EPSILON FILM annouces worldwide rights to the high concept animation feature DREAMERS – THE HUNT FOR SHADOWCLAW
EPSILON FILM announces worldwide rights to the high concept animation feature DREAMERS – THE HUNT FOR SHADOWCLAW, directed by 10 Lives filmmaker Christopher Jenkins
A stylized 3D-CGI family adventure featuring an exciting and action-packed chase through New York with extraordinary heroes: An aspiring dog with wheels, a beatboxing duck with autism, and a dancing bear with Down syndrome must defy the odds to save a runaway circus panther.
Munich, 29th April 2025 – EPSILON FILM has joined the family entertainment adventure DREAMERS as both co-producer and worldwide sales agent. DREAMERS is a 3D-CGI animated feature that celebrates characters who are extraordinarily able — despite their disabilities. With a stylized visual aesthetic, the film is set to bring a fresh and inclusive perspective to animated storytelling. In this family adventure an unlikely trio — a young German shepherd who failed the K-9 test, not because of his wheels, but because of his stubborn attitude, an Indian Runner duck with autism who makes beats with his beak, and a black bear with Down syndrome who loves nothing more than dancing for the big crowd at the circus — must defy the odds to save a runaway circus panther in the heart of New York City. Together, they must turn their differences into strengths, overcome their fears, and save the panther before the official K-9 team captures her and puts her away forever.
The production is led by Ulrich Schwarz (Dragon Rider, Nessie Junior, Stowaway), Andreas Schneider’s Parapictures Film Production (Gold), Thomas Baumgarten (Klaus), and Arno Hazebroek’s Falcon Features (500 Miles, Hope Gap). EPSILON FILM will serve as co-producer and handle international sales, bringing this exciting and meaningful project to a global audience.
The animation for DREAMERS is being handled by Kickstart Entertainment, a proven animation and live-action international independent studio with over 25 years of producing over 750 episodes, and 20 feature films. Working in all formats and with trusted brands, including projects such as Barbie Mysteries (Netflix/Mattel) and The Boys (Amazon).
The film will be directed by Christopher Jenkins (10 Lives, Duck Duck Goose), with Heiko Hentschel (The Amazing Maurice, Ooops! Noah is Gone…, The Elfkins, Luis and the Aliens) serving as character designer, and written by Rob Moreland (Shrek, Gnome Alone) and Alison James (award-winning children’s book author.)
With production set to begin soon, DREAMERS – THE HUNT FOR SHADOWCLAW is slated for release in time for the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles—offering a powerful message of inclusion, resilience, and the beauty of dreaming big. This is a film that encourages audiences of all ages to embrace their unique strengths, overcome challenges, and believe in the impossible.
Ulrich Schwarz, the producer and Andreas Schneider the creator/producer say: “DREAMERS is about accepting and embracing those who are different from you — and about fully embracing what is different about yourself. Well told and powerfully animated, we want to plant a seed of acceptance to broaden the range of who children consider normal, skillful, even admirable. Our animals possess remarkable super-abilities that are all the more extraordinary because of their struggles. Quirky, lovable, and deeply relatable, they take us on an inspiring, action-packed adventure.”
The film’s development is co-financed by German regional film funder Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein (MOIN), national film fund (FFA) and Creative BC in Canada..
EPSILON will launch pre-sales for this heartfelt and high-energy adventure at the upcoming Marché du Film, presenting an initial first-look scene.