Independent movie and TV prodco Wind Dancer Films and Irish animation studio Brown Bag Films have paired up to produce Nightglider, the first animated feature film for both companies.

The script, written by Jeremy Shipp, follows the adventures of a flying squirrel raised as a tree squirrel who, upon learning he can fly, believes he is actually a superhero.

Financing for the film, which is scheduled to start pre-production in early 2013, will be secured by Wind Dancer through international and domestic sales and its own equity.

Brown Bag Films’ Gregory R. Little, who developed the project with support from the Irish Film Board/Bord Scannán na hÉireann, is on board to produce with Wind Dancer founders Matt Williams and David McFadzean, president Dete Meserve and head of production Judd Payne.

Brown Bag Films co-owner and creative director Darragh O’Connell (Olivia, The Octonauts) has been tapped to direct, and both companies will use the American Film Market as a jumping off point to find an international sales agent and look for co-production opportunities.

Wind Dancer (What Women Want, Home Improvement) is also working with Dinosaur Train’s Craig Bartlett on a pilot for a PBS animated series that is currently in production.