Geographical Region: Europe

The renowned Wiesbaden Film Evaluation Board (FBW) honored the new TV-Loonland feature film HEIDI and others this week with the distinction of "valuable." The co-production of TV-Loonland, Telemagination and Nelvana directed by Alan Simpson marks its premiere in German cinemas on Dec. 22, 2005.

"We are very pleased at FBW's recognition and are convinced that HEIDI will be a very special movie experience for moviegoers, young and old alike," said Selma Käppel, ceo of TV-Loonland.

Platinum Studios and Blue Star Pictures have signed a deal with directors Danny and Oxide Pang to direct the upcoming feature film, THE DARKNESS, based on the popular comicbook published by Top Cow Prods. Inc. Platinum Studios will finance 50% of the production. Platinum, Blue Star and the Pang Brothers are jointly looking for a writer.

On the promotional trail in Europe for the LAND OF THE DEAD DVD, George A. Romero has been talking up the possibility for a sequel to his 2005 zombie epic. After a lackluster performance in the U.S. this summer, the prospects for a follow-up looked dim. However, U.S. DVD sales as well as big theatrical receipts in Europe and Japan have spurred Universal Pictures to start talks with Romero on a follow-up. The father of the modern zombie picture will pick up the story where the original left off with the survivors heading to Canada.

THQ Inc. announced it has been named interactive game licensee for Columbia Pictures' next performance-capture film, MONSTER HOUSE from award-winning exec producers Robert Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg. The film is directed by Gil Kenan, produced by Jack Rapke and Steve Starkey and is also exec produced by Jason Clark. THQ's worldwide agreement with Sony Pictures Consumer Products includes videogames for console and select handheld gaming systems. The MONSTER HOUSE videogames are slated for release in conjunction with the film release in summer 2006.

With the release of Peter Jacksons KING KONG in theaters Dec. 14, 2005, the giant ape has begun making his presence felt in the videogame world as well. On the same day the official game based on the movie picked up an award at the Spike TV Video Game Awards, Ubisoft and Universal Studios Consumer Products Group announced that Academy Award-nominee Naomi Watts and Jack Black appear via likeness and provide voice talent for the videogame PETER JACKSON'S KING KONG: THE OFFICIAL GAME OF THE MOVIE.

With the sad news of the passing of famed producer Derek Lamb and animator Wendy Jackson Hall, ANIMATION WORLD MAGAZINE will be publishing a tribute story to both individuals in December. Lamb started his animation career with the National Film Board of Canada in the 1960s. He worked extensively as a writer, director and producer in Canada, the U.S. and Europe, both in commercial and experimental film. Jackson Hall was part of the early core of AWN and ANIMATION WORLD MAGAZINE and went on to champion animation as an animator, teacher and writer.