The 61st edition of the spring TV content market MIPTV will take place at the Palais des Festival in Cannes, April 8-10 (miptv.com). Here is an eclectic sampler of the new animated series available for buyers from producers and distributors around the world:
My Life in Versailles
Created by: Clémence Madeleine-Perdrillat and Nathaniel H’limi
Type of Animation/Package: 2D, 6 x 26’
Target Audience: Kids and families
Synopsis: Set in the modern day, the show follows Violette, who at eight years old suddenly becomes an orphan and is sent to live with her uncle Regis, a gruff man who works as the caretaker of the Palace of Versailles. After a tough start, Violette finds self-confidence and begins to move on, thanks to Regis, her best friend Malcolm, her kindly social worker Genevieve and all of the new friends she makes.
Stand-Out Qualities: This is a sequel to the multi-awarded TV special of the same name, which has scored 27 international awards and over 50 award nominations, including at the Annie Awards in 2022 for Best TV Production.
Exec Quote: Marc du Pontavice, founder and CEO at Xilam Animation, said, “The original My Life in Versailles special had a remarkable performance on the awards and festival circuit, capturing the hearts of audiences and juries alike with its touching exploration of loss, family and belonging. As we continue to expand our slate of family-targeted animated series, it’s fantastic to collaborate with Films Grand Huit on this project and to bring the next installment of Violette’s story to international audiences.”
Delivery Date: Summer 2024
xilam.com/en
Hop
Created by: Marc Brown (Arthur)
Produced by: Epic Story Media / Loomi Animation
Distributed by: Epic Story Media
Type of Animation/Package: 2D, 52 x 11’
Target Audience: Preschoolers, 3- to 6-year-olds
Synopsis: Hop is a character-driven comedy that follows the adventures of Hop, a little frog with one leg shorter than the other, and his lovable, quirky friends. Together they show us the powers of friendship and kindness as they navigate the mud puddles of life.
Stand-Out Qualities: In each episode, Hop and his friends deal with a kid-relatable physical, social or emotional issue — exploring how each character’s unique abilities and perspective lead to hilarious and creative problem-solving.
Exec Quote: Creator Marc Brown tells us, “Hop began as a doodle of a frog, and that doodle grew into the world of Fair Village with the help of Peter Hirsch and my son, Tolon. We had no idea how much fun we could have inventing stories for preschoolers! We realized that Hop was also an opportunity to include characters who are underrepresented in children’s media. And why not have characters who act with tolerance, understanding and kindness?”
Delivery Date: Delivers to Max from April-September 2024
epicstorymedia.com | Read More
Songs from the Bright Side
Created by: Adam Goddard and Warren Brown
Produced by: Goddard/Brown
Distributed by: WildBrain
Type of Animation/Package: 2D, 20 x 2.5’
Target Audience: Kids 5-8
Synopsis: Under the glow of a far-out sun, a merry band of colorful characters sing a collection of toe-tapping tunes all about feeling those positive vibes.
Stand-Out Qualities: From the creators of Big Block Singsong and ABC Singsong, this show is a collection of songs that bring together themes like hope, bravery, acceptance, positivity and love as pathways to mental wellness and growth for young audiences and their parents and caregivers.
Exec Quote: Caroline Tyre, vice president of global sales and rights strategy at WildBrain, says, “Songs from the Bright Side is a heartwarming, catchy and joyful collection of exceptionally well-crafted songs we think will really resonate with kids and parents alike.”
Delivery Date: July 2024
wildbrain.com
Ghosts of Ruin
Created by: PJ Accetturo and Ryan Ramsey
Showrunner/EP: Michael Ryan
Director: Thierry Marchand
Developed and produced by: Battle Island (Michael Ramey and Katie Stippec)
Distributed by: DeAPlaneta Entertainment (worldwide except North America)
Type of Animation/Package: CG, 13 x 22’
Target Audience: 16+
Synopsis: In the near-future tech dystopia of San Francisco, the Tournament of Ruin is about to debut a brand-new, fully immersive technology — Neural Reality! Lee wins the opportunity to join the ranks of 100 of the world’s best gamers competing in a team battle royale. He and his friends must survive long enough to crack the secrets of Neural Reality before they lose their minds and become the ghosts of Ruin.
Stand-Out Qualities: Outstanding quality animation. An all-star voice cast with Rosario Dawson, Justin Long, Nathalie Emmanuel and Tony Revolori. Original music by Hans Zimmer’s legendary collective Bleeding Fingers Music. A great blend of genres (gritty, dystopian, action, horror).
Exec Quote: Carlos Biern, director of content and distribution at DeAPlaneta Kids & Family, says, “We are excited to add such a powerful IP as Ghosts of Ruin, which has so much talent behind it, to the DeAPlaneta Entertainment portfolio. The quality of animation is exceptional, and its story is unique, original and exciting. We are sure it will become a favorite among young audiences, one of the targets we have been focusing on lately.”
Delivery Date: First episodes already available
ghostsofruin.com
Super Free Play
Created by: Matt Danner (Muppet Babies)
Produced by: Matt Danner, Sander Schwartz, Bruce Robinson from Free Play Media and Animasia Studio
Distributed by: Lacey Entertainment
Type of Animation/Package: 2D, 20 x 11’
Target Audience: Kids 6-12
Synopsis: Set in a world inspired by retro video games, this interplanetary adventure follows Jay and Dasha, aka “The Turbo Twins,” humans living on an alien planet cluster, who’ve gained outlandish superpowers by absorbing “Power Ups” native to their new home. When the Multi-World summons the Turbo Twins for a new mission, can they save the planet from a major threat and finish their homework on time?
Stand-Out Qualities: Super Free Play has a team of leading animation veterans, including Eric Bauza and Sander Schwartz, on board to bring Matt Danner’s original project thrillingly to life on screen. This innovative animation combines the pulsing energy of video games with the excitement and comedic narrative of action superheroes to create a new intergalactic series with universal appeal.
Exec Quote: Matt Danner says, “Super Free Play is the video game show I always wanted to watch. I’m beyond excited to have such a stellar team on board for my first original series.”
superfreeplay.com
Pol the Pirate Mouse
Produced by: Submarine (Netherlands)
Created by: Denise van Leeuwen and Tingue Dongelmans
Distributed by: Dandelooo
Type of Animation/Package: CG; 13 x 7′ and 26-minute special
Synopsis: Pol has never seen the forest before. Her friends have never seen a pirate before, especially one so small. But that didn’t stop them from joining her crew and setting sail for adventure. They just love how Pol sees something fun, magical or unexpected in what they always saw as normal and everyday. Or, as Pol likes to call it, a treasure!
Target Audience: Preschoolers, 3-6
Delivery Date: May 2025
Stand-Out Qualities: The series teaches viewers about teamwork, friendship, tolerance, love of nature, creative thinking, mystery-solving and helping each other.
Exec Quote: Emmanuèle Pétry Sirvin, Dandelooo’s producer and head of international, says, “There’s something very special about Pol and her eclectic friends as they look for lost treasures to give back to whichever forest friend they belong to. We particularly love the fact that these five friends each have a slight handicap but form a strong group together in order to help other folks in the forest.”
dandelooo.com
Miniheroes of the Forest
Created by: French publisher Auzou
Produced by: Movimenti Production and MoBo, co-produced by Zodiak Kids & Family France
Distributed by: Banijay Kids & Family Distribution
Type of Animation/Package: 3D, 52 x 7’
Target Audience: Preschoolers
Synopsis: Follows the playtime adventures of four woodland creatures who have mini mega powers. Gabin’s Bunny Hug makes everything better, Gaston’s Beary Bounce and Roll cheers everyone up, Jade’s Foxy Ear helps her communicate with everyone and Juliette’s Owly Eye helps her watch over her friends. When school is over, they put on their “secret” costumes and discover what excitement the woods have in store for them.
Stand-Out Qualities: Miniheroes of the Forest is created by the leading talent from Banijay Kids & Family’s group of producers and uses world-class 3D animation. The series builds on themes of friendship and teamwork, demonstrating empathy and emotional intelligence for preschool viewers. Rai Kids and France TV are already on board this preschool comedy-adventure.
Exec Quote: Giorgio Scorza, CEO of Movimenti Production, says, “We are passionate about Miniheroes of the Forest, which we love for its simplicity, the tenderness of the protagonists and the messages it conveys. The adventures, and those mini mega powers that are in each of us, are sure to captivate audiences immediately. MoBo, with its 3D animation expertise, was the obvious choice to bring on board, and we’re also delighted to welcome our friends from Zodiak Kids & Family France.”
Delivery Date: 2024
banijaykidsandfamily.com
Tadpoles
Produced by: Gigglebug Entertainment
Created by: Character designer Said Omar Eshaq and storyboard artist Romain Beuriot, as part of Gigglebug’s internal Ideas Lab
Directed by: Joonas Utti
Package: 52 x 11’
Target Audience: Kids 6-9
Synopsis: Set in a vast and perilous pond, this comedic series follows the underwater odyssey of Ted and Paula, two seemingly insignificant tadpoles who brave the dangers of the creek as they quest to reach the top.
Stand-Out Qualities: The series is simultaneously produced for linear (horizontal screens) and mobile (vertical screens) viewing.
Exec Quote: Anttu Harlin, Gigglebug’s CEO and co-founder, said, “Tadpoles was born of out of us challenging our team to flex their creative muscles and invent a vertical story — and Said Omar Eshaq and Romain Beuriot’s universal concept of kids growing up, while literally venturing upward, immediately stood out. As our two tadpoles take on the dangers of the pond, viewers will also see a unique video gamelike progression of the characters, as they gain abilities and learn lessons along the way. We can’t wait to share it with partners at MIPTV.”
Delivery Date: 2026
gigglebugentertainment.com
Lexi and Lingo
Created by: Sally Marchant
Produced and distributed by: Omens Studios
Type of Animation/Package: CG, 52 x 7’
Key Creatives/Credits: Sally Marchant (123 Number Squad!, Peppa Pig)
Target Audience: Preschoolers 3-6
Synopsis: At the end of each day, six-year-old Lexi snuggles down on her bed and recalls in story form what she’s done that day for her lovable old dog, Lingo. Through Lexi’s vivid imagination and extensive use of synonyms, her creative and funny stories come to life in unexpected and exciting ways which will boost the vocabulary of preschoolers everywhere.
Stand-Out Qualities: The word gap for children is growing at an alarming rate, with an estimated one in five children being behind with their talking and understanding of words. Lexi and Lingo addresses this issue through fantastical storytelling, animation, intonation and music to encourage preschoolers to expand their vocabulary in a fun, exciting and fresh new way.
Exec Quote: Chi Sim Tang, CEO of Omens Studios, said, “We are incredibly excited about Lexi and Lingo and proud to showcase a heartwarming series that combines Lexi’s vivacious, imaginative stories whilst also providing audiences with a broad scope of vocabulary, which has been found to be an essential tool for preschoolers today.”
omens-studios.com
Tales of Terror for Franco
Created by: Hugo Mitoire (storybooks)
Produced by: 25-27 Estudio Audiovisual
Distributed by: Monster! Entertainment
Type of Animation/Package: 2D 4K, 10 x 13’
Target Audience: Kids 6-12
Synopsis: A group of children is absorbed by a mysterious book that transports them to a terrifying world of fears and nightmares. Inside this magical universe, they must face monsters and mythological creatures and learn to fight as a team. They will have the help of Franco, A being of mysterious origin will aid them along the way.
Stand-Out Qualities: The show is ideal programming for Halloween. It’s a highly original, serialized series based on bestselling books
Exec Quote: “We’re so excited to be launching this brilliant, highly original and beautifully animated series for kids who like to be scared at Halloween, or anytime,” says Monster! Entertainment’s Chairman Andrew Fitzpatrick.
Delivery Date: Immediately
monsterentertainment.tv
