Opus Visual Effects and Buffalo Gal Pictures are pacting to launch an animation studio in Winnipeg’s Exchange district.

The Opus Animation facility also has its first feature film assignment, Emma’s Wings:  A Bella Sara Tale in 3D.

The project is a co-production between Buffalo Gal Pictures, Opus Visual Effects and Entremedia Digital Films Inc. of Toronto.

In all, 45 positions will be created to make the animated movie, the first for the city.

The animated movie is based on Bella Sara, a virtual fantasy world of horses that originated in Denmark.

Emma’s Wings: A Bella Sara Tale will be released in 2013.

“We’re thrilled to be teaming up with Entremedia to make this movie in Manitoba, and be able to expand our animation industry,” Phyllis Laing, president of Buffalo Gal Pictures and Opus Visual Effects, said Tuesday in a statement.