The Wishmas Tree
The Wishmas Tree is a 2019 Australian 3D computer-animated adventure film written and directed by Ricard Cussó from a story by Peter Ivan. Financed by Screen Queensland and Screen Australia, it is the first film in Like a Photon Creative's The Tales from Sanctuary City franchise.[2] The film stars Miranda Tapsell and Ross Noble.[3] It had its world premiere at the Brisbane International Film Festival on 5 October 2019,[4] and was released in Australian cinemas on 27 February 2020.
| The Wishmas Tree | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Ricard Cussó | 
| Written by | Ricard Cussó Peter Ivan (story)  | 
| Produced by | Kristen Souvlis Nadine Bates  | 
| Starring | 
  | 
| Edited by | Ahmad Halimi | 
| Music by | Ack Kinmonth | 
Production company  | |
| Distributed by | R & R Films (Australasia) | 
Release dates  | 5 October 2019 (Brisbane International Film Festival) 27 February 2020 (Australia)  | 
Running time  | 90 minutes | 
| Country | Australia | 
| Language | English | 
| Box office | $874,049[1] | 
Premise
    
A young possum's misguided wish for a white Wishmas freezes her entire hometown of Sanctuary City and threatens the lives of all who live there. Before the magical Wishmas Tree dies, she must undertake a journey into The Wild in order to reverse the damage she caused and save the city.[5]
Cast
    
- Miranda Tapsell as Kerry
 - Ross Noble as Yarra
 - Kate Murphy as Petra and Bernard the Drop Bear
 - Ricard Cussó as Augustus
 - Ryan Renshaw as Kerry and Petra's father
 
Release and reception
    
The film had its world premiere at the Brisbane International Film Festival on 5 October 2019. It had a limited release, and grossed $874,049 worldwide.[1] It was distributed theatrically by R & R Films in Australia and New Zealand, and by various other companies internationally and on home media.[6]
The film received generally negative reviews from critics,[7][8] and on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes the film holds an approval rating of 50% based on six reviews.[9]
References
    
- The Wishmas Tree at Box Office Mojo – an IMDb company. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
 - Ritman, Alex (2 November 2018) Odin’s Eye to Build 'Sanctuary City' Animated Franchise. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
 - Maclab, Geoffrey (17 May 2019) 'The Wishmas Tree' grows international roots for Odin's Eye (exclusive). Screen International. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
 - The Wishmas Tree. Brisbane International Film Festival – biff.com.au. Retrieved 21 April 2021. Archived from the original 31 December 2019.
 - Staff (6 December 2019) Trailer arrives for new children’s animated film The Wishmas Tree. Cinema Australia. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
 - "The Wishmas Tree (2019)". IMDb. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
 - Clarke, Cath (18 June 2020) The Wishmas Tree review – dull eco-adventure animation. The Guardian. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
 - Wilson, Jake (20 February 2020) Can Australian film The Wishmas Tree compete with Pixar? They wish. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
 - "The Wishmas Tree". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved October 30, 2021.