Epsilon Film is positioning Momo as a premium family adventure with serious pedigree—Michael Ende's source material has timeless appeal, and the all-star cast including Emmy winner Martin Freeman signals this isn't your typical children's fare. Signature Entertainment's vote of confidence with a summer 2026 theatrical release in U.K. and Ireland suggests real box office ambitions.
Sources close to Cannes market watchers tell me the territorial scramble for Momo reveals how hungry distributors are for proven IP with name recognition. Michael Ende's catalog is basically gold in European markets, but one insider notes the cast—particularly Kim Bodnia (of 'The Killing' fame) and Laura Haddock—may be doing more heavy lifting than expected to move this package internationally.
Signature Entertainment locked down U.K. and Ireland rights with a planned summer 2026 theatrical release date confirmed by Variety on May 16, 2026. The film has now closed deals across nine territories: North America (Blue Fox), Slovakia/Czech Republic (Media Group), Denmark/Norway (Another World Entertainment), Middle East (Selim Ramia & Co.), Italy (Minerva Pictures), Hungary (Mozinet), former Yugoslavia (Investacommerce), plus worldwide inflight rights (Ricochet Digital Media).
With nine international territories now locked and a star-studded cast led by Freeman and Bang, Momo is shaping up to be the kind of prestige family film that could quietly dominate European box offices—and give Epsilon Film serious credibility as a player in global distribution.
Epsilon Film has closed a wave of international deals on "Momo," the live-action adaptation of Michael Ende's beloved novel, at Cannes this week. The company announced sales to Signature Entertainment for U.K. and Ireland rights (with a planned summer 2026 theatrical release), Minerva Pictures for Italy, Mozinet for Hungary, and Investacommerce for former Yugoslavia territories. This latest batch of acquisitions adds significant European muscle to a distribution roster that already includes North America (Blue Fox Entertainment), the Middle East (Selim Ramia & Co.), and Scandinavia through Another World Entertainment.
The film stars Martin Freeman—best known for "The Hobbit" trilogy, "Sherlock," and "Black Panther"—in what looks like a characteristically nuanced turn. The Emmy and BAFTA winner joins Claes Bang ("The Square," "Dracula," "The Northman") in a cast that also features Kim Bodnia, Laura Haddock, Alexa Goodall, Araloyin Oshunremi, and Jennifer Amaka Pettersson. Directed by Christian Ditter ("Love, Rosie," "How to Be Single"), the project carries serious production weight through German powerhouses Rat Pack Filmproduktion and Constantin Film, with additional collaboration from Westside, Beta Film, Noisemaker, and Pakt Media.
Based on Ende's 1973 novel—the same author behind "The NeverEnding Story"—the plot centers on orphan Momo as she battles the sinister Men in Grey, time-thieving villains quietly hijacking her city. It's a story with built-in global recognition, particularly in European markets where Ende's work has maintained cult status for decades. That brand recognition likely explains why Epsilon moved so aggressively to lock territories across multiple regions before competitors could make plays.
Since its founding two years ago, Epsilon Film has been quietly building a slate heavy on family and animated content, including "Dreamers – The Hunt for Shadowclaw," "The Amazing Maurice 2," "Nessie Junior," and the live-action "School of Magical Animals" adaptations—Germany's biggest box-office hit of the past five years. Landing a star-driven project like Momo represents a strategic pivot toward higher-profile material, one that signals Epsilon is ready to compete with established distributors on the international stage. The film will now need to prove it can deliver at the box office when it hits U.K. theaters next summer—a key test market for gauging whether Ende's literary legacy translates into commercial success with modern audiences.
