Studio 100 and Lunch Films to develop Halloween vs Day of the Dead

This new 2D/CG-animated feature explores the traditions of both holidays and sees kids from two feuding towns team up to put a stop to a long-running rivalry.

Munich-based Studio 100 International announces its collaboration with independent Mexican animation studio Lunch Films to develop the enchanting new animated family feature, Halloween vs Day of the Dead. Blending 2D and 3D techniques, the project is created by Lunch Films founder Celso Garcia, and tells a family-friendly tale about a schism between the Halloween and Día de Muertos holidays.

Lunch CEO and founder Celso Garcia (The Thin Yellow Line, My Best Friend’s Wedding) will direct this 2D/CG-animated pic, which is his studio’s first kids project. It sees the two spooky holidays and their traditions face off against each other in a steampunk-inspired world. Veteran animated film producer Gerry Cardoso (Americano, K9 World Cup) is also on board as a production director.

Set in a steampunk world and delving deeply into the traditions of both holidays, the story centers on the rivalry between the towns of Halloween Ville and Day of the Dead Town. This centuries-old rift can only be solved by the most innocent of their residents: the children. Pumpkid, a boy from Halloween Ville and Bony Lu, a girl from Day of the Dead Town, team up and enlist the help of their friends on an incredible journey that will reunite their feuding towns and peoples. Full of magic and humor, the story is anchored on themes of friendship, family and self-discovery.

At the heart of Halloween vs Day of the Dead are close friends Pumpkid and Bony Lu, who live close to each other in the feuding towns of Halloween Ville and Day of the Dead Town. They set out on a mission to discover why their towns broke off relations hundreds of years ago, with the hopes of mending fences and reuniting them.

“We are excited to embark on this creative journey with Lunch Films, blending our shared passion for storytelling to bring Halloween vs Day of the Dead to life,” said Thorsten Wegener, Director of Business Operations of Studio 100 International. “Bringing together the strengths of both studios, this project combines vibrant animation with a heartfelt story that will resonate with family audiences worldwide, offering a visually stunning and emotionally engaging experience that celebrates cultural diversity and the power of friendship.”

Garcia added, “This partnership with Studio 100 International, one of the most visionary and leading animation studios today and bringing to life our beloved story ‘Halloween vs Day of the Dead’ makes us extremely proud. The film will be a respectful and luminous tribute to both celebrations and their cultures. The tale of these two children, born into rivaling villages yet striving to reunite their divided communities, is universal and timeless and more relevant than ever. We aim to craft a beautiful journey of friendship, courage and hope, all seen through the eyes of these children.”

In addition to founding Lunch Film, Garcia is a notable director and filmmaker whose works include The Thin Yellow Line, produced by Guillermo del Toro; Origins: The Journey of Humankind for National Geographic and Legendary Pictures; the Mexican remake of My Best Friend’s Wedding, for Sony Pictures International; and The Great Seduction, a comedy for Netflix. Garcia is represented by The Gotham Group.