At the Unifrance Rendez-vous in Biarritz, the production company Les Valseurs announced that Folivari International has been selected as the exclusive global sales agent for the animated series Samuel. A television phenomenon in France, Germany and Spain, the series has already surpassed 35 million views on arte.tv and social media, thanks to its universal themes of small-town adolescent life and subtly expressive, minimalist animation.
Produced by Les Valseurs, the series was developed in an innovative format that bridges linear broadcasting and social media. Samuel resonates with a broad audience, particularly young adults and teenagers, across both traditional television channels and online platforms. It has also made a significant impact on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, with high levels of audience engagement.
“We are thrilled to represent such an innovative and creative series as Samuel,” said Mélissa Vega, Head of Sales and Acquisitions at Folivari International. “The success of Samuel in Europe highlights its international potential, and we are excited to work with Les Valseurs to bring it to an even wider audience.”
Founded in 2013 by Damien Megherbi and Justin Pechberty, Les Valseurs has produced several award-winning short films recognized at major festivals, including the Best Animated Short César and Annecy Jury Prize winner Wicked Girl. The studio is now actively expanding into feature films and series.
Samuel is the first animated series produced by Les Valseurs, broadcast both linearly and digitally in France and Germany on Arte, as well as on Spain’s national broadcaster RTVE and the regional Catalan channel TV3, and their respective platforms. It is also the first animated series to be showcased on TikTok by these channels.
“We chose Folivari International because we feel closely aligned with Folivari’s DNA and trust their team to unlock the international potential of a unique program like Samuel,” said Damien Megherbi, Co-Founder of Les Valseurs. “This partnership marks a crucial step in developing a new kind of animated series that will lead to the creation of new IPs with international reach.”
Folivari International plans to present Samuel at major international markets in 2024, with a tailored launch strategy for each territory, including careful localization and a comprehensive transmedia plan. The series, which has already demonstrated its universal appeal in Europe, aims to expand to new markets, particularly in North America and Latin America, to further strengthen its global presence.
“With Samuel, we have the opportunity to promote high-quality content capable of growing over multiple seasons,” added Mélissa Vega. “We firmly believe in Samuel‘s potential to become a key transmedia franchise on the global stage.”
