DQE.L Regulatory News (DQE)

8 Sep 2008 09:20



DQ Entertainment plc ("DQE"), 

M6 Studio (France) and Method Animation SA (France) 

To collaborate on iconic branded TV series

DQ Entertainment plc ("DQE"), the AIM listed, India based Animation, Gaming and Entertainment Company, today announces the successful conclusion of an agreement between M6 Studio, France and Method Animation SA, France for co-production of a TV series based on the iconic brand Le petit Nicolas ("Little Nick").

Little Nick created by the famous René Goscinny and illustrated by Jean-Jacques Sempé was first published in 1959. Since then this iconic French cartoon has sold over 10 million copies in 30 countries. Little Nick is an illustration of an ideal childhood and a nostalgic memory of the 1950s. 

M6 Studio, an animation production subsidiary of M6, the second largest private French broadcaster has decided to use this iconic image for television animation production with DQE & Method Animation as a tripartite co-production. DQE, Method Animation and Luxanimation will be exclusively executing the animated production of this tripartite animated series.  

Head of children's programs at M6 and Deputy Manager of M6 Studio, Natalie Altmann said: 

"Adapting Little Nick, the masterpiece of René Goscinny and Jean-Jacques Sempé, for the small screen represents quite a challenge. The dialogue and humour of Goscinny, the father of Asterix, are so unique and subtle and the graphic talent of Sempé is so sensitive, that we needed to surrender ourselves with the best artistic teams in the animation industry. The association of Method Animation and DQE on this great project is, for me, the best possible choice. Together with the financial and commercial support of the M6 group, we have all the elements to make of Little Nick not only a commercial success but a creative breakthrough in the arena of animated series for television."

Aton Soumache, Chairman of Method Animation said:

"We are really proud to do the animated adaptation of this iconic brand Little Nick across three generations. The Goscinny family has trusted M6 Studio and us to adapt Little Nick for animated story telling and we will do justice to this trust."

Tapaas Chakravarti, Chairman and CEO of DQ Entertainment said: 

"We are delighted to be associated with this production alongside M6 Studio & Method Animation, France. 2009 will mark the 50th Anniversary of Little Nick and we feel honoured to be involved in this animated project and celebrating the legacy of this iconic cartoon." 

About the parties:

M6 Studio is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the French broadcaster M6. Dedicated to the production of animated features and series, M6 Studio has produced the latest animated Asterix movie "Asterix and the Vikings", released in 2006, that enjoyed much success in France and abroad. M6 is a diversified group, including other channels like W9 or Paris-Première, a distribution arm (SND), as well as many other commercial entities from internet to home shopping and sports. Part of the RTL Group, M6 is known for its strong orientation towards the young and is a leading innovator in French broadcasting.

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.

DQ Entertainment plc is a leading Animation, Gaming and Entertainment Company engaged in the production of traditional / digital animation and game art development with a substantial workforce and a global client base. DQ Entertainment plc currently produces animation for features, television series and console based games for a number of international production houses, out of large international quality production facilities in Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, India and Los Angeles, USA . DQ Entertainment plc has a prestigious client list including Walt Disney Television Animation, Nickelodeon Animation Studios Inc., Electronic Arts, Marvel, American Greetings, NBC-Universal, BBC, Method Films and Take 2 Interactive amongst others. 

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