Eric Jackson, of Saskatoon’s Paxolotl Media Inc., and Leslea Mair, of Winnipeg’s Zoot Pictures, announce that they have inked a deal for their kids’ 3D CG animated series Chums with Toronto-based global distributor Serial Maven Studios. 18 x 22’ episodes (Seasons 1 & 2) of the series, made for preschoolers aged 3-6, have already been completed, with 9 x 22’ episodes in production for Season 3.

Serial Maven Studios has been engaged as the worldwide distributor for all rights outside of the commissioning partners. On the heels of this year’s Kidscreen Summit, Serial Maven Studios’ network will be offering the series to buyers across all platforms.

“Chums is a great example of a long running and successful franchise with incredible creative talent,” said Solange Attwood, CEO of Serial Maven Studios. “We look forward to showcasing the latest episodes to the international marketplace as we continue to expand and diversify our content offering.”

In Canada, Chums has already been greenlit for three seasons by its broadcast partners APTN (who are premiering Season 2 on May 10 in English on APTN and in Anishinaabemowin and Cree on APTN Languages), Citytv Saskatchewan and Ontario French-language network, TFO. The first two seasons of the series have also been licensed by National Indigenous Television (NITV)/SBS Australia.

“Serial Maven has tremendous experience, and we are excited to see share Chums around the world,” said Leslea Mair, executive producer of Chums for Zoot Pictures.

Eric Jackson, executive producer of the series for Paxolotl Media, added, “We are beyond excited to be working with Serial Maven and cannot wait to share what our amazing cast and crew have accomplished on this production. Let’s Go, Chums!”

In the world of Chums, Flies with Eagles — a young girl who is always willing to help — and her rag tag group of animal friends on Turtle Island are discovering their relationships to each other and to their environment on Mother Earth. Flies with Eagles’ group of “chums” (friends) includes Ira, a young Eaglet learning how to help others; Emiree, a baby beaver with the softest heart; Romper, a rabbit that has trouble paying attention; and Pterry, a ptarmigan who wishes he could fly better. Our newfound chums take it upon themselves to be the explorers of Turtle Island, and to discover and learn about the world around them.

The series is designed to encourage the discovery of traditional Indigenous relationships to the animals and environment around us. In addition to being produced in English and French versions, the series is being produced in Cree and Ojibwe, with the aim of encouraging the learning of Indigenous languages by children. Chums is formatted for lip synching and versioning the characters into various languages.

Chums is produced by Chums Media Inc., a new animation studio based in the Canadian Prairies. The producers have assembled a new animation team of talented people from across the two provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba to create a show with all Indigenous creative and cast.

The series is written by Eric and Dennis Jackson, as well as by Justina Neepin, directed by Dennis Jackson, produced by Paxolotl Media’s Eric Jackson, and executive produced by Zoot Pictures’ Leslea Mair. Art director is Stephanie Boulet. Tech design is by Frank Digital.

Chums is produced by Paxolotl Media and Zoot Pictures in association with APTN, Citytv Saskatchewan and TFO. It was developed with APTN, the Canada Media Fund and the Indigenous Screen Office, and is produced with the participation of the Shaw Rocket Fund, the Canada Media Fund, the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit, the Manitoba Provincial Tax Credit, the Saskatchewan Feature Film and Television Production Grant Program and the Indigenous Screen Office.

serialmavenstudios.com | zootpictures.com