Viva Kids has picked up the North American distribution rights to the Spain-China animated feature co-pro Dragonkeeper, set to launch in theaters in August 2023. Hulu will release the film for streaming Stateside following its big screen launch. The CG fantasy hails from Guardián de Dragones AIE in Madrid and China Film Animation, a division of China Film Group.
Based on the first book in Australian author Carole Wilkinson’s series of novels, the film follows Ping, a young orphan who must venture across ancient China to save the last surviving dragons from extinction. Across her wild and dangerous journey, Ping finds a way to unlock her power and discover that she is a true dragonkeeper.
Animation veteran Sergio Pablos, the Oscar-nominated director of Klaus, provided visual development for the film, which is directed by Salvador Simó (Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles). The English-language voice cast features Bill Nighy, Bill Bailey, Anthony Howell and newcomer Mayalinee Griffiths as Ping.
Producers include Larry Levene for Guardían de Dragones and Song Weiwei for China Film Animation.
Dragonkeeper joins Viva Kids’ lineup of animated features alongside recent additions The Amazing Maurice and the lycanthropy comedy sequel 200% Wolf. Victor Elizalde of Viva Kids negotiated the deal with CAA’s Joe Della Rosa.
[Source: Deadline]
