On the heels of forging a six-movie deal, Toonz Media Group and Gold Valley Films are prepping an animated adaptation of children’s novel The Wonderful Adventures of Nils.

This 1906 classic was penned by Swedish author Selma Lagerlöf and published by Grosset & Dunlap. It’s about a mischievous young boy who is shrunken down in size by a resentful pixie, and must join forces with a goose to change himself back to normal.

The story has made its way onto screens numerous times already, in projects such as a 1962 Swedish live-action feature film, an ’80s anime series from Japanese studio Pierrot and a more recent Studio 100 CG-animated series (2017).

Jason Reisig (Smallfoot) is attached to direct the new movie, which will be titled Nils: The New Adventure (pictured). It marks the third film in the studios’ co-financing and co-production deal, joining Little Emma and Pierre the Pigeon-Hawk on the slate.

Toonz has also officially announced the appointment of Gulshan David as VP of international distribution and sales for its new film division. He stepped into the role just prior to the unit’s launch in February, and he will be at key 2023 markets including this week’s Cannes Film Festival. 

David has been with Toonz since 2010, starting as director of marketing, distribution and syndication and moving up to VP of media sales for Toonz-owned Imira Entertainment in 2016. He now reports to president of feature film Ariel Veneziano.