dreams and the mysteries of the night. Featuring 2D and 3D CGI techniques and initially budgeted at around 10m, production starts later this year on NOCTURNA, targeted for a family audience.

Story/script editor is Philip LaZebnik (POCAHONTAS, MULAN as well as a story consultant on the DreamWorks SHREK and ANTZ). Adrian Garcia and Victor Maldonado, will direct and also hold writing credits along with Teresa Vilardell and LaZebnik. NOCTURNA is produced Ken Anderson, Philippe Garell and Paco Rodriguez. Rodriguez showed promos for the film during the recent MIFA conference in Annecy.

We are confident that NOCTURNA represents another huge step forward in the recent renaissance in European animation, said Red Kite md Ken Anderson. NOCTURNA is just the beginning of our work with our European partners, as Red Kite Films will go on to produce a range of animations currently in development. Our success in making NOCTURNA a reality underlines not only our strength in the marketplace, but the strength of the Scottish animation industry as a whole and its fantastic pool of creative talent.

Red Kite will produce the films at its brand new facility in Edinburgh, Scotland. Offering the very best technical facilities in Scotland, the new development aims to make Red Kite the most extensive and largest employer in 2D animation. During its expansion, Red Kite will be looking to hire a wealth of new production and animation staff.

The opening of this facility is not only part of our strategic expansion, but again proves that Scotland is world-class in terms of animation, adds Anderson.

Red Kite is at the cutting edge of screen animation, and its involvement in NOCTURNA is proof of the quality of work that is coming out of Scotland, said Scottish Screen chief exec, Steve McIntyre. Red Kite has demonstrated that high artistic production values really do matter, and it is paving the way for other Scottish animation companies.

Sylvain Chomet, award-winning director of BELLEVILLE RENDEZVOUS, who recently set up shop in Scotland as Studio Django in Edinburgh, added his own praise for Red Kite: Red Kites work in animation has set a high benchmark in artistic quality, and Im delighted that they have won a commission for their first major feature. Red Kite Films is a company to watch they are capable of achieving big things.

Established in 1997, Red Kite (www.redkite-animation.com) is one of Scotlands most innovative screen animation companies. Based in Edinburgh, with a reputation for creative flair and imagination, Red Kite has produced a range of short films, TV series and commercials.

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