UTV Toonz receives Rs 14 cr contracts

UTV Toonz "" the animation division of UTV Software Communications "" has bagged production contracts worth Rs 14 crore.

Ronnie Screwvala, chief executive officer, said: "We have bagged four projects from Europe and Canadian production houses. These come at a time when we are already growing at over 100 per cent annually."

The company also signed two co-production deals with European production houses for full-length animation films. The co-production of animation films will entail an investment of around Rs 10 crore.

UTV Toonz will develop key characters for a show Clootie & Dumpling "" a show about two cows "" and Snow Queen, based on Hans Christian Andersen fable.

According to Screwvala, this year the company is looking at an aggressive growth in the animation division. Investors and shareholders thus would frequently hear announcements of service outsourcing and co-productions projects.

The company is scouting and locking attractive books and titles that have potential to be turned into full-length animation films.

Not to miss out on Indian animation, UTV Toonz is all set to announce one of the biggest animation projects where an Indian film is an inspiration for an action/ comedy series.

The production series include ClubNow with Hoek and Havenaar productions in Holland, The Donz Family with Palazzina Productions, Amsterdam "" 52 episodes of a Fantasy Sitcom, Tripping The Rift, a bold 3D show with Cinegroupe of and Dannie & Sally with Animation Rights of Holland, a 52 part series.

The company currently broadcasts Hungama channel and is all set to launch two kids channels by the next year. UTV Toonz has been in the animation business since 2000.