A FILM company’s latest work is set to be seen around the world

Gigglefish Studios in Lewes will release its animated children’s film Strike in cinemas today.

The film follows Mungo, a young mole who is due to start working for his father at his gold mine but dreams of playing football for England in the Wild Cup.

When a gold-obsessed villain known as “The Boss” attempts to bully townsfolk into selling the mine, Mungo and his friends must do all they can to stop him.

The small studio is excited about its first global release.

Producer Edward Catchpole said: “For a company our size to release a feature film that is launching in a number of countries is a fantastic feeling.

“We thought the story of Strike was fantastic and potentially global.

“The story is relevant to kids around the world no matter where they live.

“The film is not so much about football but more about the challenge of having a son and wanting them to follow in his father’s footsteps but all he wants to do is play for England.

“It’s a son vs father thing.

“Football is just a background that the conflict is set in.”

The film has already been released in some European countries and from today will be shown in 87 Vue cinemas across the country.

It has also been picked up by Picturehouse Cinemas, which owns the Duke of York’s and Dukes at Komedia in Brighton.

Writer Neil James said the team wanted the story to appeal both youngsters and their parents.

He said: “It’s quite tough to write a film that is engaging for all ages.

“I went back to watch a lot of films I liked as a child, adventure films mainly.

“A lot of people can relate to parents who want their children to go a certain direction, and the child not wanting to follow that path.

“There is also a very broad comedy side to it.

“We wanted humour that wasn’t quintessentially British, so it will also appeal to a global audience.”

Gigglefish started its early life in Lancing and Edward said its formative years allowed the team to build a base which will pay off in the future.

He said: “We worked very closely with Northbrook College, investing back in education.

“We do lectures at the school and as part of their graduation we did work placements with them.

“But then in a few years you get great quality students coming through.

“It because a virtuous circle.

“This area has an incredibly powerful creative community.

“It’s a long-term strategy to have a UK-based company delivering global content.

“We are a small company on a small budget but we wanted to create original content that was as exceptional as we could make it.”

Edward added that since moving to Lewes the community has really embraced Gigglefish.

“The Depot in Lewes has been extremely supportive,” he said.

“They gave us their theatres so we could watch our stop motion rushes on the big screen.

“That was really helpful because we could see things we may have missed on a smaller screen. This has been a real community film.”

Strike is out now in cinemas across the UK.