Lumenas Studios is currently in development on three feature films, including The Legend of Santa Claus and the popular adaption to the Best Christmas Pageant Ever. A third animated film will be announced in the near future utilizing the studio’s ALL-MOTION™ production technique. THE LEGEND OF SANTA CLAUS One of history’s most celebrated characters is also one it’s most mysterious characters. Where was he born and how did he live? Why does he give? Drawing from history, world folklore and told with an unexpected depth, "Legend" is a trilogy that weaves the classicicons of Christmas with an epic journey that will renew the season, the image, and the legend. From within the recesses of antiquity, an ancient foretelling and the birth of a modern legend are waiting to be told. After discovering a cryptic parchment with the first whispers of this all-but forgotten account of a hero's journey, Lumenas™ scoured the most remote vaults and libraries, uncovering fragments that describe an epic battle in a vanished realm and of a struggle that spilled over into our towns. Flowing from the narrative found in these parched texts - a golden thread, the prophecy of a young boy named Nicholas, the boy who would be named a saint. The recovery of his life history illuminates the completion of the prophecy and makes extraordinary connections between his past and our present. Relive the enthralling historical events as Nicholas restores humility, generosity, peace, and love to a magic realm and our modern world. The rights to this heroic narrative, lost to the ages, have been faithfully entrusted to Lumenas™ Lumenas Animation Studios has set Colin Brady to helm "The Legend of Santa Claus," its first installment in a planned three-film series exploring the early days and mythology of the Christmas hero. Project marks a first foray into feature animation for the independent, Salt Lake City-based company, which has developed a mix of digital, stop-motion and live-action technologies for visual effects and commercial work. "Santa Claus" takes a different approach than the classic Rankin-Bass stop-motion TV special "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town," bringing greedy elves, vain snow fairies and other fantastical creatures into the 18th century tale of young Nicholas. First film is targeted for a November 2013 release, with second and third installments focusing on later chapters in Nicholas' adventures to follow in the next seven years. THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER Adapted from the award-winning and best selling children’s novel of the same name, this beloved story is enacted as a stage play in over 1000 theatres in the US annually, and has been for the last 17 years. It is considered the top performed holiday play in US history. Lumenas has secured the rights to this and all other derivative titles in perpetuity, and is currently partnering withy Walden Media (producers of Chronicles of Narnia), and Whitelight Entertainment, owned by Academy Award producer Jerry Molen (i.e. Schindler’s List, Minority Report, Jurassic Park, Hook). With the evergreen success of classic films such as “A Christmas Story”, combined with the large base of dedicated fans, this property is poised to reap significant financial gain. Facts about Pageant As a short novel it has sold over 2 million copies. It has recently been adapted as a live-action screenplay. Every year, over half a million people see it performed as a play for over 20 years It is considered the highest performing holiday play in U.S. history Publisher’s Weekly called it “One of the best Christmas Books ever” Its reading has become a holiday tradition in thousands of house holds. It delivers a funny yet powerful message enjoyed by children and adults. Walden Media looking to have 'Best Christmas' ever Purchases feature rights to Barbara Robinson favorite Walden Media is getting in the holiday spirit, acquiring feature rights to kids' tome "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" by Barbara Robinson. The story originally appeared in McCall's magazine in 1972; in book form it has sold more than 2.5 million copies domestically since its publication by HarperCollins. "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" centers on half a dozen of the "worst kids in the history of the world," who take over the town's annual Christmas pageant with no one prepared for the havoc they wreak -- nor the surprises they bring. Walden CEO Michael Bostick will oversee along with Amanda Morgan Palmer. Gerald R. Molen is exec producing. Walden is seeking a writer to adapt. Book was also adapted into a play and a TV movie in the 1980s. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com Source: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118025978?refCatId=14