Pink Parrot Media Boards Animated Flick ‘Ultraduck' & Live-Action Comedy ‘Graduation Heist' — EFM
EXCLUSIVE: Montreal and Madrid-based international sales and distribution company Pink Parrot Media (PPM) has acquired worldwide rights for two new projects, Laniakea Pictures' live-action teen action comedy Graduation Heist and the animated flick Ultraduck from Arcana Studio.
PPM will present both titles at the upcoming European Film Market.
More from Deadline
Pink Parrot Media Boards Animated Comedies 'Norbert' & 'The Bottanix'
Sony Taking Japanese Format '100 Choices' To London TV Screenings; Scaneta & Rosner Tries On 'Stiletto' At EFM; Turkish Flick 'The Coffee Table' Wraps - Global Briefs
Studiocanal CEO Anna Marsh Talks Growth For Pan-European Giant, Recent IPO, Africa Investment & Plans For More 'Paddington' Movies
Produced by Laniakea Pictures with Ekipa Holding and Watchout Studio co-producing, Graduation Heist is directed by Mikołaj Piszczan with a script from Łukasz Zdanowski. The project is co-financed by the Polish Film Institute. The producers are Anna Zychowicz and Mateusz Kowalczyk. Cezary Stolecki is the DOP. The film will be released theatrically in Poland on 28 February by Next Film.
Tania Pinto Da Cunha, Partner, Vice-President, and Head of International Sales and Acquisitions at Pink Parrot Media, described said the film is 'brimming with authentic characters, comedic storylines, and a vibrant style, while also exploring the universal challenges teens face as they begin stepping into adulthood.'
Currently in production and set to be delivered in Q4 2025, Ultraduck is based on the source material of a graphic novel written by acclaimed Marvel artist Edgar Delgado that has been translated and published in over a dozen countries. The feature, which is being produced through Arcana Studio, is targeted at a co-viewing audience and kids aged 10-12 years old.
Tania Pinto Da Cunha said the project brings 'strong in-built global awareness, nostalgia, and a fresh spin on superhero movies, so we're sure it will delight both kids and adults alike.'
PPM's slate for EFM also includes the recently completed Norbert, which was recently released in Spain by Buena Vista International, alongside two titles now in production, Unstable and The Bottanix.
Best of Deadline
Everything We Know About Christopher Nolan's Next Film – 'The Odyssey': Release Date, Cast And More
2025 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Oscars, Spirits, Grammys, Tonys, Guilds & More
2024 Hollywood & Media Deaths: Photo Gallery & Obituaries
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Laying the Foundation: How Catalonia Is Building a Global Animation Powerhouse
In 2023, Spanish animation stunned the world when 'Robot Dreams,' a melancholic tale of friendship and loss directed by Pablo Berger, earned an Oscar nomination. Though Berger hails from Madrid, the film was backed by the Barcelona-based Arcadia Motion Pictures, a detail that underscores a larger trend: Catalonia has quietly but steadily transformed into one of Europe's most exciting hubs for animation. Now, in 2025, the Catalan animation industry stands at a pivotal moment. With a wave of exciting new titles like 'Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake,' 'The Light of Aisha' and 'The Treasure of Barracuda,' and a robust ecosystem of institutions and talent behind them, this momentum no longer feels like a fluke; it feels like a movement. More from Variety Xilam and TF1 Team Up on Animated Series 'Turbo Twins' Ahead of Annecy, MIFA Dandelooo Cinéma Pre-Sells 'Born in the Jungle' to Several Key Territories (EXCLUSIVE) Australia's Pixel Zoo Animation Studios Launches L.A.-Based Original IP Unit Pixel Labs (EXCLUSIVE) Ahead of this year's Annecy Animation Festival, Variety spoke with the producers who are making waves in the region to better understand what's behind this creative boom and what challenges remain. Their insights reveal a sector rich in talent, grounded in community, and reaching for global influence. Public Support: The Cornerstone of Catalonia's Animation Boom Nearly everyone in the industry agrees: without consistent public investment, Catalan animation would not be where it is today. 'One of the key factors has been the strong public support for animated features from institutions like ICEC and ICAA,' says filmmaker and producer Alba Sotorra, referring to the Catalan government's film-TV agency and the Spanish film agency. She is currently developing the eco-fable 'Pink Punk Delta,' which will be presented at this year's MIFA Feature Pitches at Annecy. 'Their funding has made it possible for producers to take creative risks and develop ambitious projects'. Mikel Mas, producer of Annecy competition player 'Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake' – the first ever Catalan stop-motion feature – concurs. 'There's been a real push from the administration. ICEC, especially, has made a strong commitment to animation, both in series and feature films. That's what's made this moment possible.' This public investment isn't just symbolic. The creation of a dedicated animation funding line in 2017 allowed ICEC to finance hours of animated content each year, strengthening an industry that had once struggled to sustain itself. Education and Talent Development: A Pipeline of Excellence Talent has never been in short supply in Catalonia, but now, thanks to its educational infrastructure, it is more visible and employable than ever. Sotorra highlights the region's world-class institutions: 'Catalonia is home to some of the most respected schools in Spain and Europe, L'Idem, La Salle and master's programs at ESCAC and Pompeu Fabra. These schools are constantly training great professionals who feed directly into the local industry'. Marta Alonso, executive producer at Teidees and co-producer of the upcoming series 'Under the Sofa,' which the company will be sharing with distributors at this year's Annecy MIFA amrket, sees this as a core pillar of industry growth. 'There's always been talent, but now that talent is more visible because it's being nurtured. If we give people the opportunity to work and grow, the whole sector benefits'. Adding to this are grassroots institutions like Pepe School Land, which focuses on training with open-source software like Blender, lowering barriers to entry and encouraging diverse voices to join the field. International Co-Productions: A Strategic Imperative In today's global animation economy, few independent projects can be produced within a single territory. For Catalan producers, international co-productions are not only an advantage but a necessity. Peekaboo Animation's Iván Agenjo, who will be at this year's MIFA with his company's 2D series projects 'My Little Heroes,' 'WAW Resort' and 'BFFS!,' among other ambitious proposals, breaks it down: 'It's almost impossible to finance a project exclusively with funds from Catalonia or Spain. We always look for international partners, it's part of our DNA.' For Anna Shchur of Siesta Entertainment, whose current project 'Black Moth' is animated in Armenia with creative leadership in the U.S., this strategy is about quality and survival. 'Producing entirely in Catalonia is possible, but it's much more expensive. Co-producing gives us access to different markets, funding systems and talent pipelines.' Siesta will be showing off 'Black Moth' and its 2D kids' series 'Biggie and the Magic Bag' at this year's MIFA. However, co-production also comes with its own complexities. Alonso compares finding the right partner to 'finding the right person to marry… when it works, it's a miracle. When it doesn't, it's a nightmare.' Despite the challenges, these partnerships are crucial for accessing foreign markets. As Shchur notes, 'If you want to distribute in Canada or France, you often need to produce there. Co-production opens that door.' Grounded Storytelling with Global Appeal What truly sets Catalan films apart from the pack is not big-budget aesthetics or groundbreaking technological advances; it's a motivated base of talented and uniquely experienced artists using their craft to tell stories rooted in lived experience and featuring cultural authenticity. 'We have a creative mix that's very special here,' says Sotorra. 'Many animated films are made by directors who come from documentary or live-action backgrounds. They bring a different sensibility, grounded stories, emotional depth.' Mas sees this as a defining strength of 'Olivia,' which deals with childhood homelessness through stop-motion. 'The film speaks to a social issue, but in a way that's accessible to children. That balance, between the heavy and the hopeful, is what makes it powerful'. Agenjo notes that projects must walk a fine line: 'They can be rooted in local culture, but they have to resonate internationally. That's how we attract partners and distributors abroad.' Even commercial projects are incorporating more meaningful themes. Shchur's 'Black Moth' focuses on female empowerment and music as a means of identity-building. 'It's high-quality, and the narrative is strong,' she says. 'It's not just content, it's storytelling with purpose'. Distribution: The Lingering Weak Link For all its strengths, Catalan animation still faces significant hurdles in distribution, especially at home. 'It's actually harder to distribute in Spain than it is abroad,' Shchur admits. Alonso notes a discrepancy in support during and after production has wrapped: 'We need money not just to make the films, but to get them out into the world. Distribution is where we're lagging behind countries like France'. Mas adds that public broadcasters like RTVE and TV3 could be doing more: 'These are public institutions, they should be helping get culturally valuable films in front of more people. When a commercial film like 'Tadeo Jones' ('Tad the Lost Explorer') premieres, it's everywhere. Our films should get that kind of push, too.' There is hope, however. Initiatives like Eurimages and select E.U. distribution grants are beginning to make an impact. But as Mas argues, 'There's a double standard in animation. People expect us to get into Cannes and win awards, but also sell popcorn like Hollywood. We need to recognize both cultural and commercial success.' Looking Ahead With several major projects rolling out in 2025, including 'The Light of Aisha,' 'The Treasure of Barracuda,' and 'Hanna's Forgotten Christmas,' Catalan animation is poised to extend its winning streak. But sustaining this momentum will require more than creative excellence. It demands sustained public investment, better distribution strategies and a continued focus on international collaboration. 'If we maintain the key pillars: public funding, high-level education, international reach and authorial voice, Catalan animation can become a global reference for auteur animation,' says Sotorra. In short, Catalonia's animation industry isn't experiencing a bubble, but the laying of a foundation. And if nurtured properly, Catalonia may soon become one of the world's leading centers for animated storytelling. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Animated Program — Can Netflix Score Big With 'Arcane,' 'Devil May Cry' and the Final Season of 'Big Mouth?' What's Coming to Netflix in June 2025
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Teofimo Lopez Abandons Devin Haney Fight, Leaving Fans With Questions
Teofimo Lopez Abandons Devin Haney Fight, Leaving Fans With Questions originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Devin Haney was looking forward to clashing with Teofimo in August, but despite him signing his part of the deal, Lopez has had a sudden change of mind. Advertisement A few days ago, when Teofimo Lopez fell out with Turki Alalshikh, a Saudi Arabian-based boxing promoter, he took to his social media page to announce that he was fired and that he was looking for a new job. Hours later, he apologized to Turki and showed regret about his actions. 'To His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, I take full responsibility for my inappropriate words on the X app; I publicly apologize to HE; I will conduct myself with greater respect, humility, and professionalism. Sending love and light to all,' said Lopez on X. Hours ago, a bout for Lopez and Haney was confirmed and scheduled for August 16 in Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, Lopez has had a change of heart. 'Dear John, Haney's! This is to gently advise you that Teofimo Lopez has withdrawn from the fight, as we'd like to thank you for your efforts and professionalism throughout the process,' said Bill Haney on an X repost. Devin went further and clarified that he was the one who had signed his part; Lopez's was still pending. 'The fight with Teo is not signed! I signed my part, and Teo has been stalling. As of today, he has decided he doesn't want to fight me; he's officially the biggest duck with a thumbs down emoji,' said Devin on X. Lopez hasn't given an explanation why he doesn't want to fight Haney. 'I'm looking to work with a company in the retail industry to launch and expand my 'make boxing great again' brand and other ideas I am working on. Tag a retail company you'd like to see in collaboration and wear as your own,' said Lopez on X. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hypebeast
15 hours ago
- Hypebeast
The Trilogy Tapes Returns With More Abstract Summer Statements
London-based labelThe Trilogy Tapesis heralded for its avant-garde graphic streetwear statements, and for Summer 2025, the brand is leaning into its cult's favorites with a suite of abstract sweaters, tops, trousers, and more. Key pieces in the collection include the Overdye Crew in 'Grey/Blue,' which boasts an aqua glow around the perimeter of its oversized silhouette, and the TTT Cross Head T-shirt, which dons enlarged iterations of the brand's artistic emblems in black and red hues. Elsewhere, glow-in-the-dark shirts appear next to tops with all sorts of geometric patterns, and a series of shorts feature the same Cross Head design all over the body. Accessories include packable ripstop couriers, heart-shaped logo totes, TTT bucket hats, six-panel trail caps, 'Pain' trucker hats, 'Come Down' socks, and more logomanic items. Notably, the line arrives alongside a kaleidoscopic video campaign directed by Studio Info, which you can watch on Instagram below. The Trilogy Tapes' Summer 2025 collection is now available to shop on the label's brand newwebsiteand at Palace brick-and-mortar locations, with prices ranging from £17 GBP to £166 GBP. Take a look at the lineup in the gallery above.
