Australia's Blinky Bill gets 3D feature

Alex Weight, who was the lead animator on Happy Feet and animation supervisor on Legends of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole, will direct the feature film version of Blinky Bill.

Flying Bark Productions is spearheading the film, which will bring the classic Australian character to the big screen again. Flying Bark (then Yoram Gross) also produced a 1992 feature based on the character.

The 3D feature film will start production later this year. Marie-Cecile Dahan, who has worked on Avatar and District 9, will serve as line producer.

Dorothy Wall wrote the classic children’s book about a little koala and his animal friends in the Australian bush.

Flying Bark Productions Managing Director Jim Ballantine said: “Blinky Bill is a timeless Australian classic character so it is an absolute honour for our team at Flying Bark Productions to be bringing the stories of Blinky Bill and his Australian bush friends to life in 3D for a new generation of children – and of course for parents that grew up with this national treasure. Both Alex and Marie-Cecile bring a wealth of Australian and international animation expertise so we are thrilled to have their creative talent on board for Blinky Bill in 3D.”