The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has announced details of two new collaborative animated series production projects, developed for young audiences across Europe. Belgian production Ray & Ruby and Danish concept Pig & Andersen were chosen from over 70 projects presented last year at the Cartoon Forum pitching & co-production market.
Produced by Creative Conspiracy with young audiences in mind, Ray & Ruby follows the adventures of mouse twins navigating the vast and perilous world within a magnificent castle. The quirky comedy series Pig & Andersen, produced by Fleng Entertainment ApS, is inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s works and based on the 2022 short film The Swineherd from the same producers.
Under the coordination of EBU Television, and at the initiative of France Télévisions and Cartoon Forum, a group of 15 public-service broadcasters have committed over €130,000 ($140.5K USD) to the development of the two series.
Participating broadcasters are:
- VRT (Belgium)
- ARD/SWR (Germany)
- DR (Denmark)
- RTVE (Spain)
- YLE (Finland)
- France Télévisions (France)
- BBC (United Kingdom)
- RTÉ (Ireland)
- RAI (Italy)
- LTV (Latvia)
- NPO (Netherlands)
- NRK (Norway)
- RTP (Portugal)
- SVT (Sweden)
- RTVS (Slovakia)
“For many decades EBU Members have been collaborating on globally-loved animation series, perhaps most famously with The Animals of Farthing Wood several years ago,” said Matthew Trustram, Head of Television, EBU. “This new initiative shows our Members renewing this spirit of collaboration to secure the most exciting new content for young audiences in a competitive market.”
Pilots for both series will be delivered in September 2024, building on the EBU network’s historical commitment to animated television programming, and reflecting its current priority to engage young people across Member territories.
“I’m delighted to see collaboration between public broadcasters on the development of animation projects, taking shape under the efficient organization of the EBU,” said Pierre Siracusa, Director of Children’s and Education & Head of Animation, France Télévisions. “Thanks to the EBU and Cartoon Forum, we can join forces, discuss the best European projects, and strengthen our commitment to European animation producers.”
Annick Maes, General Director of CARTOON, the organizing body behind Cartoon Forum and other events, said, “Cartoon Forum supports initiatives which gather, under European leadership, energies, people, companies and projects. We are happy to have welcomed this joint initiative that gives European Public Media broadcasters the opportunity to join forces and to consolidate European animation.”
