A Closer Look At New Animated Features Available At This Year’s European Film Market

The European Film Market (EFM) is one of the continent’s most important get-togethers for the film industry, right alongside Cannes’ Marché du Film. Each year, independent productions of all shapes and sizes are shopped by producers and sales agents looking for distributors to take their films around the world.

This year, to get a better idea of what audiences can expect in the coming months and years, we’ve spotlighted some of the major animated titles making waves at this year’s EFM.

Chickenhare and the Very Very (Very) Old Groundhog

Director: Benjamin Mousquet

This cg sequel is one of the biggest animated projects at the EFM, with a budget of $23 million, a princely sum for an indie film. Featuring much of the same creative team as the first film, which sold to Netflix in the U.S., Very Old Groundhog is directed by Benjamin Mousquet from a screenplay by Dave Collard. It’s produced by L.A.-based nWave Pictures and Paris’ Octopolis in association with Sony Pictures International Releasing.

Hypergalactic

Director: David N. Weiss

A rare original animated IP from this year’s EFM lineup, Hypergalactic is described by producer Toei Animation (The First Slam Dunk) as its “most ambitious feature yet.” The film features story and characters co-created by Japanese artist Naoto Oshima, a designer on the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise for Sega, and Joseph Chou. The English-language film is directed by David N. Weiss (writer, Shrek 2, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius) and features a big-name voice cast including Adam Devine, Elsie Fischer, J.K. Simmons, and Sam Richardson. Charades is in Berlin launching global sales for the film, which is currently in post-production.

The Weird Kidz

Director: Zach Passero

Animation for kids and family audiences tends to dominate at the EFM, but there is always room for adult-aimed features, too. This year, Australia-based sales company Odin’s Eye is launching sales on an expanded version of The Weird Kidz, a film written, directed, and animated by Zach Passero, whose wife Hannah painted all the backgrounds. Last year, the film screened a shorter version at several major festivals, such as Annecy, Sitges, and Frightfest, where it was well received by audiences.

Niko – Beyond the Northern Lights

Director:Kari Juusonen Co-director: Jørgen Lerdam

Viva Kids acquired North American rights to the latest film in the Niko franchise from director Kari Juusonen and co-director Jørgen Lerdam. Animaker in Finland is producing with Germany’s Ulysses Films, Ireland’s Moetion Films, and Danish company A. Film Production as co-producers. Previous theatrical installments, which sold to more than 120 countries worldwide, include Niko & the Way to the Stars (2008) and Niko – Little Brother, Big Trouble (2012).

Ploey 2 – The Legend of the Winds

Director: Ottó Geir Borg

The Playmaker agreed to a deal with GunHil for world sales rights to this kids and family road movie featuring an avian cast. A sequel to Ploey – You Never Fly Alone, late Director Árni Ólafur Ásgeirsson wrote an early draft of the screenplay with Ottó Geir Borg, who took over as lead writer and director after the unexpected passing of Ásgeirsson. The film is set for release in Q1 2026.

The Super Elfkins

Director: Ute von Münchow-Pohl

Sola Media has signed on as the sales agent for director Ute von Münchow-Pohl’s sequel to the 2019 feature The Elfkins – Baking a Difference. The original film sold to more than 200 countries. The Super Elfkins boasts an impressive, by indie European standards, $9.7 million budget. It’s produced by Akkord Film and co-produced by Arx Anima and Seru Animation and will be ready for theaters by the end of the year.

Elli and Her Monster Team

Directors: Jesper Møller, Piet de Rycker Co-director: Jens Møller

Montreal/Madrid-based international sales company Pink Parrot Media presents Elli and Her Monster Team, a co-production between Germany’s Zooper Film, Dreamin’ Dolphin Film, and Traumhaus Studios with Canada’s Carpediem Film & TV. Based on a children’s book by Klaus Baumgart, the film is directed by Jesper Møller and Piet de Rycker and co-directed by Jens Møller.

My Freaky Family

Director: Mark Gravas

Studio 100 is hosting a market screening for this animated comedy from Australia’s Pop Family Entertainment and Ireland’s Telegael. The film has already sold to several key markets, including in the U.S., where Viva Kids will distribute. Mark Gravas directs My Freaky Family from a screenplay by Harry Cripps and Cleon Prineas.

Giants of La Mancha

Director: Gonzalo Gutierrez

Studio 100 and Viva Kids again struck a deal on this Don Quixote-inspired cg feature produced by Studio 100 Media and M.A.R.K.13 in Germany and GF Films in Argentina. According to Studio 100, Viva will release the film in the U.S. in September or October. Giants of La Mancha is directed by Gonzalo Gutierrez from a screenplay by Carlos Kotkin, Pablo Ricardo Biondi, and Gonzalo Gutierrez.