DQE Clinches Co-Pro Deal for Peter Pan

HYDERABAD/CANNES: DQ Entertainment has lined up ZDF Enterprises as a co-production partner on its stereoscopic 3D animated series The New Adventures of Peter Pan, which was screened at an event in Cannes yesterday.

The 26×30-minute show is being produced in association with France’s Method Animation, ZDF is a full co-producer, with the right to appoint executive producers with editorial rights. ZDF Enterprises will hold the distribution rights across German-speaking countries for Europe (excluding Italy and Turkey), the U.K., Ireland, South Africa and Latin America. In France, rights are held by France Télévisions. Budgeted at about 10 million euros, the stereoscopic 3D CGI production is slated to go to air by early 2012. Other partners include De Agostini (Italy) and ATV (Turkey).

Tapaas Chakravarti, chairman and CEO of DQE Group, commented: "The production of Peter Pan is in line with our strategic business plan to work globally with knowledgeable and powerful business partners to produce high quality branded IP to attract audiences and generate multiple revenue streams for licensing, publishing and merchandising. We are confident that Peter, Wendy and the mischievous and endearing Tinker Bell will capture hearts around the world."

Alexander Coridass, president and CEO of ZDF Enterprises, added, "We at ZDF Enterprises are proud to be part of an enthusiastic team of experienced co-production partners who all have the same goal: creating programs that touch the hearts, minds and souls of worldwide audiences. The New Adventures of Peter Pan is yet another example of an historic model that is filled with new life using modern, breathtaking production technologies and innovative ideas from international partners working jointly together."