Everyone’s favorite reindeer is set to return for the third time in the hit CGI animated film “Niko – Beyond the Northern Lights,” with a clip (below) debuting exclusively with Variety. He’ll learn some important life lessons in the film.
“I guess we like to make things difficult for Niko,” jokes director Kari Juusonen. Jørgen Lerdam co-directs.
“We knew it had to be clear he’s different at the end, because of this adventure and all these revelations, but that’s what’s so great about animation. You can have a very serious moment, and then a whole lot of flying.”
In the third part of the popular franchise – which started in 2008 with “The Flight Before Christmas” – Niko wants to follow in his father’s hooves and join Santa’s prestigious Flying Forces. He has already overcome his fear of heights, but the pressure to measure up to his dad is taking its toll.
“I guess we like to make things difficult for Niko,” jokes director Kari Juusonen. Jørgen Lerdam co-directs.
“We knew it had to be clear he’s different at the end, because of this adventure and all these revelations, but that’s what’s so great about animation. You can have a very serious moment, and then a whole lot of flying.”
In the third part of the popular franchise – which started in 2008 with “The Flight Before Christmas” – Niko wants to follow in his father’s hooves and join Santa’s prestigious Flying Forces. He has already overcome his fear of heights, but the pressure to measure up to his dad is taking its toll.
- 9/20/2024
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
The 36th edition of Ireland’s Galway Film Fleadh has come to an end with Best Irish Film going to breakout hit Kneecap, which played at Sundance earlier this year and was picked up by Sony Classics. Scroll down for a full list of winners.
Written and directed by Rich Peppiat and produced by Trevor Birney, Jack Tarling, Patrick O’Neill, the film is the story of the eponymous Belfast hip-hop trio, played in the movie by group members Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí. Michael Fassbender also stars. The film also won the Audience Award and the Irish Language Feature Film Award, a feat that has never happened at the Fleadh in 36 years.
Best Irish First Feature was Fidil Ghorm directed by Anne McCabe, written by Patricia Forde and produced by Pierce Boyce and Bríd Seoighe. Pic tells the story of 10-year-old Molly, who believes that if she learns...
Written and directed by Rich Peppiat and produced by Trevor Birney, Jack Tarling, Patrick O’Neill, the film is the story of the eponymous Belfast hip-hop trio, played in the movie by group members Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí. Michael Fassbender also stars. The film also won the Audience Award and the Irish Language Feature Film Award, a feat that has never happened at the Fleadh in 36 years.
Best Irish First Feature was Fidil Ghorm directed by Anne McCabe, written by Patricia Forde and produced by Pierce Boyce and Bríd Seoighe. Pic tells the story of 10-year-old Molly, who believes that if she learns...
- 7/15/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Global Screen has closed further deals on major territories for its animated adventure film “Niko – Beyond the Northern Lights.” Variety debuts the new teaser (below).
Viva Kids has acquired all rights for North America to the latest feature film in the franchise about a flying reindeer, following worldwide hits “Niko & the Way to the Stars” (2008) and “Niko – Little Brother, Big Trouble” (2012), which were sold to more than 120 countries.
Further deals were concluded with Flins y Piniculas for Spain, CDC for Latin America, Nos Lusomundo for Portugal, Grand Entertainment for the Middle East and Svoe Kino for Ukraine.
As previously announced, the film has already been picked up by Kino Swiat for Poland, Bluelabel for South Korea, Just4Kids for the Benelux, Gpi for the Baltic states, Karantanija for ex-Yugoslavia, Vertigo for Hungary, Zinos Panagiotidis for Greece, Bad Unicorn for Romania, Bohemia Motion Pictures for Slovakia and the Czech Republic, Pro Film for Bulgaria,...
Viva Kids has acquired all rights for North America to the latest feature film in the franchise about a flying reindeer, following worldwide hits “Niko & the Way to the Stars” (2008) and “Niko – Little Brother, Big Trouble” (2012), which were sold to more than 120 countries.
Further deals were concluded with Flins y Piniculas for Spain, CDC for Latin America, Nos Lusomundo for Portugal, Grand Entertainment for the Middle East and Svoe Kino for Ukraine.
As previously announced, the film has already been picked up by Kino Swiat for Poland, Bluelabel for South Korea, Just4Kids for the Benelux, Gpi for the Baltic states, Karantanija for ex-Yugoslavia, Vertigo for Hungary, Zinos Panagiotidis for Greece, Bad Unicorn for Romania, Bohemia Motion Pictures for Slovakia and the Czech Republic, Pro Film for Bulgaria,...
- 2/12/2024
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Global Screen has acquired international sales rights to the animated feature Niko – Beyond The Northern Lights, the third instalment of the popular children’s classic about a flying reindeer, and released a first image of the rebooted character.
The new feature comes more than a decade after the first two films in the franchise Niko & The Way To The Stars (2009) and Niko – Little Brother, Big Trouble (2012) proved hits with audiences worldwide.
The first film garnered more than 750,000 admissions in Germany alone and both titles sold to 120 territories.
The new feature is a major European animation co-production reuniting Hannu Tuomainen and Antti Haikala at Finnish company Animaker, with co-producers Emely Christians at Germany’’s Ulysses Films,, Moe Honan at Ireland’s Moetion Films (Two By Two: Overboard!) and Anders Mastrup at Danish company A. Film Production (Checkered Ninja 2).
The third instalment...
The new feature comes more than a decade after the first two films in the franchise Niko & The Way To The Stars (2009) and Niko – Little Brother, Big Trouble (2012) proved hits with audiences worldwide.
The first film garnered more than 750,000 admissions in Germany alone and both titles sold to 120 territories.
The new feature is a major European animation co-production reuniting Hannu Tuomainen and Antti Haikala at Finnish company Animaker, with co-producers Emely Christians at Germany’’s Ulysses Films,, Moe Honan at Ireland’s Moetion Films (Two By Two: Overboard!) and Anders Mastrup at Danish company A. Film Production (Checkered Ninja 2).
The third instalment...
- 1/24/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
To understand the ambition, talent and artistry of the Irish animation industry, it’s worth watching Cartoon Saloon’s “Wolfwalkers” on Apple TV Plus.
A hand-drawn adventure set in 1650s Ireland, “Wolfwalkers” was nominated for an Oscar this week. It’s the latest in a string of Oscar nominations for Kilkenny-based Cartoon Saloon, which has previously been nominated for “The Breadwinner” in 2017, “Song of the Sea” in 2015, and “The Secret of Kells” in 2010, and short animation film “Late Afternoon” in 2019.
The Irish animation sector has flourished in recent years, earning a strong reputation for storytelling and visual artistry. Animation now represents around 50% of all audiovisual production spending in the country, according to Moe Honan, chair of industry body Animation Ireland, and CEO of Galway-based animation studio Moetion Films.
Honan says Animation Ireland has more than 33 member companies, directly employing around 2,000 people, as well as many freelancers. She stresses the diverse nature of the studios,...
A hand-drawn adventure set in 1650s Ireland, “Wolfwalkers” was nominated for an Oscar this week. It’s the latest in a string of Oscar nominations for Kilkenny-based Cartoon Saloon, which has previously been nominated for “The Breadwinner” in 2017, “Song of the Sea” in 2015, and “The Secret of Kells” in 2010, and short animation film “Late Afternoon” in 2019.
The Irish animation sector has flourished in recent years, earning a strong reputation for storytelling and visual artistry. Animation now represents around 50% of all audiovisual production spending in the country, according to Moe Honan, chair of industry body Animation Ireland, and CEO of Galway-based animation studio Moetion Films.
Honan says Animation Ireland has more than 33 member companies, directly employing around 2,000 people, as well as many freelancers. She stresses the diverse nature of the studios,...
- 3/16/2021
- by Tim Dams
- Variety Film + TV
A public hearing is to be held on Friday, March 18th in Brussels where the future of the Media funding programme is to be discussed. The event, organised by the European Commission is entitled 'Future of the Medias'. To mark the upcoming event Iftn spoke with Irish filmmakers who have received support from the Media programme over the years. These included Cartoon Saloon's Paul Young; Siobhán Ward from Crossing the Line Films; Grand Pictures' Ailish McElmeel; Fastnet Films' Macdara Kelleher; Jam Media's John Rice; Newgrange Pictures' Lesley McKimm and Magma Production's Moe Honan.
- 3/10/2011
- IFTN
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