Finecut Secures International Rights to Animated Retro Gaming Film 'Guardians of the Video Game'
South Korean sales agent Finecut has acquired worldwide distribution rights to the 3D animated feature 'Guardians of the Video Game' ahead of the Toronto International Film Festival market. The film is based on a Naver Webtoon with over 345 million views and is directed by Uhm Young-sik, known for 'Running Man: Revengers' and 'Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs'. The project will be presented to international buyers at TIFF.
The acquisition positions Finecut to introduce the project to international buyers at Toronto's inaugural market event. Director Uhm Young-sik brings prior experience with globally distributed animation, having previously worked on a feature that reached 120 territories through Finecut's sales network.
The source material has demonstrated significant commercial traction, with its webtoon amassing 345 million views and a 9.98 reader rating. A mobile game adaptation has already launched on Google Play, suggesting the property has established cross-platform appeal before its animated feature debut.
This deal could signal growing international appetite for Korean animated content beyond traditional live-action exports. The retro gaming theme may resonate with adult audiences nostalgic for arcade culture, potentially expanding the demographic reach of animated features. Success at TIFF could encourage more webtoon-to-animation adaptations, though market reception remains uncertain given competition from established animation studios.