Akiko: The Flying Monkey Gears Up for Wide Release

The family feature Akiko: The Flying Monkey, which has already been sold in 46 countries, is slated to premiere at the Locarno Film Festival.

The live-action family adventure, directed by Veit Helmer, features a mix of real animals. It follows a young monkey who escapes from the zoo to reunite with his family and free other captive animals. Countries among its roster of current sales include Ukraine, Germany, Austria, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia.

“Creating Akiko: The Flying Monkey was about crafting a narrative that resonates with anyone who retains a sense of wonder about the world,” said Helmer. “The film uses the playful antics and challenges of Akiko and his friends to explore themes of freedom and the hidden magic that surrounds us every day.”

A Veit Helmer film production, the movie supported by the German Federal Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM), Kuratorium junger deutscher Film (KjdF), the German Federal Film Fund (DFFF), the Filmförderungsanstalt (FFA), Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, and Filmförderung Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The film was produced in collaboration with NDR, BR, SWR, HR, SR and RBB. Farbfilm Verleih will release the film in German cinemas, and LOCO Films Paris is handling worldwide sales.