Nora Twomey's 'The Breadwinner' To Enter Production in 2015.

Recently there's been an awful lot of interest in Song Of The Sea, Tomm Moore's follow up to The Secret Of Kells, with the film attracting Oscar buzz and a whopping 7 Annie nominations. While Cartoon Saloon's film has yet to even open in many countries- including the US, UK and it's native Ireland, the studio is already looking to its next feature. Moore's Kells co-director Nora Twomey is due to direct The Breadwinner, an adaptation of the hit novel by Deborah Ellis.

We reported on this way back in March, but now Cartoon Saloon co-founder Paul Young has announced that production will start in spring 2015, targeting a theatrical release in 2017. The story follows 11-year old Afghan Parvana who disguises herself as a boy in order to provide for her family. The script is adapted by Ellis herself, alongside Anita Doron.

This will be Twomey's début solo directing gig, and Cartoon Saloon is producing it in collaboration with Canada's Aircraft Pictures, at a budget of $10 million. UK distribution rights ( and presumably Ireland) have already been picked up by StudioCanal.

The more realistic subject matter means that this will be an entirely different kettle of fish to Cartoon Saloon's earlier features. While we're instantly on board to see anything the Irish studio produces, we're particularly intrigued to see how this turns out. We're definitely excited about this one!

[source]