Magic Light Pictures

Pip and Posy / The Smeds and The Smoos / Tabby McTat

Magic Light Pictures’ Pip and Posy, based on books by writer Camilla Reid and illustrator Axel Scheffler, follows friends whose lives revolve around play. The Smeds and The Smoos, a special based on a story by Julia Donaldson and Scheffler, sees two rival families forced to cooperate after young members of each fall in love and run away together. Tabby McTat, another special based on Donaldson and Scheffler books, “tells of the warm and wonderful friendship between a musical cat and a talented busker called Fred,” says Muriel Thomas, international distribution director.

“We take a craft-like approach to developing our projects, imbuing them with love and care, which is reflected in their high quality.”

—Muriel Thomas

Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge / Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge / Pictionary

Mattel has on offer multiple live-action programs, including Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge, which sees superfans compete to build the best full-size Hot Wheels-style vehicle. Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge features HGTV stars as they transform a California home into a real Barbie Dreamhouse. The latest game-show version of Pictionary features in Mattel’s catalog as well. “These liveaction adaptations present fans with the chance to interact with Hot Wheels, Barbie and Pictionary in new, exciting ways,” says Phil Breman, head of live-action television.

Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge

Mercury Filmworks partnered with Stim Studio for the preschool series Octicorn & Friends. The slate also includes Tales of the Underwear Dragon for kids 6 to 8 and A Mouse Called Julian, about finding friendship in unexpected places. “All three animated series are based on acclaimed literary works, so we have a wealth of creativity to draw from,” says Chantal Ling, VP of original series and co-productions at Mercury Filmworks. “All three series deliver positive messaging that crosses cultural boundaries, along with a tremendous amount of entertainment value.”

The MiniWhats / Our Summer of Freedom / It’s my body!

The June period is dedicated to MIFA/Annecy for MIAM! animation. “We plan to meet broadcasters to spread our shows all over the world,” says Mélanie Errea, head of sales and acquisitions. “We are proud to see two of our series in the Annecy Film Festival official competition: Edmond and Lucy and Boys Boys Boys.” Further series highlights from MIAM! animation include the preschool show The MiniWhats, following six joyful friends, along with the family-targeted Our Summer of Freedom and the YA-skewed It’s my body!

Octicorn

“The viewers and creating an impact.”

MeteoHeroes / Monster Loving Maniacs / One Love

Mondo TV Group’s summer slate features two seasons of the environmental series MeteoHeroes. The 2D comedy Monster Loving Maniacs, centering on three siblings who are being trained as monster hunters but would prefer to look for a way to save them instead, “touches on bigger themes like families, relationships and coping with our fears,” says Luana Perrero, head of sales. One Love, meanwhile, teaches children about handling emotions, kindness, courage and friendship. Other titles on offer are Agent 203, Grisù, Leo’s World, The Tales of Wonder Keepers and Action Kidz.

Beardy Bodo / The Fixies / Tina and Tony

The preschool series Beardy Bodo leads the offering from Riki Group, currently celebrating its 20th anniversary. “Our goal was to create an unusual educational project that would combine cognitive elements and ludicrous humor, a bit of hooliganism with a proper system, the impression of free communication in a strict framework of education,” says Anna Mysskaya, head of international development. The catalog also includes The Fixies, following little creatures that keep technology running, and Tina and Tony, about a hippo and elephant duo.

“We can hardly wait to bring these great productions to young audiences everywhere.”

The Sound Collector / The Ghastly Ghoul / Flix

Serious Kids’ The Sound Collector follows a hardof-hearing being who loves discovering new sounds, including the blooping of sea anemones and the scuttling of beetles. The special The Ghastly Ghoul sees a fluffy monster who doesn’t believe he is scary enough form a bond with a girl struggling with her own fears. Flix comes from a book by artist Tomi Ungerer. “The core values of the show are widely sought-after, such as tolerance, courage, friendship, community and family,” says Leila Ouledcheikh, senior VP of global distribution and commercial development.

Monster Loving Maniacs / The Wee Littles / Agent 203

Toon2Tango is highlighting Monster Loving Maniacs, a 2D comedy that follows monsterhunting kids who secretly love the paranormal creatures. It comes from a production agreement with Mondo TV Group. The Wee Littles centers on a tiny forest family. “They work together to figure out how to overcome life’s little obstacles— like raindrops the size of your head—with imagination, positive support and humor,” says Ulli Stoef, CEO and producer at Toon2Tango. Agent 203 , another co-production with Mondo TV, is also among the highlights.

“Our shows have stories with universal messaging and emotional moments reflective of real life.”

Spellbound / Grisù / Törtle

The ZDF Studios highlight Spellbound is a liveaction series about a teenager who relocates from a small town in the U.S. to study at the Paris Opera Ballet School. Things turn upside down when she discovers a book of family spells in the back room of her Aunt Ginger’s apothecary. In animation, Grisù centers on a fire-fighting dragon who’s always ready for missions around the world. Törtle is about a tortoise who grew up in a pet shop and constantly finds himself in a culture clash between humans and animals.

Shasha & Milo / Silverpoint / Topo Gigio

Zodiak Kids & Family Distribution, part of Banijay Kids & Family, has a mix of genres to offer up, including the action-comedy Shasha & Milo, coproduced by Zodiak Kids & Family France and South Korea’s Pingo Entertainment. The catalog also features the sci-fi drama Silverpoint. “From the brilliantly talented team at Zodiak Kids & Family Productions UK, its second season has just launched on CBBC and iPlayer in the U.K.,” says Cécile Cau, senior VP of sales, co-productions and acquisitions. There are two seasons of Topo Gigio, reimagined by Movimenti Production in Italy.