28-01-2015

Small Screen Takes Over Polish Animation Studio

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    Flapper and Friends Flapper and Friends

    LODZ: British film company Small Screen took over one of the oldest Polish animation studios Se-Ma-For, due to its financial problems. Se-Ma-For has been active since 1947, with more than 1400 movies produced.

    Small Screen was involved in the production of Flapper and Friends, an animated series internationally coproduced in 2013 by Se-ma-for Produkcja Filmowa, Imagina Studio, Fundacja Filmowa Se-ma-for, Se-ma-for Switzerland and Narodowy Instytut Audiowizualny, with the support of the Polish Film Institute and the City of Lodz. The show was created in stop-motion by 35 animators and graphic designers working on eight sets at once.

    During the production of Flapper and Friends, Se-Ma-For faced financial problems and received from the British company a loan secured by shares. Small Screen, which then owned 51% of Se-Ma-For shares, decided to take over the studio and replace the former president of the company, Zbigniew Żmudzki, with Luc Toutounghi, who is now the sole member of the new Board.

    Zbigniew Żmudzki and Vice-President Adam Ptak resigned from their functions. "I am hopeful. This might be a chance for us to heal our financial situation, get back to production and find a strategic investor", said Zbigniew Żmudzki who will continue his collaboration with Se-Ma-For as a producer.