Edward Noeltner’s Cinema Management Group (CMG), riding high on an Oscar nomination for animated feature Loving Vincent, will launch world sales at the EFM on Brazilian project Noah’s Ark with Walter Salles on board as a producer.
Sérgio Machado, who cut his teeth as assistant director on Salles’ Central Station, directs for Gullane Entretenimento, which produces with Salles’ Video Filmes and is run by brothers Caio Gullane and Fabiano Gullane.
The brothers are producing the musical adventure with Salles and will also be in Berlin to present Luiz Bolognesi’s Panorama documentary selection Ex-Shaman (Ex Pajé).
For Noeltner, Noah’s Ark marks the second animation CMG has boarded after initial contact with producers at the Ventana Sur market in Buenos Aires, following Peruvian title Ainbo from Lima-
Noah’s Ark is based on the songs and lyrics by celebrated Brazilian singer and composer Vinicius de Moraes and will be available in Portuguese and English-language versions.
The story follows the exploits of two male minstrel mice that hitch a ride on the Biblical vessel. Aware of ark rules stipulating that each species must comprise one of each gender, one of the mice dresses in drag but is kicked off by Noah.
After he gets back on board with the help of a clever cockroach, the rodents avert a showdown between the ark’s carnivores and stage a talent contest to buy time before provisions run dry.
Globo Filmes is co-financing Noah’s Ark, which is being developed with Daniel Greco and Felipe Sabino’s animation company NIP, who partnered with Gullane on Annecy 2013 winner Rio 2096. Greco and Sabino also serve as creative producers.
Marcio Fraccaroli and Sandi Adamiu’s Paris Filmes will distribute the feature theatrically in Brazil.
“Having heard Fabiano Gullane’s hugely entertaining pitch for Noah’s Ark during Ventana Sur’s Animation Program, we were naturally drawn to this colorful musical adventure,” CMG’s Noeltner said. “With so many top-notch creative talents behind this project, we are confident of the film’s international appeal and look forward to introducing it to buyers in Berlin.”
Fabiano Gullane added, “We couldn’t be more pleased to have CMG, one of the leading international sales companies in the field of animation, getting behind Noah’s Ark. They’ve had a tremendous track record in animation over the years and with recent Academy Award nominee for best animated feature, Loving Vincent, we couldn’t be in better company.”
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