Montreal-based television and film production company Écho Média has announced two new animated co-production projects, Heart of Darkness and The City of Maria, in partnership with studios from Brazil, France and Ukraine. These collaborations were announced from the Annecy Festival’s MIFA market:
Heart of Darkness is an animated feature film created in collaboration with Karmatic Imagens in Brazil and Special Touch Studios in France. Directed by Rogério Nunes, a renowned filmmaker and animator based in São Paulo, this adaptation of Joseph Conrad’s classic novel is set in a near-future Rio de Janeiro. It blends classic literature with contemporary and futuristic elements, utilizing advanced animation techniques that combine 3D scenarios with 2D character animation. This innovative approach promises a visually striking and engaging film, expected to be completed and released in 2025.
Karmatic Imagens, known for its metalinguistic soul and distinctive visual style, and Special Touch Studios, led by the experienced producer Sébastien Onomo, bring particular perspectives and expertise to this ambitious project. Écho Média is a co-producer, contributing to the film’s unique vision and high production quality.
The City of Maria is a full-length animated film co-produced with Avtoritet Studio in Ukraine and Split Studio in Brazil. This kids’ drama addresses the challenging topic of war through the eyes of two children left without parents after the bombing of Mariupol. The film emphasizes the importance of being seen, heard, accepted, protected and alive, fostering understanding and acceptance between children from peaceful and war-affected countries.
Oleh Malamuzh, a distinguished Ukrainian director and producer known for his successful films The Stolen Princess and Mavka. The Forest Song, brings his extensive experience and expertise to the project. Split Studio, since 2009, has been at the forefront of animation in Brazil, creating diverse content for industry giants like Cartoon Network and Disney Junior. Their innovative approach ensures top-quality animated storytelling.
Écho Média, a television and film production company based in Montreal, is dedicated to producing rich, inspired, and entertaining content for wide audiences. Écho Média also works to optimize the distribution of this content across a range of conventional and digital platforms and to promote its commercialization in the form of derivative products, live performances and various rights. Its productions are sold and broadcasted in over 175 countries and are often recognized locally and internationally.
