Gebeka Acquires 'Julián' for France Ahead of Annecy
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- Gebeka Films acquired French distribution rights to "Julián" ahead of its world premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, with French release details to be announced later.
- Julián marks the feature directorial debut of Louise Bagnall, whose 2019 short "Late Afternoon" earned an Academy Award nomination.
- Cartoon Saloon, the five-time Oscar-nominated Irish studio behind "The Secret of Kells," "Wolfwalkers" and "The Breadwinner," produces the film alongside Melusine Studio, Aircraft Pictures, and Sun Creature.
- The film adapts Jessica Love's 2014 bestselling children's book "Julián Is a Mermaid," following a seven-year-old who spends summer with his grandmother in Brooklyn and discovers he is a mermaid.
- Zoe Saldaña, described as an Academy Award winner, is attached as executive producer on the project.
- New Europe Film Sales handles international sales after launching the project during Cannes, with deals already closed in Ireland, the U.K., Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Poland and Norway.
Why it matters: With seven international territories already locked and a Cartoon Saloon pedigree attached, the Gebeka deal gives "Julián" a foothold in one of Europe's largest animation markets ahead of its Annecy world premiere — a launchpad that historically accelerates follow-on distribution for animated features.
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