As the American Film Market gets underway, Palisades Park Pictures has scored multiple major international distribution deals on The Magic Faraway Tree, the highly anticipated family fantasy based on Enid Blyton’s beloved classic.
Tamara Birkemoe, CEO of Palisades Park Pictures, announced today that the company has sold out key territories ahead of AFM and will host a private, exclusive screening during the market.
Global Rollout
Palisades closed deals with Leonine (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), Sun (Latin America, Spain, Portugal), VVS Films (Australia/New Zealand), Arna Media (CIS), Magic Media (Romania), Karantanija (Ex-Yugo), AQS (Czech Republic), KinoSwiat (Poland), Shoval (Israel), Selim Ramia (Middle East), Leon Creative Concepts (Turkey), Empire Entertainment (South Africa), PT Prima (Indonesia), and Pioneer (Philippines).
Entertainment Film Distributors holds UK rights through a previously announced deal. “We’re thrilled to have so many of our international partners on board,” said Birkemoe. “Simon’s magical adaptation and Ben’s visual artistry have created a captivating cinematic experience that will enchant audiences worldwide. We can’t wait to bring this story to the big screen.”
An All-Star Cast for a Timeless Adventure
The Magic Faraway Tree features a powerhouse ensemble led by Andrew Garfield (tick, tick…BOOM!, The Social Network), Claire Foy (The Crown), Rebecca Ferguson (Dune, Mission: Impossible), Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton, Derry Girls), Jessica Gunning (Baby Reindeer), and Jennifer Saunders (Absolutely Fabulous).
Directed by Ben Gregor (Britannia, Black Ops, Fatherhood), the film is written by BAFTA winner Simon Farnaby (Wonka, Paddington 2).
The story follows Polly and Tim, who relocate their family to the English countryside — only for their children to discover a magical tree filled with extraordinary residents like Moonface, Silky, Dame Wash-a-Lot, and Saucepan Man. At the top of the tree, they find worlds beyond imagination, rekindling their bond and rediscovering what it means to be a family.
Produced by a Powerhouse Team
Produced by Pippa Harris (1917, Call the Midwife) and Nicolas Brown (Penny Dreadful) of Neal Street Productions, alongside Danny Perkins (Greatest Days) of Elysian Film Group, the film was developed by Perkins, Harris, and Brown during Perkins’ tenure at Studiocanal UK.
Executive Producers include Tamara Birkemoe, and Ashland Hill Media Finance’s Simon Williams, Joe Simpson, Merrick Stoller, Andy Wang, and Matthew Chausse. Palisades Park Pictures is handling worldwide sales, with CAA Media Finance co-repping U.S. rights. Financing is fully backed by Ashland Hill Media Finance.
A strong AFM lineup
Beyond The Magic Faraway Tree, Palisades’ AFM slate includes:
- The Revisionist, written and directed by Alex Vlack, starring Dustin Hoffman, Alison Brie, André Holland, and Tom Sturridge
- Grendel, from The Jim Henson Company, starring Jeff Bridges, Dave Bautista, Sam Elliott, Thomasin McKenzie, Aidan Turner, and T Bone Burnett
- Eyes in the Trees, starring Sir Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Ashley Greene, and Thomas Kretschmann
- That’s Amore!, starring John Travolta, Katherine Heigl, and Christopher Walken, written and directed by Nick Vallelonga
- Fast Charlie, from Philip Noyce, starring Pierce Brosnan, Morena Baccarin, and James Caan
- Duchess, directed by Neil Marshall, starring Charlotte Kirk, Philip Winchester, Colm Meaney, and Sean Pertwee
With The Magic Faraway Tree leading the charge, Palisades Park Pictures enters AFM with one of the strongest family slates on the market — blending world-class talent, timeless IP, and global commercial appeal.
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