Taking advantage of growing collaborative opportunities in new territories, The Jim Henson Company has inked a deal with Shanghai, China-based animation studio Nine Eyes Stone & Shanghai Animation Film Studios to co-produce Sid the Science Kid: The Movie, a 3D, CG-animated feature film based on the company’s hit kids TV series.

The feature film (written/executive produced by Bradley Zweig, and executive produced by Henson’s Lisa Henson and Halle Stanford) follows the story of Sid and his classmate Gabriela who, after winning a science experiment contest, get to experience a new modern science museum before it opens. After encountering an eccentric scientist (Christopher Lloyd of Back to the Future) whose robot tour guides go rogue, the pair must work together with the contest winners from China to save the day.

The Jim Henson Company will handle distribution, including licensing, video and merchandising, and rep the movie globally outside of China, holding all theatrical, television, DVD and digital platform rights. As part of the deal, Nine Eyes Stone & Shanghai Animation Film Studios have acquired distribution rights for the existing TV series and the film in the Chinese market.

The film also marks the first time Henson will release an animated movie in both 3D and HD.