Hazelnuts: voicing Léon, a slightly grumpy owl

This is a project from a few years ago, and it’s still one of the ones that’s very dear to my heart.

Laurent and Nicolas at Audio Pigment approached me to voice an animation for one of their clients. The film is called Hazelnuts: In Search of the Perfect Planet, or Noisettes, à la recherche de la planète idéale in French. I was lucky enough to voice Léon in the English version. I didn’t voice the French one.

Official English poster. 3D Émotion / Mediastro Promotion; distribution RSA Cosmos – Konica Minolta. Official source

Two squirrels trying to reach the Moon

Léon is a funny, slightly grumpy owl in his tree, who ends up having a hazelnut bang him on the head because two squirrels are trying to reach the Moon. They think there might be lots of hazelnuts up there. Super-hazelnuts, even.

I find the whole story very touching. Nino and Lilli want to go looking for something better, and Léon ends up explaining how space works, what the Moon is like, and what they would actually find on the other planets. A rather sweet way to learn about all of this.

Léon with Nino and Lilli. Official film still, 3D Émotion / Mediastro Promotion. Official source

A story made for planetariums

The film was created and co-produced by 3D Émotion and Mediastro Promotion, with RSA Cosmos – Konica Minolta handling distribution to planetariums. It was released in 2022 and is designed for children from around five upwards.

It’s a fulldome film: the animation is made to surround you on the planetarium’s dome. The colours and the whole design are beautiful. There’s also something quite lovely about how it was animated: the team used virtual-reality puppetry to bring the characters to life.

And the writing is by Jacques Chambon, who many people will know as Merlin in Kaamelott. I’m really touched to have been part of something he wrote. He also voices Léon in French. It’s quite cool to know that I got to play the English version of his character.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TrFyMY3sus

Watch the official English trailer

The planets of Hazelnuts. Official artwork, 3D Émotion / Mediastro Promotion. Official source

Finding out how far this little owl has travelled

I wanted to find out where around the world you can actually see this, and I found the planetariums listed below. Some have it in their catalogue, some have announced screenings, and others have shown it in the past.

I find it amazing to think that, in so many places, children may have learned something about planets through these characters. And wherever the English version is playing, that slightly grumpy owl has my voice. That’s a rather lovely thought.

The world of Hazelnuts. Official film still, 3D Émotion / Mediastro Promotion. Official source

Still working with Audio Pigment

Audio Pigment still get in touch regularly for animation proofs of concept, and sometimes for the animations themselves. I’m very happy that the relationship has continued over the years.

All in all, I’m very humbled to have been part of this production. It’s a sweet one. If you have a planetarium nearby, I really invite you to check it out.

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People and companies behind the film

A few credits and links for anyone who would like to look further:

• Creation, animation and co-production: 3D Émotion. The studio’s film page credits Stéphane Bertrand and Damien Maugin as directors.

• Co-production: Mediastro Promotion.

• Writing: Jacques Chambon; also the French voice of Léon.

• English voice recording, my collaboration: Audio Pigment.

• Exclusive distribution: RSA Cosmos – Konica Minolta.

• English cast: Francesca Calo as Nino, Jorjeana Marie as Lilli, Ryan Highley as Léon, and Lise Pedersen as narrator.

• Scientific advice: Stéphanie Escoffier, credited in the official presentation booklet. The booklet also thanks the Théâtre Cinéma Jean Carmet in Mornant for providing a filming location.

• More about the promotional design and production coordination: Pierrick Romeuf’s Mediastro portfolio, including a Hazelnuts interview.

Behind the scenes: virtual-reality puppetry. Official production image, 3D Émotion / Mediastro Promotion. Official source

The film also received the Best Fulldome Feature Film award at Jena’s 2023 FullDome Festival and the Best Children’s Film award at the 2023 Dome Under Festival. RSA Cosmos shares the award announcements.

Where to look for Hazelnuts / Noisettes

These are documented venue listings, checked on 23 October 2026, rather than a complete worldwide distribution list. Please check the venue’s programme and screening language before travelling: my performance is in English only.

United States

• Fiske Planetarium, University of Colorado Boulder: listed as a regular show.

• Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium, Union Station, Kansas City: listed in the show programme, including a sensory-friendly edition.

• East Texas A&M University Planetarium, Commerce: included in the show catalogue.

• Hudson River Museum Planetarium, Yonkers: a published June screening listing; not a confirmed upcoming date.

France

• Espace Mendès France, Poitiers: screenings announced through 2 January 2027, including 24, 27 and 29 October 2026.

• Planétarium d’Épinal: included in the show catalogue.

• Orionis, Douai: listed in the programme; its tourism listing also advertises English availability by arrangement.

• Cosmocité, Le Pont-de-Claix: a screening was announced for 10 October 2026 during the Fête de la science.

• Vulcania, Saint-Ours-les-Roches: a former venue. Its film page now explicitly says it is no longer available there.

Czechia and Germany

• Brno Observatory and Planetarium, Czechia: Hazelnuts 3D is listed as a planetarium programme.

• Techmania Science Center, Plzeň, Czechia: the film page lists Czech and English availability.

• Planetarium Herzberg, Germany: the venue confirms acquiring the show; the city’s event listing documents a screening on 23 October 2026.

For the film itself, trailers and educational material, start with the official Hazelnuts website.

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