An animated film, based on the first Franco-Chinese comic strip for kids called La Balade de Yaya, is in development at new prodco Fei Productions (a subsidiary of Editions Fei) in Paris.

The 90-minute film, which targets kids ages eight to 12, is set in 1937 and follows the adventures of a young girl who, with the help of a street kid she befriends, journeys to find her parents after the Japanese invasion of Shanghai.

The film, Fei’s first feature-length animation, looks at an adult world through child’s eyes and focuses on themes of friendship, sharing, and discovery.

Although the film will be a predominantly Franco-Chinese co-production, Fei states partnership opportunities with other countries remain open.

On-board as screenwriters are the comic series’ original creator Patrick Marty and co-creators Jean-Marie Omont and Charlotte Girard.

To date, 40,000 copies of the first four volumes (of an expected nine) of the comic book series have sold in France. The rights have been sold in Italy and Chineses and French versions of the Yaya app are currently available through the Apple App Store.