Lima-based Origami Studio is boarding Jimy Carhuas’ animated family feature “Nuna: The Last Myth of the Wamany,” a pioneering 2D tech toon pic project for Peru, selected to be pitched at Annecy‘s Mifa market.

Produced by Ciela Prado and Carhuas, also script co-authors, “Nuna” proposes an animated journey exploring the Andean worldview through mythological characters. It’s influenced by the aesthetics of Japanese animation maestro Hayao Miyazaki.

The script follows Alichu, a 6-year-old boy forced to take an unexpected trip after a series of natural disasters hit his small Andean town. He reaches Hananpacha, the land of the Wamany, where he suffers the anger of Apu Kontiki, the mountain deity. His older brother Yaku will try to rescue Alichu and release their town from its plight.

“The project presents a new mythological imaginary world never seen before. We have creatures and places which have a very special magic, a universe with rules that have never been explored in depth nor presented in all its splendor,” Prado told Variety.

“Nuna,” in an early pre-production stage, is mainly financed by Origami Studio’s own funds. It won a development award from the DAFO Peruvian Film Fund. Fonica Studio, a Lima’s sound post-production company, is also involved in the project.

“This would be the first time a Peruvian feature film uses a mostly 2D technique, which means an opening for this type of animation’s market,” Prado said. One of the producers’ ambitions is to set up workshops in Peru to train 2D animators, since the country currently has a majority of 3D-specialists, she added.

Initially conceived as a short film, “Nuna” became a feature film production in 2013. Now, it forms part of a trans-media project, which could incorporate vidgames and apps.

At Annecy, the producers are scouring for financing, co-production and distribution partnerships. “We want alliances that further the film’s international reach, building more connections between Peru and the world,” Prado said.