French animated family drama ‘Iron Boy’ has been picked up by Sony Pictures Classics, securing all rights across North and Latin America, India, and Southeast Asian TV.
Created by Louis Clichy, animated Iron Boy premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at this year’s Cannes festival.
Iron Boy, Clichy’s first as a solo director which a hand-painted French film. He co-wrote the film with Franck Salomé and animation by Chloë Aubert
Before Iron Boy, Louis Clichy spent years working in 3D animation, contributing to Pixar on films like WALL-E and Up.
The story follows 10-year-old Christophe, who has balance issues and navigates life in an orthopedic brace while his struggling family farm faces modernization. Torn between independence and repairing his strained relationship with his distant father, he must decide what kind of future he wants.
The voice cast includes debut performers Gary Clichy and Aurélie Vassort, alongside Rod Paradot (Standing Tall), Brune Moulin (The Last Spring), Dimitri Colas (Dream of a Shadow), Alexandre Astier (Kaamelott), and Jean-Pascal Zadi (Simply Black).
Produced by Céline Vanlint and Nicolas de Rosanbo (Eddy Cinéma), co‑produced by Fabrice Delville and Christophe Toulemonde (Beside Production), Agathe Sofer and Alexandre Astier (Regular Production), with France 3 Cinéma, Auvergne‑Rhône‑Alpes Cinéma, and RTBF. Sales handled by Playtime.
Sales handled by Playtime, whose co‑CEO, Nicolas Brigaud‑Robert, said, “Coming into Cannes, we knew the film would be well received, but its success exceeded even our expectations both in terms of sales and reviews from the international press. It feels only natural that Iron Boy has found a home in the US with SPC. Over the years, we built a strong working relationship with [Sony Pictures Classics co-presidents] Tom [Bernard], Michael [Barker], and [executive vice president of acquisitions] Dylan [Leiner]. They are not only exceptional distributors, admittedly among the very best in the industry, but also people of great sensitivity and taste. They will take this film very far.”
