The Illuminated Film Co. is teaming up with Ventura International to release THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR AND OTHER STORIES for the first time in the U.K. on DVD. The films are based on the bestselling books by writer/illustrator Eric Carle (published by Hamish Hamilton/Penguin, with worldwide sales exceeding 10 million copies).
The series of programs features THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR and four other heart-warming stories, PAPA, PLEASE GET THE MOON FOR ME, THE VERY QUIET CRICKET, THE MIXED-UP CHAMELEON and I SEE A SONG, produced by Iain Harvey of The Illuminated Film Co. The shows star the voice talent of Roger McGough (and Juliet Stevenson on PAPA, PLEASE GET THE MOON FOR ME). The series has international appeal, having been released in numerous territories, including Japan (Pioneer-Amuse), Holland (Warner Home Video), Germany (Polyband) and North America (Disney). During its 13-year life span THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR AND OTHER STORIES has been screened at many childrens film festivals; winning the Best Short Animation at The New England Childrens Film Festival.
Directed by Andrew Goff and brought to life with an enchanting musical score by award-winning composer Julian Nott (most famed for his recent work on WALLACE AND GROMIT: CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT), each story presents beautifully crafted animation that remains faithful to Eric Carles unique original style.
Ventura Int'l will support the April 24, 2006 release with a strong promotional campaign.
Since launching in 1993, London-based Illuminated Films (www.illuminatedfilms.com) has produced THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR AND OTHER STORIES, T.R.A.N.S.I.T (nominated for a British Academy Award and winner of the L.A. Short Film Critics Award), WAR GAME (Childrens Choice Award at the British Animation Awards) and CHRISTMAS CAROL THE MOVIE (featuring the voice talents of Nicholas Cage and Kate Winslet). The company is headed by Harvey, an acclaimed producer and U.K. representative and vp of the European Assoc. of Animated Film (Cartoon), an initiative under the Media program.
Illuminateds next production is LITTLE PRINCESS a 30x11 pre-school childrens animated series, based on the highly successful picture books by Tony Ross. Starring the voice talents of Jane Horrocks and Julian Clary, the series, distributed by TV-Loonland, airs on Channel 5 in the U.K. this fall.
