Briarcliff Entertainment & GFM Animation Take North America On Animated Family Comedy ’10 Lives’; Zayn Malik, Bill Nighy & More Among Voice Cast

Matt Grobar
·2 min read
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EXCLUSIVE: Briarcliff Entertainment has acquired North American rights to Chris Jenkins’ animated family comedy 10 Lives, in partnership with GFM Animation. World premiering at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, the film featuring the voices of singer-songwriter Zayn Malik, Bill Nighy (Living) and more will be released wide in theaters on October 11.

The film introduces audiences to Beckett, a pampered and selfish cat who takes his life for granted until he loses his ninth life. But fate has a wild ride in store, thrusting him into a hilarious and eye-opening journey of self-realization.

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Also starring Mo Gilligan (The Lateish Show), Simone Ashley (Bridgerton), Sophie Okonedo (Slow Horses), Jeremy Swift (Ted Lasso) and Dylan Lewellyn (Derry Girls), the film is produced by Guy Collins and Sean Feeney. Briarcliff CEO Tom Ortenberg will join the executive producers.

In addition to starring, Malik acted as executive music producer on the film, writing and performing two of its original songs. Another, “See Me,” which he performs as a duet with Ashley, was co-written by Mary Steenburgen, Caitlyn Smith and Troy Verges.

In a statement to Deadline, producer Collins explained that “10 Lives is GFM Animation’s first fully homegrown animated movie and a complete team effort. We are thrilled at how, with Chris Jenkins’ direction and L’Atelier’s outstanding CG animation, we were able to deliver a truly terrific movie that kids and families worldwide can enjoy.”

He added that “when the film was selected for Sundance – one animated movie from over 4,000 movie submissions – we were determined to plant a flag for our British film, which was warmly received by both audiences and critics alike. We know we are in safe hands with Tom and his team at Briarcliff to give the film its best shot in theatres in the US, complimenting the worldwide roll out currently underway with our existing strong team of international distributors.”

Added Ortenberg, “We’re thrilled to be working with the talented team at GFM Animation and director Chris Jenkins. Crafting an animated feature designed for families is more than just creating entertainment; it’s about curating moments that resonate, spark joy, and create moviegoing memories for the whole family. Jenkins and the GFM team have done just that. Together, we’re eager to bring this incredible film to theatres this Fall.”

The agreement was set up by WME’s Victoria Romley acting as domestic representative for 10 Lives Productions, with Jessica Rose & Ortenberg for Briarcliff Entertainment, and Collins for GFM Animation.

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