Kids

Dandelooo Cinéma, the feature film division of Emmy Award-winning French animation production and distribution company Dandelooo, is heading to the Annecy International Animation Film Festival with an expanding slate of family-focused animated features, led by the acquisition of international sales rights to Pikkuli and Starlight Reindeer. The new animated feature is produced by Finnish studios AittoFlow and Filmkompaniet and is currently in production. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release in Finland this October, while Gebeka Films is targeting a Christmas 2027 release in France.

Based on the successful preschool television series Pikkuli, which has aired in more than 40 territories worldwide, the 80-minute family feature brings the beloved little bird to the big screen in a heartwarming Christmas adventure about friendship, courage and resilience.
Set in Sunny Moor Woods just before Christmas, the story follows the children as they wait for Starlight Reindeer, the magical creature who brings gifts and joy. But when the adults decide to cancel Christmas and the magical star begins to fade, the stubborn and brave little bird Pikkuli sets off on a winter journey with his friends to find the Starlight Reindeer and bring back the light. Across icy landscapes, their courage and friendship are tested, as the children discover that the true magic of Christmas comes from togetherness.

The acquisition further consolidates Dandelooo Cinéma’s ambition to build a strong theatrical animation slate for family audiences. Pikkuli and Starlight Reindeer joins Acorn’s Adventure, a new 3D/CGI family feature produced by Czech studio Pure Shore and German animation company Fabian&Fred, currently scheduled for release in 2028.

Alongside the new acquisition, Dandelooo Cinéma has also announced a series of new international sales for Born in the Jungle, which will have its worldwide premiere at Annecy.
The recently completed 72-minute animated feature has secured a broad range of distribution deals across Europe and beyond, including Filmladen for Austria, Gebeka Films for France, Arthouse Traffic for Ukraine, Fivia with MegaCom Film for multiple territories across Southeast Europe, CAY Films for Romania and Moldova, Paradiso Films for Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, Risi Film for Portugal, Satine Film for Italy, Outside The Box for Switzerland and Featherstone for Vietnam.

Co-produced by Atom Art in Latvia, Letko in Poland and Hausboot in the Czech Republic, Born in the Jungle is aimed at children aged 5 to 8 and family audiences. The film is inspired by the book by award-winning Latvian author Luīze Pastore and by the real-life adventures of explorer Aleksander Laime and his family.
At its core, Born in the Jungle is a story about family, kindness, acceptance and learning to take responsibility for one another and for the world around us.

Set in Venezuela in the late 1950s, the film follows nine-year-old Elizabeth, whose summer break takes a dramatic turn when her little brother Leo disappears into the jungle. Forced to leave her books behind and find her courage, Elizabeth sets out not only to rescue her brother, but also to free a mystical furry creature from captivity and bring him back to the legendary Tepui mountain.

Commenting on the company’s growing feature slate, Emmanuèle Pétry, Head of International Sales and Acquisitions at Dandelooo, said: “We are thrilled to bring three new family films to Annecy this year. Together with our recent acquisitions and new sales, these titles demonstrate the continued growth of our theatrical slate and our commitment to building a strong international presence for high-quality animated features.”