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Rachel Bright and Jim Field’s series of children’s books are being given the animated TV treatment by Searching for Sugar Man producer Passion Pictures.

Passion has secured the exclusive option from publisher Hachette for half-hour specials that could include The Lion Inside, The Koala Who Could, The Squirrels Who Squabbled, The Way Home for Wolf, The Whale Who Wanted More, and The Gecko and the Echo.

The heart-warming series of educational books about animals, which is written by Bright and illustrated by Field, has sold more than 5 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 42 languages.

“The creative vision Passion Pictures have for adapting our books to the screen is beyond anything I could have imagined,” said Bright. “Both Jim and I feel like it’s a perfect-fit homecoming for our stories and that Passion understand the very soul of them.”

Passion’s long-form team will develop the animations.

Star Trek’s George Takei is moving to Fluffytown to voice a panda in an animated kids’ series for the BBC.

Takei, who played Sulu in the classic sci-fi series, will voice Elder Panda in preschool series Love Monster, which is a co-production by the British public broacaster’s kids’ channel CBeebies, Boat Rocker Studios, and China’s UYoung.

The 54-part series, which will air in January 2020, is based on Rachel Bright’s Love Monster series. It follows the adventures of hairy hero, Love Monster, as he navigates the challenges of being the only monster in Fluffytown – a world of cute baby animals. With a lot of help from his friends, Love Monster learns to follow his heart rather than his slightly ‘over-thinky’ head, as he searches for the right thing to do.

Elsewhere, Episodes star Tamsin Greig narrates, while Javone Prince (PhoneShop), Sarah Hadland (Miranda), Lewis Macleod (Postman Pat...

We return with another edition of the Indie Spotlight, highlighting recent independent horror news sent our way. Today’s feature includes digital and DVD release information on The Seasoning House, a trailer for Loss of Life, first details on The Cage, the short film “Don’t Move,” and much more:

The Seasoning House Release Details: “Acclaimed prosthetic effects designer Paul Hyett (The Woman in Black, Unknown) makes his directorial debut with the harrowing horror revenge thriller The Seasoning House, debuting on Digital, Blu-ray™ and DVD December 10th from Well Go USA Entertainment. The chilling film stars Rosie Day (Sixteen), Sean Pertwee (Event Horizon), Kevin Howarth (Gallowwalkers, The Last Horror Movie) and Anna Walton (Hellboy II: The Golden Army). In The Seasoning House, young girls are prostituted to the military and an orphaned deaf mute (Day) is enslaved to care for them. She moves between the walls and crawlspaces, showing a little kindness when she can.

The actor is about to start "a new chapter" in his career – as Mick Carter, landlord of the Queen Vic

Age: 36.

Appearance: A proper nostril.

A what? Nostril and tweezer: geezer.

Ah. Is this because Dyer, besides being one of Harold Pinter's favourite actors, is also a prominent user of cockney rhyming slang? You could say Panama.

I could say what? Panama hat: that.

Are you going to keep doing this? Cot.

Oh for the love of ... Cot and baby: maybe.

Look, can we just get to the point? We can. Dyer is going to be the new landlord of the Queen Vic in EastEnders.

Oh gawd. He'll play Mick Carter, who will arrive at Christmas with his wife Linda, to be played by Kellie Bright. You might remember her as Me Julie in Ali G Indahouse or Kate Aldridge, daughter of that cad Brian in the Archers.

Two unforgettable roles.

'EastEnders' is set to axe four characters in a major shake-up to boost ratings. Kierston Wareing's Kirsty Branning and Phaldut Sharma's Aj Ahmed are among the Walford residents who will leave the show early next year as new executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins aims to restore the BBC One show, which has fallen behind 'Coronation Street' and 'Emmerdale' in the ratings, to its former glory. Rachel Bright's Poppy Meadow and Daniel Coonan's Carl White have also been dropped from the soap. A source told The Sun newspaper: ''Dominic didn't feel the characters who are leaving fit with the direction he is taking the show...

We've made no secret of our love for British anthology series Bloody Cuts. The team is assembling 13 short films to put together into one large project. And all the films have been outstanding. However, with Don't Move the Bloody Cuts team has outdone themselves.

Made in association with Millennium F/X, Don't Move is an amazing short film. The guys at Bloody Cuts have proven time and time again that they can build tension, but they do it better than ever in this picture. You will be absolutely blown away by the effects in this film. It contains a monster that is better quality than almost anything you've seen in feature films in years, and the death scenes are top notch. And by the way, the last death is absolutely stunning. Don't Move is a damn near perfect short film. #Awesome!

The film stars Rachel Bright, Ian Whyte, Jake Hendricks,...

EastEnders actor Ricky Norwood has said that it would be "excellent" to see his character Arthur 'Fatboy' Chubb tie the knot with girlfriend Poppy Meadow. The pair have been dating since the end of last year, and Rachel Bright - who plays Poppy - recently called for them to have a wedding storyline. Echoing his co-star's suggestion, Norwood told Metro: "How excellent would that be? I think their wedding would be crazy. "I don't think Fatboy would have a say in it, because most likely he'd want to get some big speakers up in there and a big sound system and a couple of performances. Poppy would most probably want it really pretty and sweet and organised. I look forward to seeing it! If it happens that would be fantastic." (more)...

EastEnders star Rachel Bright has revealed that she wants her character Poppy Meadow to tie the knot with boyfriend Arthur 'Fatboy' Chubb. The actress, who is now a Walford regular, tipped the pair to have a "long-term" future as a couple. Bright told Metro: "Before I started the show, Fatboy was one of my favourite characters. I was gutted I didn't work with him the first time round, so when I came back and they told me about Poppy and Fatboy's relationship, I was just so excited. "Their characters are perfect for each other. Poppy and Fatboy are a little bit of light in a lot of gloom around the Square. It's (more)...

EastEnders bosses have released new preview pictures offering a sneak peek at Poppy Meadow and Fatboy Chubb's upcoming BBC Red Button special. At the weekend, it was confirmed that a one-off mini-episode would further explore the pair's relationship and how they spend Christmas together. In an upcoming episode of the main show, viewers will see Poppy (Rachel Bright) choose to be with Fatboy (Ricky Norwood) for Christmas rather than her family. The story then continues (more)...

EastEnders star Rachel Bright has revealed that her character Poppy Meadow will feature in a BBC Red Button episode later this month. The one-off special will further explore Poppy's relationship with Arthur 'Fatboy' Chubb and how they spend Christmas Day together. In an upcoming episode of the main show, viewers will see Poppy choose to be with Fatboy (Ricky Norwood) for Christmas rather than her family. The story then continues on the Red Button service. Bright told Take It Easy: "Poppy spends the day with Fatboy. She is under pressure to go back to her family, but realises she doesn't want that. Her and Fatboy have a romantic day, but you don't (more)...

Friendship seems to be blossoming into romance for Poppy Meadow and Arthur 'Fatboy' Chubb on EastEnders next week as they share a kiss at the Queen Vic. The pair grow closer when Fatboy shows how much he cares for Poppy, going to extreme lengths to help her out after her sister Tansy pays a visit to Walford. Poppy (Rachel Bright) is nervous about spending time with her successful sibling, as she has tried to match up by telling numerous lies about how wonderful her own life is - claiming to manage her own salon and live in a penthouse apartment. Although Poppy is fearful that the truth is bound to be revealed, Fatboy (Ricky Norwood) (more)...

EastEnders star Rachel Bright will be sticking with the soap for the foreseeable future. The actress reprised her role as Poppy Meadow earlier this year, and while many fans expected the ditzy character's return to be for a short stint only, Digital Spy can confirm that she has been signed up as a Walford regular. Poppy will have a storyline of her own in the coming weeks as show bosses have lined up a new romance for her. The beautician has been unlucky in love in the past, but viewers will have to wait and see who she falls for and how things pan out (more)...

Title: Eradicate Cast: Luke Newberry, Eddie Webber, Johnny Palmiero, Rachel Bright Director: William McGregor Writer / Exec Producer: Tom Nash Producer: Ben Burdock Editor: Iain Whitewright DoP: Adam Eherington More info: http://www.williammcgregor.co.uk/

Created for the Sci-fi London 48 hour International Film Festival. Eradicate is a short film that explores what it means to be alive and how hard it can be to say goodbye.

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About HeyUGuys’ Short Film Cinema: We get sent dozens of links by people who are eager for people to see their work and often we don’t have the space or the time to watch / write a story up about them.

Title: No Escape Cast: Jamie Kenna, Rachel Bright Director: William McGregor Producer: Ben Burdock Assistant Director: James Kennedy DoP: Adam Etherington Production Design: Katie Macgregor Costume: Lily Markham Editor: Iain Whitewright VFX Supervisor: Dominic Burgess 3D Artist: Stuart Turnbull Matte painter: Harry Wormald Dit: Emily Greeley More info: http://www.williammcgregor.co.uk/

48 Hour Sci-Fi Film Competition 2011 entry from the Electric Sheep team. A man pays the price for altruism in a dystopian future where it’s not safe to go outside.

If you have a Short Film you’d like on the ‘Short Film Cinema’, please fill out this form

Rate this Short Film: Note: There is a rating embedded within this post, please visit this post to rate it.

About HeyUGuys’ Short Film Cinema: We get sent dozens of links by people who are eager for people to see their work and often we don’t have the...

EastEnders star Matt Lapinskas has revealed more details of his upcoming love triangle storyline, confirming that Jodie Gold will be plagued with guilt after kissing his character Anthony Moon. Anthony agrees to start dating Poppy Meadow (Rachel Bright) in next week's episodes, but later locks lips with her best friend Jodie - who he secretly has stronger feelings for. As reported at the weekend, the pair's moment of passion comes as they search for a missing cat on the Square. Lapinskas told Soaplife of the storyline: "Poppy falls for Anthony and he's just pleased that somebody likes him. He gets the feeling that Jodie likes him too, but Poppy puts him on the spot and says, 'Jodie says you have something to ask me' and he says what he thinks is expected and asks her out." However, discussing Anthony's secret kiss with (more)...

EastEnders double act Jodie Gold and Poppy Meadow are to bow out from the show, Digital Spy can confirm. The ditzy pair, played by Kylie Babbington and Rachel Bright, will be seen making their departures from Walford in an episode which airs next month. Jodie has been appearing on screen since summer 2010 and her departure comes as Babbington's contract reaches its natural conclusion. Poppy, meanwhile, made her debut in January and viewers have since seen her appear in a handful of episodes as Jodie's best friend. It has also been confirmed that Norman Simmonds's departure from Albert Square in this Thursday's episode (more)...

EastEnders' younger characters get ready to party in celebration of Poppy's 21st birthday in tonight's episode of the soap. Poppy (Rachel Bright) is left disappointed when an exclusive venue for her big night cancels at the last minute, but Tyler (Tony Discipline) is quick to step in and offer an alternative - saying that she can have the bash at the Moons' place. Tyler is keen for a distraction after (more)...

Nina Wadia attends Four UK Premiere. Photo copyright Landmark / PR Photos. Matt Lapinskas, Joshua Pascoe and Ricky Norwood attend Four UK Premiere. Photo copyright Landmark / PR Photos. Neil McDermott attends Four UK Premiere. Photo copyright Landmark / PR Photos. Sean Pertwee attends Four UK Premiere. Photo copyright Landmark / PR Photos. Kierston Wareing attends Four UK Premiere. Photo copyright Landmark / PR Photos. 10/10/2011 - Rachel Bright - "Four" UK Premiere - Arrivals - Empire, Leicester Square - London, UK © Landmark / PR Photos 10/10/2011 - James Purefoy - "Four" UK Premiere - Arrivals - Empire, Leicester Square - London, UK © Landmark / PR Photos 10/10/2011 - Cheryl...

EastEnders womaniser Tyler Moon turns his attentions to Jodie's ditzy friend Poppy Meadow in tonight's episode of the soap. Turning up at the salon, Tyler (Tony Discipline) flirts with both Jodie and Poppy (Rachel Bright) as he explains that he's looking for something to keep his body looking buff. After hearing that he'll have to get a shower before having any treatments done, Tyler wastes no time before taking off his shirt in front of the girls. (more)...