On Angel Wings, a spectacular family animation based on Michael Morpurgo’s picture book, has been selected to premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on Sunday, 19 October.
The half hour special captures the Christmas story from the viewpoint of an adventurous young shepherd boy who is taken on a secret, enchanted night-flight to witness the Christmas miracle.
From the Director of Father Christmas and War Game, Dave Unwin and the team at Illuminated Films (The Very Hungry Caterpillar, War Game, Little Princess), open up this magical tale for audiences of all ages and creeds.
Michael Morpurgo, who is executive producer, said in a statement: “Here is a film that will warm the hearts of all of us, young and old alike, this Christmas and every Christmas to come. Here is perhaps the greatest story of peace and goodwill and hope ever told. But it has never been told like this. Here is the story of Christmas, as you never imagined it, with wings, angel wings!”
Starring the voices of Dominic Cooper (The History Boys, Captain America, Dracula Untold), Sir Michael Gambon (Harry Potter, The King’s Speech, Paddington) and Juliet Stevenson (Mona Lisa Smile, Truly Madly Deeply, Bend It Like Beckham), On Angel Wings captures the Christmas nativity story. The music has been specially composed by Julian Nott (Wallace and Gromit, Peppa Pig, Lark Rise to Candleford).
Producer Iain Harvey also added: “Working with Michael Morpurgo has been a special treat as he is such a marvellous storyteller and a thoughtful and trusting colleague. The beauty of On Angel Wings is the simple strength of the story and its faith in the human race, despite all our faults.”
On Angel Wings will have its first public screening in the Animated Shorts for Younger Audiences category at the BFI London Film Festival on 19 October. It is being distributed by Kaleidoscope Film Distribution worldwide. The film is financed by Jerusalem Productions, Illuminated Films and Kaleidoscope Film Distribution.
The BBC is due to schedule On Angel Wings this Christmas.