Filmax, one of Spain’s top production-distribution-sales companies, has run up spirited presales on “Turu, the Wacky Hen,” its banner toon title for 2019. It’s a signal that independent animated features are in demand for underserved family audiences.

Based on the character from a famous song for multiple generations in the Latin world, “Turu” has closed pacts with Total Film Content (CIS), Fox Vision (former Yugoslavia), Siyah Beyaz Film (Turkey), Empire Film (Romania, Hungary), Lightning McQueen (Vietnam), Kino Swiat (Poland), Cinemundo (Portugal) and Selim Ramia Co. (Middle East).

A deal for mainland China distribution has been sealed with an undisclosed company, said Ivan Díaz, Filmax Intl. sales head.

Introduced to buyers at the AFM, “Turu” now has a new longer promo, to be shown to distributors at Cannes, said Díaz. The animated feature will be finished by the end of summer. Filmax is planning a large cinematic release in Spain over the Christmas period.

“Turu” turns on a hen who can’t lay eggs but, when taken in by Isabel, an elderly lady and ex music teacher, discovers that it can speak to humans. Also, it sure can sing.

A Spain-Argentina co-production, “Turu, the Wacky Hen” is produced by Madrid’s Tandem Films and Gloriamundi Producciones, Galicia’s A Fonsagrada Producions and Buenos Aires’ Pampa Films and Sono Film.

“Turu, the Wacky Hen” marks the fourth Filmax animated feature sales title in 2019, following on “Bikes,” a “Cars”-ish Spain-China co-production, “The Lunnis and the Great Fairy Tales Adventures,” from Juan Pablo Buscarini (“The Hairy Tooth Fairy”), and “Elcano & Magellan,” set to bow in Spain this July.

Over 2003-11, Filmax emerged as a premier Spanish animation force, producing CGI titles from “El Cid: The Legend,” “The Hairy Tooth Fairy” and “Nocturna.”

“We are returning to  animation. We’re doing so measuring the risk. But the early indications are very good. There’s an interest in international markets,” said Filmax CEO Carlos Fernández.

By Variety - See full article here