Crunchyroll, Goodfellas Board Xilam’s Star-Studded ‘The Wolf’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Ahead of what is turning out as a must-attend Work in Progress session at the Annecy Animation Film Festival, Academy Award-nominated French animation powerhouse Xilam Films has shared major updates on its upcoming adult-targeted psychological thriller “The Wolf,” confirming as well that the film is greenlit, starting production soon with an expected April 2027 delivery.
An animated feature adaptation of the eponymous graphic novel from best-selling author Jean-Marc Rochette (‘Snowpiercer’), the feature is co-written and directed by Benjamin Massoubre and Fursy Tessier, who previously collaborated on Xilam’s 2020 Academy Award-nominated feature “I Lost My Body”, with Sabine Dabadie also serving as co-writer.
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Produced by French animation veteran Marc du Pontavice, and co-produced by Lilian Eche for Bidibul Productions (Luxemburg), “The Wolf” has been picked up by Goodfellas for international sales and ARP for theatrical distribution in France. Additionally, the international platform Crunchyroll has pre-bought worldwide SVOD rights (excluding China and Japan), marking a significant first step towards European author-driven animation for the streamer, beyond French-produced anime and international co-productions.
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Ahead of Annecy, Xilam also unveiled the feature’s voice cast, led by the César Award winner Roschdy Zem (“Days of Glory,” “Chocolat”) alongside Cannes Film Festival 2026 shared ‘Best Actress’ winner Virginie Efira (“All of A Sudden,” “Elle”).
Set in the heart of the Alps, “The Wolf” follows Gaspard (Roschdy Zem), a hardened shepherd who is haunted by the loss of his son and leads a solitary life with his flock. When a wandering wolf threatens his fragile peace and slaughters his flock, Gaspard, blinded by rage, embarks on a perilous quest for vengeance — one that will lead him to the farthest reaches of his sorrow and guilt.
“Jean-Marc Rochette’s ‘The Wolf’ offers a rare combination of dramatic force with remarkable thematic depth,” says Marc du Pontavice, founder, and CEO at Xilam. A complexity that suits the co-directors duo perfectly, according to the veteran producer. “Since working together on ‘I Lost My Body,’ I’ve been continually impressed by Benjamin Massoubre and Fursy Tessier’s masterful storytelling and bold creative vision – now with ‘The Wolf,’ they’re crafting a gripping cinematic experience, while using groundbreaking techniques to blur the boundaries between animation and live-action.”
Beyond this announcement, 2026 is a definite watershed moment for Xilam Films. The studio, founded in 1999, is heading to Annecy with a wave of activity across its features and series slate, with Cannes sweetheart title “Lucy Lost” (which is part of the Official Competition in Annecy), the Disney+ series “The Doomies,” and the French premiere of its original 2D animated series “Submarine Jim”.
“Annecy 2026 will mark a historic milestone for Xilam as we introduce an unprecedented slate of varied and ambitious mix of projects at Annecy,” underlines du Pontavice. “We’re thrilled to be showcasing our work across all areas of the festival’s program and highlighting our creative strength and resilience during a time of continued industry-wide challenges. This breakthrough across both our film and TV pipelines is testament to our commitment to creating and supporting striking and original content.”
“Lucy Lost” is co-written and directed by Olivier Clert (“Klaus,” “Little Prince”), and is co-written with Helen Blakeman (“Dustbin Baby”, “Hetty Feather”). The feature was produced at Xilam’s animation studio, with Goodfellas handling international sales. French broadcasters Canal+ and Ciné+ OCS previously acquired pay-TV rights, while Le Pacte is set to bring the film in French theaters on October 28.
Following a successful work in progress session in 2024, supernatural horror comedy series “The Doomies” will screen in the TV Films category. Produced by Xilam in association with Disney Television Animation, the series is created by Rémi Zaarour, Andrès Fernandez, Henry Gifford and directed by Andrès Fernandez. Disney+ premieres the show during the Annecy festival on June 26, with 22 half-hour episodes, along with a new short-form, four-episode spin-off series.
Rounding out Xilam’s TV activity, original 2D series “Submarine Jim” is premiering in France on June 24, with the first 26 episodes launching on Okoo, France Télévisions’ platform for kids. The series launched this year in the U.K. and Ireland on CBBC and iPlayer, in Switzerland on RTS and on Cartoon Network in Latin America and Southeast Asia. Upcoming launches also includes Super RTL in Germany, which commissioned the series with France Télévision, RTBF and VRT (Belgium), NPO (Netherlands), YLE (Finland), NRK (Norway) and more.
A major player in the French animation industry, Xilam employs more than 400 individuals across its studios in Paris, Angoulême in France and Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam. According to the company, Xilam was ranked France’s leading animation studio for the 2018-2023 period in a report by the French National Center for Cinema and Animation (CNC).
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
