It has been announced today that Kaleidoscope Film Distribution will handle worldwide sales on Siege Train Studios’ highly anticipated animated feature film, Danny Diamondback, which will be directed by Aardman Animation alumni and director, Darren Walsh (Angry Kid, Shaun the Sheep TV series).
The film is based on the well loved children’s novella of the same name, first published by Harper Collins and written by illustrator and production designer Barry Jackson (Horton Hears a Who!, How The Grinch Stole Christmas). Jackson has written the script and will be heading up production design on the project.
Siege Train Studios’ Curtis Augspurger p.g.a (Valiant, Emmy nominated The Polar Bears for Ridley Scott Associates), Matthew Hampton and Cora Palfrey will produce the film alongside Barry Jackson. Bibo Bergeron (Shark Tale, A Monster in Paris) will serve as executive producer. Kaleidoscope will commence worldwide sales on the project and will be introduced to buyers at the Cannes Film Festival.
Represented by Academy Award winning Passion Pictures for commercials, Darren Walsh has directed for the BBC, Pepparami, Duracell and won over 50 international awards, including Best Animation at Cannes for the Sony Bravia Play Doh spot and Best TV Special at Annecy. Darren co-created and directed the Aleksander Orlov character for the long running comparethemeerkat campaign, winning a Silver and Three Golds at the British Television Advertising Awards and working with Nicole Kidman and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Darren’s TV directing credits include Angry Kid, Shaun the Sheep and Morph for Aardman. Feature films to which Darren has lent his visual flair include Martin Scorsese’s Hugo and box office smash Paddington.
Danny Diamondback tells the story of a young rattlesnake with an oversized talent in his tail. When his parents are captured, Danny befriends Tito, a fun loving cockroach who soon discovers that Danny’s rattle is just the beat he has been missing. Together they form a band. As word of their remarkable new sound spreads, an outdoor concert is proposed.
As the lights fade, Danny shreds his rattle. As he rolls and riffs drift far off into the darkness his parents hear them. Recognising his unique style, they immediately begin the perilous journey to be reunited with their son.
Producer Curtis Augspurger noted, “Barry Jackson’s well loved book is sure-fire combination of humour, heart and music and Darren Walsh is just an enormous filmmaking and animation talent. I can’t wait to get started”.
Kaleidoscope, director of international sales, Anthony Buckner commented, “Siege Train studios have put together an exceptional pool of talent and we are excited to be working with them to bring Danny Diamondback to the market place”.