German Animated Feature 'The Unicorn That Said No' Secures Global Distribution Ahead of AFM Debut

The Playmaker Munich has finalized international distribution deals for the animated feature 'The Unicorn That Said No' before its market premiere at the American Film Market in Los Angeles. The film, adapted from a best-selling German book, has attracted buyers across Europe and the Middle East, signaling strong commercial interest in the project prior to its first public screening.

Sales agents have secured rights for ten distinct territories. Unlimited Media will handle distribution in the Baltic states, while WWE Rights has acquired the Benelux region. France is covered by KMBO, and the Middle East market has been assigned to Grand Entertainment for Motion Pictures. M2 Films holds the rights for Poland, and Idea Film has secured Romania. Another World Entertainment covers Scandinavia, Pack Magic is responsible for Spain, and Orjinlab has taken Turkey.

In Germany, Warner Bros. Film Productions Germany will distribute the film. The company plans a theatrical release on Jan. 1, 2027. The market premiere is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 at AMC Century City in Los Angeles. During the market, The Playmaker Munich team will be based at the Fairmont Century Plaza.

The story is based on 'Das Neinhorn' by Marc-Uwe Kling and Astrid Henn. The source material has been translated into more than 25 languages. The plot centers on a unicorn who leaves his idyllic family to find new friends and rescue the king's daughter from a tower. Kling shares directing duties with Johannes Weiland and Studio Soi. Kling also wrote the screenplay with Marcus Sauermann and voices the lead character in the German version. The voice cast includes Nora Tschirner, Torsten Sträter, and Karoline Herfurth.

Production was led by X Filme Creative Pool and Studio Soi in co-production with Warner Bros. Film Productions Germany. Producers Uwe Schott, Nicole Kellerhals, and Carsten Bunte oversaw the project, with co-producers Steffen Schier, Margret Mackuth, and Julia Hayungs. Felix Raffel composed the score, and Dota Kehr wrote the main song. Funding support came from MFG, MDM, BKM, FFA, and Kuratorium Junger Deutscher Film.

Sylvia Edelmann, head of sales at The Playmaker, commented on the early sales momentum. She stated, "It's wonderful to see so many territories on board before the film has even screened. The book is a hit with readers of all ages around the world, and we can't wait to bring this sweet, grumpy unicorn to even more audiences at AFM."