A Northern Gem: Quebec's 10th Ave Prod. He discovers "Felix and the hidden treasure"

In the early 2000s, writer / director / producer Nancy Florence Savard founded 10th Ave Productions to create unique and inspiring animated projects for family audiences around the world. Based in Saint-Augustin-De-Desmaures, near Quebec City, Canada, Savard developed, directed and co-produced Canada's first stereoscopic CGI animated feature. The fascinating film of 2013, The legend of Sarila, was the result of 12 years of work, and was inspired by Inuit culture and traditions. It was the first 3D animated film entirely produced and financed in Canada. The award-winning film was also the first in Canada to be directed by a woman.

Since then, 10th Ave Productions has been committed to developing a 100% Canadian animated film and TV series industry, with public partners such as Sodec, Telefilm Canada and Quebec City, and private partners such as Harold Greenberg. Fund and Québecor Fund. With their support, 10th Ave has produced its follow-up films: Rooster Doodle-Doo (2014) and Mission Kathmandu: the adventures of Nelly and Simon (2018). In addition to numerous festival selections and awards around the world, 10th Ave Productions was named Film Producer of the Year 2019 by the Quebec Media Producers' Association (AQPM).

In 2021, in the midst of the pandemic, 10th Ave Productions released its fourth 3D animated film, Felix and the treasure of Morgäa (Felix and the hidden treasure in the United States and the United Kingdom). Despite audience restrictions due to stringent sanitation, the film has shown good results since cinemas reopened in Quebec. In the months to come, Felix and the treasure of Morgäa it will be presented at various festivals and will be released in theaters in the United States, England, France, Spain, the Middle East and numerous other countries and territories.

Felix and the treasure of Morgäa is based on an original idea by director Nicola Lemay (Les Yeux Noirs, Nul poisson où aller, Noël Noël) who initially conceived it as a comic. When Savard proposed bringing the story to the screen, Nicola joined forces with screenwriter Marc Robitaille (Un été sans point ni coup sûr, Le Club Vinland) to write the script. On this project, Savard decided to create his own animation unit: 10th Ave Animation. With the help of five other Quebec studios, the production took over 200 people and took more than 24 months to complete. Despite the pandemic, the team finished the film, working remotely.

A remarkable island

"While the challenge was great, the team, led by director Nicola Lemay, art director Philippe Arseneau Bussières and animation director Yann Tremblay, has maintained their determination to bring a Quebec-produced film to the screen," says Savard. “The story unfolds in the unique setting of the Îles de la Madeleine, with their towering rust-colored dunes and iconic lighthouses guiding sailors to safety. This setting is familiar to our art director Philippe, whose parents have lived there for years ”.

Felix and the treasure of Morgäa tells the story of XNUMX-year-old Felix, whose father disappeared at sea two years ago. During his mother's absence, Felix, convinced that his father is alive, sets out in search of him, helped by Tom, a retired sailor; Rover, a cat that acts like a dog; and Squawk, Tom's one-legged parrot. Together, after a difficult journey, the friends arrive at Darkshadow Island, ruled by the megalomaniac Morgäa, who possesses a hidden treasure.

This animated adventure emphasizes the importance of family: the family we build with the people we love, whom we strive to keep close to us for life. The story also contains a touch of philosophy, teaching the importance of life every decade and reminding us that eternal youth is an illusion. The 10th Ave creative team hopes these topics will spark discussion at home after the film ends.

"As with all of our previous projects, 10th Ave Productions is proud to bring Quebec to the screen: its plants, animals and countryside, so varied and exotic in their particular details," Savard points out. “Blending Techniques, 10th Ave delights in seeing the talent of its artists in creating designs, working out color combinations and the texture of productions. Although many stories have local settings, 10th Ave looks for stories whose universal themes will appeal to an international audience with values ​​that everyone likes.

As its fifth film is now in production, the company hopes to launch co-production projects in the near future. Today, 10th Ave is developing no less than six animated feature films in the adventure, fantasy and comedy categories. He also has animated TV series in the works, featuring characters from his films, as well as a collection of Holiday tales which could be in pre-production by next winter. In short, 10th Ave has a lot of projects coming up, including a sequel to Felix's adventures.

For more information, visit www.10ave.com e felixandthetreasureofmorgaa.com.

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