``The Gaudins: A Christmas Special'' to Be Produced by Phil Roman Entertainment and ABCN Concept S.L. for Broadcast During Xmas Season of 2000.

LOS ANGELES--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Sept. 10, 1999--

"The Gaudins: A Christmas Special," a 22-minute animated special that will use designs inspired by the famed Spanish architect Antonio Gaudi, is currently being produced by Phil Roman Entertainment Inc. of Studio City, Calif., in association with ABCN Concept S.L. of Barcelona, Spain, it was announced Friday by Phil Roman, president and chief executive officer of the recently formed new company.

"The Gaudins" will be available for broadcast during the Christmas season of 2000. Writer is Mark Zaslove.

"The Gaudins" is one of the first of a series of major projects that the new Phil Roman Entertainment company, organized earlier this year, is producing and will soon additionally announce.

Phil Roman, a six-time Emmy winner, formed his new full-service animation firm last February, after departing from the animation company he founded in 1984, Film Roman Inc.

Roman's career started in 1955 with Walt Disney Productions. He then went on to work for Warner Bros. cartoons, MGM Animation, UPA Film and the Bill Melendez and Ralph Bakshi production companies.

He has served as executive producer of "The Simpsons," "King of the Hill," the "Charlie Brown" specials and the "Garfield" series and specials. He was also producer/director of the full-length animated feature "Tom and Jerry: The Movie" for Miramax and Turner.

Said Roman: "For this animated holiday special, we are creating a whimsical fantasy world for family audiences. We're confident `The Gaudins,' an Xmas special, will become a holiday classic. Toward that goal, we are delighted to be working with ABCN."

It is hoped by the producers that "The Gaudins" will be picked up as a television series for regular broadcast in 2001. In addition to ABCN, the Roman company is associated on this project with Caixa Catalunia Bank and LUK Entertainment of Barcelona.