Apple Cadabra – I Shrunk Myself, an upcoming animated family adventure based on Germany’s popular Petronella Applesauce children’s book series, has secured an international sales deal. Epsilon Film has acquired the film’s worldwide rights and will present it to international buyers at the American Film Market (AFM) in Los Angeles from November 10 to 15, 2026, with first-look footage. Produced by Akkord Film, the studio behind The Elfkins and Rabbit Academy, the film brings the literary property to the screen with a magical adventure centred on two children who suddenly find themselves in a miniature world.
The story’s central premise places familiar surroundings in an unfamiliar perspective. After the children are magically shrunk, Petronella’s enchanted garden becomes a world of discoveries and unexpected challenges. Everyday objects take on new dimensions at a miniature scale, creating opportunities for visual comedy, fantasy and suspense. Alongside the adventure, the story explores empathy and overcoming prejudice, adding an emotional dimension to its imaginative setting.
The film draws on Petronella Applesauce, an established German children’s book series with a substantial readership. Its existing literary following gives the adaptation a recognisable foundation, while the enchanted garden offers an expansive setting for animation. The film is also intended to introduce Petronella’s world to audiences encountering the characters for the first time.
Akkord Film is producing the project, with Dirk Beinhold and Valentin Greulich serving as producers. The studio’s previous animated family features include The Elfkins and Rabbit Academy. Its experience in the genre provides a foundation for bringing the miniature fantasy world to life while keeping the characters and their emotional journey accessible to younger viewers and their families.
Ute von Münchow-Pohl, known for directing The Elfkins and Rabbit Academy, co-directs the film with Felix Schichl. Claudio Winter and Seraina Nyikos have written the screenplay, while Oliver Kurth, whose credits include Monster Family 2 and Grand Prix of Europe, is responsible for character design. The creative team’s previous animation experience connects the project with established family entertainment while allowing the film to develop its own visual identity.
The production also involves several international partners. Seru Animation, PFX, VAST and JewelLabs Pictures are attached as co-production partners, bringing multiple companies together behind the feature. In Germany, Tobis Film will distribute the film widely in cinemas, providing a domestic theatrical release plan alongside the international sales campaign.
Epsilon Film’s presentation at AFM will give international distributors an opportunity to assess the project and consider its potential across different territories. The first-look footage is expected to showcase the animation, characters and miniature-world concept. The worldwide sales deal, however, does not itself confirm theatrical release dates or distribution agreements in individual international markets.
Based on a recognised German children’s book series, Apple Cadabra – I Shrunk Myself combines a fantasy-adventure premise with an experienced animation team and an established family-film production company. Its AFM presentation will mark the next stage in the film’s international sales campaign, as Epsilon Film introduces Petronella’s enchanted garden to potential buyers beyond Germany.
