AI Assisted Animated Film ‘Critterz,’ From the Writers of ‘Paddington in Peru,’ Boarded by AGC

Stuart Ford’s AGC Studios has come on board to handle worldwide sales on “Critterz,” an animated feature written by “Paddington in Peru” duo James Lamont and Jon Foster, and Tom Butterworth (“Birthday Girl,” “The Last Legion,” “Ashes to Ashes”). AGC Intl. will launch sales and screen first-look footage in Cannes.

“Critterz” is the “first mainstream commercial family feature film created with artificial intelligence integrated throughout the production pipeline,” according to AGC.

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The script is directed and produced by Nik Kleverov, co-founder of Native Foreign, with Chad Nelson, creative strategist at OpenAI, serving as a producer with Allan Niblo and James Richardson from Vertigo Films (part of Federation Studios). Pascal Breton, Lionel Uzan, Jane Moore, Ford and Aghi Koh are executive producers.

The feature is a full-length adaptation of the 2023 viral short “Critterz,” created by Nelson, which was the first to use OpenAI’s cutting-edge creative tools.

“Critterz” follows an anxious but brave little woodland creature who unites with a group of eccentric outcasts — each with their own peculiar quirks and hidden strengths — on a high-stakes quest to find her long-lost brother.

Kleverov stated, “ ‘Critterz’ will be a timeless film — a world that feels truly its own. It will carry the wonder of the ‘80s fantasy movies I grew up on — the scrappy, adventurous spirit of ‘The Goonies’ and the mythic, emotional scope of ‘The NeverEnding Story…’ combined with the scale of early ‘Star Wars.’ It’s grounded in something deeply human: a fractured world finding its way back together. At the center is a character whose greatest power isn’t force — it’s believing in herself, and her family.”

Ford added: “We are thrilled to join Vertigo and Native Foreign in bringing the much-anticipated ‘Critterz’ to the industry. This ground-breaking feature demonstrates for the first time how AI can integrate into production without replacing artistry, becoming a tool for exploration rather than substitution. Filmmakers shape the story, characters and emotions, and AI provides the brushstrokes that we believe can bring a new franchise to life for families around the world.”

Richardson added: “We’re delighted to be partnering with AGC to show the world how great artists and storytellers can utilize this incredible technology to do the only thing that really matters – make a great movie. ‘Critterz’ is a beautiful, heartwarming and thrilling tale and Nik, Chad, the writers and the creative team have created something truly unique with the scale and ambition to wow, warm the hearts and put smiles on the faces of family audiences worldwide.”