French studio Ellipse Animation is expanding its content range, with numerous projects of varying genres and target audiences in development through its various production labels. Two of these new series will be presented at Cartoon Forum in Toulouse (Sept. 19-22): preschool project Trotro & Zaza, based on Bénédicte Guettier’s illustrated books (Gallimard Jeunesse), and Dreamland, a teen/adult project in coproduction with La Chouette Compagnie, adapted from the manga of the same name (Pika Edition), which continues to win new fans.
“We are delighted to be in Toulouse this year with two projects which illustrate the diversity of our editorial line at Ellipse Animation. With this diversification, we will continue opening up new collaborations both in France and internationally. Our attendance at Cartoon Forum is a crucial step in this development strategy,” said Caroline Audebert, Managing Director of Ellipse Animation.
Announced at the 2022 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Dreamland is Ellipse Animation’s new teen/adult project developed through Dupuis Edition & Audiovisuel with La Chouette Compagnie and in partnership with ADN (Animation Digital Network, Média-Participations’ dedicated animation streaming platform). Mediatoon on board for international distribution.
This adaptation of the manga created by Reno Lemaire is published by Pika Edition (20 volumes published to date and almost 600,000 copies sold, volume 21 is coming out on 12 October), the 10 x 24’ 2D animation series will take the viewer into the world of Terrence. By day he is a simple high-school student, trying desperately to follow boring classes and to get together with Lydia, the girl he’s fallen for. He is also terrified of fire since his mother died in a house-fire when he was only 7 years old. One night, in his dreams, he overcomes his fear and manages to bring a fire under control. He becomes a traveller, a very particular type of dreamer who, every night when he is asleep, is taken to Dreamland…
“Convinced of the universal scope of the story developed by Reno Lemaire since 2006, we have dreamed for years of adapting the manga Dreamland at La Chouette. Now it’s come true, thanks to ADN and Ellipse Animation,” said series producer Sylvain Dos Santos of La Chouette Compagnie. “The whole team is thrilled to bring this story to the screen and show this incredible world of dreams to as many viewers as possible both in France and around the world.”
Audebert added, “We are buoyed up by the great interest expressed in this new project following the screening of the trailer in Annecy. We’ve had more than 165,000 views on YouTube, along with the hundreds of thousands of views on Twitter. Another positive sign is the Dreamland, conference organised by Pika Edition at Japan Expo on 14 July which was extremely well received. This is only the beginning and we have every reason to dream of success for Dreamland.”
Ellipse Animation will present “Dreamland: When a successful MangFra (manga made in France) becomes an anime” Weds., Sept. 21 at 3 p.m. in teh Blue Room, with Audebert, Dos Santos and screenwriter Antoine Maurel (Droners S2, Imago, Marblegen).
Trotro & Zaza is the latest iteration of a powerhouse IP of the past 20 years. The first series, which won the Unifrance Award for Audiovisual exports in 2017, is currently broadcast around the world, including on major platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. On YouTube, Trotro has generated more than 700 million views and gathered more than a million subscribers in the eight languages available.
This new series follows the famous little donkey at a time when he has to take on a massive new challenge: becoming a big brother to Zaza. Mediatoon will also be handling internatinoal distribution for this 2D preschool project.
“We are proud to accompany Trotro & Zaza in new stories crafted for younger audiences. These two endearing characters complete the family of iconic heroes from Ellipse Animation,” said Lila Hannou, VP Creative Development and Strategy at Ellipse Animation. “We know they have what it takes to reach the international success they deserve with children and their parents who have almost certainly enjoyed the first series.”
Throughout the 78 x 3’30″ episodes, Trotro will take on his new magical, gratifying and sometimes surprising role. He will have to share everything he learns, his emotions and even his toys! All sorts of important everyday activities between a brother and a sister will spice up their adventures and create a whole range of emotions shared by children the world over. All of this of course along with family love.
“I remember how happy I was to see Trotro animated and to hear his voice for the first time with the tests for the first series! I was on cloud nine! Now, he’s become a big brother and is back with his little sister Zaza, a mini-whirlwind who wants to have her say,” said Bénédicte Guettier, who wrote the books and is the graphic designer of the series.
“With adoration, arguments, messing around, mischief and affection, through their many adventures together they learn how to get to know each other and to find their own place. They have the keys for everything to go well, because even if ‘Trotro’s too funny,’ his little sister is ‘Zazadorable’!
“I love working on this new series with Gaëlle Guiny and Alexandre Coste: choosing the voices, finding the backgrounds, the bright colours, finalizing the outlines, the size of the eyes and the length of the ears, looking for the right gestures and expressions for the characters, and finally seeing them come to life!”
Hannou, Guettier, producer Gaëlle Guiny and director Alexandra Coste (Akissi: A Funny Little Brother) will present the Ellipse Animation pitch “Tratra & Zaza: A whole new preschool project based on a major property” on Thurs., Sept. 22 at 9:45 a.m. in the Blue Room at Cartoon Forum.
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