Oscar Winner Autour de Minuit and Portugal’s Spamflix Join Forces for Brazilian Stop-Motion Feature 'The March of the Sunflowers'

The highly anticipated Brazilian stop-motion animated feature, 'The March of the Sunflowers,' has announced significant international partnerships. French Oscar-winning studio Autour de Minuit and Portuguese animation powerhouse Spamflix have joined the project as co-producers, elevating this unique children's film to a global stage. The movie, rooted in the vibrant culture and landscapes of Brazil's Minas Gerais region, promises an enchanting narrative for young viewers and their families.

A Global Collaboration Blooms for a Brazilian Animated Gem

International Collaboration Fuels Brazilian Animation

France's Autour de Minuit, celebrated for its Academy Award-winning animated short 'Logorama,' and Portugal's Spamflix, a rapidly expanding entity in animation production and distribution, have officially partnered with Brazilian filmmaker Erick Ricco's 'The March of the Sunflowers.' This collaboration was a highlight at the recent Bogotá Audiovisual Market (BAM), drawing considerable industry attention.

The Journey of a Young Heroine: A Tale of Courage and Wonder

Within this animated narrative, a young girl named Marialice, just nine years old, embarks on a captivating adventure. After her family's rooster fails to herald the dawn, plunging their world into perpetual night, Marialice, accompanied by her loyal chick Marques, follows a trail of sunflowers through Brazil's mystical backlands. Her journey leads her to encounters with talking creatures, elusive shadows, and mythical beings, as she discovers the inner strength needed to bring daylight back to her world.

Behind the Scenes: Crafting a Unique Stop-Motion World

Aimed at children aged six to nine and family audiences, this fantasy adventure is currently in its pre-production phase, with principal photography slated to commence in 2027. Producer Ivan Melo highlighted the film's groundbreaking nature, noting it as the first stop-motion feature to originate from the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais and one of the rare Brazilian animated films specifically crafted for young children. The film draws deeply from the region's distinctive landscapes, folklore, and traditional artistic practices, introducing an authentic Brazilian heroine while showcasing a culturally rich, yet often underrepresented, part of Brazil.

Visual Inspiration and Artistic Legacy

Melo further elaborated on the project's visual artistry, stating that it pays homage to the legacy of Giramundo, Brazil's renowned puppet theater company, through the visionary work of art director Ulisses Tavares. This stylistic choice promises a unique and visually engaging experience for audiences.

Cup Filmes: A Legacy of Independent Animation

Cup Filmes, an independent production company, focuses on auteur cinema and animation with international appeal. Their impressive portfolio includes Marcelo Caetano's critically acclaimed 2024 relationship drama 'Baby,' which premiered at Cannes Critics' Week, and Cesar Cabral's award-winning 2021 stop-motion feature 'Bob Spit – We Do Not Like People.' These productions underscore Cup Filmes' commitment to distinctive and high-quality storytelling.

Autour de Minuit's Enthusiasm for 'The March of the Sunflowers'

Nicolas Schmerkin, founder and CEO of Paris-based Autour de Minuit, views 'The March of the Sunflowers' as an exemplary international stop-motion co-production. Celebrating their 25th anniversary, Autour de Minuit, known for various stop-motion shorts and TV specials, including the 'A Town Called Panic' franchise, expressed immense pleasure in collaborating with Cup Films and Spamflix on their first stop-motion feature. Schmerkin was captivated by the story and visuals presented at Ventana Sur, anticipating contributions of French talent to the Brazilian animation sets and their expertise in CGI for elements like crowd scenes and compositing.

Strength in Partnership: European Animation Expertise Joins Forces

With Autour de Minuit as a partner, the project benefits from one of Europe's premier animation production companies, renowned for its innovative and hybrid productions, including the Goya Award-winning 'Psychonauts, the Forgotten Children' and 'Unicorn Wars.' The involvement of Lisbon-based Spamflix, a respected producer of original animated films and a distributor in Portugal, further strengthens 'The March of the Sunflowers,' cementing its international appeal.

Origin and Support: A True Brazilian Production

Penned by Rafael Assunção, 'The March of the Sunflowers' marks the debut feature film project from Ricco’s Tubz Studio and Ricco Filmes, dedicated to developing and producing original animated works. The project has garnered significant support from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil's Ministry of Culture, Energisa, and Animaparque, an integral part of the Polo Audiovisual in the Zona da Mata region of Minas Gerais.