Press Release from Dutch Telescreen B.V.
Hilversum, 21 January 2010 – MIFFY – THE MOVIE, the latest project of Dutch Telescreen B.V., a leading production, distribution and Brand Management company and part of the German m4e AG, will be introduced at the European Film Market in Berlin. The 70-minute stop-motion cinema experience for 3-6 year olds (and the whole family) is currently in pre-production and is expected for delivery in November 2011. The movie will combine all of the hallmarks that have already been proven to work on TV for the latest 3D series “Miffy” (78 x 5’) and for successful specials such as “Family Celebrations” (4 x 24’) and “Explore the World with Miffy” (4 x 11’).
MIFFY is a world famous character - celebrating her 55th birthday this year - created by Dutch author and illustrator Dick Bruna, whose copyrights are protected by the Dutch Mercis bv. Of the 117 original book titles of the little rabbit, more than 85 mio were sold in over 40 different languages and a broad range of merchandising products is available, ranging from baby, apparel to toys and gifts. MIFFY made her TV debut in 1992, appearing in 82 episodes of each 5 minutes in 2D animation, later a 3D animated series was produced. The series is currently broadcasted in over 40 countries and available on DVD as well. On top of that, MIFFY serves as a “celebrity character spokesperson” for UNICEF.
Telescreen Film Productions, a division of Telescreen B.V., is co-producing the movie with Dutch public broadcaster KRO at a budget of € 3.2 mio., and with the development support of the MEDIA programme of the European Union and the Dutch Film Fund.
The executive studio will be A.Film Denmark, renown for its work on film productions such as “FernGully: The Last Rainforest” (1992), “Quest for Camelot” (1998) and “Asterix and the Vikings” (2005).
The movie, built around a game that children know and love – a treasure hunt – celebrates the joy of curiosity, the fun of working together and the adventure of friendship. It will feature all of the characteristics that made MIFFY a beloved international phenomenon: the proven successful 3D animation style, the primary colours, songs and music that are rhyming and sing-able for a young child, the same cast of familiar Dick Bruna characters, a simple story line with as much recognisable situations and objects as possible, and a patient tone that emphasizes an almost idealized childhood – maybe the one we all wished for.
For the first time, voices will be added - individual voices that are characteristic of MIFFY’s world: friendly, safe, funny, curious and surprising. A narrator will be there to guide the story when needed and to tie everything together in a friendly way. By adding new entertainment elements to create interactivity, every viewer will be invited to be a part of the story on screen.
The movie is structured as five story segments that string together to create the bigger overall story. In short: In the zoo MIFFY’s parents set out a treasure hunt and give MIFFY and her friends five clues, one at a time. These clues in the form of a song are about the colour, shape or sound of an animal. Putting all solutions together, MIFFY and her friends can solve the treasure hunt…