Heading into the European Film Market, U.K.-based global animation studio HaZimation unveiled new sneak peek images and an exclusive clip from its upcoming animated feature film, RIFT. HaZimation will be on-site at EFM in Berlin (Feb. 16-23) to showcase the film.
“We’re thrilled to debut sneak peek images of RIFT at the European Film Market, and to collaborate with innovative distributors who share our passion for elevating the thrill of the cinema experience,” says HaZimation’s Founder and the film’s director, Hasraf “HaZ” Dulull. “The process of bringing our ideas to life, followed by delivering them to our audiences’ screens has been such an incredible experience.”
Described as “bold and high-concept,” RIFT is CG-animated sci-fi tale produced by the HaZimation team led by Dulull (The Beyond, Disney’s Fast Layne) and Co-Founder Paula Crickard (Jolt, The Protege) as producer.
Written by Stavros Pamballis, based on an original concept by Dulull, RIFT tells the story of Max, a young boy held captive in a research facility, who uses his ability to create rifts in the fabric of spacetime, across parallel universes, looking for the one in which his brother Leon, a former-marine, manages to rescue him. With attempt after attempt ending in Leon’s death, the strain starts to take its toll on both brothers. When Max discovers his captors are using his power against him, he realizes he must stop focusing on how the story ends and rewrite the story from the beginning.
Executive produced by Yariv Lerner (Expendables, The Hitman’s Bodyguard), Amy Gardner (Identicals) and Jason Potter, RIFT stars BAFTA Award-winning actor Jane Perry (Cyberpunk 2077, Returnal), Cade Tropeano (Blackbird) and Dave Fennoy (Walking Dead), with motion capture performances from Ace Ruele (Marvel’s Eternals) and Alex Kong (Marvel’s What If…). The 93-minute film was graded by colorist Vanessa Taylor (The Northman).
HaZimation will be gearing up to secure domestic and international distribution deals for RIFT at the market. The film has already received recognition from several film festivals, including being an official selection at the BAFTA-qualifying British Urban Film Festival (BUFF), the Toronto Animation Arts Festival International (TAAFI) and the Oscar-qualifying SPARK Animation Festival.
