On June 1, 2015, Hape hosted a viewing of the movie The Little Prince as well as a global Little Prince product release event in the Europa Corp cinema in Paris, France. A variety of guests participated in the event, including distributors from over 40 countries and regions, customers, film producer, and descendant of the original novella's writer Antoinie de Saint-Exupéry.

The event marked the first time that Hape has accepted a licensing deal in the company's almost thirty year history. "This is not just a simple brand license, but an impulse borne from similar values between Hape and the film's team to recast a classic." said Peter Handstein, Founder & CEO of Hape Group. As a strategic partner of the movie The Little Prince, an upcoming computer-animated fantasy film, Hape has designed a range of Little Prince toys that fit the film's emotional story. Every toy looks like a work of art and compliments the movie's characters well. "It's like they just jumped out of the movie!" Director Mark Osborne said of Hape's creations.

The high-tech event was a relaxed and spellbinding occasion that allowed all guests to immerse themselves in the fantasy atmosphere that the movie so expertly creates.

Dana Geissler, well-known German actress, great-granddaughter of Käthe Kruse, Scarlett Wisotzki, chief editor of a famous toy magazine in Germany, and film producer Aton Soumache were also invited to take part in the event, and expressed deep respect and high expectations for Hape's new products - as well as for the overall event.

After event, Hape VIPs cruised along the Seine River, where they were surprised by a shower of rose petals and enjoyed the freedom and romance of Paris and the wistful ambition of the Little Prince. French confectionery artists customized a special blue sky and yellow star cake to celebrate the marriage of Hape and the movie. Peter Handstein and Aton Soumache cut the cake together to commemorate the historic day.

The movie The Little Prince is directed by Mark Osborne, who also helmed the smash hit film Kung Fu Panda, and will be released in France on 29th July 2015 and throughout the rest of the world over the coming months.