Studio 100 Int’l Launches Quirky Animated Series ‘Mortina’ at MIFA

Studio 100 International has added a spooky twist to its series lineup: At this year’s Annecy International Animation Film Market (MIFA) the company will introduce Mortina (52 x 12’), a 2D-animated mystery-comedy with a gothic design flare.

Mortina is based on the international bestselling book series written and illustrated by Barbara Cantini, published by Mondadori Libri. The books have sold more than 600,000 copies in 30 countries — including Italy, France, Germany, Spain, the U.K., the U.S.A., Japan and China.

Synopsis: The series follows nine-year-old zombie girl Mortina and her “alive-alive” friends Nora and Leo, as well as her loyal dog Tragedy and cousin Dilbert. Set in the delightfully decaying Crumbling Manor, the self-proclaimed Mystery Squad solves strange and comical cases such as recovering books hidden by a mischievous tongue or searching for BroccoGloomy, a weird vegetable that makes you sprout dragonfly wings.

Mortina proves that being different is something to celebrate — quirks, oddities, and all the lovable “monstrosities” included. The spooky setting provides the perfect backdrop to highlight each character’s original traits and special talents. Though Mortina may not be among the living, her hopes and desires are universally relatable: to find friendship and to be accepted for who she is. This message resonates with children everywhere and allows them to connect with the characters on a deeper level. The series delivers a bold and empowering message — that everyone has a place in the world, whether alive-alive or not — encouraging kids to embrace their individuality with confidence.

The Mortina animated series is co-produced by Italy’s Cartobaleno (ATCHOO! S1&2, The Davincibles) and Ireland’s Treehouse Republic (Hey Fuzzy Yellow, Atom Town), commissioned by Rai Kids (Italy) and RTÉ (Ireland), and targets children aged five to eight. The first 26 episodes are slated for delivery by the end of 2025, with the remaining 26 episodes following by the end of 2026.

“Mortina is a delightful series that celebrates the power of being different and is packed with whimsical humor, energy and heart,” said Dorian Buehr, Head of Global Distribution at Studio 100 International. “We are absolutely excited to bring this beloved book series to screens around the globe.”