With the introduction of the character “Atounes”;
the animated feature film “Royacity” has entered the cycle of public theatrical release
The animated film “Royacity”, with the tagline “City of Dreams, Green Earth”, as one of the most important feature films in the field of children’s and youth cinema in the year 1403 (Solar Hijri calendar), has officially begun its theatrical run in cinemas across the country. The introduction of the main character of this animation, “Atounes”, was the focal point of this launch; a character that is intended to become a lasting figure in the cultural memory of the next generation.
✨ A new approach to character creation in children’s cinema with “Atounes”
The character “Atounes” is not merely a story hero, but also a representative of a new perspective on the identity of the Iranian child within the medium of animation. Atounes has been designed as an independent, creative, curious, nature-loving and justice-seeking character, and from a visual standpoint also possesses qualities that distinguish it from similar characters in both domestic and international animations.
The design of this character was carried out by Ghadir Hamzeh , an artist with extensive experience and a professional outlook in animation character design. The visual shaping of Atounes, the use of vivid colors, and the balance between fantasy and realism all testify to a deliberate effort to create a multi-layered character; one that is both attractive to children and, in terms of concept, understandable and acceptable for parents.
🎉 The opening ceremony; beyond a simple premiere
The official opening ceremony of the animation “Royacity” was held on Friday with the wide participation of young audiences and their families. This event was not merely a film screening, but a multi-media space that turned into a cultural experience for children. Among the key elements of this ceremony were:
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Live performances of the animated characters in the form of a puppet show
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Screening selected scenes from the animation and introducing the story by the director
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Unveiling the book “Royacity Book Garden” as a narrative companion to the film
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Creating direct interaction between children and the character Atounes through screens and dedicated activity booths
The organization of this ceremony highlights the importance of the child audience in the cultural strategy of this project. The production team of “Royacity”, instead of a mere screening, has sought to place the child at the center of the experience; not as a passive spectator, but as someone who actively engages with the story world.
🏛️ Institutional co-production; a successful model of cultural synergy
One of the strengths of the “Royacity” project is the multi-sided collaboration of cultural and artistic institutions in its production. At a time when animation productions, because of their high costs, require smart investment, this work has been created with the support and cooperation of four key institutions:
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Sooreh Animation Center : with a significant track record in producing religious and cultural works for children and adolescents
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Mahva Animation Center : one of the emerging and creative studios in the field of digital content
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Tehran Municipality’s General Directorate of Culture : as an institution supporting urban and cultural projects
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Ayandehnegar Studio : active in futuristic character design, storytelling, and cultural branding
Distribution of this work is handled by Bahon-e Sabz Institute , which has strong expertise in distributing cultural products in Iranian cinemas. This combination of institutions has created a valuable example of synergy between public and private sectors, which can serve as a model for future national productions.
🎨 Cultural branding outlook; from cinema to children’s everyday lives
The production team of “Royacity” has not limited its vision to a single feature film. The meticulous design of characters, colors, symbols, and even dialogues has been carried out in such a way as to lay the groundwork for creating an expansive “story world”; a universe that can expand into various formats such as:
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Storybooks and illustrated books
