MIPTV (miptv.com), the spring international content and co-production market, will be back in business April 17-19. The confab, which takes place at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, will include a special focus on the future of children’s television. As always, the event is a good spot to check out some of the latest animated shows which are in various stages of development around the world. Here are some of the highlights of this year’s toons:
Magic Lilly
Produced by: DeAPlaneta Entertainment (Spain, Italy, France), The Magic Lilly Co. (Germany)
Executive Produced by: Michael Coldewey and Carlos Biern
Confirmed broadcasters: TVC (Spain), VRT (Belgium), German broadcaster to be announced soon.
Package: 26 x 22’
Synopsis: Our young heroine has had a whirlwind education in magic since meeting her best friend, a small, but very smart dragon named Hector. Together they must face an evil foe and find a missing chapter from their sought-after Book of Spells — all while trying to lead a normal high school life.
Stand-Out Qualities: This $9.5 million-budgeted fantasy comedy is written by Evan Gore and Heather Lombard, who most recently served as head writers on Disney’s Super Kitties and Disney+’s Monsters at Work. Their many credits include Super Monsters (Netflix) and George of the Jungle (Cartoon Network). Their writing partnership began during the first season of FOX’s Futurama. The series is based on the popular book series Hexe Lilli in Lilliput by Knister and the animated series Lilly the Witch.
Exec Quote: Carlos Biern, content and distribution director of DeAPlaneta Kids & Family division, says, “We are very amazed at the initial reactions over this reboot of Hexe Lilli/Lilly the Witch, which we originally introduced at Cartoon Forum. With just one small teaser and a bible developed, we are already in production, which is something that is not easy to say this year! I guess there are many IPs in the market based on well-known books and successful shows that need to make the transition to the interactive space and build up the brand. We are confident that lovers of the movies/shows and readers of the original books will now be able to enjoy it and even show it to a newer (and older) generation that didn’t originally know these lovely characters.”
Delivery Date: Second Quarter of 2024
deaplanetakidsandfamily.com
The Super Heroes of Nature
Produced by: Moonworks Productions, Amopix Studios
Created by: Charlotte Schmidt, Emmanuelle Pouydebat and Nicolas Bazeille
Distributed by: Dandelooo
Package: 30 x 3’
Type of Animation: Hybrid/2D
Target Audience: Kids, 4-10 and families
Synopsis: The natural and tiny biology world is full of creatures with extraordinary powers. Discovering them takes us on a fascinating, poetic and hilarious journey where science often goes beyond fiction. The Super Heroes of Nature uses humor to share and make accessible the wonderful and formidable inventiveness of nature, and the importance of preserving it and making it accessible.
Stand-Out Qualities: The hybrid animation series has everything that can spark a child’s imagination. It has humor, amazing images, unknown true stories, and offers a fun initiation to science with a twist, with a tongue in cheek approach.
Exec Quote: Emmanuèle Petry Sirvin, producer & head of international at Dandelooo, tells us, “I fell in love with this project in its very early days thanks to its visual beauty and humor. It’s rare to find true fun documentaries with a twist for young children and this talented team has been able to infuse their love of nature with a unique animation style which can capture a wide audience, beyond kids. The best way to learn is to be fascinated, right?”
Delivery Date: November 2023
dandelooo.com
Dinosally & Friends
Produced by: PGS, MOSTAPES and Aurora World
Distributed by: PGS
Package: 52 X 11′
Type of Animation: 2D
Target Audience: Preschoolers and their families
Synopsis: Follows the adventures of Sally, a young pink dinosaur, and her friends as they explore the world, solve problems and make new discoveries. The show takes young preschoolers and families on a prehistoric adventure filled with laughter, learning, and of course, dinosaurs!
Stand-Out Qualities: With vibrant, colorful animation, Dinosally & Friends promises to keep young viewers engaged and entertained. The series offers fun storylines, unique characters, and amusing themes, making it the perfect show for families to enjoy together. The brand has also been making waves in the digital world. As part of its promotional strategy, the release of numerous animated Gifs on the Giphy platform has made Dinosally a popular gif hit, with 8 billion views and ranking among the Top 5 Giphy artist channels of 2022! Aurora World is also the plush master toy partner.
Exec Quote: “We’re thrilled to be a part of bringing Dinosally & Friends to life and providing young preschoolers with a fun experience,” says Jay Kim, CEO of MOSTAPES. “Our goal is to create shows that engage and entertain, and we’re confident this series will do just that.”
mostapes.com/dinosally
Super Happy Magic Forest
Produced by: Banijay Kids & Family, Tiger Aspect Kids & Family, Movimenti Production, BBC, Rai Kids
Package: 52 x 11′
Type of Animation: 2D
Target Audience: Kids, 7+
Synopsis: Based on popular books by Matty Long, Super Happy Magic Forest is a comedy quest adventure series featuring five heroes, brought together by their mutual love of questing, picnics and frolicking. Led by the outgoing and courageous faun, Hoofius; Blossom (unicorn), Herbert (gnome), Twinkle (fairy) and Trevor (mushroom) battle villains, share journeys and have a jolly good time along the way as they learn how to be true heroes and how to quest sensibly.
Stand-Out Qualities: The show is based on the charming picture books by Matty Long. A pre-sale has been secured with France’s Canal+ already. Executive producers are Tiger Aspect Kids & Family’s MD Tom Beattie (Mr Bean: The Animated Series) and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh (Phineas and Ferb).
Creative Quotes: “I am beyond excited that the five heroes of the Super Happy Magic Forest books are making the journey from page to screen,” says creator Matty Long. “What started as me doodling in a sketchbook will become a whole series of animated adventures and I cannot wait to share them with everyone.”
Tiger Aspect Kids & Family and Movimenti Production are a powerful duo of producers and a brilliant example of the combined creative talents within our team,” says Benoît Di Sabatino, Banijay Kids & Family CEO.
banijay.com/companies/territories/banijay-kids-and-family
Venom Wars
Created by: Michael C. Baumann, based on his original novel.
Producer/Co-producers: Michael Baumann, Baboon Animation (storytelling development and scriptwriting; U.S.), Sharon Gomes (development), Demente Estudio (art design & animation; Mexico).
Type of Animation: 2D
Target Audience: Kids, 7-11
Synopsis: Venom Wars follows the adventures of three orphaned hares who are called upon by an ancient prophecy to rescue a kidnapped prince and stop a deadly force from conquering their desert home.
Stand-Out Qualities: High-energy, action-adventure, comedy.
Exec Quote: Sharon Gomes, co-exec producer and showrunner says, “Venom Wars is a beautifully crafted, original series with striking 2D animation. The stories are action-driven while incorporating fantasy, magic and, most importantly, laugh-out-loud humor! This brand-new series ticks all the boxes for broadcasters looking for looking for an engaging show for kids aged 7-11.”
Delivery Date: Q2 2025
venomwars.com
Millie Magnificent
Created by: Inspired by the best-selling book by Ashley Spires, and Nelvana’s award-winning short film, The Most Magnificent Thing
Produced & distributed by: Nelvana
Type of Animation: CG
Target Audience: Preschool
Synopsis: “It’s going to be magnificent!” That’s the motto of eight-year-old creator, problem-solver and inventor, Millie Sparks. With a load of determination and spark of imagination, Millie and her Creato-crew friends strive to find The Most Magnificent solutions to their neighborhood’s challenges.
Stand-Out Qualities: Fostering creativity and encouraging innovative thinking, Millie Magnificent is the aspirational series that empowers preschoolers to use their imagination and learn through perseverance to find the most magnificent solutions. The show promotes innovative thinking and creative problem solving, fosters imagination and perseverance, as well as friendship, teamwork and empathy. Brand pillars are imagination, creativity, innovation, perseverance, brain-spark, trial and error, teamwork, community and inclusivity.
Exec Quote: “Both Ashley Spires’ book and Nelvana’s short film have received tremendous accolades as they captured the hearts and minds of audiences around the world and motivated them to be like Millie — a creative thinker who always goes out of her way to help others,” says Athena Georgaklis, head of development at Nelvana. “We’re delighted to kick off production and onboard a female-led team to work on the series, including our very own Ruth Ramirez to direct and industry-renowned Sheila Rogerson as the head writer.”
Delivery Date: Feb. 2024 to Feb. 2025
nelvana.com
The Singalings
Package: 26 x 5′
Created by: Snipple Originals
Produced by: Snipple Animation
Distributed by: Jetpack
Type of Animation: 2D
Target Audience: Preschool
Synopsis: This edutainment series features music, comedy and original earworms. Each episode kicks off with a song and centers on three inquisitive and eager extra-terrestrials, Melody, Harmony and Bop, who are here to discover all they can about Earth! The excitable little Singalings can’t help but sing along as they explore Earth and all it has to offer!
Stand-Out Qualities: Bright animation, clever storylines and catchy songs that will entertain preschoolers and teach them about the world around them. The show has already been acquired by Sky (U.K.) and is set to air later this year on the new Sky Kids linear TV channel and on-demand.
Exec Quote: “The Singalings has a bold and eye-catching style. It’s a simple and hilarious animation with songs that are infectious and guaranteed to get kids singing for days after, even after hearing just once!” says Karina Stanford-Smith, director of animation development at Snipple Originals. “It’s a fun show with a modern preschool audience in mind. It entertains as well as teaches.”
Delivery Date: Available now
snippleanimation.com
Team Spirit
Created by: Tshepo Moche (Mama K’s Team 4, Kizazi Moto), Raffaella Delle Donne (Mama K’s Team 4, Pearl of the Sea graphic novel) and Marc Dey.
Produced by: IDW
Type of Animation: 2D
Target Audience: Kids, 6-11
Synopsis: The show follows the adventures of a middle school girl, who also happens to be a werehyena, and her best bud, a hulking dancing demon, who form their own cheer squad to show that despite their typical teen angst, they have enough “Team Spirit” to just about raise the dead.
Stand-Out Qualities: This off-beat and highly original show is the latest offering from the hot trio of Moche, Delle Donne and Dey, who are currently serving as the creative team behind the Disney+ preschool animated series Kiya and the Kimoja Heroes. IDW is also launching a comic-book series in conjunction with the show.
Exec Quote: “Tshepo Moche, Raffaella Delle Donne and Marc Dey are incredibly gifted creative talents with a track record of proven successes that have placed their projects front and center in the global animation community,” says Daniel Kendrick, senior director of kids, family & animation at IDW. “Team Spirit is a widely offbeat and fun comedy tailor-made for today’s 6-11 year-olds that will impact both the worlds of publishing as a graphic novel series and television as an animated series.”
Market Date: Late 2023
idwentertainment.com
Tummy Tom’s Teddy Bear
Created by: Joost van den Bosch & Erik Verkerk (director), Burny Bos (writer)
Produced by: Phanta Animation
Distributed by: Incredible Film
Type of Animation: 2D hand-drawn
Target Audience: Preschool, toddlers
Synopsis: Mischievous ginger-cat Tummy Tom and his friends Cat Mouse and Teddy Bear explore the world, have fun adventures and meet new friends each day in this charming preschool series.
Stand-Out Qualities: Based on a best-selling Dutch property, Tummy Tom has entertained young readers for 45 years. Tummy Tom is a funny, inquisitive, adventurous, and a slightly mischievous ginger tomcat. He and his friends explore the world around him just like a preschooler would. The funny stories usually take place in and around the house.
Exec Quote: “Within a four-year time frame, we are planning to produce four Tummy Tom features films. Financing of the first film, Tummy Tom’s Teddy Bear, is in place and production has started. The second one is close to being financed and the last two films are expected to be financed by the end of 2024,” says Petra Goedings, owner of Phanta Animation.
Danielle Raaphorst, CEO of Incredible Film, adds, “With the first film ready for delivery by spring 2024 and the second one by December 2024, we are now starting to sell the international exploitation rights of the films. We are very much looking forward to sharing the first test footage with our partners.”
Delivery Date: Spring 2024
incrediblefilm.com
Jupiter Rocks!
Creators/producers: Created by Danielle Lindner/Rethinking Ink LLC and Benjamin Weinman
Type of Animation: 2D
Target Audience: Kids, 4-7
Synopsis: Jupiter Rocks! is an animated musical comedy that follows the life of guitar-playing seven-year-old Penelope Sing, whose life is uprooted when her mom becomes Earth’s Planet Ambassador to Jupiter. Penelope struggles to fit into a world full of “aliens” and her new neighborhood but finds her groove after she joins the school rock band. Along with her friends both new and old — who visit by the Jupiter speedy space shuttle — Penelope meets many challenges as she navigates living in a wacky new world. But she uses humor, music and wit to Rock and Roll through it all.
Stand-Out Qualities: Diversity & inclusivity, collaboration, friendship, musical appreciation.
Exec Quote: “There is a real buzz around Jupiter Rocks!” says creator Daneille Lindner. “A unique new show in which rock fan, Penelope, dazzles her new friends on Jupiter when she joins the school band. Her new sounds make the alien kids go wild! The series is a celebration of diversity and inclusivity as her friends in ‘The Space Rocks’ collaborate to solve problems as they embark on some wacky adventures while they sing and rock around Jupiter. This feel-good show is sure to keep children entertained and we look forward to introducing Jupiter Rocks! to potential partners at MIPTV.”
Delivery Date: Q2 2025
daniellelindner.com
Pirate Academy
Created by: Story by Matthieu Choquet, Jérôme Erbin & Benjamin Marsaud; designs by Romain Kurdi
Produced by: Method Animation (Mediawan Kids & Family)
Distributed by: Mediawan Kids & Family Distribution
Type of Animation: CG
Target Audience: Kids, 5-8
Synopsis: Finn, Sam and Andrew, three kids from very different backgrounds, join the Pirate Academy, a school that counts the most legendary figures in pirate history among its alumni! But at the Academy, competition between classes is fierce … and our three heroes find themselves in the Plankton class, with Captain Charles Le Crackers as their teacher, a semi-retired buccaneer who has some pretty Le Crackers teaching methods. The Planktons are just as good as the other students, but they have to go the extra mile to prove their worth and become the greatest pirate-students in the history of the school!
Stand-Out Qualities: Fun, friendship, adventure.
Exec Quote: Julien Borde, president of Mediawan Kids & Family, says, “Even the greatest pirates had to go to school! We’re delighted to bring to a new generation of children incredible adventures and friendships in the unique environment of our Pirate Academy.”
Delivery Date: April 2024
mediawankidsandfamily.com
Brave Bunnies
Created by: Olga Cherepanova
Key Creatives/Credits: Olga Cherepanova, co-founder of Glowberry and creative producer; Tim Fehrenbach, series director; John van Bruggen, executive story editor
Produced by: WildBrain, Glowberry, Ánima and De Agostini
Distributed by: WildBrain
Type of Animation: 2D
Target Audience: Kids, 2-5
Package: 52 x 7′
Synopsis: Brave Bunnies is the inspiring story of two curious and adventurous bunny siblings, Boo and her big brother Bop. The bunny duo and their family (Ma, Pa, and the Bunny Babies) travel around the world in their Bunny Bus, as they explore a new landscape, creating joy and excitement in the everyday adventure of meeting new friends around the world.
Exec Quote: “Brave Bunnies is a kids’ property born of tremendous creative vision and has the potential to be a major preschool franchise, having already established a solid foundation with audiences through compelling content and consumer products,” says Eric Ellenbogen, CEO of WildBrain. “Following the terrible events in Ukraine this year, we saw it as vital to ensure the future of this wonderful property, and we couldn’t be more pleased now to be collaborating with Olga Cherepanova and her Glowberry team, along with the creative team at Ánima, on the next big adventures for the Brave Bunnies.”
Delivery Date: Available now (Season 2 currently in production)
wildbrain.com
