Weinsteins look forward to Xmas…2008!

Since the Weinsteins became known as TWC and no longer as Miramax they've added on significant ingredient (or let's call it 'genre') to their distribution business. Apart from the Luc Besson disaster called Arthur and the Invisibles,  the indie distributor with plenty of capital  have found profitable ventures with animation such as Hoodwinked! – so today's announcement of TWC grabbing English-language and Latin American territory rights to Niko & the Way to the Stars.

The Euro co-production Niko is a 3-D animated holiday film that will receive its release just before the holidays in a year from now. Helmed by Michael Hegner and Kari Juusonen, this tells the story of Niko, a little earth-bound reindeer who dreams of flying like his father, one of the elite troop that pulls Santa Claus' sleigh every Christmas. When Niko uncovers a plot by the Big Bad Wolf and his pack to replace Santa's “flying forces,” Niko sets off to warn his dad.