Netflix has unwrapped the trailer for Alien Xmas, an homage to classic Rankin/Bass stop-motion holiday specials with a sci-fi twist, based on the 2006 picture book by the Chiodo Bros. The comical story of “the first ever alien Christmas” premieres November 20.
The trailer promises a cheerful family-friendly romp, complete with rocket-powered sleigh, freeze rays and weaponized snowmen as the North Pole experiences a Close Encounter!
Synopsis: When a race of kleptomaniac aliens attempts to steal Earth’s gravity in order to more easily take everything on the planet, only the gift-giving spirit of Christmas and a small alien named X can save the world.
Alien Xmas is directed by Stephen Chiodo and produced by Edward Chiodo. Exec producers are Jon Favreau, David Ellender, Sander Schwartz, Karen Gilchrist, Charles Chiodo. Stephen Chiodo, Edward Chiodo and Jim Strain.
Stephen Chiodo, President & Creative Director of Chiodo Bros. Productions, has established himself as a highly creative special effects director with an expertise in stop-motion animation. Stephen perfected his animation and directorial skills at Rochester Institute of Technology, where he was awarded “Best Young Director” at the Cannes Film Festival for his 10-minute short Cricket. In the early ’80s, he collaborated with Tim Burton and Rich Heinrichs as a Technical Director and Animator for the acclaimed animated short Vincent.
Stephen’s directing credits include the first feature length clay animated film I Go Pogo and the cult classic Killer Klowns from Outer Space. He also delivered the stop-motion animation for New Line Cinema’s Elf and created the cast of marionettes for Paramount’s Team America: World Police. Stephen has directed pilots for CNN, ShowTime, Relativity Media and the Disney Channel. He has also been sharing his experiences and knowledge by teaching stop-motion animation at the prestigious California Institute of the Arts.
Alien Xmas is one of several brand-new standalone specials and themed episodes of favorite animated series debuting on Netflix this season. Read more about the slate here.
