Media release

New Zealand animation company signs multi-million dollar production deal with US studio

New Zealand animation company Huhu Studios has signed a multi-million dollar production deal with a leading American studio which produces children’s and family programming.

The US Studio, Big Idea Entertainment’s best-selling animated series VeggieTales is the top home video animated series in the US with mums of pre-schoolers. Since 1993, VeggieTales has sold more than 54 million videos, 13 million books and more than 7 million CDs.

Auckland-based Huhu Studios will produce six all-new, direct-to-video VeggieTales productions over the next two years. They will drive the pre-production, animation and post-production from their New Zealand studio for each title feature.

Founder and CEO of Huhu Trevor Yaxley says the deal is vote of confidence for the company which has been working with Big Idea for the past three years.

“This deal represents a step up in the amount of work we will be doing for Big Idea and cements a good relationship developed in the past.

“It would be an understatement to say our talented team of artists here at Huhu are excited about this opportunity; to work alongside Big Idea is a dream come true,” says Trevor Yaxley. “The other principals at our studios, David Pitts, Bill Boyce and Henry Wong, are also more than delighted to once again be associated with Big Idea Entertainment.”

General Manager for Big Idea Entertainment Leslie Ferrell says the company is pleased to partner with the talented and creative team at Huhu Studios.

“We’re confident the six new direct-to-video productions will continue to bring the timeless and delightful stories, lessons, and songs that fans around the world love, into their homes.”

Ends

About Huhu Animation Studios

Founded in 1996 by Trevor and Jan Yaxley, Huhu studios has developed into a world class animation facility having now produced over 300 animated shows, 20+ direct to DVD releases and one theatrical movie distributed in over 1000 cinemas. The primary goal of the studio is to produce quality entertainment for children that also expands their minds and hearts, an endeavour that is augmented by other commercial work. Combining the attractive New Zealand exchange rate, talented artists and powerful hardware and proprietary software Huhu Studios produce high quality animation for remarkable budgets. With expertise in every aspect of the animation production pipeline, we can offer a complete solution including scripting, storyboarding, music and animation - from first draft to final layback. Visit us at http://www.huhustudios.com

About Big Idea Entertainment

Big Idea Entertainment is a leading studio and producer of children’s and family programming, characters and brands. Big Idea’s best-selling animated series VeggieTales® is the #1 home video animated series in the US with moms of pre-schoolers (Spring 2010 Q-Score). Since 1993, VeggieTales® has sold 54+ million videos, 13 million books and more than 7 million CDs. VeggieTales® and Big Idea’s property, 3-2-1 Penguins! ®, enjoyed four seasons as top-rated series on NBC Saturday mornings, Telemundo and ION TV via the qubo® children’s programming block. The studio's two theatrical releases, Jonah-A VeggieTales Movie® (2002), and Universal Pictures' and Big Idea's The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything®-A VeggieTales Movie® (2008), are distinguished among the top ten most successful faith-based films of all time. Big Idea also maintains an extensive presence in publishing, licensing and live entertainment arenas. For more information on Big Idea, visit: www.VeggieTales.com.

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