Irish film THE UGLY DUCKLING AND ME chosen for world-famous Toronto Film Festival
An Irish 3-D animated feature film THE UGLY DUCKLING AND ME is to premiere at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (7-16 September). Produced by Magma Films THE UGLY DUCKLING AND ME is a story which is inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s much loved fairytale and will have its world premiere play as part of the Sprockets Family Zone which is dedicated to featuring films that represent the best in contemporary international children’s cinema.Andersen's classic fairy tale about an ugly duckling who turns into a beautiful swan is reinvented in this innovative 3D animated comedy. Ratso, a success-starved rodent impresario is forced to stay in a duckyard and persuades its hostile inhabitants that he is the father of a stray ugly duckling. Ratso and the ugly duckling escape and set off on a perilous journey towards their big breakthrough, but dangerous foes, teenage problems and unexpected paternal feelings lie ahead.
Jane Schoettle, International Programmer of Toronto International Film Festival comments “it is a real thrill to be able to present such a great film - I know the previous work of the directors, and it's a wonderful collaboration. The animation, the script, the voicing, are all top notch - it's very exciting for us as we expand our programme to include more family films.”
Ralph Christians, Executive Producer at Magma Films says “To be a good producer you need to have passion for a story. My personal life story is reflected in this film only in reverse. When I was young people said I looked like Shirley Temple, then I grew up - the rest is history. We are immensely proud of showcasing such a funny and beautiful film in the Toronto International Festival - proud that it’s an Irish co production and proud that it is a European production on a world stage.”
"Irish animation is now highly regarded on the international stage for producing award-winning films that are independently financed and made with great innovative skill. Having UGLY DUCKLING AND ME selected for the prestigious Toronto Film Festival is a another fine achievement for all involved" said Simon Perry, Chief Executive Officer, Bord Scannán na hÉireann / the Irish Film Board.
THE UGLY DUCKLING AND ME features voice talents of many Irish actors including Morgan Jones, Paul Tylak & Barbara Bergin and is a cinema debut for Irish writer Mark Hodkinson.
THE UGLY DUCKLING AND ME is co-produced by Magma Films (Ireland), A Film (Denmark), Futurikon (France) and Ulysses (Germany). It was financed by Bord Scannán na hÉireann/Irish Film Board, Eurimages, Nordisk Film and TV Fund, Danish Film Institute, FFA Germany, Media & S481. THE UGLY DUCKLING AND ME will be released in cinemas across Ireland in early 2007 by ECLIPSE PICTURES.