The man behind the global hit series, Bob the Builder, made a big splash on the Croisette this weekend as he presented his latest creation to MIPCOM Jr. attendees. Keith Chapman’s new 52×10 show, Fifi and the Flowertots, is a charming stop-motion series aimed at preschoolers. Chapman thanked his partners and the animators at Cogrove Hall for making his latest creation come to life.
London-based distributor Target Ent. has struck a deal with Chapman Ent. to manage the TV and partial licensing rights to the series outside of North America and the U.K., while Chapman will tackle the two English-speaking territories. Vivid Imaginations has already signed on as the property’s master toy licensee in the U.K. and global master toy manufacturer and Harper Collins as book publisher and BBC Worldwide for magazines.
"You only need one hit to make, this gives you the financial springboard to move forward," says Chapman of his newly formed company, Chapman Ent. "There are no other independent production companies like us and I see us being the next Jim Henson. Yes, it’s a big ambition, but all my ideas have the potential to be huge!" Joining Chapman in his new enterprise is Greg Lynn as managing director and exec producer, and business manager Andrew Haydon.
From what we could judge from the pilot, the series has the right ingredients to follow in the footsteps of Bob the Builder. British toon shop Cosgrove Hall is behind the seamless animation of the show, which follows the gentle adventures of a mischievous young flower girl in a magical garden. Fifi is set to debut as part of Five’s Milkshake Block, as well as on Nick Jr. in the U.K. next spring.
