Brown Bag Films (Octonauts) has started production on a new animated holiday special entitled Angela’s Christmas. The 30-minute CGI film is based on the children’s book of the same name by author Frank McCourt, who won a Pulitzer Prize for his bestselling memoir Angela’s Ashes.

Set in the early 1900s, Angela’s Christmas revolves around the desire of a child to make sure everyone is safe, warm and loved during the holidays. The special will star Oscar-nominated actor Ruth Negga (Loving, Preacher) as Angela’s mother, and Lucy O’Connell (Song of the Sea) as Angela. It is written by Will Collins (Song of the Sea, Wolfwalkers) and Damien O’Connor (Anya, Doc McStuffins), who will also serve as director.

Ellen McCourt, Frank’s widow, will executive produce the project, while his brother, Malachy McCourt (The January Man, One Life to Live), serves as narrator.

Developed with the Irish Film Board and produced with support from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and RTE, the special is early production and expected to wrap up in November. Animation is taking place at Brown Bag Films’ studio in Dublin, while Brown Bag’s parentco 9 Story Media Group will handle global distribution.