Green Gold and Red Kite Join Forces for Animated Film ‘The Assassin’

Green Gold Animation has announced a significant collaboration with UK-based Red Kite Animation for an animated feature titled ‘The Assassin’. The partnership was unveiled at the Goa Film Festival and Co-Production Market, marking an important milestone in Green Gold’s strategy to enhance its global presence and reflect India’s growing role in high-quality, director-led animation.

For over a decade, Green Gold has focused on original storytelling and quality animation from India. With ‘The Assassin’, the studio embarks on a new journey into adult-oriented animated cinema. The film is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Martyn Pick, known for his unique visual style that merges painterly imagery and innovative filmmaking techniques. He is collaborating with script editor Martha MacDiarmid to develop the screenplay, while Green Gold’s design teams in Hyderabad are crafting the film’s visual identity.

A Story of Transformation and Rebellion

Set in a tense near-future metropolis, ‘The Assassin’ follows a young man whose life unravels following a catastrophic industrial accident. As corporate powers tighten their grip on the city, his quest for justice leads him into a perilous transformation that intertwines themes of rebellion, survival, and vengeance. The film’s graphic-novel aesthetic and emotionally charged narrative aim to resonate with audiences globally, moving beyond traditional family-oriented animation.

The project is being developed under the India-UK Audio-Visual Co-Production Treaty, with both studios acting as equal partners in financing, creative development, production, and international distribution. A hybrid production pipeline, which combines guerrilla live-action, rotoscoping, and advanced 2D/3D animation techniques, is underway with teams in both India and the UK. This innovative approach supports a production cycle of approximately 15 to 18 months, ensuring a distinctive visual style targeted at international film festivals and global markets.

Commitment to Global Storytelling

“Green Gold has always believed that Indian animation has the depth, ambition, and artistry to stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best,” said Rajiv Chilaka, Founder and CEO of Green Gold Animation. “‘The Assassin’ is a strong step in that direction. It is a bold, original film led by a singular creative vision. Working with Ken Anderson and the team at Red Kite allows us to blend two creative cultures in a meaningful and forward-looking way. We are building a film with genuine global potential.”

Ken Anderson, Founder and CEO of Red Kite Animation, echoed this sentiment, stating, “‘The Assassin’ represents exactly the kind of bold, internationally resonant filmmaking that India and the UK can produce together. Green Gold brings extraordinary talent and vision to the project, and our collaboration reflects a genuine commitment to strengthening the creative and industrial ties between our two countries. This is not just a co-production; it is a shared artistic endeavor shaped by the strengths of both nations’ storytellers and creative communities.”

The announcement at the Co-Production Market during the WAVES Film Bazaar, a prominent platform for global audiovisual partnerships in India, underscores Green Gold’s dedication to international collaboration and its long-term ambition to position Indian animation as a significant player in global cinema.