May-June ’25 issue of Animation Magazine (No. 350).
A quick look at some of the hot new animated shows debuting at the MIFA market in Annecy, France this month!
Bernard
Produced by: DeAPlaneta Entertainment / Alpha Group Animation
Created by: BRB Internacional
Format: 104 episodes x 7 minutes
Type of Animation: CG
Target Audience: Family
Synopsis: He’s clumsy, impatient, selfish … and so funny! A curious and comic polar bear who travels around the world learning about us, Bernard can turn something as simple as taking a picture, facing a rainstorm or playing golf into a difficult yet hilarious challenge. Enjoy his adventures and misadventures in this new series.
Standout Qualities: One of the biggest and most followed characters on YouTube worldwide is finally back in a new, edgier and longer show. The series will be accompanied by new content available in all media and the release of the movies Bernard Bear: Mission Mars and Agent Bernard: Kingsbear on many TV and SVOD platforms. Another upcoming feature is also in production (2026 release).
Exec Quote: Animation veteran Carlos Biern, the studio’s content and media sales director says, “For quite a while now, Bernard’s global fans (4.7 million unique monthly viewers on YouTube and 6.7 million subscribers and 1 million followers on Facebook) were asking for new content featuring this amazing character. We can’t be happier to be able to start delivering what everyone was asking for, beginning this year.”
Release Date: Fall 2026
youtube.com/@BRBplayBernardbear
Artefact: Thieves of Thieves
Produced by: Somewhere Animation / Mediawan Kids & Family
Directed by: Stéphane Berry
Written by: Cyril Deydier and Stéphane Berry
Distributed by: Mediawan Kids & Family
Format: 26 x 22′
Type of Animation: 2D
Target Audience: Kids ages 6-10
Synopsis: Jet and Charlie are unassuming teen siblings who become the guardians of powerful objects that were strategically positioned around the globe by ancient civilizations. However, several villains plan on stealing and hoarding these artefacts to pursue their nefarious goals. It’s now up to Jet and Charlie to stop them, just like their father before them.
Standout Qualities: Artefacts: Thieves of Thieves was developed to be the kind of series we’d all love to watch — a true blockbuster shaped by the unique blend of comedy, action and emotion that Stéphane Berry (creator of the global phenomenon Totally Spies!) has mastered.
Exec Quote: “After years of successful collaboration with Stéphane Berry on the return of Totally Spies!, we were eager to imagine a brand-new series for today’s kids — one that speaks to their thirst for epic adventures, their curiosity about the world and their timeless love of fun and entertainment,” says Arthur Colignon, producer and CEO of Somewhere Animation. “Artefacts: Thieves of Thieves is where Indiana Jones meets National Treasure, with Stéphane Berry’s signature comedic twist bringing it all to life.”
Release Date: Q4, 2026
Emerald
Produced by: Kelebek Media Limited
Created by: Deborah Thorpe, based on the Emerald books and characters by Harriet Muncaster
Distributed by: APC Kids
Format: 18 x 11′ and 1 x 22′
Type of Animation: 2D
Target Audience: Kids ages 4-7
Synopsis: Emerald’s life changes from being a regular mermaid living with her dad and his girlfriend to gaining a princess stepsister and becoming a princess herself when her mother marries the Sea King! Navigating this new world, living between two homes and being part of a blended family is all new to Emerald, but Theodore the Sea Unicorn and Shelly the Sea Turtle are there to help her with the transition and provide plenty of laughs.
Standout Qualities: From the world of Isadora Moon and the imagination of Harriet Muncaster, the show centers on a mermaid princess who marches to the beat of her own drum. A comedy series for young viewers full of heart, wonder and fun.
Exec Quote: “We’re so excited to be bringing Emerald the Mermaid Princess to life for Sky Kids in the U.K. Following on the huge success of Isadora Moon, it’s been a joy and a privilege to produce this wonderful spinoff series, which is landing soon on Sky Kids,” says Deborah Thorpe, showrunner and founder of Kelebek Media.
Release Date: 2025
aboutpremiumcontent.com/?programs=emerald
Submarine Jim
Produced by: Xilam Animation
Created by: Frédéric Martin
Format: 52 x 11 minutes
Type of Animation: 2D Animation
Target Audience: Kids ages 6-9
Synopsis: Delve into the tale of a naive young dolphin named Jim, who is tasked with steering the world’s first-ever submarine on wheels. Jim and his friends’ water-filled tube has left the ocean to seek out an unlikely destination — the pristine waters of Fishland. As they embark on their mission and navigate plenty of twists, Jim will be torn between his captain responsibilities and fun times with his best friends: Bianca, the daring orca; and the ever-reliable ship steward, Cyril the anchovy.
Standout Qualities: Submarine Jim is a comedy-adventure about growing up, having fun with your friends and figuring out what it really means to be in charge — even when you’re still just a kid at heart.
Exec Quote: Marc du Pontavice, founder and CEO at Xilam Animation, says, “We’re excited to be working with the highly talented Fred Martin once again. He has a remarkable track record in crafting comedy for global audiences, and we all instantly loved his concept for Submarine Jim. It’s a pure, laugh-out-loud funny series that builds on our long-standing experience in the comedy space, and we know it will appeal to kids and families all over the world.”
Release Date: Q2 2026
xilam.com/en/media/submarine-jim
Winx Club – The Magic Is Back
Produced by: Rainbow
Created by: Iginio Straffi
Format: 26 x 24 minutes
Type of Animation: CGI
Target Audience: Kids ages 6-8, young adults
Synopsis: This rebooted version of the hugely successful Winx Club franchise is seen through the eyes of Bloom, a 16-year-old suburban teen who discovers she’s a fairy with magical powers. After enrolling in a fairy school in a far-off dimension to learn how to control her magic, Bloom makes new friends while uncovering secrets of her mysterious and exciting past.
Standout Qualities: Magical, humorous and relatable, Winx Club shows us a world where different personalities and talents make us invincible when united for a common good, and where friendship and teamwork always save the day.
Exec Quote: Straffi says, “This bold and colorful new series celebrates a return to the origins of the saga that has captivated millions of fans around the world for over 20 years but has been transformed with innovative and exciting special effects and compelling new storylines.”
Release Date: 2025
Mortina
Produced by: Cartobaleno Srl / Treehouse Republic
Created by: Barbara Contini, Danny Stack, Alessandro Q. Ferrari
Distributed by: Studio 100 International
Format: 52 x 12′
Type of Animation: 2D/cutout
Target Audience: Kids ages 5-8
Synopsis: Mortina has just moved into the mysterious Crumbling Manor, her Aunt Departed’s house, a large and creaky mansion full of secret passages, ghosts and strange creatures. Mortina adores these odd creatures, especially Nora and Leo, her new friends. Tragedy (the albino greyhound) and Mortina’s know-it-all cousin Dilbert also join her on her many adventures.
Standout Qualities: Mortina deals with fear, not of zombies and ghosts but the fear of not being accepted for who we are, and with the desire to please others and ourselves despite our “monstrosities.” It is a story about friendship, diversity and acceptance; picture the quirky charm of The Addams Family blended with the warmth and humor of Vampirina.
Exec Quote: Dorian Bühr head of global distribution at Studio 100 International, says, “Mortina is such a wonderful story about embracing your uniqueness, filled with lots of quirky humor. We are thrilled to be part of this exciting journey of bringing this bestselling book series to screens around the world.”
Delivery Date: Nov./Dec. 2025
Tippi T-Rex
Produced by: Ánima Kitchent
Created by: Pierre Paris
Type of Animation: 2D
Target Audience: Preschoolers ages 3-5
Synopsis: Follows the daily life of imaginative four-year-old T. rex Tippi (and best friends Pearl and Triceps) who uses her contagious energy and imagination in the most everyday situations to turn them into incredible adventures all while learning and having fun.
Standout Qualities: The series combines action-packed adventures with engaging storytelling rooted in everyday situations. Each episode transforms daily life into imaginative journeys that spark curiosity and wonder. What sets Tippi T-Rex apart is its meaningful integration of social-emotional learning, helping children better understand themselves and others while they play and explore.
Exec Quote: Miguel Aldasoro, Ánima Kitchent’s director of international sales and co-productions says, “Producing 26 new episodes alongside Mocca, our new co-producer, is a great opportunity for the brand. These episodes, currently in production, will bring the total catalog to 52 episodes once completed. This expansion will significantly strengthen the brand’s presence, boosting its appeal for distribution and sales in the market and offering partners a more robust and competitive content package. Tippi brings social and emotional learning to life through playful storytelling, helping children build positive habits, [like] playing kindly and respectfully [and] managing emotions, all delivered with a warm mix of humor, empathy and heart.”
Release Date: Q4 2026
The Sprite House
Produced by: Paper Owl Films
Created by: Gráinne McGuinness
Format: 52 x 7′
Type of Animation: 3D and 2D
Target Audience: Kids ages 2 to 5
Synopsis: When the SpriteLite gang place their bracelet gems on Big Bulb’s story engine, the stories of all the children of all the world sprite to life! They sprite up themselves, glowing up from Humans to SpriteLites! As Big bulb beams them into a tale long ago or far away, they are lit up with inspiration for their own world.
Standout Qualities: The Sprite House features inclusive storytelling, the natural magic and the light that connects us all, and a positive message about the power of transformation
Exec Quote: Gráinne McGuinness, Paper Owl Films’ creative director, tells us, “The Sprite House is a super cute, sparkly series bringing the stories of the children of the world to life. Traveling through the magic light beams of the Sprite House, our SpriteLites zoom into far away stories from all over the world. I love this show — the stories of the children of the world are as many as the stars in the sky — it has the potential to run for years and inspire generations! And we get to work on it!”
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