MUMBAI: Along with the launch of its new feature film division, DQ Entertainment Ireland Ltd. (DQE) has green lighted a new, 3D animated version of Rudyard Kipling?s The Jungle Book.

Kipling?s The Jungle Book has already seen several screen incarnations, the best known of which are the 1942 live action version produced by Alexander Korda Films and the 1967 Disney animated version.

DQE chairman and founder Tapas Chakravarti, ?Our commitment to animated features marks another major milestone for DQ Entertainment. By leading off our slate with a 3D stereoscopic version of The Jungle Book, we?re making a bold statement to the industry- that DQE is committed to put the creative, technical and financial resources together to produce compelling, high quality animation for all distribution channels.?

While the film is being produced by Chakravarti, Eric S. Rollman, CEO of Rollman Entertainment and former president of both Marvel Animation and Saban/Fox Family Productions, is serving as executive producer along with DQE vice president of intellectual property Rouhini Jaswal.

The film is being written by Billy Frolick (Madagascar) and co-directed by Jun Falkenstein (The Tigger Movie) and Kevin Johnson.

Pre- and post-production will be based in Los Angeles, with animation being done at DQE?s headquarters in Hyderabad.

The company said it is also developing two other classic titles as film projects.

The studio, which also produces a TV series version of The Jungle Book, ventured into theatrical films for the first time last year by handling the animation for The Prodigies, a feature for Warner Bros., Onyx Films and France?s Fid?lit? Films.

The project, budgeted at $45 million, is aiming for a 2014 release.

DQ Ireland is a subsidiary of Hyderabad-based DQ Entertainment.

MUMBAI: SMC Entertainment Group, an entertainment and brand management company, has stitched slew of licensing agreements in the US for The Jungle Book TV series.

SMC had acquired licensing rights of the first season of the series for North America from DQ Entertainment.

The Jungle Book is scheduled to debut on 11 June on Disney XD in the US.

SMC has signed a slate of new US licensees, including Phase 4 Films as the property?s home entertainment and digital distribution partner; Isaac Morris as its master apparel partner; Komar for children?s sleepwear; Insights Editions for Young Readers Book series; Seasons USA for Halloween costumes; Nanco-Nancy Sales for amusement plush and novelties; Pacific Play Tents for children?s play tents; Barnes & Noble for ebooks; United States Playing Card Company for customised playing cards, and My Idol Pops for figural lollypops.

"The new animated series for The Jungle Book has ignited interest from the licensing and merchandising community because it combines the best of both worlds. You have the incredible legacy of The Jungle Book delivered in a fresh, colorful and engaging series that entertains children and evokes treasured memories for their parents and grandparents. The property?s association with Disney is the icing on the cake," said SMC SVP Licensing Lisa Streff.

In addition to The Jungle Book television series, Phase 4 will release a bonus 1-hour holiday special in 2012. SMC is also developing a strategy to roll the series out across a multitude of digital platforms. Additionally, a dedicated website for The Jungle Book is in development.

SMC acquired all North American home entertainment, licensing and merchandising rights, and promotional rights for The Jungle Book CGI-animated television series plus the one-hour telefilm from DQE, the producers and rights holders of the series. In addition, SMC has also acquired The Jungle Book toy rights for Benelux, Australia and New Zealand and licensing and merchandising rights for South Africa.

Targeting consumer products, which focus on boys in the 4-7 age group as well as parents with children from infancy to 8 years of age, SMC will be representing The Jungle Book at the 2012 International Licensing Show.

The company is seeking partnerships to develop a comprehensive consumer products? campaign across categories including Toy, ELA?s, Publishing, Games & Puzzles, Gaming/Interactive, Apparel, Footwear, Accessories, Back to School, Party Good, Food & Beverage, Arts & Crafts, Home Furnishings, and more.

MUMBAI: Hyderabad-based DQ Entertainment plc has won three contracts and is associated with two new productions.

The company has entered into a co-production agreement with TF1, the major French broadcaster, and Method Animation for the new 3D animated TV series of Robin Hood. TF1 will hold the broadcast rights for the Robin Hood series for France and French speaking territories. It has also signed a co-production agreement with Minika TV, ATV?s new Turkish kids network.

DQE has also entered into a co-production agreement with Gaumont Alphanim France, the principal rights holders for the new 3D animated CGI TV series Lanfeust.

Alphanim has acquired the rights for Lanfeust of Troy, a long running French language comic series written by Christophe Arleston drawn by Didier Tarquin and published by Editions Delcourt. While Alphanim will produce the series and handle all of the creative aspects as co-producer, DQE will be responsible for animation production.

The global territories, including France and other French speaking territories and backend revenues from all sources of income, will be shared between Alphanim and DQE. The series is to be backed by French Broadcasters M6 and Canalj.

Said DQ Entertainment chairman and CEO Tapaas Chakravarti, "These agreements will help us expand our content library whilst embarking on new and exciting ventures which have exciting commercial opportunities globally."

MUMBAI: Hyderabad-based DQ Entertainment plc., the global animation, entertainment production and distribution company, has bagged the prestigious international studio of the year award at the 16th ceremony of Cartoons on the Bay, Italy 2012.

On the occasion, the Company has also announced that its CGI animated TV series, Iron Man, co-produced with Method Animation, France has won the Pulcinella Award for Best TV series for Teens. Also, Charlie Chaplin, co-produced with Method Animation, has been nominated for ‘Best TV series for Kids‘ at the festival.

Said DQ Entertainment chairman and CEO Tapaas Chakravarti, ? We are delighted to receive this special recognition in Europe, which is a validation of the dedication and hard work by DQE. This recognition will definitely motivate us to achieve even greater heights to continue producing and distributing highest quality animation content for television and feature films globally. This recognition is doubly validated by the best animated TV series award for ‘Iron Man‘ at the Pulcinella awards. It has been our honour to partner with Method Animation and Marvel on this production."

Cartoons on the Bay, Italy, is one of the most prestigious, international events for the animation industry. The festival and awards ceremony aims to foster creativity and support the commitment of worldwide authors and producers in linking arts and entertainment and to help professionals in choosing quality and innovative products.

MUMBAI: Cartoon Network Asia Pacific has announced the acquisition of the animated series ?Chaplin and Co?, a slapstick nod to one of Hollywood?s most pivotal early stars, Charlie Chaplin.

Running six minutes long over 104 episodes, ?Chaplin and Co? will air across all of Cartoon Network?s Asia Pacific markets, more than 26 countries, from the first half of 2012.

A co-production between DQ Entertainment, and France-based Method Animation, ?Chaplin and Co? was developed in consultation with the Chaplin family. The aim was to make the series truly representative of the screen icon.

Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific director, programming, acquisitions and development Layla Lewis said, "Chaplin and Co. offers a contemporary take on Charlie?s timeless humour and endearing charm. We?re thrilled to introduce his comedic adventures to a whole new generation of Cartoon Network Asia Pacific fans."

The series is a slapstick comedy without dialogue - reminiscent of his films. Almost a century later, his most enduring traits have been transformed into a side-splittingly funny computer-generated animated series.

DQ Entertainment (International) chairman, CEO Tapaas Chakravarti said, "The legend of Charlie Chaplin will be brought back in high-end animated short films to delight children and families. The legendary entertainer will once again entertain audiences in his new CGI avatar. We believe Cartoon Network is the perfect partner for Chaplin and Co to bring this side-splitting series to audiences in this region."

MUMBAI: Hyderabad-based DQ Entertainment (DQE), the animation, gaming, live action entertainment production and distribution company, has appointed SMC Entertainment as its rights partner in North America, Australia and South Africa.

With the appointment, SMC has acquired all North American TV, home entertainment, licensing and merchandising rights, as well as all promotional rights to the 52 x 11‘ episode CGI-animated Jungle Book television series along with a one-hour feature from DQ Entertainment International.

Said DQE Chairman and CEO Tapaas Chakravarti, "The success of our TV series The Jungle Book is validated by the quality of partners it has attracted globally. From licensing for TV broadcast to merchandising across a varied range of products, the property has met with huge success and appealed to a new generation of children across all nationalities. 

"We are delighted with the partnership with SMC for North America and South Africa and are convinced that they will do justice to this iconic brand. I am sure our beloved Jungle Book will see new highs in the hands of our new and able partners."

In addition, SMC has acquired the master toy rights for Australia and New Zealand and licensing and merchandising rights of for The Jungle Book for South Africa. The company would market the series at Kidscreen Summit and the New York Toy Fair in February 2012.

SMC Entertainment (SMC) is the recently launched entertainment and brand management division of global consumer products manufacturer Sun-Mate Corporation.