With the pic making its World Premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Ketchup Entertainment announced it has acquired North American Rights to Ozi, Voice of the Forest. The deal was brokered by Fred Hedman (GFM).
The indie animated feature hails from Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way Productions, multi-Oscar-winning producer Mike Medavoy and GCI Film, with animation serviced by Mikros (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, Thelma the Unicorn, Orion and the Dark) , and is due to begin its wide theatrical release later this year.
Directed by Tim Harper (Fifi and the Flowertots, Roary the Racing Car), the film aims to raise awareness about the threat of deforestation on our world and the issues facing rainforest ecosystems. The story centers on Ozi, an orphaned orangutan who uses her influencer skills to save her home habitat. The screenplay is written by Ricky Roxburgh (Master Moley, Saving Santa) from an original story by Rodrigo Blaas (Star Wars: Visions, Tales of Arcadia) and Keith Chapman (Bob the Builder, PAW Patrol).
The pic is intended to kick off a film franchise that brings climate issues to light. The second installment, Ocean, is now in development.
Ozi, Voice of the Forest boasts a star-powered cast led by Amandla Stenberg (The Acolyte, The Eddy, upcoming Wildwood), Dean Charles Chapman, Djimon Hounsou, Donald Sutherland, Laura Dern, RuPaul Charles and Urzila Carlson. The pic also features a title song by Honorary Oscar winner Diane Warren.
[Source: Deadline]
