MUMBAI: Crest Animation Studios and its wholly owned US subsidiary RichCrest Animation are getting into an end-to-end production deal valued at around $2 million for an international 3D direct-to-video feature film.

RichCrest has partnered with Mainframe Entertainment (ME) and Lions Gate to create Arthur's Missing Pal, a film based on the character created by best-selling author Marc Brown. The animation work will be done by Crest Animation Studios in India while RichCrest will be engaged in pre and post production activities.

"It is a very important project for us as we are involved in the end-to-end production process along with our subsidiary RichCrest. Though this is a work-for-hire project, it will be a step towards bigger film ventures. The deal is worth around $2 million," Crest Animation chief financial officer Vinayak Purohit tells Indiantelevision.com.

Mainframe Entertainment will co-produce the film. It has also acquired international distribution rights for the all-new CG animated direct-to-video film.

IDT Entertainment Sales (IDTeS) will sell international distribution rights for the film on behalf of Mainframe.

RichCrest Animation will produce the film with Mainframe, along with Marc Brown Studios and WGBH Boston. The film will mark the first time that the beloved aardvark will come to life in 3D CG animation. IDTeS will handle international distribution for Mainframe and will launch the property at Mipcom. Lions Gate Family Entertainment will handle US distribution, with a scheduled delivery of spring 2006.

"The opportunity to be working with such high profile names from the mainstream entertainment Industry is a privilege. This falls perfectly in line with Crest's laid down objective of associating with the best names in the global entertainment industry while moving up the value chain from delivering to television series to Direct to Home Feature, Gaming and Features," said Crest Animation Studios chief executive officer A K Madhavan.