The Gruffalo is a fast growing classic brand based on the best selling books written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Magic Light Pictures produced two award winning half hour animated films (The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child) and has launched a high quality merchandising programme which builds on the heritage of this special and much loved property.
United Kingdom – BAFTA (2010) – British Short Animation nomination
United Kingdom – Broadcast Awards (2011) – Best Children’s Programme
France – Annecy Animation Festival (2010) – Cristal for Best Television Special
Germany – Prix Jeunesse International (2010) – Prize of the Children’s Jury
Germany – Prix Jeunesse International (2010) – Winner 7-11 Fiction
Germany – Internationales Trick Film Festival (2010) – Tricks for Kids Award
Portugal – Curtas Vila do Conde (2010) – Curtinhas Award
Italy – Cartoons on the Bay (2010) – Best Book Based Animated Product
Italy – Cartoons on the Bay (2010) – Best European Programme of the Year
Romania – Anim’est (2011) – Award for Best Short film in the Minimest
Bratislava – BAB, Biennial of Animation (2010) – CIFEJ Award
Armenia – International Film Festival for Children and Youth (2011) – Best Direction
Armenia – ReAnimania Yerevan International Animation Film Festival (2010) – Best Short Film Category, Jury Special Mention
USA – Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (2010) – Best of Fest Award
USA – Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (2010) – 2nd Prize, Adult Jury Prize for Animated Short
USA – Rhode Island International Film Festival (2010) – Kidseye, Grand Prize
USA – Durango Independent Film Festival (2012) – Best Family Film (Audience Award)
Canada – Ottawa International Animation Festival (2010) – Best Television Animation for Children
Canada – Sprockets, TIFF (2010) – Golden Sprocket Award for Best Short Film for 9 to 12 year olds
Canada – Sprockets, TIFF (2010) – Sprockets Audience Award for Best Short Film
Canada – CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival (2011) – TELUS Audience Choice Award
Brazil – Anima Mundi (2010) – Best Short Film for Children
Mexico – Festival Internacional de Cine para Niños (2011) – Children’s Jury Short Animation Film Award
Australia – Melbourne International Animation Festival (2010) – Kids Program (Equal First)
Japan – Sapporo Short Fest (2010) – Best Children Choice Award Silver
China – Shanghai TV Festival (2010) – Best International Animation
Thailand – Thai Film Foundations Children’s Film Festival (2010) – The Most Popular Film
Poland – Cartoon Forum (2011) – Cartoon d’Or nomination
Germany – Prix Jeunesse Special Award (2014) – Best Fiction of the Last 50 Years
The Gruffalo’s Child
United Kingdom – BAFTA (2012) – British Short Animation nomination
UK – British Animation Awards (2012) – Best Long Form (shared)
UK – Bradford Aniimation Festival (2012) – Best Film for Children
France – Annecy Animation Festival (2012) – Cristal for Best Television Special
Netherlands – KLIK! Amsterdam Animation Festival (2012) – KLIK! Young Amsterdam Audience Award
Italy – Cartoons on the Bay (2012) – Best European Production
Hungary – Kecskemet Animation Film Festival (2012) – Best TV Special
Serbia – Animanima (2012) – Periscope Award, Best in the Children’s Programme
Bratislava – BAB, Biennial of Animation (2012) – Best Film, The Viktor Kubal Award
USA – New York International Childrens Film Festival (2012) – Audience Award (Ages 3 – 6)
USA – Florida Film Festival (2012) – Audience Award for Best International Short
USA – Palm Springs Short Fest (2012) – Part of Animation Package that won Audience Favourite, Best of Fest
Canada – BANNF World Media Festival (2012) – Rockies, Best in Kids and Animation
Brazil – Anima Mundi (2012) – On The Road Award
South Korea – SICAF KIDS (2013) – Special Consideration Award
"A family classic for years to come."
Daily Mirror
Synopsis
A magical tale of a mouse who takes a stroll through the woods. Encountering three presdators – a fox, an owl and a snake – the plucky mouse has to use his wits to survive.
Creative details
Directed by Jakob Schuh and Max Lang, the film was produced by Magic Light in association with the award winning Studio Soi based in Ludwigsburg, Germany.
Based on the best the best-selling children’s book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler
Adapted by Julia Donaldson, Jakob Schuh & Max Lang
Music composed by René Aubry
Cast: Helena Bonham Carter, Rob Brydon, Robbie Coltrane, James Corden, John Hurt and Tom Wilkinson.
Produced in association with BBC1, Nick Jr and ZDF
Distributed on DVD in the UK by Entertainment One, and in the USA by N Circle
Synopsis
One wild and windy night, the Gruffalo’s Child ignores her father’s warnings and bravely tiptoes out into the snow in search of the Big Bad Mouse. She meets Snake, Owl and Fox but no sign of the fabled Mouse. He doesn’t really exist… or does he?
Creative details
Directed by Johannes Weiland and Uwe Heidschötter
Based on the best-selling children’s book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler
Adapted by Julia Donaldson and Johanna Stuttman
Music composed by René Aubry
Cast: Helena Bonham Carter, Rob Brydon, Robbie Coltrane, James Corden, Shirley Henderson, John Hurt and Tom Wilkinson.
Produced in association with Studio Soi, BBC and ZDF
Distributed on DVD in the UK by Entertainment One
Gruffalo: Games, the first app based on the much-loved children’s picture book.
Nominated for a Children’s BAFTA in 2015, the app has been a No.1 bestseller on the Apple Kids chart and is currently available from the App Store, Google Play and Amazon.
Inspired by Julia Donaldson’s exquisite text and Axel Scheffler’s iconic artwork the games invite you to take a stroll through the deep dark wood and put your skills to the test.
The app was developed in conjunction with Stormcloud Games Ltd.
Gruffalo: Photo is a safe activity app designed to get children having fun outdoors, inspiring them to explore the forests and green spaces around them.
Simple to use and specially developed to encourage creativity in children of all ages; take your very own stroll through the deep dark wood and keep a record of your adventures, maybe even get a #Gruffaloselfie!
The app was developed in conjunction with Limepark Studios Ltd.
We are delighted that the films have been and continue to be warmly accepted into
festivals across the world.
The Gruffalo was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Animated Short Film category 2011, a BAFTA in 2010 and the prestigious Cartoon d’Or in 2011. It’s won various awards including the Cristal for Best Television Special at Annecy Animation Festival 2010.
The Gruffalo’s Child was nominated for a BAFTA in 2012 and won the Cristal for Best Television Special at Annecy Animation Festival 2012. If you are interested in screening either film please contact us.
Magic Light has developed a high quality Gruffalo licensing programme which shares the charm and wit of the storybooks. The stylish merchandising collection is focused on engaging young imaginations, celebrating the power of storytelling and encouraging learning through imaginative play.
Working closely with licensing agent TLC, The Gruffalo programme has over 40 licensees. Launched in October 2009 our key UK retail partners are John Lewis, Sainsburys, Harrods, Waterstones, Debenhams and Mothercare/ELC, as well as over 200 independent toy and gifts stores nationwide.
The range is the winner of four Licensing Awards including ‘Best pre-school apparel’ for TU’s clothing range, winning consecutively 2011 & 2012, and a Henries Award.
The programme is building internationally with agents, licensees and distributors in Germany, Scandinavia, North America, Australia, South Africa and the Far East.
Magic Light Pictures distributes The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child internationally in all media.
Current international broadcast partners include ZDF Germany; PBS Sprout USA; ABC Australia; France 5 France; Canal + Spain, VPRO Netherlands; SVT, NRK, YLE, RUV, DR, Scandinavia; Noga Israel; RAI Italy; Disney Latin America, EMEA & Asia. So far the Gruffalo films have been broadcast in over 180 countries.
Over 1.5 million DVDs have been sold worldwide. Our current DVD partners include Entertainment One UK, France & Netherlands; Concorde Germany, NCircle North America; Roadshow Australia; Svensk, Scandinavia.
The films have also been successfully released internationally in cinemas with over 500,000 admissions in France, allowing families to enjoy the films on the big screen.
Our current theatrical partners include Picturehouse UK, Shorts international, USA and Les Films du Preau France.