AFM: Leonardo DiCaprio’s All-Star Animated Feature ‘Ozi: Voice of the Forest’ Sells to Signature for U.K., Ireland

The eco-focused film features the voices of Laura Dern, Amandla Stenberg, Donald Sutherland, Djimon Hounsou, RuPaul, Dean Charles Chapman and Rachel Shenton.

Ozi: Voice of the Forest, the star-studded animated feature produced by Leonardo Dicaprio, has been picked up by Signature Entertainment for the U.K. and Ireland

The film, produced by GCI Film and Appian Way, features the vocal talents of Laura Dern (Marriage Story), Amandla Stenberg (Bodies Bodies Bodies), Donald Sutherland (The Hunger Games), Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond), RuPaul (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Dean Charles Chapman (Game of Thrones) and Rachel Shenton (All Creatures Great and Small).

Directed by Tim Harper (Roary the Racing Car) from a screenplay by Ricky Roxburgh (Tangled) and with animation by French studio Mikros, the feature follows a young orangutan who’s separated from her parents. Growing up in an animal sanctuary, she uses her influencer skills to save her parents and home from deforestation. The movie will carry the Climate Change Stripes created by Professor Ed Hawkins and Reading University, designed to visualize climate change and spark conversation.

Alongside DiCaprio, producers also include Mike Medavoy (Black Swan), Rodrigo Blaas (Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia), Ramsay McBean (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Philip Watson (Red Riding Hood), Keith Chapman (Paw Patrol), Graham Appleby (Buddi), and Adam Stanhope (Earth). 

The deal was negotiated by Signature Entertainment’s acquisitions and development manager Katie Wilkinson and GFM Animation’s director Fred Hedman.

“The talent involved with Ozi: Voice of the Forest on and off screen, the quality of the animation and the message behind it are all outstanding, we are genuinely over the moon to add this beautiful film to our ever-growing animation slate,” said Wilkinson. “The whole team fell in love with this little orangutan at first sight, and we hope the rest of the country will do the same next year.”

Added Hedman: “It is a joy to have Signature Entertainment partner with us on this special family feature filled with colorful characters, a super adventure, and a timely message about taking care of our planet. We can’t wait for audiences to meet Ozi and learn more about her world.”