EXCLUSIVE: Academy Award-winning filmmaker Chris Landreth, together with Steven Hoban, the founder of Copperheart Entertainment, is set to initiate funding for Fifteen Dogs, an animated film based on André Alexis’ novel of the same name. This project will be introduced during the first Animation Days at the European Film Market in February.
The animated feature is among the initial projects to be showcased at the EFM’s newly introduced animation section. This event is scheduled from February 12 to 14 as part of the Berlinale market. It will feature a variety of activities including project showcases, pitching sessions, as well as discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Copperheart Entertainment, a Canadian film and TV production company, has recently acquired the rights to Alexis’ acclaimed novel. The story revolves around a pack of dogs who receive the powers of human thought and speech due to a bet between two Greek gods.
Landreth and Hoban are currently in the preliminary phase of crafting an animated movie aimed at adults, which delves into the essence of human consciousness.
Following their 2025 success with the animated family movie Night of the Zoopocalypse, Copperheart Entertainment is now venturing into a new territory with Fifteen Dogs, focusing on sophisticated, dramatic animations designed for teen and adult viewers.
The plot of the original book begins with a dialogue between Hermes and Apollo in a Toronto bar, pondering whether animals would lead happier lives if they possessed human-like cognitive and linguistic abilities.
To test their theory, they endow a group of ordinary dogs with these capabilities. As the dogs become suddenly conscious of concepts such as time, love, power, and mortality, they find it challenging to cope in a world that transcends mere instincts. This leads to a division within their pack as they adopt different philosophies on life, ranging from dominance and art to faith, manipulation, and love.
Central to the narrative is Majnoun, a black poodle whose emotional evolution underscores a profound truth: intelligence alone does not enrich life; rather, it is love, a sense of belonging, and the acceptance of life’s finite nature that imbue it with meaning.
Hoban, who also co-wrote Night of the Zoopocalypse, is penning the screenplay for this project.
Landreth, an acclaimed animation director and producer known for his Oscar-winning short Ryan and the Oscar-nominated The End, will direct the film. This marks his first venture into feature-length directing. He intends to employ his unique “psychorealism” style, where CG imagery vividly represents the characters’ internal emotional and psychological states.
Hoban expressed his enthusiasm for the project, noting, “Upon our first reading of André Alexis’s brilliant novel, we knew it required a film adaptation that matched its boldness and emotional depth. Chris’s distinctive blend of psychological insight, humanity, and visual creativity is perfect for this venture. As we move into the financing phase, we are eager to partner with international collaborators who are passionate about groundbreaking, mature animation.”
Landreth and Hoban have previously worked together on Ryan and have collaborated on several of Landreth’s celebrated animated shorts.
Landreth shared his creative vision, stating, “Ultimately, Fifteen Dogs is a profoundly human tale about mortality, love, curiosity, and the inherent fear that accompanies such curiosity. Animation uniquely allows us to explore these themes in a fluid manner, shifting between realism and abstraction to convey complex ideas in an impactful way. This project challenges me creatively and has great potential to connect with global audiences.”
The film is being produced by Hoban and Mark Smith, known for their work on Night of the Zoopocalypse, In the Tall Grass, and A Christmas Horror Story.
The animation production is set to take place at L’Atelier Animation in Montreal, known for their work on Night of the Zoopocalypse and 10 Lives. The project is currently in the design phase and is supported by Telefilm Canada and Ontario Creates.
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