Niko & The Way to the Stars is a 2008 animated Christmas comedy-drama film directed by Michael Hegner and Kari Juusonen. It is about a young reindeer who must overcome his fear of flying by heading to Santa Claus' fell to save him, and his fleet of flying reindeer from a pack of wolves. It was produced by Animaker Oy, A.Film, Ulysses Films, and Magma Films . The production and animation were spread to all four countries. . A 45-minute television edit in American English, was produced in the United States for CBS under the title The Flight Before Christmas. Niko, a young reindeer, was... told by Oona, his mother, that his father is one of the "Flying Forces", Santa's flying sled reindeer. Niko dreams of joining his dad as a flying reindeer but he does not seem to be able to fly. While trying to fly with the encouragement of Julius,"Norm McDonald" a flying squirrel who took on the roll of his dad, and some other young reindeer tease him. To avoid further teasing, Niko and his friend Saga leave the protected valley their herd is in so Niko can practice.
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| Release date: | 2008 |
| Directed by: | Michael Hegner, Kari Juusonen |
| Runtime: | 80 Minutes |
| Producer: | Petteri Pasanen, Hannu Tuomainen |
| Editor: | Per Risager |
| Music by: | Stephen McKeon |
| Screenplay by: | Hannu Tuomainen, Marteinn Thorisson |
| Genre: | Animation, Adventure |