Momentum Pictures has taken U.S. rights to family entertainment movie “Oddball,” which is being sold at the Toronto Film Festival by Global Screen. The final Australian theatrical box office for Oddball hit $11 million in December 2015 <from a $7 million budget> and went on to be the top-grossing Australian Family Film of 2015 for distributor Village Roadshow.

The film has also been acquired by Snap for free-TV, pay-TV and VOD rights in Latin America, Trade Media for France, Just4Kids for Benelux, Lusomundo for Portugal, Champ Lis for China, and Suraya for Malaysia.

Previously announced deals include sales to Icon for U.K. and Ireland, Mongrel Media for Canada, Microcinema for Italy, Kino Swiat for Poland, Gulf Film for Middle East, Fivia for Ex-Yugoslavia, Albania and Slovenia, Medyavizyon for Cyprus and Turkey, Star Films for Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia (theatrical rights), and Globo for Brazil (TV and VOD rights).

“Oddball” stars up-and-coming Australian star Shane Jacobson (“Kenny”), Sarah Snook (“The Dressmaker,” “Steve Jobs,” “Predestination”) and Alan Tudyk (“Frozen,” “I, Robot”) in the lead roles, and tells the true story of an eccentric chicken farmer who, with the help of his granddaughter, trains his mischievous dog Oddball to protect a penguin sanctuary from fox attacks, while also trying to reunite his family and save their seaside town.

The film opened TIFF Kids Film Festival in April, and has screened at more than 40 film festivals.

“Our buyers simply cannot keep from the irresistible charm of ‘Oddball,’ clearly demonstrated by the ever-growing momentum of sales on the film,” Julia Weber, head of theatrical, said in a statement.

“Oddball” is produced by WTFN/The Film Company, Practical Pictures and Kmunications, in co-production with Screen Australia and Fox International Channels, in association with Film Victoria.

Leo Barraclough – Variety + Wikipedia – September 12, 2016