Family programmingspecialist TV-Loonland has launched its own theatrical and home entertainmentdistribution arm Loonland Pictures to market in-house and third partyproductions in Germany.

The first title - Alan Simpson's animationfeature Heidi - will be released in collaboration with 20th Century Foxand NFP Marketing as distribution and marketing partners.

The co-production between TV-Loonland, its UKsubsidiary Telemagination and the Canadian animation studio Nelvana will openin German cinemas on December 22.

The new distribution arm will be headed up byTV-Loonland CEO Selma Kaeppel.

TV-Loonland is already active in theatrical andhome entertainment distribution through it UK subsidiary Metrodome

Asked whether TV-Loonland and Metrodome mightcollaborate on acquisitions for the German and UK markets, Ilona Mclean,director of Press/Investor Relations explained that the group is "alwayslooking for synergy effects" but noted that "so far, there are noconcrete plans."