Press release August 4, 2005
For immediate release

Pelicanman sold to several Eastern European countries

The internationally acclaimed family film Pelicanman (Pelikaanimies, 2004), directed by Liisa Helminen, has recently been sold to several Eastern European countries.
The Estonian company Tallinfilm, and MCF operating in the area of Former Yugoslavia, have purchased all rights, and in these countries the film will start with a theatrical release.
Eastern Europe TV-rights have been sold to Slovenia´s RTV, and to HBO which operates in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Poland,Romania, Slovak and Former Yugoslavia.
Pelicanman premiered in Finland already December 17, 2004 but it´s still running in theatres. So far the audience figure is 114.365. The DVD version has also been recently released in Finland.
The pelican man speaks several languages around the world: in Sweden it has been released dubbed in Swedish and in Brazil it tours the festivals dubbed in Portuguese. The Dutch distributor A-film, that purchased the rights for Benelux countries last spring, is dubbing it in Dutch. Pelicanman´s rights were sold in spring also to the Japanese Only Hearts.
Pelicanman has also been awarded at festivals. In June it was double awarded at Zlin 2005 – 45th International Film Festival for Children and Youth in Czech Republic: festival audience voted it to be the best feature film of the festival and international children´s jury awarded it as the best feature film for children. In April-May, the jury of Kristiansand International Children´s Film Festival gave Pelicanman a Special Mention.
Pelicanman has been produced by Hanna Hemilä/ Lumifilm Oy. The Swedish co-producer is Anita Oxburgh / Migma Film. The main cast includes Kari Ketonen, Roni Haarakangasand Inka Nuorgam. Distributor in Finlandand Sweden: Buena Vista International. International sales: NonStop Sales.

More information:
Producer Hanna Hemilä, +358 400 512 205, hemila@lumifilm.fi
Outi Gaib, +358 40 5139957, lumifilm@lumifilm.fi
www.lumifilm.fi
www.pelikaanimies.fi
Satu Elo, The Finnish Film Foundation, +358 9 6220 3020, satu.elo@ses.fi