Cloud 10 Studios presents The Greatest Gift: The Wrong Hat to Mipcom

Cloud 10 Studios’ The Greatest Gift: The Wrong Hat

US-based animation studio Cloud 10 Studios is launching a 3D animated family Christmas special at Mip Junior and Mipcom next month, with an accompanying TV series and feature film in the works.

The Greatest Gift: The Wrong Hat (22’) is headed by US feature production exec Tracey Dispensa (Shrek, Madagascar, How to Train Your Dragon) and is already fully funded with delivery set for the end of this year.

Dispensa is producing, Gary Trousdale (Beauty & the Beast, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Atlantis) is directing and Floyd Norman (Mulan, The Hunchback of Notre Dame) is character designer and creative consultant.

The plot centres on a Christmas tree in a family home, whose decorations come alive, keeping busy behind the scenes as the ‘guardians of Christmas joy.’ But when a small mishap threatens to dim the holiday sparkle, a crisis inside the tree puts Christmas morning at risk.

Industry veterans Joyce Miller and British producer Rob Doherty have boarded the film as exec producers and will work with Dispensa to bring the project to a wider audience, looking for distribution partners and to help build the franchise.

Miller has overseen over 150 animated productions in North America, Europe and Asia as an executive and producer. She is the founder of Linden Animation Consulting and has previously held senior positions at companies including at Netflix, Spin Master Entertainment and DisneyToon Studios.

Doherty is a kids’ content specialist with over 30 years of experience in children’s television and animation. He has held senior roles across both production and broadcasting with organisations including Aardman Animations, Disney, M2 Films, ITV, Endemol, Initial Productions, TVC Cartoons and Cake Entertainment.

In addition to the special, a feature film and TV series are in funded development along with more holiday specials. Cloud 10 is also rolling out an L&M programme for the brand, while an immersive show and live event are being developed.

Dispensa said: “Ever since myself and Gary met and worked together at DreamWorks, it has been our dream to create and produce our own original film. Floyd’s imagination and vision has helped bring it to life. We believe The Greatest Gift has all the ingredients to become an evergreen franchise and we could not be prouder of our first holiday special.

“We are genuinely delighted to bring Joyce and Rob on board to augment the Cloud 10 team. Their calibre, contacts, knowledge and track record in the international TV and film industry will enable us to take our film to a wider global audience.”