The Finnish animated adventure Fleak will make its U.S. debut following its world premiere at the prestigious Annecy Festival this June. The film is directed by Anima Vitae, a well-known studio with offices in Helsinki and Kuala Lumpur.
U.S. distribution will be handled by Attend, the new theatrical distribution arm of The Fithian Group. Attend has partnered with Impossible Dream Entertainment, founded by producers Shaun Redick and Yvette Yates Redick, to bring Fleak to American theaters.
Fleak tells a touching story from a child’s perspective. It follows Thomas, a young boy whose life changes after a sudden accident. Feeling lost, he meets Fleak—a whimsical and mysterious creature who takes him on a surreal adventure through a dreamlike world. The film is described as a tale of resilience, family, and the courage to face loss.
The U.S. release is also supported by Adam Somer’s So Entertaining and Tom Malloy’s Glass House Distribution.
Jackie Brenneman, President and CEO of Attend, said: “Audiences are telling us they want more unique and emotional family animation. Fleak offers exactly that, and we are proud to bring it to theaters with our data-driven release strategy.”
Producers Shaun and Yvette Yates Redick praised the film as “a heartfelt and wildly imaginative journey that resonates with both kids and adults.” They added, “As parents, we’re excited to share this magical story with families across the country.”
Anima Vitae is known for its animation work on international projects, including Sky’s Moominvalley, Tencent’s The Adventures of Little Penguin, and Lego Star Wars. The studio is also behind the popular Niko film series. The third film, Niko – Beyond the Northern Lights, has sold over 2.8 million tickets worldwide.
Antti Haikala, CEO of Anima Vitae, expressed pride in the film’s upcoming North American release. “We are passionate about creating emotional stories with global appeal. Having Fleak premiere at Annecy and then reach U.S. theaters is a major achievement for us,” he said.
The idea for Fleak came from Haikala’s personal life. He said the character was born when his children were young. “Whenever there was tension or trouble at home, Fleak appeared—silly, rebellious, and comforting. It helped us smile again,” Haikala shared. As his kids grew older and stopped believing in imaginary friends, the idea of Fleak took on deeper meaning.
“The story is about moving forward and accepting big changes,” he added. “It’s also about the magic of childhood, which fades as we grow. We want to tell stories that speak to the whole family. They must have heart, mystery, and humor.”
Haikala hopes that Fleak will continue to grow, much like Finland’s other animation successes, such as the Moomins, Angry Birds, and Niko. He noted that the film has already connected with children aged 3 to 13 in early screenings, with audiences deeply engaged with both the movie and its plush toy character.
Fleak is a co-production between Finland’s Anima Vitae, Poland’s Animoon, and France’s Godo Films. It will be released in France by KMBO. International rights are handled by All Rights Entertainment, based in Paris, Hong Kong, and Los Angeles. The film has already secured deals in over 50 countries and is scheduled for wide theatrical release in North America in 2026.
Aymeric Contat Desfontaines, Managing Director at All Rights Entertainment, said: “The passion shown by Glass House Distribution and Impossible Dream Entertainment confirmed they were the perfect partners for this emotional story. Their commitment to a wide release is especially important for independent animation.”
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