DQE.L Regulatory News (DQE)

13 Oct 2008 16:44



DQ Entertainment plc ("DQE" or the "Group") 

€18m Joint venture Agreement to co-produce TV Series "Little Prince"

DQE, the AIM listed, India based animation, gaming and entertainment company, today announces a joint venture agreement with LPPTV, France and Method Animations SA, France for the co-production of a TV Series "Little Prince", backed by French Television major, France 3.

Originally written in 1943, "The Little Prince" is based on the world famous books of Antoine de Saint-Exupery and has been translated into over 180 languages, selling more than 130 million copies worldwide. In addition, "The Little Prince" has spawned plays and animated pictures including a 1974 Paramount Pictures production and a Nickelodeon US cartoon series aired in 1980's. 

Little Prince, 52 x 26' 3D Animation will have a global estimated budget of approximately €18 million, as disclosed by Method Animation.

Aton Soumache, CEO of Method Animation said, "Adaptation of Le Petit Prince for series animation is an exciting and very challenging journey. This is a landmark achievement for Method group."

Commenting on this historic production Tapaas Chakravarti Chairman & CEO of DQE Group said, "The legacy of The Little Prince built over 6 decades continues to have great entertainment and business depth. This co-venture with French majors is strategically extremely important for DQ Entertainment, to be part of major round of commercialisation by way of Television, home videos, video games etc. for this global Brand"

Julien Borde, Head of Children's Programming France2, France 3, France 5 of France Television said: "The cartoon will be an adaptation of the work of Saint-Exupery and make it suitable for children. In almost every episode, the Little Prince will leave in search of his home planet, and exciting adventures will follow. We are happy that best of the creative companies have come together to produce this animated version of the Little Prince" 

Enquires: 

Sumedha Saraogi, DQ Entertainment Limited

+91 40 2355 3726/27 or sumedha@dqentertainment.com 

Mark Edwards / Jeremy Garcia / Miranda Higham

Buchanan Communications

+44 (0)20 7466 5000

Jeremy Ellis / Chris Clarke

Evolution Securities

+44 (0)20 7071 4300

About DQE:

DQ Entertainment plc is a leading animation production company engaged in the production of traditional / digital animation and game art development with a substantial workforce and a global client base. Currently producing animation for films, television series and console based games for a number of international production houses, DQE has over 80 clients including Walt Disney Television Animation, Nickelodeon Animation Studios Inc., Electronic Arts, Marvel, American Greetings, NBC-Universal, BBC, Method Films and Take 2 Interactive. DQE's international quality production facilities are based in Hyderabad, India.

About Method Animation:

Method Animation is a leading European and multi award winning animation concept and content creation company, which produces content for a number of international broadcasters including Nickelodeon, BBC, ITV, France 2, France 3, M6, ABC Australia, etc. Method Animation has produced several well known TV series, created in-house and co-produced with DQ Entertainment, including Skyland, Les Gnoufs, Mikido, and has rejuvenated strong international brands such as Iron Man in co-production with Marvel Entertainment & DQ Entertainment.