Sky One and RHI Entertainment are today delighted to announce the commission of Terry Pratchett’s worldwide best-selling fantasy fiction, HOGFATHER.   The project marks the first ever live action / CGI film of Discworld and its characters, and the 2 x 120” HD film airs on Sky One in Christmas 2006.  RHI Entertainment have secured the international distribution rights.

Terry Pratchett has sold over 41m books worldwide and is the UK’s second most popular contemporary author based on book sales, selling 2.5m a year (3% of the total book trade). The British author’s Discworld books are translated into 35 languages and he has won numerous prestigious literary awards, was named an Officer of the British Empire for services to literature and commands a huge fan base across the globe.

Terry Pratchett said: “All of my Christmases have come at once.”

David Jason (Only Fools and Horses, A Touch of Frost) has been confirmed for the key role of Albert in the film and further high quality casting will be announced over the next few months.

David Jason said: “I am thrilled to be taking part in HOGFATHER – I am a huge fan of Terry Pratchett’s books and to play the part of Albert is going to be great fun.”

Elaine Pyke, Sky One’s Drama Commissioner said: “Having been in development for nearly a year, I am thrilled to announce this two part commission with RHI Entertainment  for the first live-action adaptation of a Discworld book. Terry Pratchett is one of the most successful authors or our time and his fantasy fiction will strike a chord with Sky One viewers. With the award-winning Mob Film Company producing the series and The Moving Picture Company producing the computer generated effects, HOGFATHER is sure to serve up a visual feast this Christmas.”

Robert Halmi Junior, President RHI Entertainment, said "We are delighted to be entering into this deal with Sky and Mob to bring this fantastic Terry Pratchett novel to a global television audience.  We hope to continue to build our presence in the UK by producing more large event mini-series that utilises UK talent and acclaimed authors.”

HOGFATHER is set on the semi-medieval but strangely familiar Discworld. And the Hogfather (you know, the jolly fat man) who delivers presents to the kiddies at Christmas at the midwinter festival of Hogswatch has gone missing. But it’s vital that all the presents are delivered, otherwise the sun won’t rise tomorrow. However, there is another supernatural entity who can be everywhere at once and, most importantly, knows where everybody lives. He is Death, but with a false beard and a few cushions that he reckons might just work.

And while he is engaged in the mysteries of climbing down chimneys and drinking sherry, it’s up to his granddaughter, Susan to find out what has happened to the real Hogfather. It’s the dark time of the year. There are monsters afoot.  And some of them look just like us. HO HO HO. You’d better watch out…

HOGFATHER is adapted for the screen and directed by Vadim Jean (Leon the Pig Farmer) and produced by Rod Brown (Dream Team, Goal) and Ian Sharples (The Virgin of Liverpool} for the Mob Film Company. Elaine Pyke (Dream Team, Hex) executive produces for Sky One and Robert Halmi Sr (Dinotopia) is the executive producer for RHI Entertainment.

HOGFATHER is set to transmit on Sky One at Christmas 2006.