There’s a new creature in town.
Impossible Dream Entertainment, a production company founded by Shaun Redick and Yvette Yates Redick, has joined forces with The Fithian Group and its new theatrical distribution unit, Attend, which will handle the U.S. release of “Fleak.”
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The latest animated feature from Finnish studio Anima Vitae will premiere in June at the Annecy Festival as part of the Annecy Presents sidebar.
Told from a child’s point of view and described as “a heartwarming, wildly imaginative adventure about resilience, family and the courage to face your fears, even when it means accepting what you’ve lost,” it focuses on Thomas, whose world is turned upside down.
A sudden accident leaves him feeling lost and left behind. But everything changes when he encounters Fleak, a strange and spirited creature who leads him on an unforgettable adventure through a dreamlike realm.
The film is distributed in partnership with Adam Somer’s So Entertaining and Tom Malloy’s Glass House Distribution.
Jackie Brenneman, founding partner of The Fithian Group and President and CEO of Attend, said: “Audiences are showing us they are hungry for new and engaging animated family stories. We are excited to serve U.S. movie theaters and audiences a moving story with ‘Fleak,’ using our unprecedented, data-driven distribution marketplace.”
Shaun Redick and Yvette Yates Redick called the film a “heartfelt and wildly imaginative journey that resonates with both kids and adults.”
“As parents, we’re thrilled to bring this magical, meaningful adventure to theaters.”
Anima Vitae, with locations in Helsinki and Kuala Lumpur, has been a service studio for Sky’s “Moominvalley” – based on Tove Jansson’s most famous Finnish exports, Tencent’s “The Adventures of Little Penguin” and “Lego Star Wars.”
As a producer, the company is behind the successful “Nico” franchise, about a little reindeer that dares to dream big. The third installment, “Niko – Beyond the Northern Lights,” has sold over 2.8 million tickets globally.
“We’re so excited to see ‘Fleak’ reach North American audiences through this exciting collaboration,” said Antti Haikala, CEO of Anima Vitae. “We’re passionate about creating emotionally rich stories with global appeal. Having ‘Fleak’ premiere at Annecy and securing a U.S. theatrical release is a proud moment for our entire team.”
Fleak, a mysterious presence, was born when his kids were still young.
“Any time we had some small quarrels or troubles, this imaginary creature appeared from another dimension and – by being silly and a bit anarchistic – it made us feel good again. As my boys grew to be teens, they didn’t want to play with imaginary friends anymore. One morning, they left for school, racing on their bikes downhill. It looked dangerous, but there was nothing I could do. Fleak came to my mind: ‘If something bad was to happen, could Fleak still help’?”
For Haikala, the film’s about moving on in life and accepting “big, even dramatic changes.” And about the magic of childhood that begins to fade when we grow older.
“Our goal is to make stories relevant for the whole family. They need to have a big heart and some amount of mystery. We also really love humor,” he noted. Hoping that the tale of Fleak will continue for many years to come: just like the adventures of Moomins, Angry Birds – also hailing from Finland – and Niko.
“It seems to have the potential, based on the distributors on board and, most importantly, the kids who have seen the film and the plush toy! We have witnessed families with kids from 3 to 13 watching it together and being totally immersed.”
“Fleak” is co-produced by Poland’s Animoon and France’s Godo Films, and will be released in France by KMBO. International sales are handled by the Paris- Hong Kong- and L.A.-based company All Rights Entertainment, which has already secured distribution deals in over 50 countries. “Fleak” is scheduled for a wide theatrical release in 2026 across North America.
“The strong enthusiasm and deep connection that Glass House Distribution and Impossible Dream Entertainment expressed in ‘Fleak’ gave us no doubt that we had found the ideal partners to bring such a sensitive and heartwarming story to American audiences. Their strong commitment to a wide theatrical release is particularly crucial and highly beneficial for independent animation,” said Aymeric Contat Desfontaines, Managing Director at All Rights Entertainment.
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