06/03/2020 - The Co-production Development Award has been bestowed upon the Finnish project being staged by Anima Vitae together with Poland’s Animoon and France’s Godo Films

Handed out at the 22^nd edition of Cartoon Movie, which took place from 3-5 March in Bordeaux, the Eurimages Co-production Development Award has been conferred upon Fleak. The jury, made up of Karin Schockweiler (Film Fund Luxembourg), Julia Müntefering (Telepool – Germany) and Eric Geay (SND – France), was won over by “this story about resilience, told with a hint of magic and in a very artistic, original way. Its fresh and innovative approach makes it possible to broach a sensitive and moving topic that can make a real difference.”

Aimed at a family audience and planned as a 3D movie, Fleak will revolve around 12-year-old Lauri, who, while trying too hard to get his older siblings' attention, falls badly and loses his ability to walk. Now Lauri is stuck at home, lonelier than he ever was. Just then, a helpful furry creature from another dimension appears and takes him on a fantasy adventure. In the other dimension, Lauri trades his shadow for being able to walk again, but the shadow becomes a goofy, all-consuming monster who follows Lauri back to his world. To beat the monster, Lauri needs to team up with his siblings and give up his ability to walk. However, Lauri is now determined to learn to walk again, and he has his siblings beside him – and that's what really matters.

Produced by Finnish outfit Anima Vitae, Fleak is being co-produced by Poland’s Animoon, France’s Godo Films and Malaysia’s Anima Vitae Point.

It is also worth noting that the 2020 Cartoon Movie Tributes (which are given out in recognition of a key figure or company that has had a dynamic and positive influence on the European animated feature-film industry) were bestowed upon France’s Zabou Breitman and Éléa Gobbé-Mévellec for The Swallows of Kabul [+see also:
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(Translated from French)