The studios behind International Emmy Award-nominated hit series Mush-Mush & the Mushables — which has sold in over 150 territories — as well as the short film Luce and the Rock –an official selection of more than 150 international film festivals — La Cabane (France) and Thuristar (Belgium) have announced new collaborations in the works, ahead of the Annecy International Animation Film Market (MIFA).
The two companies, which are separate entities helmed by the same shareholders, are currently developing several new original projects for different audiences and in very different visual styles, produced in both in 2D and 3D animation.
“We choose to focus on a limited number of projects, to follow each of them very closely — on a creative level of course, but also on a technical, strategic and financial level,” said Perrine Gauthier, CEO & Producer of La Cabane. “I think Mush-Mush illustrates that this has been quite a successful strategy for us so far. The production of the second season is now almost completed, and in the meantime we’ve been developing exciting new projects, with the same high standards that have guided us from the start.”
Both La Cabane and Thuristar are focused on the development, financing and production of animated projects, while supporting the involved creative talents. Gauthier shares that the partners have no intention to open their own animation studios, “to retain as much freedom and flexibility as possible in the choice and timing of projects,” choosing instead to collaborate with different subcontracting studios, chosen based on the specificities of each project.
Season 2 of Mush-Mush (airing through Canal+, Warner Bros Discovery EMEA, VRT, RTBF and others), which will be fully delivered by the end of 2023, is being produced using Epic Games’ Unreal Engine. “Next to the artistic and technical benefits of this real-time production pipeline, there’s a positive impact on our carbon footprint as render times have been considerably reduced, while also improving the teams’ work conditions,” notes Joeri Christiaen, Founder of Thuristar and the show’s director/art director.
Mush-Mush‘s journey to the screen began when Belgian artist Elfriede de Rooster created a tiny 3D-printed mushroom figurine, which convinced Gauthier that the lovable fungus could carry a series. Strength of creative vision is likewise key to the studios’ upcoming projects:
- For Emma Makes Waves, Gauthier initiated series development with Italian artist Giulia Iacopini after discovering her illustrations on social media, and partnered her with two French co-creators: Julien Gallet for the literary bible and Camille Chao for the graphic bible.
- For the new family television special A Lamb’s Stew, Christiaen serves as in-house writer/director at the helm, in collaboration with Claire Paoletti as writing consultant.
- The worldwide festival success of the short film Luce and the Rock and the studios’ collaboration with Belgian artist Britt Raes, were the starting point for the new preschool series, Luce in the Lovely Land, which will be pitched at Cartoon Forum 2023.
“Our day-to-day, attentive presence throughout the life of each of our projects also has benefits on a human level, and I think this has greatly contributed to forging strong, long-lasting relationships with authors and teams in general,” Gauthier concludes.
About the Projects
La Cabane and Thuristar co-developments:
Luce in the Lovely Land
The series, which has just been selected to be presented at the next Cartoon Forum in September 2023, is adapted from Luce and the Rock, Britt Raes’ second short film. Pre-bought by several European broadcasters (France Télévisions, VRT-Ketnet, RTBF, etc.) and selected for over 150 festivals worldwide (including Annecy, Clermont-Ferrand and the New York International Children’s Film Festival), the film has won over 30 awards (Special Mention at the Berlinale, prizes at Ottawa, Anima, the Japan Prize, etc.). Luce and the Rock was also released across 200 theaters in France as part of the “Vive le Vent d’Hiver!” program distributed by Les Films du Préau, and in Belgium, Spain and Switzerland, attracting over 100,000 moviegoers to date.
Produced by Thuristar and La Cabane
In development with VRT-Ketnet
Written and directed by Britt Raes
Produced by Perrine Gauthier
Format: Series 26 x 11’
Core target: Preschool (3-6)
Genre: Modern tale
Technique: 2D and 3D (2D render)
Start of production: 2024
Synopsis: Luce in the Lovely Land is a series of adventurous and quirky tales in which Luce, a brave and curious 6-year-old, explores the world around her. When an event disrupts the daily life of her small village, Luce sets out with her best friend, a giant Rock creature, in search for answers and solutions… which will lead them to meet incredible creatures and to live amazing adventures.
A Lamb’s Stew
Produced by Thuristar and La Cabane
Written and directed by Joeri Christiaen
In collaboration with Claire Paoletti as writing consultant
Produced by Perrine Gauthier
Format: 26’ (special)
Core target: Family
Genre: Modern tale
Technique: 3D (Blender)
Synopsis: Determined to prove that sheep are just as brave as other animals, a young lamb finds herself embarked on an unexpected culinary journey alongside a mysterious wolf.
La Cabane development:
Emma Makes Waves
Produced by La Cabane
Created by Giulia Iacopini
Literary bible: Giulia Iacopini, Julien Gallet
Graphic bible: Giulia Iacopini, Camille Chao
Produced by Perrine Gauthier
Format: Series – 52 x 11’
Core target: Kids 6-9
Genre: Comedy, Adventure
Technique: 2D
Synopsis: Emma Makes Waves follows the exciting summer adventures of 10-year-old Emma as she visits her grandparents on the volcanic island of Pantelleria, which she left when she was little. From these roots, Emma has developed the ability to communicate with the Acquaspirits, the extraordinary creatures that also inhabit this amazing island. While helping the locals and the Acquaspirits live in harmony, Emma discovers how precious it is to feel at home and to be surrounded by a community.
La Cabane and Thuristar coproduction:
Mush-Mush & the Mushables Season 2
Produced by La Cabane and Thuristar
Created by Elfriede de Rooster
Directed by Joeri Christiaen
Produced by Perrine Gauthier
In coproduction with Cake Entertainment, VRT-Ketnet and RTBF With the participation of Canal+
Format: Series – 48 x 11’30 + 2 specials of 22’
Core target: Kids 4-7
Genre: Comedy, Adventure
Technique: 3D (Blender and Unreal Engine) with 2D sequences (Toon Boom Harmony)
Status: In production (delivery by the end of 2023)
Synopsis: Mush-Mush & the Mushables returns for new adventures from Mush-Mush, his friends Chep and Lilit, and the rest of the Mushable community, as they continue to grow and explore the unique universe around them…
The Mushables are the Guardians of the Forest, and each of them has a special gift. While Mush-Mush can communicate with nature, Lilit shines bright like a light and Chep has an impressive memory. All this in theory at least, because Mush-Mush and his friends haven’t really mastered their gifts, and still have a lot to discover!
Learn more at lacabaneproductions.com and thuristar.com.
