Global entertainment content market MIPCOM (October 11-14, Cannes) has added the International Premiere Screening of new animated kids’ series Star Trek: Prodigy to its line up of market screenings and content showcases. The International Premiere will take place on Tuesday, October 12 from 15:15 to 16:15 in the Grand Auditorium of the Palais des Festivals.
Developed by Emmy Award winners Kevin and Dan Hageman (Trollhunters, Ninjago), the CG-animated series Star Trek: Prodigy is the first Star Trek series aimed at younger audiences, and will follow a motley crew of young aliens who must figure out how to work together while navigating a greater galaxy, in search of a better future. These six young outcasts know nothing about the ship they have commandeered – a first in the history of the Star Trek franchise – but over the course of their adventures together, they will each be introduced to Starfleet and the ideals it represents.
Star Trek: Prodigy is from CBS’ Eye Animation Productions, Nickelodeon Animation Studio, Secret Hideout and Roddenberry Entertainment. Alex Kurtzman, Heather Kadin, Katie Krentz, Rod Roddenberry and Trevor Roth serve as executive producers alongside co-showrunners Kevin and Dan Hageman. Ben Hibon directs, co-executive produces and serves as the creative lead of the all-new animated series. Aaron Baiers also serves as co-executive producer. Distributed by ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group. Series debuts on Paramount+ in the U.S. on October 28 with a one-hour premiere episode, and will also be available to stream on Paramount+ in international territories including Latin America, the Nordics and Australia.
Read more about the series in the November ’21 issue of Animation Magazine.
Part of the simultaneous MIPJunior programming, the MIPJunior Project Pitch is a unique pitching competition highlighting new Kids TV projects with the greatest potential for commissioning and multiplatform extension. Dedicated to all creators and producers seeking financing for projects in development. This year, four out of five of the finalists are animated projects:
- Florida (Paper Owl Films, U.K.) Preschool, 52 x 11′, in development (25-75% financed): Florida is nothing if not a wholehearted embracer of change. An eternal optimist, she sees opportunities for fun and funny wherever she goes. Some might call this mischief … she prefers “experiment.” With the help of her new friends RP, Birdee & Lil’ Bulb, Florida helps the characters she meets in Ms. G’s G.E.M. shop find a new purpose in the world.
- LoodleVille (SMF Studio, Russia) Kids, 52 x 7′, in production (more than 75% financed): Hidden on top of a snow capped mountain stands the quaint and quirky town of Loodleville, home of the Loodles — an unusual group of cute little Yeti, including Anne, her brother Boo, Mom and Dad, and their dog, Garbanzo. Life for the Loodles may seem just like our own, except it’s quite a bit smaller and a whole lot sillier! Luckily, Anne has her one and only Loodle Doodle Book. When she needs to, Anne can swipe one of her doodles into reality to get her out of a tricky situation, but if she’s not careful, she might make it even worse … Welcome to Loodleville!
- Princess Arabella (Phanta Animation, Netherlands) Preschool, 26 x 7′, early stage (0-25% financed): In the series, we follow the humoristic, creative and emotional adventures of a brown-skinned princess and her friends and family. Living in a street where everybody is royal, and all the houses are castles and palaces, there are always things to do and discover. Each episode covers one day in Arabella’s life with a new adventure. And although all the characters are kings, queens, princes and princesses, nothing human is strange to them. The same goes for Arabella.
- ForkFish (Anthem Studios, U.K.) Kids, 13 x 22′, early stage (0-25% financed): A super fun, mockumentary-style show that follows the antics of Forkfish and his friends as he itches to experience all that living on land can be. Forkfish arrived in the coastal town of Forkville one morning when a boardwalk fork statue was accidentally knocked into the water, giving him the ability to walk and talk. With its history as the birthplace of the fork, most of the town embrace Forkfish as a hero, as he navigates living on land and avoiding the fisherman.
- Ssopa (Northern Fable, Sweden) Live action, tweens & teens, 15 x 10′, early stage (0-25% financed): A series that brings life to dreams and drama, friendship and romance. We explore the challenges of moving to a new city through the eyes of Emma who has just been accepted to the most prestigious dance, music and art school in Sweden, SSOPA.
The finalist pitch session will be held Monday, October 11 from 14.45-15.30 in the Esterel (Palais 5). Jury members for 2021 are Nicole Keeb, Head of International co-productions and acquisitions for children and youth, ZDF (Germany); Stephen Hodge, CEO, OTTera (U.S.A.); and Irene Potecary Huse, Acquisitions Executive, NRK (Norway).
This year’s confab will also see the fifth edition of the MIPCOM Diversify TV Excellence Awards, with the winners to be announced in a ceremony Wednesday, October 13 from 16-17.00 in the Grand Auditorium at the Palais des Festivals which will be livestreamed worldwide via MIPCOM Digital and affiliated platforms. Rising star Salif Cissé (Mental, Couronnes, upcoming Endless Night) will preside as Master of Ceremonies. This year’s Variety Creative Change Award will be bestowed on Oscar-nominated actor, writer, producer and musician Riz Ahmed.
Dedicated to championing and promoting diversity and inclusion in all its forms across the international television industry, MIPCOM Diversify TV Excellence Awards recognize standout programming that challenges stereotypes, provides fair and balanced representation and exemplifies originality and excellence in storytelling, casting and production values. The 24 finalists were chosen from a record number of submissions by the Pre-Selection Jury made up of the MIP Markets Diversity Advisory Board and a panel of industry experts. The winning programmes will be chosen by charitable organisations that campaign for equality and inclusion, including Fondation Mozaïk, GLAAD, GADIM, Mencap, Minority Rights Group, SCOPE, Show Racism the Red Card, Stonewall. Animation reigns supreme in the pre-k finalists; find the full list of nominees here.
MIPCOM Diversify TV Excellence Award for Representation of Diversity in Kids’ Programming – Preschool:
- 16 Hudson – Production company: Big Bad Boo Studios. Distributor: Big Bad Boo Studios. Original Broadcaster: TVO. (Canada)
- JoJo & Gran Gran – Production company: BBC Children’s In-House Productions for CBeebies in collaboration with A Productions. Distributor: CBeebies. Original Broadcaster: CBeebies and BBC iPlayer. (United Kingdom)
- Mira, Royal Detective – Production company: Wild Canary Animation / Technicolor India. Distributor: Disney. Original Broadcaster: Disney Junior. (United States)
Much more compelling content, networking opportunities and informative sessions await at the streamlined 2021 MIPCOM and MIPJunior exhibitions. Visit mipcom.com to register and learn more about how to make the most of the event in person and online.
