
Today in London, Locksmith Animation, the studio that created Ron’s Gone Wrong and That Christmas, announced of their upcoming project, which will be their first independent animated feature: WED WABBIT. This was announced at the European Film Market (EFM). Timeless Films will be handling the worldwide sales while the feature is produced in association with Cantilever Media.
From award-winning writer, producer, and director Lissa Evans comes a witty, hilarious, and captivating adventure with a heartfelt punch. WED WABBIT tells the story of 12-year-old Fidge, who is suddenly thrown into the bizarre world of a pop-up book loved by her sister, Minnie. The world of this book is now ruled by the tyrant, Wed Wabbit, who is Minnie’s toy. On top of that, Fidge is stuck with her obnoxious cousin, Graham, who has fallen into the world of Wed Wabbit as well. In order to get out, Fidge must traverse this wild new world while staying ahead of the impulsive Wed Wabbit, who is set on trapping them there.
Locksmith Animation CEO Natalie Fischer stated that “WED WABBIT is an exciting milestone for Locksmith Animation as our first independent feature. After successful collaborations with major studios and streamers, we’re now tapping into the immense potential of the independent market, especially for animation. Partnering with Timeless Films allows us to showcase our storytelling and production strengths to independent distributors, and we’re eager to expand our portfolio with more independent projects as we continue to grow our global presence.”
After working with Aardman, Passion Pictures, Axis Studios, and The Imaginarium, Olly Reid is set to direct the feature, and Gideon Defoe (THE PIRATES!) will write the script. Co-founder and President of Production at Locksmith Animation, Julie Lockhart, will produce the project for the studio and Andrew Baker (THE AMAZING MAURICE) will produce for Cantilever Media. Sky has developed the feature in partnership with Locksmith.
Ralph Kamp of Timeless Films said “We are very excited to be partnering with Locksmith and Cantilever Media on this amazing project. Locksmith is without question one of the leading animation production companies in the world and Timeless is thrilled to be able to offer their first independent film to distributors internationally, which is an extraordinary opportunity.”
Locksmith’s first feature-length animated film, Ron’s Gone Wrong, was both a critical and financial success, released in partnership with 20th Century Studios. The studio’s next project, That Christmas, based on Richard Curtis’s best-selling children’s novels, became Netflix’s top original animated film last year. It was on consideration for a BAFTA award and received six Annie Award Nominations.
About Locksmith Animation
Locksmith Animation is an independent, global animation studio developing and producing high-quality features, series, and shorts for audiences of all ages. Based in London and Los Angeles, Locksmith brings together a team of accomplished industry leaders and world-class creative talent in a filmmaker-led studio. The studio tells contemporary stories that make people laugh, think, and feel.
Locksmith’s debut feature, Ron’s Gone Wrong, was a critical and commercial success, released in partnership with 20th Century Studios. The studio’s follow-up, That Christmas, based on Richard Curtis’s best-selling children’s books, became the #1 original animated film on Netflix in 2024. It was longlisted for a BAFTA and nominated for six Annie Awards.
Locksmith has a first-look deal with Warner Bros. Pictures and is currently in production on Bad Fairies, an original animated musical. The studio is also developing The Lunar Chronicles, a trilogy of films based on Marissa Meyer’s bestselling novels, along with an original animated short. With an exciting slate of projects in the works, Locksmith is committed to creating groundbreaking entertainment that resonates globally with audiences of all ages.
About Timeless Films
Established in 2009 by industry veteran Ralph Kamp (former CEO of Icon and Odyssey Entertainment) with his two children Rebecca and Gareth, Timeless Films is a leading independent production company specializing in the development, financing, production, and distribution of animated and family films, giving it a unique position in the worldwide marketplace. It’s a family business with an emphasis on family entertainment.
Timeless’ slate includes internationally renowned feature films Animals United, Justin and the Knights of Valour, Postman Pat, Rock Dog 1, 2 & 3, Monster Family (aka Happy Family) 1 & 2, Pets United, Extinct, and Dragon Rider.
A few years ago, Timeless moved into their next stage of growth by optioning and developing their own IP content and films, the first of which was Scrooge: A Christmas Carol. Produced by Timeless Films, the CG-animated feature directed by Stephen Donnelly stars Luke Evans, Olivia Colman, and Jessie Buckley, which Netflix released in November 2022 and spent three consecutive weeks on their Global Top Ten Charts.
About Cantilever Media
UK independent feature animation producer Cantilever Media is the producer of The Amazing Maurice, an award-winning family animated feature it developed and produced for Sky Cinema based on the award-winning book ‘The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents’ by Sir Terry Pratchett. Written by Terry Rossio (Shrek, Aladdin) and co-produced with Ulysses Productions in Germany, the film features an all-star UK cast, including Hugh Laurie, Emilia Clarke, David Thewlis, Himesh Patel, Gemma Arterton, Hugh Bonneville, Ariyon Bakare, and David Tennant. The film has won several awards, including a British Animation Award and accolades at Cartoons On the Bay. It was longlisted for both the BAFTA Film Awards and the Academy Awards, shortlisted at the European Film Awards, and premiered in the USA at the Sundance Film Festival.
In 2022, Andrew Baker was shortlisted as Cartoon European Animation Producer of the Year.
Building on this success, Cantilever Media is currently developing The Amazing Maurice 2 and is currently in production on the animated feature Bollywoof, which is being sold internationally by Embankment Films and released in the UK by Sky Cinema.
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