Lionsgate Lines Up New Family Film

SANTA MONICA: The stereoscopic 3D animated family feature Norm of the North is the second release in a three-picture deal between Lionsgate and Crest Animation Studios.

The first film in the Lionsgate/Crest partnership is the upcoming CGI animated family feature Alpha and Omega, slated to premiere in October. Norm of the North is anticipated for delivery in the first quarter of 2012. The feature will follow a polar bear who finds shelter in an abandoned research station when his Arctic home begins cracking and collapsing beneath him. He is accompanied by three Arctic lemmings, sidekicks who copy his every move.

Mike Paseornek, Lionsgate’s president of motion picture production, and Ken Katsumoto, Lionsgate’s executive VP of family entertainment, commented: "Our partnership with Crest has gotten off to a terrific start with Alpha and Omega, and Norm of the North is an ideal follow-up. In its range of characters, locations and narrative, Norm of the North offers a bounty of riches for family audiences."

"We are delighted to be producing Norm of the North with our friends at Lionsgate," added Noah Fogelson, the CEO of Crest Animation Productions. "This is a wonderful story, full of humor and heart, and stereoscopic 3D technology will bring it vividly to life."