Sales agency Unified media has secured its first distribution deals for the CGI-animated film Monster Mia, which has a production budget of €9 million ($10.4 million), in preparation for next month's American Film Market in Los Angeles.
The film has already attracted buyers in several territories, including Poland (New Horizons), Greece (Tanweer), Bulgaria (Pro Films), Mongolia (Filmbridge) and the former Yugoslavia (Karantanija Cinemas).
In Germany, Plaion Pictures is planning a theatrical release for the Halloween season in October 2026.
Monster Mia is set in the seemingly perfect town of Primrose. It tells the story of Mia and her scruffy pet rat, Quentin. After being expelled from school, Mia is sent to the mysterious Rotwood Academy, a place that immediately gives her goosebumps as she is the only human in a class full of monsters.
With Principal Van Vlad harboring a deep dislike for humans, Mia must join forces with her monstrous classmates to stop his plans—before it's too late.
The production is led by Austrian animation studio Arx Anima in collaboration with German companies Arx Anima MD and Peng! Boom! Chuck! – Films and the Spanish company Arxlight Pictures. Arx Anima's recent credits include collaborations on the animated films Bunny Academy, Super Elfkins and the hit TV series Talking Tom & Friends (seasons 1-3), which has amassed over 17.5 billion views across multiple platforms.
MARK 13, animation studio Peng! Boom! Chuck! – Films, brings twenty years of industry experience to the project and is known for her work on the films Viking Vic and the Magic Sword and Maya the Bee.
Spanish producer Nicolas Matji of Arxlight Pictures adds even more weight to the team with the Tadeo and Capture the Flag franchises.
“When we first read the script for the charismatic Mia the Monster, we were immediately captivated by the story,” said producer Dunja Biernacki, Managing Director of Arx Anima. “It offers an abundance of humor and entertainment, both in terms of the characters and the setting – a school of monsters – but also conveys the emotional depth of an important message. Themes of self-acceptance, discovering your true potential, the power of friendship and embracing the unknown are all wrapped up in a quirky, adventurous comedy. What's not to love?”
Solveig Langeland, managing director of Sola Media, added: “Monster Mia combines high-quality visuals with a sensitively crafted narrative that combines humor with meaningful values such as confidence and positivity. It's a cool, spooky adventure, perfect for Halloween, in a fun, family-friendly way that's both entertaining and educational for all ages.”
