EXCLUSIVE: Capelight Pictures said Tuesday that it is partnering with Blue Fox Entertainment to present Fantefilm’s Norwegian family Christmas feature Teddy’s Christmas in U.S. theaters nationwide on December 1, 2023.

The film stars Zachary Levi (Shazam!) as the voice of the animated title character, Teddy, in the English-dubbed version of Andrea Eckerbom‘s hit Norwegian CGI-live action hybrid. Marte Klerck-Nilssen, Jan Gunnar Røise (The Thing), Nader Khademi (Countrymen) and Mariann Hole (Made in Oslo) also are in the voice cast.

The holiday story, which centers on an 8-year-old girl who pursues an adventurous living teddy bear, mixes live-action and CGI animation. While visiting a Christmas market, Mariann suddenly sees an unbelievable sight: on the top shelf of a carnival game booth, the most adorable stuffed teddy bear has just moved his head and sneezed. Feeling an instant connection, Mariann can’t think of any better Christmas wish than to win him as a prize. But when someone else wins Teddy, it’s up to Teddy and his new hedgehog friend Bolla to reconnect with Mariann and discover the true importance of family and friendship.

“This is the kind of magical family holiday film that warms the hearts of young and old, and we are thrilled to bring it to American audiences, who we know are going to love Zachary Levi as Teddy,” said Capelight Pictures SVP North American Distribution Drew Goldblatt.

Teddy’s Christmas (Teddybjørnens Jul) is based on Alf Prøysen’s song ‘Teddybjørnens Vise,’ written for the screen by Harald Rosenløw Eeg and Lars Gudmestad. The film is part of a Christmas trilogy inspired by the work of the beloved Norwegian author, poet, playwright, songwriter and musician. The first was Santa Swap Merry Christmas Mr Andersen (2016) directed by Terge Rangnes, followed by 2019’s Forgotten Christmas (2019), also directed by Eckerbom.

The film was produced by Thea Benedikte and Kevin Karlsen for Fantefilm.

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