Animated feature ‘The Last Dodo’ to premiere at American Film Market

Animated family adventure The Last Dodo is set to mark its official world premiere at this year’s American Film Market (AFM).

Written by Simon and Tristan Dodd and directed by Jun Falkenstein (The Tigger Movie), The Last Dodo follows the action-packed and humorous adventures of Dave and his best friend Eggy who encounter a host of colourful characters on the streets of London, where Dave’s unshakable optimism turns danger into friendship, until the taxidermists close in and his friends must come to his rescue. The film also carries a deeper message: with resilience, hope, and self-belief, overcoming even the biggest challenges is possible, and can literally make you fly.

The CGI-animated feature is presented by Studio 100 Film and co-produced by Australia’s Cheeky Little Media (Kangaroo Beach, Vegesaurs, and Kazoops) and Cantilever Media (The Amazing Maurice). The co-production is led by Patrick Egerton, Andrew Baker, and Carys Rowan bringing together creative talent from Australia, the UK, and India.

The story promises magical 17th-century settings, eccentric characters, and a balance of slapstick humour and emotional depth.

“What excites me most about this project is how it reimagines the dodo – not as a relic of extinction, but as the beating heart of a hilarious buddy story. Unpredictable, funny, and full of character, it carries a message between the laughs. Full of humor, heart, and a duo nobody saw coming, this film will win audiences over,” said Studio 100 Film senior manager sales & acquisition Lorena Booth.

“The dodo is such a talismanic creature in our collective imagination. Whether it’s tragedy, comedy, or a bit of both, the dodo always resonates and makes us feel something. That’s what we’ve distilled into Dave, a lead character you will love spending time with on this super funny and heart-stopping adventure for the whole family,” said Cheeky Little Media chief content officer Patrick Egerton.

The Last Dodo has a planned running time of 85 minutes, is currently in financing and development, and set for delivery in 2027. Studio 100 Film will introduce the film to buyers and industry professionals at AFM 2025.