Viva Kids has picked up North American distribution rights to Gold Valley and Toonz’s animated feature Emma’s Big Adventure (previously titled Little Emma) and will bring it to U.S. theaters later this year.
Emma’s Big Adventure is a kids and family film directed by Leo (Lewis) Liao from a screenplay by Roger Qing Chen and Alyce Tzue. The movie tells the story of Emma, a miniature human adopted by animal parents.
Robert Chandler, a producer and writer on former Viva Kids pick-up The Amazing Maurice, has joined Gold Valley and Toonz as a creative producer on the film.
Viva Kids president Victor Elizalde said of his company’s latest acquisition:
We couldn’t be more excited to embark on this magical journey with Emma. The film’s themes of courage, self-discovery, and embracing diversity align seamlessly with our vision to deliver compelling and heartwarming stories to audiences of all ages.
According to producer Allen Tsang, this may be just the first of many Gold Valley films that will be distributed by Viva Kids:
Victor and I have been good friends for many years, and we’ve known each other since I entered this industry. We’ve always been exploring possibilities for collaboration, and I’m delighted to finally initiate a partnership with Viva Pictures. Their commitment to presenting high-quality stories to audiences aligns perfectly with the essence of Emma’s Big Adventure. We believe this collaboration will bring joy and inspiration to North American audiences and set the stage for our long-term partnership in the future.
Gold Valley has produced several animated films that are strikingly familiar in tone and narrative, including Mermaid Princess, Snow White: The New Adventure, Cinderella and the Secret Prince, and Mulan: Princess Warrior, among others. With its upcoming slate, the studio seems to be broadening its creative ambitions and creating more original content.
Launched in India in 1999, Toonz Media has grown into a global entity over the past quarter-century. It now owns 10 subsidiaries, employs over 3,000 workers, and has 11 offices in eight countries. The company set up a feature film division last year, with Little Emma as its first production.
The two companies are co-producing two more films set for delivery over the next two years, which they highlighted at last year’s American Film Market.
Pierre the Pigeon-Hawk
Directors: John D. Eraklis, Tara Whitaker
Producers: Toonz Media Group, Telegael, Gold Valley, Exodus
Synopsis: To find out where he belongs, a mixed-breed pigeon hawk sets out on a quest of self-discovery. While embracing the things that make him different, he finds the courage to change the world he lives in. The film’s impressive voice cast features will.i.am, Whoopi Goldberg, Jennifer Coolidge, Luis Guzmán, Jennifer Hudson, and Snoop Dogg.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sIuqWUn3o0
Nils the New Adventure
Directors: Jason Reisig
Producers: Gold Valley, Toonz Media Group
Synopsis: Based on the book by Selma Lagerlof, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize in literature. When a misunderstood boy is shrunk to mini size by a vengeful pixie, he must team up with a bumbling goose on the journey of a lifetime to change himself back. Will he “grow up” in time?
