MUMBAI: UK-based Handmade PLC has announced its intention to get into partnership with the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, mainly to focus increasingly on the children‘s market.

The company that owns Handmade Films, is launching HandMade Kids, a children and family media business, in partnership with National Geographic Kids Entertainment (NGKE) where Handmade will own over 50 per cent share of the new company.

Handmade, through this new division, will develop Ferguson‘s Tea For Ruby and Little Red children‘s books, the latter will be actively involved and will have a percentage share of future revenues and profits from the joint venture.

The move comes as Handmade announced its ambitious plan to raise $28m via the placing of 68 million shares at 10 pence per share and convertible loan stock. Handmade has also acquired US animation studio Animation Collective for $12 million.

Handmade Films International is the company‘s film finance, sales and distribution outfit, Its slate being Jordan Scott‘s Cracks, Menno Meyjes‘s Manolete, animated project Planet 51 and forthcoming features like Charles Shyer‘s Eloise In Paris and Paul WS Anderson‘s remake of The Long Good Friday.