Maya the Bee Movie, the 3D animated feature adapted from the ABC TV series, will get a wide cinema release in Australia.
Buzz Studios is launching the film on November 1 at Hoyts cinemas and other screens to be confirmed.
The Australian-German co-production comes from Buzz Studios’ related company Flying Bark Productions and the latter’s German parent Studio 100 Media. It’s Buzz Studios’ first theatrical release.
Written by Fin Edquist and directed by Alexs Stadermann, Maya The Bee Movie introduces Coco Jack Gillies as Maya and features the vocal talents of Jacki Weaver, Richard Roxburgh, Noah Taylor, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Justine Clarke, Miriam Margolyes and the Umbilical Brothers Shane Dundas and David Collins.
The plot follows Maya’s desire to escape her heavily regimented existence and experience the freedom to explore outside the rules of her hive. Her attempts to fit in and “be a bee” bring her into conflict with the Queen’s Royal advisor (Weaver). With her best friend Willi (Smit-McPhee) tagging along, Maya buzzes out of the hive and into the meadow on an adventure of self-discovery.
Produced by Barbara Stephen and executive produced by Jim Ballantine, the film was backed by Screen Australia and Screen NSW. International sales are being handled by Studio 100.
The Maya the Bee TV series was first produced in the 1970s, based on the 1912 children’s book by Waldemar Bonsels.