Canadian film company Copperheart Entertainment is set to initiate financing for its animated adaptation of André Alexis’ acclaimed novel, Fifteen Dogs, during the inaugural Animation Days at the European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin. The event will take place from February 12 to 14, 2024, and is part of the broader Berlinale market, featuring a variety of project showcases, pitching sessions, and networking opportunities.
Creative Vision Behind ‘Fifteen Dogs’
The project marks a significant shift for Copperheart, which recently found success with the animated family feature Night of the Zoopocalypse in 2025. This new venture aims to appeal to an older audience, focusing on prestige animated storytelling. Chris Landreth, the Oscar-winning director known for his innovative approach to animation, will helm the project, marking his feature-length directorial debut following his acclaimed short films.
In Fifteen Dogs, the narrative begins with a conversation between the Greek gods Hermes and Apollo in a Toronto bar. They wager whether animals would experience greater happiness if endowed with human intelligence and language. The gods grant a group of dogs these abilities, leading the canines to confront complex themes of time, love, power, and mortality. As their instincts clash with newfound awareness, the once-unified pack splinters, exploring various paths of existence that include domination, creativity, faith, and love.
The emotional core of the story is encapsulated in the journey of Majnoun, a black poodle. His experiences reveal the novel’s profound truth: that life’s meaning transcends intelligence, resting instead on love, belonging, and the inevitability of death.
Collaboration and Production Plans
Co-written by Steven Hoban, who also co-wrote Night of the Zoopocalypse, the screenplay reflects the ambitious nature of the adaptation. Landreth aims to incorporate his unique style, described as “psychorealism,” which employs computer-generated imagery to visually articulate characters’ emotional and psychological states.
“From the moment we read André Alexis’s masterpiece, we felt it demanded a cinematic treatment that was as bold, strange, and emotionally truthful as the book itself,” said Hoban. “This project challenges me creatively in the best possible way, and I believe it has the potential to resonate powerfully with audiences around the world,” added Landreth.
Production will be in collaboration with Montreal-based L’Atelier Animation, known for its work on Night of the Zoopocalypse and 10 Lives. Currently, the project is in its design phase and is being developed with support from Telefilm Canada and Ontario Creates.
As financing begins, Copperheart Entertainment is poised to introduce Fifteen Dogs to international partners, aiming to redefine the landscape of adult-oriented animated films. This ambitious adaptation promises not only to captivate audiences but to challenge them to reflect on fundamental aspects of the human experience.
