Finland  |  Germany  | Ireland  | Denmark 2024
Opening November 7, 2024

Directed by: Kari Juusonen, Jørgen Lerdam
Writing credits: Kari Juusonen, Marteinn Thorisson, Hannu Tuomainen
Principal actors: Animation: Josefine Preuß, Sammy Schrein, Enno Kalisch, Gerhard Roiß, Rolf Berg

Niko, a young flying reindeer, is learning how to pull the sleigh of Santa Claus. Competition is hard for the one last spot on the team of eight on which Niko’s father, Prancer, has long been a member, pulling Santa Claus around the world. Another young flying reindeer, Stella, also wants to be on the team. Luckily, Niko has support from friends Julius, a flying squirrel, and Wilma, a weasel. Niko and Stella compete in small runs while pulling a cart, each winning one time. The third run will decide. But wait! What now? The sleigh has disappeared. Is tomorrow’s Christmas now cancelled? Luckily, with the help of Niko, the sleigh reappears, but suddenly all the Christmas presents are flying around in the air. How to deliver them?

This is a fun Christmas animation for anyone four years or older. We have a cast of animals with personalities, including a whole crew of lemmings. Only one human being appears for about three seconds. Guess who that is.  Niko and Stella interrupt the competition twice, when it becomes necessary to save each other from danger. Friendship is more important than competition, and making mistakes helps to learn something new. Niko – Reise zu den Polarlichtern is the third in a series following Niko - Ein Rentier hebt ab (2008) and Niko 2 -Kleines Rentier großes Abendteuer (2012).  (Becky T.)