![Tadpoles [Gigglebug Ent. / Canal+ / DR / Ketnet]](https://www.animationmagazine.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Tadpoles_Pic1_CANALP_DR_KETNET.jpg "Tadpoles_Pic1_CANALP_DR_KETNET")
Helsinki-based Gigglebug Entertainment announces that DR (Denmark) and Ketnet (Blegium) are co-producing and Canal+ (France) is pre-acquiring the rights to the studio’s newest animated comedy series, Tadpoles. The series is a production by Gigglebug’s studios in Helsinki and Las Palmas as well as the Belgian production outfit UMedia.
The deals, announced today ahead of Kidscreen Summit, include broadcast commitment from all three broadcasters and development funding from Creative Europe. Folivari International has been signed on to handle world wide rights and are meeting partners at the upcoming market and beyond.
The 52 x 11-minute episode order focuses on Ted and Paula, two adventurous sibling tadpoles as they navigate their quirky pond in a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud quest to level up, grow up and chase big dreams.
According to Gigglebug, Tadpoles will be the first ever kids’ animated TV series to be natively designed for both horizontal and vertical screens. This additional alternative viewing format for the episodes enhances marketing and brand awareness, ensuring the content reaches kids across all platforms, from traditional horizontal screens to smartphones and tablets.
A Roblox game is also currently in development to further immerse fans in the world.
“Tadpoles brings the comedy of sibling dynamics to life, with Ted and Paula’s escapades delivering laughs and heart in equal measure,” said Geraldine Soto, Head of Kids’ Acquisitions, Prebuys and Co-productions at Canal+. “Combining an epic story within an unusual environment with innovative production formats for all screens, this show captures the wonder and determination of growing up. We’re excited to add Tadpoles to the Canal+ line up and we can’t wait to introduce the series to our subscribers.”
“Tadpoles is a 100% match with VRT Ketnet, and carries out the values of Ketnet for 100%: the underwater quests are fascinating; the characters are positive, fun and appealing; the interaction between Ted and Paula is hilarious; their adventures are exciting and at the same time brimming with humor, the design and graphics are fantastic; the transmedia potential is very high,” said Telidja Klai, Content Manager, Program Acquisitions & Co-Productions, Animation at Ketnet, Flemish public broadcaster VRT’s 360° children’s platform. “We are very happy Ted and Paula as all the other fantastic underwater creatures of Tadpoles will be part of our Ketnet clubhouse and we are very much looking forward to our collaboration with Gigglebug, UMedia and Folivari.”
“We are always on the lookout for entertaining projects that can bring the whole family together. Tadpoles stands out with its clear storytelling, excellent animation and not least an great amount of physical gags that have broad appeal. Both children and adults love to laugh, and there is no doubt that the series delivers just that,” said Julia Lind-Holm , Commissioning editor at DR, the Danish Broadcasting Corporation. “We are very proud to be part of this project and look forward to seeing the finish result.”
The new series is created by Joonas Utti and Anttu Harlin, the creative team behind Nickelodeon’s Best & Bester and Disney’s The Unstoppable Yellow Yeti as well as the concept developers for Disney’s “101 Dalmatian Street.
“Kids can have this amazing this dreamer mindset of trying to defy the odds and going for seemingly impossible things, regardless of the size of the obstacles. We want to celebrate that attitude in this goofy high stakes comedy,” said Harlin, CEO of Gigglebug Entertainment. “Plus. I’ve already told five seasons of Tadpole stories to my nine-year-olds sons. So I owe them!”
