SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2011 – AT AFM IN SANTA MONICA, CA – Animetropolis is pleased to announce that it has engaged IDA (International Digital Artists) as production partner and lead animation unit for its highly anticipated debut film, the CG-animated feature adaptation of Tailchaser’s Song, the acclaimed best-selling fantasy novel by author Tad Williams.

Earlier this year, IDA became the first Japanese studio ever nominated for a U.S.VES (Visual Effects Society) Award for animation, recognized in the “Outstanding Achievement in an Animated Short” category for their ground- breaking Cat Shit One*, which chronicles an intense hostage rescue mission by an intrepid (and adorable) pair of bunny rabbit commandos.

“We are thrilled and honored to be teaming up with IDA,” said Paul Alvarado-Dykstra, producer and Animetropolis partner. “We searched long and hard to find the perfect animation studio partner for this project, and IDA couldn’t be a more ideal fit to fulfill our vision of producing a high-quality, family-friendly, CG-animated independent film as our first project.”

“The quality of CG animal character animation that IDA achieved in Cat Shit One made our entire industry take notice, and demonstrated how ideally suited they are for this project,” commented Samantha Inoue-Harte, producer and Animetropolis partner. “We’re very excited to work with them to bring Tad Williams’ beloved characters and story to life on the big screen.”

“’We will do our best to produce a great animation by utilizing the techniques and creativity Japanese artists have built up through history from cel animation to CG animation,” added Junya Okabe, producer and President of IDA.

Animetropolis partners Paul Alvarado-Dykstra and Samantha Inoue-Harte are producing with Junya Okabe, President of IDA, in association with Fire Duck principals Chris Rydo and Bethany Rhoades, co-writers of the screenplay. Author Tad Williams is creative consultant on the film.

Chris Arrant

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