US comedian and actor Leslie Jones leads a voice cast that also includes Remy Hii, Teo Vergara, and Olivia Vásquez for the new animated feature currently in production from Queensland’s Like A Photon Creative.
Part of the Tales from Sanctuary City multiverse, The Sloth Lane follows the story of Laura (Teo Vergara), a speedy 12-year-old sloth, who along with her wonderfully odd sloth family, is left devastated when a storm destroys their family restaurant and the only home they’ve ever known.
Forced to pack up what little is left of their belongings and jump into their rickety old food truck, the family heads to Sanctuary City.
Armed with their family recipes that have been perfected for generations, their food truck becomes a huge success, which doesn’t go unnoticed by entrepreneur and snappy dresser, Dotti Pace (Jones). After being deceived into giving up their secret recipes, the tight-knit family of sloths must defy the odds and find a way to get their beloved recipe book back.
Vásquez will contribute the voice of Laura’s mother Gabby, while Hii is technician Platy the Platypus. The cast also includes Facundo Herrera as the ‘most sloth’ of family, Mani, and Matteo Romaniuk as optimistic short-beaked kiwi Arlo.
Ricard Cussó and Tania Vincent, the duo behind upcoming animated releases Scarygirl and Combat Wombat: Back to Back, are directing the feature, which is being produced by Kristen Souvlis, Nadine Bates and Ryan Greaves. Screen Queensland is supporting the production via its PDV incentive, while the project is backed by financier Alceon Entertainment.
Sola Media is distributing, having acquired international distribution rights for the next three animated feature films in the Sanctuary City franchise. The company will present the first materials to international buyers next week at the American Film Market.
“We have been very much looking forward to meeting the adorable family of sloths,” Sola Media managing director Solveig Langeland said.
“Their journey to the fast-paced world of Sanctuary City with their slow food truck entertains with humour, emotions, and a timely message. We are expecting international buyers to move fast on our slow sloths.”