The MIP Junior market in Cannes (Oct 13-14) is considered one of the world’s top showcases for kids programming. This 2018 edition will offer a keynote by DreamWorks Animation TV president Margie Cohn, a world-premiere screening of Cyber Group Studios’ new show Gigantosaurus, and a fab opening party celebrating Millimages’ hit toon, Molang. Here are eight new animated projects that will be making a big splash at the market:
Go Away, Unicorn!
Format: 52 x 11’ and 10 x 1’ shorts
Created By: Go Away, Unicorn! is based on the popular children’s book written and illustrated by Emily Mullock. The series was developed by Ashley Rite, Andrea Gorfolova, and Dan Signer (ANT Farm, Some Assembly Required), for Disney Channel U.S. and YTV Canada.
Animation Style: 2D, CG, puppet, or hybrid? – 2D Animation
Synopsis: Go Away, Unicorn! follows a young girl named Alice and her best friend, an energetic Unicorn, as they explore their differences and realize that friendships can be found in the unlikeliest of places.
Target Audience: Kids 5-9
Stand-Out Qualities: Go Away, Unicorn! features a strong, independent female lead who is passionate about a wide array of interests and is unafraid to be different. She is not your usual girly girl — and much prefers sports and books to rainbows and glitter. That all changes when an eccentric and mischievous Unicorn shows up to declare himself her new best friend and is embraced by her modern family. In a world where kids are hyper-scheduled and grow up too fast, Unicorn is a constant heart-warming reminder to Alice that it is okay to be a kid and not know all the answers.
Exec Quote: Andrea Gorfolova, President, Kids, Family & Factual, Sonar Entertainment says, “Go Away, Unicorn! is a beautiful, original series featuring a strong girl character who is not afraid to be herself. Kids everywhere will see themselves represented in Alice and her friends and dare to be different. We look forward to sharing Alice and Unicorn with audiences worldwide this fall.”
Website: sonarent.com
Team DroniX
Format: 26 x 22’
Created By: Technicolor Animation Productions
Animation Style: CGI
Synopsis: The elaborate high-tech, adrenaline-rush universe of drones comes to life in this thrilling new fun-filled, action-adventure series. The show transports viewers into the gripping world of cutting edge drones, combining stunning drone races on land, in the air and under the sea with action-packed adventures, mysterious characters, covert agencies and shifting allegiances!
Target Audience: Girls and boys, 6-11
Stand-Out Qualities: An industry-leading team has come together for this series. Technicolor Animation Productions, France Télévisions (France) and Gloob (Brazil) are partnering to produce the new show, while Silverlit, the world’s leading drone manufacturer, is the worldwide master toy partner. PGS will spearhead all global distribution and licensing and merchandising activities (excluding France, where France TV will handle it).
Exec Quote: “Team DroniX delivers high-tech adventure that offers boys and girls alike the chance to embark on thrilling adventures with Bucky, Tim and Vicky — modern, diverse characters that audiences will care about and relate to — amidst the elaborate high-tech universe of drones,” says Sandrine Nguyen, co-managing director, Technicolor Animation Productions.
Website: technicoloranimationproductions.com
Zog
Format: 1 x 30’
Created By: Based on the popular book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler.
Distributor: Magic Light Pictures
Synopsis: Zog is the courageous tale of a keen, but accident-prone dragon who gets into all sorts of mischief while learning how to fly, roar and breathe fire in his first three years at Dragon School. Although Zog is determined to be the best dragon in the class, things keep going wrong. Fortunately for Zog, there’s always a mysterious young girl around to pick him up, patch up his bumps and bruises and get him back on track.
Target Audience: Family
Animation Technique: CG
Stand-Out Qualities: A heart-warming, hilarious and action-packed family adventure, Zog comes from the producers of the multi award-winning specials The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom, Stick Man and The Highway Rat.
Exec Quote: Michael Rose, Co-Founder, Magic Light Pictures, says: “It’s wonderful to be bringing this amazing Donaldson/Scheffler title to life. Zog is a tremendous character in a world of dragons, princesses and knights, an adventure the family can all enjoy watching together.”
Website: magiclightpictures.com
Ricky the Dinosaur
Format: 52 x 5’30”
Produced By: Riki Group and APC Kids
Target Audience: Preschool
Animation Technique: 2D
Synopsis: The amazing and hilarious adventures of Ricky, a young dinosaur, his older sister Tira and their parents
Standout Qualities: Great visuals and great scripts make this a great new addition to the global preschool toon market. Belly Up Productions (Zack & Quack and Floogals) and Sharon Miller (Thomas & Friends) are on board as script editors and voice directors.
Exec Quotes: Lionel Marty, Managing Director of APC Kids, says: “There is global interest in children’s properties created in Russia and we are excited by the international potential of this fun series which has universal themes of family and friendship.”
Diana Yurinova, VP, International business development and distribution, Riki Group adds: “I am happy that Riki Group has the opportunity to launch this new series in collaboration with APC Kids… With such a strong and experienced team of script writers and producers we are sure Ricky the Dinosaur will gain maximum attention both in the domestic and international markets.”
Websites: aboutpremiumcontent.com and rikigroup.com
Mighty MECHS
Format: 52 x 11’
Created By: Zoland Animation & Animasia Studio
Target Audience: Preschool
Animation Technique: CGI
Synopsis: In a world that’s out of balance with nature, a team of warm-hearted, environmentally conscious AI robots (Razor, Echo, Clay and Boomer), together with their engineering expert leader Jane set out to save Orca Bay from disasters. With their specially designed DYNA machine, each AI Robot has unique abilities to incorporate various types of equipment and tools to save the day.
Stand-Out Qualities: Mighty MECHS features a unique set of robots that can multi-equip themselves with a different set of tools and accessories, which help them save and protect the environment from disasters and human neglect. Every episode is a different challenge as the robots must come up with inventive transformations to face the problem. The show offers great storytelling and fun robots who inspire kids to consider proactive and imaginative solutions to save the environment.
Exec Quote: “We are extremely excited to be able to work with Zoland Animation (China) to develop Mighty MECHS as this concept is character driven, and thus combining our experience team of writers and directors in Los Angeles and Malaysia, we can synergize our resources with Zoland’s strong team of CG animators based in China to produce and develop the show further,” says Edmund Chan, Executive Producer & Managing Director of Animasia Studio.
Website: animasia-studio.com
Tata
Package: 52 x 11’
Created By: Celia Catunda, Kiko Mistrorigo, Eduardo Melo and Mariana Bardan
Distributor: TV PinGuim
Target Audience: Preschool (3-5)
Animation Technique: 2D
Synopsis: Tata is a surprisingly energetic turtle who is also intelligent, spirited and, above all, a really good friend. Her library is full of the most fascinating stories of exotic places and animals and she loves reading all about them and looking at their colorful pictures. Tata and her friends set off to find the magical creatures she has read about. This youthful explorer leads her friends on the most fantastic expeditions into the dense forests surrounding their yard, where they have exciting adventures as they search for the exotic animals.
Stand-Out Qualities: This enchanting new series is a story of friendship, travel and adventure — and a beguiling heroine in Tata the turtle
Exec Quote: Celia Catunda, co-founder of TV PinGuim, says: “We are really excited about our brand new show, which is currently in development. Brazil is home to the biggest forest in the world so this show is a natural fit for us, and with its strong themes of exploration and discovery we think Tata also has strong international appeal.”
Website: penguin-animation.com
Bamboo Love
Produced By: Victory Arts Incorporated & Bamboo Love Inc.
Distributor: Pop Arts Entertainment Inc.
Package: 26 x 3’
Animation Technique: CG
Target: Preschool (2-6)
Broadcasters: TVOKids, ICI Radio-Canada, Knowledge Network
Synopsis: Bamboo Love is a series about first tries and second chances. The show centers on Bamboo, an endearing panda, who is always experiencing and learning how to do things for the first time and proves to kids that anything is possible. He is also accompanied by Annika, a clever seven-year-old girl who helps him through life’s challenges. The series teaches young viewers that with a little encouragement, persistence and courage, they can overcome any challenge. With laughter and kindness, Bamboo will win the hearts of kids all over the world.
Premiere date: Fourth Quarter, 2018
Languages: English, French, Mandarin, Spanish, Finnish, Hindi, German
Website: victoryarts.com
Roobi and Chickens
Created By: Babak and Behnood Nekooei
Produced/Distributed By: Gonbad Caboud Studio, Iran
Format: 100 x 8’ (to date 20 episodes have been produced.)
Type of Animation: 2D Digital
Target Audience: Family and Kids
Synopsis: Roobi and Chickens centers on the constant conflicts between a fox and a rooster. This non-dialogue slapstick comedy series is inspired by Iranian folktales with a modern twist. The story revolves around Roobi, a blue fox living in the same neighborhood as Rooster, an early bird who lives with his family on a farm. Each episode follows their adventures and conflicts while Roobi is annoyed by Rooster’s attitudes, attempting to drive him and his family away from their farm and coming up with grand schemes that fail.
Stand-Out Qualities: “The show is produced by a team of 20 passionate artists in Tehran’s Gonbad Caboud Studio,” says creator and studio founder Babak Nekooei. “Its high-quality animation has a look that is similar to classic animation by Tex Avery and Chuck Jones, which makes this series quite unique and nostalgic. Roobi and Chickens has been well-received in Iran and internationally, winning eight awards from five national festivals, including two awards for children TV production in the Tehran International Film Festival, as well as competing in international festivals Anima Mundi in Brazil and this year’s Annecy festival.”
Website: facebook.com/gonbadcaboud.studio
Rev & Roll
Created By: DHX Media and Alpha Group
Format: 52 x 11’ Animation Style: CGI
Target Audience: Preschoolers
Synopsis: Rev & Roll follows the adventures of eight-year-old Rev and his best friend Rumble — a rambunctious anthropomorphic truck with all the personality of a loyal and enthusiastic dog! Amped up and always raring to go, Rev and Rumble are an energized pair of truck-powered pals who are living the childhood dream on their family’s ranch, Accelerator Acres.
Stand-Out Qualities: This series is all about high-octane fun, punctuated with heartfelt moments between friends, with a unique look and feel to the animation style. Bend, Rev and Rumble live in a revved up world where vehicles live side-by-side with their human best friends. From lovable trucks to curious dune buggies to quick thinking fire trucks, the world of Rev and Rumble is always in motion with jobs to be done and fun to be had! Add Rev’s best friend, Avery, and her ATV, Alley, to the mix, and the laughs keep on coming!
Exec Quote: “We’re delighted to be bringing Rev & Roll to MIP Junior together with our partners at Alpha Group. This fantastic new series is a celebration of childhood, encouraging kids to find solutions in the face of setbacks and not be discouraged, while having tons of fun along the way. We’re confident young audiences and their parents alike will be delighted by this fantastic new series and look forward to introducing them to the high-energy adventures of Rev and his truck puppy, Rumble,” says Josh Scherba, president of DHX Media.
Website: www.dhxmedia.com
