World Screen June 2024

Sky’s Katie Keenan / TV Movies Screenings Festival

RX France’s Lucy Smith / GoQuest Media’s Ofelya Tovmasyan

JUNE 2024

WORLD VIEW By Mansha Daswani.

SKY’S KATIE KEENAN The pay-TV platform’s group director of acquisitions for the U.K., Ireland and Europe talks about her programming strategy.

MOVIE MAGIC The fourth edition of the TV Movies Screenings Festival illustrates the breadth of the film offering available to buyers today.

RX FRANCE’S LUCY SMITH An inside look at MIP LONDON with the event organizer’s entertainment division director.

TALKING DRAMA GoQuest Media’s Ofelya Tovmasyan shares the company’s CEE strategy ahead of NATPE Budapest.

TRENDING ON The most-viewed clips on our video portals for the last 30 days.

EUROPE TOONS IN Trends in European animation.

TV KIDS PIONEER AWARD: ADINA PITT The veteran of the kids’ content sector was celebrated for her contributions to the business at the TV Kids Summer Festival.

RAINBOW’S IGINIO STRAFFI The founder and CEO of Rainbow Group reflects on Winx Club’s 20 years of success.

Publisher

Ricardo Seguin Guise

Editor-in-Chief

Mansha Daswani

Editor-at-Large

Anna Carugati

Executive Editor

Kristin Brzoznowski

Senior Associate Editor

Jamie Stalcup

Associate Editor

Alexa Alfano

Editor, Spanish-Language

Publications

Elizabeth Bowen-Tombari

Production & Design Director

David Diehl

Online Director

BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE ZWEIFLERS Watch this interview with David Hadda, creator of the acclaimed ZDF Studios drama, and stars Saffron Coomber and Aaron Altaras.

INSIDE MAXTON HALL A look at the German-language Prime Video drama with stars Harriet Herbig-Matten and Damian Hardung.

ONE LOVE ’S BARIŞ KILIÇ An interview with the star of the Turkish drama hit.

Simon Weaver

Sales & Marketing Director

Dana Mattison

Sales & Marketing Manager

Genovick Acevedo

Bookkeeper

Ute Schwemmer

INSIDE THE AMERICAS Universal Television Alternative Studio’s Toby Gorman and BBC Studios Natural History Unit’s Mike Gunton and Holly Spearing took MIPTV delegates behind the scenes of The Americas at a session moderated by World Screen’s Anna Carugati.

EXPLORING SECRETS OF THE OCTOPUS Adam Geiger, Sy Montgomery and Dr. Alex Schnell discuss the making of Nat Geo’s Secrets of the Octopus

BOSSANOVA’S PAUL HEANEY The outfit’s CEO weighs in on industry trends.

PROGRAM LISTINGS Highlights from several distributors.

WORLD SCREEN is a registered trademark of WSN INC., 401 Park Avenue South, Suite 1041, New York, NY 10016, U.S.A. Phone: (212) 924-7620

Website: www.worldscreen.com ©2024 WSN INC. No part of this publication can be used, reprinted, copied or stored in any medium without the publisher’s authorization. For a free subscription to our newsletters, please visit www.subscriptions.ws.

Ricardo Seguin Guise

President

Anna Carugati

Executive VP

Mansha Daswani

Associate Publisher & VP of Strategic Development

BY MANSHA DASWANI

Surviving Till 2025 & Beyond

The mantra among the distribution executives we’ve been speaking to in the last few months has been “survive till ’25”; as in, things are going to get better, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now.

Consumers will always want content. The concern now is around how that content is made, distributed and promoted in a way that makes financial sense. And as everyone figures that out, Ampere Analysis is calling on European broadcast groups, in particular, to resist the urge to slash content investments amid this great reset in the business.

Commercial broadcasters have seen a 16 percent decline in consumer engagement across Europe’s top five markets since 2016, Ampere reports. Since then, their investments in content have fallen by 19 percent to reach €8 billion last year. Spending by SVOD platforms is expected to hit €10 billion in Europe’s major TV markets this year.

Broadcasters now have an opportunity to play catch-up amid a slowdown in streamer investment. “Sustaining or increasing content investment is crucial for broadcasters to differentiate themselves in an industry where major global streamers are adopting more conservative spending strategies,” Ampere said. “Bold commissioning decisions can set broadcasters apart, drive engagement and advertising revenue.”

Neil Anderson, senior analyst at Ampere Analysis, noted: “Despite the short-term benefits of cutting costs during economic downturn, prioritizing long-term investment in both content and streaming capabilities is crucial for commercial broadcasters to maintain prominence in Europe’s cutthroat TV market.”

Calinos Entertainment

Farah / EGO / Adela

Calinos Entertainment’s Farah, an adaptation of La chica que limpia, tells the story of an Iranian woman who runs away from her country and works as a cleaning lady in Istanbul to keep up her son’s medical treatment. She ends up becoming involved with the mafia. EGO centers on two families whose lives change when Sibel Koraslan decides to become pregnant with Erhan, a man who works for her family, despite the fact he is engaged to Elif Ozturk. In Adela , two sisters’ lives are changed when one’s true identity is revealed.

Kanal D International

Secret of Pearls / The Family Burden / Farewell Letter

On offer from Kanal D International, Secret of Pearls has an “intricate storyline and captivating characters, resonating deeply with viewers,” says Canan Koca, sales executive for CEE and the Baltics. The Family Burden centers on a mother who is wrongfully imprisoned for her husband’s murder. When she emerges from prison 20 years later, a web of lies begins to unravel. Farewell Letter “has proven to be a timeless hit, drawing audiences with its poignant storytelling and rich character development,” Koca says. “Our series [are] relatable and emotionally compelling.”

“Our goal is to continue delivering

The Family Burden

—Canan Koca Adela

OGM UNIVERSE

Dilemma / Lost in Love / Stickman

OGM UNIVERSE is highlighting Dilemma , a thriller that follows a TV show host who must navigate the conflict between her principles and her role as a mother when her son is implicated in a tragic death. Lost in Love , which explores romance, trust and competition in affluent families, is “a complex drama,” says Ekin Koyuncu Karaman, global distribution and partnership director. Stickman, meanwhile, sees a successful game developer with a challenging past find solace in a private bank manager with a complicated history of her own.

Onza Distribution

Heartless / Cacao / Golden Swan

In Onza Distribution’s Heartless , a series of mysterious disappearances startles Madrid’s high society. Cacao follows the journey of a young girl from a Portuguese family who makes chocolate on a cocoa farm in Brazil.

Everything changes when her real father’s identity is brought to light. The period drama Golden Swan , featuring a cunning thief who finds a new life, is set at the beginning of World War II. “With its focus on female characters, the series promises to captivate broad audiences,” says Béatrice Nouh, head of sales.

“We aim to position OGM UNIVERSE as the premier source of Turkish drama.”

—Ekin Koyuncu Karaman

“We are surfing on the local success of each series.”

—Béatrice Nouh Cacao

Lost in Love

SPACE Production

C.O.D.E.

SPACE Production is bringing the Ukrainian procedural C.O.D.E. to the global market as a finished program and format. The series centers on a special Ukrainian police unit that uses an AI program to ensure that no crime goes unpunished. “What sets C.O.D.E. apart is its modern twist: an artificial intelligence system that selects detectives, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses,” says Daria Leygonie-Fialko, founder and producer at SPACE Production. “This intriguing fusion of human intuition and machine precision forms the heart of our series.”

ZDF Studios

Skydive Quiz / Surviving Summer / Wild Talk

ZDF Studios’ entertainment format Skydive Quiz tests the nerves and knowledge of its players. In each episode, six brave contestants face simple questions while plunging from a plane. The liveaction series Surviving Summer follows the fierce and fearless Brooklyn teen Summer Torres during her season down under. Wild Talk delves into how animals communicate. The title “explores the latest exciting research on animal communication that decodes the complex languages of animals and discovers that they are just as talkative as humans,” explains Ralf Rückauer, VP Unscripted.

“Buyers will be drawn to C.O.D.E. because it offers a fresh take on a beloved genre, combining familiar elements with innovative storytelling.”

—Daria

Leygonie-Fialko

“We are very proud of our program offering for this summer.”

—Ralf Rückauer

Skydive Quiz

Katie Keenan Sky

By Mansha Daswani

The Penguin , the upcoming Colin Farrell series from Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios, will air exclusively on Sky and NOW in the U.K. this year. That acquisition followed the pay-TV operator’s deal with AMC to be the exclusive U.K. home for The Walking Dead universe, delivering the original series as well as its buzzy spin-o ff s to Sky’s subscribers. As group director of acquisitions for the U.K., Ireland and Europe, Katie Keenan is tasked with spotting properties that will resonate with Sky’s user base and complement its raft of originals. On the heels of attending the LA Screenings, Keenan tells World Screen about her acquisitions remit.

WS: What were you keeping an eye out for at the LA Screenings?

KEENAN: We were excited to see a variety of scripted dramas and limited series on offer this year, right in the heart of the entertainment industry on the studio lots. We are always on the lookout for premium, best-in-class content that has real talkability. It was great to hear the excitement from other buyers about seeing the Sky original The Day of the Jackal, and it very much lived up to the hype as the standout show from the screenings.

WS: What have been some of your breakout acquired successes over the last year?

KEENAN: Our acquired content has always been a key USP for Sky. We seek to offer our customers “the best of the U.S.” in terms of programming, alongside our strong slate of original TV series and films. Over the last year, we’ve had great success with several new acquisitions, including the comedy TED , a

“We are always on the lookout for premium, best-in-class content that has real talkability.”

spin-off from Seth MacFarlane’s very successful film, and the standout CBS procedural Fire Country , which ignited our viewers on Sky Witness. We’re also incredibly proud to bring one of the biggest TV franchises in recent years, The Walking Dead, along with its spin-off shows, The Ones Who Live, Daryl Dixon and Dead City, to our customers this year. All the spinoff shows will be exclusive to Sky.

WS: How did last year’s U.S. strikes impact your acquisition strategy? And are you still seeing knock-on effects?

KEENAN: Our schedules were relatively unimpacted by the strikes. With clever planning, we were able to offer a seamless supply of quality content across our acquired and Sky original titles. It’s impressive to see so many shows go back into

pro duction so quickly after the strike, but where we have seen the impact was on the number of finished pilots available to screen in L.A. this year. We’ll get to see full episodes of these shows over the coming months, and we’re keen to see them and put them in the mix when making any decisions on what may or may not be suitable for Sky. Ideally, we’d want to have everything in the mix.

WS: Are you taking any new approaches to rights acquisition and shared windows?

KEENAN: From a windowing perspective, no. First run and exclusivity remain key for Sky. We’re a pay-TV platform, and our customers value content worth paying for, so we can’t have the same content on another service at the same time.

WS: Has your level of acquisitions—or content budget–changed in the last year or so? What changes do you expect for next year?

KEENAN: In terms of budget, this has remained broadly flat for us and will do so in 2025.

Sky is the new home of The Walking Dead universe, including The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.

WS: We’ve heard about a “reset” in the global content sector. How do you view the state of the international distribution market at present?

KEENAN: It’s clear the distribution business has gone full circle, with more content coming back into the marketplace for buyers after the contraction we witnessed in recent years. As was the case before the launch of the streamers and studio DTCs, it was rare for a show to only ever have one home. The content ecosystem can’t survive like that; we’ve sadly seen that result, with many shows never seeing the light of day or disappearing from services in the last 12 months.

While some closed shop, the exciting thing that happened was the proliferation of suppliers with many more content creators, and that went hand in hand with a spirit and willingness to look at creative dealmaking, be open to different models and forge new partnerships.

The Penguin with Colin Farrell from Warner Bros. Television will air on Sky Atlantic and NOW.

MOVIE MAGIC

The fourth edition of the TV Movies Screenings Festival illustrates the breadth of the film offering available to buyers today, ranging from true-crime-inspired thrillers to uplifting rom-coms and family-friendly holiday fare.

Starring Cush Jumbo, the Lifetime thriller Girl in the Video leads off Cineflix Rights’ highlights in the TV Movies Screenings Festival, focusing on a woman’s fight to rescue her teenage daughter from an online predator. The company is showcasing two other thrillers, both based on true crimes: Bad Behind Bars: Jodi Arias and Abducted: The Carlesha Gaither Story. There’s also a dramedy in the mix with Crimes of Fashion: Killer Clutch, which combines “the world of high fashion with a classic true-crime whodunit,” according to Tom Misselbrook, senior VP of scripted sales and development. For broadcasters and platforms looking

Cineflix Rights’ Girl in the Video

to stock up on holiday fare, Cineflix Rights is offering Undercover Holiday, which, Misselbrook says, “demonstrates the heartwarming narratives and great characters that have made Hallmark Channel the U.S.’s mostwatched entertainment cable network at Christmas among women 18- plus for eight consecutive years.”

Nicely Entertainment has a wealth of holiday fare on offer in its TV Movies Screenings Festival selections, including Ladies of the ’80s: A Divas Christmas , starring Loni Anderson, Morgan Fairchild, Linda Gray, Donna Mills and Nicollette Sheridan. “Heartwarming and set during Christmas, Ladies of the ’80s offers an exclusive look at the drama, resurfacing rivalries and blooming romances that occur behind the scenes of an

Cineflix Rights’ Crimes of Fashion: Killer Clutch

internationally known soap opera,” says Rachel Siegenthaler, VP of international sales. Nicely is also showcasing Christmas Keepsake and Designing Christmas with You , as well as Hunting Housewives with Denise Richards, Kym Johnson-Herjavec, Melyssa Ford and NeNe Leakes. “You don’t have to be a Housewives fanatic to enjoy four glitzy housewives fighting for survival,” says Siegenthaler.

Artist View Entertainment is introducing its clients to Oscar’s Eye, with a cast that includes Beau Bridges, Jessica Parker Kennedy, Scotty Tovar, Ross Partridge and Bruce Davison. “Beau Bridges leads an ensemble cast in this heartwarming film, blending emotion and hope seamlessly,” says Scott J. Jones, president. “The film’s universal themes and compelling

per formances will resonate deeply with audiences and buyers alike.” Also available from Artist View is the female-led thriller Faultline . “With the plot twists and edge-of-your-seat suspense, this film is sure to excite,” Jones says.

The TV Movies Screenings Festival also features Candlelight Media Group’s Romance on the Ranch, starring Suzanne Pereira, Chris Reid and Brando White. Brittany Wiscombe, senior VP of development, says the feel-good love story “is enhanced by the beautiful cinematography and engages the viewer throughout. It’s cozy, thoughtful and fun.” In Love Across Time, also available from Candlelight Media Group, a woman in the present day stumbles upon a portal to the past in an old British manor.

Lucy Smith RX France

By Mansha Daswani

RX F rance held its final MIPTV in Cannes in April, with Lucy Smith, entertainment division director, unveiling initial plans for MIP LONDON to a standing-room-only audience as the long-running market came to a close. MIP LONDON will run alongside the London TV Screenings, from February 24 to 27, 2025, with a preopening on Sunday. Smith shares with World Screen more details about MIP LONDON and its focus on “screenings, meetings and networking.”

WS: Tell us about the impetus for setting up MIP LONDON. SMITH: From the off, this was about serving a need and the need for change. We didn’t want to simply dilute, move or play around with dates for MIPTV but address the bigger picture with a new offering shaped by feedback from clients globally. So, when you think about MIP LONDON, don’t think big exhibition halls and stands; think screenings, meetings and networking. This is not “the Palais on the Thames”—MIP LONDON is different, distinctive and squarely based on a demand. The distribution calendar has moved earlier in the year, and to London, with the number of international companies showcasing there in February increasing each year to the point where

29 global companies staged screenings and events this year. All staged separately. All autonomous. More and more of our international exhibitors at MIP markets have been considering attending London in February—and we can help them stage that presence. So, MIP LONDON’s format has been shaped to complement and be additive to the existing setup.

“This is not ‘the Palais on the Thames’—

MIP LONDON is different, distinctive and squarely based on a demand.”

We are providing a one-stop solution to screen, showcase and sell in one central setting—the Savoy Hotel and the adjacent IET London. All produced by the MIP team with all the support that comes with. That plug-and-play setting, in turn, operates as a hub that is open early until late and provides the platform for curated (largely unscripted) focused sessions around the screenings. Buyers are invited for free—but with the added benefit of being able to meet, network and have space to recharge in lounges set up on site.

WS: How has the buyer community responded to MIP LONDON?

SMITH: It’s been really positive, with a real appreciation that the move means less time on the road for the many who were attending both the London TV Screenings and MIPTV. And at its simplest, the benefit of being able to do business with more clients in one place is a bonus for the time-poor.

TALKING DRAMA

GoQuest Media’s Ofelya Tovmasyan talks Central & Eastern European strategy.

By Kristin Brzoznowski

Central and Eastern Europe is a key territory for GoQuest Media. “We approach it very strategically, not only from sales but also from an acquisitions perspective,” says Ofelya Tovmasyan, who handles sales for CEE, CIS and Western Europe. “We have established and nurtured relationships with key players in the region who are shaping content that is locally rich and attracts platforms that want stories with deep roots and international impact. We have had great success taking these titles across the world. Our partners trust us with their content, and we take their ambition forward to put their content on the global map.”

Highlight titles for CEE sales include Kuma ( The Other Wife ), about a young woman framed for murder who must become the second wife of the victim’s brother. “The timeless themes of love, family, traditions and societal issues woven throughout the story will speak directly to the cultural and emotional sensibilities of the audience in this region,” says Tovmasyan.

“Over the past decade of doing business in CEE, we have worked with almost all major players in the region.” —Ofelya Tovmasyan

The slate also features South Wind from Telekom Srbija in cooperation with Režim Production and RTS, as well as Telekom Srbija’s Absolute 100. There’s also a new series from Slovenia’s Pro Plus, Bridges of Us, and a brand-new season of the romantic drama Secrets of the Grapevine, also from Telekom Srbija.

“Over the past decade of doing business in CEE, we have worked with almost all major players in the region,” says Tovmasyan. “Viewership demands are quite diverse in the region, and the programming can vary from long-running melodramas to short premium series. Our catalog is curated with this in mind and includes some of the biggest productions coming from countries such as Poland, Serbia, Estonia, Slovenia and Lithuania.”

Trending On

The most-viewed clips on our video portals in the last month.

The Zweiflers

Family patriarch Symcha Zweifler wants to sell his delicatessen empire when suddenly he is confronted with his past in Frankfurt’s red-light district. (ZDF Studios)

Race Across the World

Five intrepid duos battle it out in a breathtaking race across several countries that will push their physical and emotional limits. (All3Media International)

With You I Bloom: Shinsengumi

Based on a well-known manga. A beautiful boy seeking revenge for his murdered father finds himself in a duel with his best friend. (TV Asahi Corporation)

Press Start!

Hunting Housewives

Four women stranded in the wilderness must overcome obstacles, uncover their husbands’ sinister plot and seek revenge in a fierce fight for survival. (Nicely Entertainment)

Follow Sunny and Rue in their incredible adventure inside a video game with their favorite hero, Super Rabbit Boy. (Cyber Group Studios)

Behind the Scenes of The Zwei f lers / Inside Prime Video’s Maxton Hall One Love’s Barış Kılıç

Powering Up Drama

The centerpiece of the annual Edinburgh TV Festival, this year’s James MacTaggart Memorial Lecture is set to be delivered by British playwright and dramatist James Graham.

CONTENTS

BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE ZWEIFLERS

Watch this interview with David Hadda, creator of the acclaimed ZDF Studios drama, and stars Saffron Coomber and Aaron Altaras.

Ricardo Seguin Guise

Publisher

Mansha Daswani Editor-in-Chief

Anna Carugati Editor-at-Large

Kristin Brzoznowski Executive Editor

Jamie Stalcup

Senior Associate Editor

Alexa Alfano

Associate Editor

David Diehl

Production & Design Director

Simon Weaver Online Director

Dana Mattison

Sales & Marketing Director

Genovick Acevedo

Sales & Marketing Manager

Ute Schwemmer Bookkeeper

Graham, whose credits include the acclaimed Sher wood , The Way , Quiz and Dear England, will explore the role and responsibility of TV drama in shaping the political agenda and illuminating social injustices. “In these difficult and divided times, culture and the arts have never been more important,” Gra ham said in announcing the upcoming keynote. “TV moments can still bring a nation together through shared viewing experiences. I’m aware that delivering this lecture is a real moment, as well as an opportunity, to consider the future direction for the creative industries. I’m keen to look at the wider role that drama, storytelling and culture can play in politics, society and, in particular, left-behind communities.”

INSIDE MAXTON HALL

A look at the German-language Prime Video drama with stars Harriet HerbigMatten and Damian Hardung.

ONE LOVE’S BARIŞ KILIÇ

Ricardo Seguin Guise President

Anna Carugati Executive VP

Mansha Daswani

Associate Publisher & VP of Strategic Development

TV Drama

©2024 WSN INC.

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Phone: (212) 924-7620

Website: www.tvdrama.com

The address comes at a time of upheaval for the business at large as scripted producers come to grips with the end of peak TV. With content spend contracting, the key for producers will be convincing commissioners to take bets on big, bold ideas. Known IP may be safe, but viewers, especially younger ones, are starting to feel franchise fatigue. —Mansha Daswani

An interview with the star of the Turkish drama hit.

Kanal D International

Secret of Pearls / The Family Burden / Farewell Letter

Secret of Pearls, a highlight from Kanal D International’s catalog, follows a teacher who is sent to prison for killing his wife. When he is released, he seeks to be reunited with his children. In The Family Burden, a mother emerges from prison after wrongfully serving 20 years for her husband’s murder. It “promises viewers a rollercoaster of emotions and revelations,” says Canan Koca, sales executive for CEE and the Baltics. Farewell Letter sees once-betrothed lovers reunite after 30 years when their adult children meet.

“We look forward to sharing these outstanding series with international buyers and broadcasters.”

—Canan Koca

ZDF Studios

The Zweiflers / We’re On It, Comrades! / Suplex

The Zweiflers leads ZDF Studios’ scripted slate. When family patriarch Symcha Zweifler is suddenly confronted with his past, “a tragicomic search for the meaning of life begins, culminating in decisions that will change the lives of everyone involved,” says Dr. Markus Schäfer, president and CEO. We’re On It, Comrades! follows two investigators who find explanations for paranormal mysteries. Suplex sees a small town shaken by the horrific murder of a young and promising wrestler.

“We cordially invite anyone with good ideas to talk to us at ZDF Studios.”

—Dr. Markus Schäfer

Secret of Pearls

Forever

Behind the Scenes of

The Zweiflers

The six-part drama The Zweiflers , brought to the global st age by ZDF Studios, tells the story of a dysfunctional extended Jewish family in Germany as its patriarch, Symcha Zweifler, prepares to sell his delicatessen empire. When he is confronted by his past in Frankfurt’s red-light district, the family must contend with long-suppressed conflicts.

“I carried this idea of doing a family show for many years,” says David Hadda, creator and writer of the series. “If you look at Jewish stories coming from Germany, there is a certain narrative of [being] victims. We wanted to change that narrative to tell something that is empowering.”

In order to make the series as authentic as possible, Hadda continued writing throughout the casting process. “Since the [aim] was always to do a story from an insider’s

perspective, [and] I knew I had actors who have their own stories and experiences that they bring to the table, I wanted to use that in the most collaborative way,” Hadda explains. “This influenced the language, storylines and little details that shape the story and the complexity of the characters.”

This even includes details of the restaurant run by Saba Henriques, the partner of Symcha’s grandson Samuel Zweifler. Saba “is very proud of her Caribbean roots,” says Saffron Coomber, who plays Saba. “My roots are Jamaican. That was a big influence. When we were discussing what the menu might look like, being able to bring the food of my heritage to the forefront was amazing.”

“I carried this idea of doing a family show for many years.” —David Hadda

Aaron Altaras, who stars as Samuel, notes that he was “very hesitant” to take on the role when it first came to him “because there have often been stories in Germany about Jewish people that are very stereotypical.”

He moved past his hesitation and took on the role, however, because The Zweiflers proved to be “a story about love, family and identity, who you want to be and who you want to surround yourself with,” he says. “And keeping your close people close—that will always be the most important thing in the fabric of society and of human life. It’s a very human, universal story at all times.”

Inside Maxton Hall

Prime Video debuted Maxton Hall—The World Between Us, a German-language series based on Mona Kasten’s Maxton Hall trilogy of novels, on May 9 to much success, with the show achieving the most-watched first week of any non-U.S. original title on the streamer.

Harriet Herbig-Matten stars as Ruby Bell, a determined scholarship student at the titular elite private school who dreams of securing a spot at Oxford University, while Damian Hardung plays James Beaufort, an arrogant, privileged lacrosse player who is bound by the duties of being the heir to his family’s business.

After Ruby accidentally stumbles upon a family secret, James attempts to buy her silence. The two become inextricably linked through a series of events that force them to spend more time with each other. As they draw

closer and develop a connection, they end up risking everything to be together.

“What I love about Ruby is she [doesn’t change] for this world, this school, these people or this love,” Herbig-Matten says. “She stays true to herself. She knows her boundaries.”

Hardung loved portraying the complicated nature of James and enjoyed exploring the experience of wanting “to do something completely different but the circumstances [make] you go in [a certain] direction. That was heartbreaking for me to play, and that’s what makes this job so great.”

“We have a lot of different characters who people in the audience can identify with.” —Harriet Herbig-Matten

The series can appeal to anyone anywhere in the world because “love is universal,” Hardung says. “There’s no barrier to love. That’s part of the message we’re sending here.”

“When you’re acting, you’re trying to find objectives—‘I need you to love me,’ ‘I need you to hate me,’ ‘I need you to forgive me,’ ” Hardung continues. “Those are such simple, tribal, human needs that click with people all over the world.”

In addition, “we have a lot of different characters who people in the audience can identify with,” Herbig-Matten adds. They “can see different pain and conflicts. That makes it so special and magical.”

Barış Kılıç

By Kristin Brzoznowski

The Turkish drama One Love tells the story of an idealistic woman falling hopelessly in love with a charming man from a devout family whose values clash with those of her mother. It follows the ups and downs as they seek to overcome their differences and find harmony.

Produced by Gold Film for Show TV, One Love is represented by Global Agency. It stars a bevy of A-list Turkish talent, including Sıla Türkoğlu (The Legacy), Doğukan Güngör (Phoenix, Meryem), Evrim Alasya (Sunshine Girls, Scorpion) and Barış Kılıç (The Girl Named Feriha, War of the Roses).

“I have done many series before that have sold around the world, but this one is very strong,” says Kılıç. “We have very different cultures that can clash, and we are trying to explain these problems. It’s nice to hear about the effect our project

has had all around the world. This might be a Turkish story, but everyone can understand it.”

The series deals with the topics of abortion and religion and features families that may seem worlds apart—one being conservative and the other more liberal—but they share the same deep truths.

“Our stories might seem local and traditional, but our emotions are very strong.”

“We are trying to understand the differences of cultures,” Kılıç says. His character “is in the middle of this culture clash. I’m trying to bring people together and make them understand each other. We are trying to explain to people that your religion, color or what you believe is not what’s important; the most important thing is to try to live together” in harmony.

Acclaimed producer Faruk Turgut, whose prolific body of work includes Daydreamer, told Kılıç before starting the project that he wanted to do something different with One Love. “When I read the story, I said, You should do it; it’s not only a series for us and makes sense in our country, it also helps explain our culture to the world,” Kılıç recalls.

On the success of Turkish dramas on the global stage, Kılıç puts it down to the high emotions these series depict: “Our stories might seem local and traditional, but our emotions are very strong.”

The only video portal for the global TV drama community.

Inside The Americas / Exploring Secrets of

Paul Heaney

SILVER SPON

SPONSOR

SPONSORS

INSIDE THE AMERICAS

Real Talk

Non-scripted producers and distributors didn’t get the Hollywood-strike-driven uplift they were hoping for, but they are arguably looking over at the kids’ and drama sectors and thinking, “I’m glad that’s not me.”

Ricardo Seguin Guise Publisher

Mansha Daswani Editor-in-Chief

Anna Carugati Editor-at-Large

Kristin Brzoznowski Executive Editor

Jamie Stalcup

Senior Associate Editor

Alexa Alfano

Associate Editor David Diehl

Production & Design Director

Simon Weaver Online Director

Dana Mattison

Sales & Marketing Director

Genovick Acevedo

Sales & Marketing Manager

Ute Schwemmer Bookkeeper

“We all saw significant growth [in commissions] in 2022 and 2021,” said Ampere Analysis’s Fred Black at the last MIPDoc in Cannes on the surge in new content creation at the height of the streaming wars. “Then we had this really big drop-off in 2023. For unscripted genres, the picture is more positive. Entertainment, documentary and reality were among the genres that grew the most in 2022 and fell the least in 2023.”

Black noted that the balance between scripted and unscripted has also shifted. “Documentary commissions have outweighed scripted commissions in eight of the last nine quarters. Over this period, reality commissions have been roughly equal to scripted commissions. So, while unscripted is in decline, it’s becoming more important for commissioners.”

Universal Television Alternative Studio’s Toby Gorman and BBC Studios Natural History Unit’s Mike Gunton and Holly Spearing took MIPTV delegates behind the scenes of The Americas at a session moderated by World Screen’s Anna Carugati.

EXPLORING SECRETS OF THE OCTOPUS

A look at the making of Nat Geo’s Secrets of the Octopus.

BOSSANOVA’S PAUL HEANEY

The outfit’s CEO weighs in on industry trends.

Ricardo Seguin Guise President

Anna Carugati Executive VP

Mansha Daswani

Associate Publisher & VP of Strategic Development

TV Real

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Phone: (212) 924-7620

Website: www.tvreal.com

What all of this means for IP owners is a key theme of the TV Real Festival this week and of this edition of TV Real. We have a Q&A with BossaNova’s Paul Heaney and behind-the-scenes looks at Nat Geo’s Secrets of the Octopus and the upcoming The Americas, NBC’s big bet on prime-time wildlife from BBC Studios Natural History Unit. Mansha Daswani

Albatross World Sales

Buffalo Bill—The Inventor of the Wild West / Parents in the Wild / The Secret Knowledge of Animals

Albatross World Sales’ Buffalo Bill—The Inventor of the Wild West tells the story of the 19th-century showman who invented the popular romanticized version of the Wild West. Parents in the Wild follows wildlife parents and “has stories for everyone,” says Anne Olzmann, managing director. The Secret Knowledge of Animals delves into research that unveils the secrets that shape animals’ lives and behavior, combining “rare and beautiful footage and engaging scientific research,” Olzmann says.

“Our lineup underscores our commitment to delivering stories that not only entertain but also educate and inspire.”

—Anne Olzmann

Autentic Distribution

Wunderland / Kui Buri—Thailand’s Hidden Eden / Railway Revolution—How Trains Shaped Our World

The documentary Wunderland, highlighting the people who work on the model railway system in Hamburg’s Miniatur Wunderland, leads Autentic Distribution’s slate. It “takes viewers on a magical and mesmerizing journey into the smallest world in the world,” says Mirjam Strasser, head of sales and acquisitions. Kui Buri—Thailand’s Hidden Eden explores the Southeast Asian national park. Railway Revolution—How Trains Shaped Our World examines the history of the railway from its beginning in England in the 1830s to now.

Railway Revolution—How Trains Shaped Our World

“We are thrilled to engage with buyers about our new summer releases—which include some truly captivating documentaries—at the upcoming markets.”

—Mirjam Strasser

Parents in the Wild

ORF-Enterprise

The Real Jungle Book / Nicobar Islands—A Monkey’s Long Tale / Corridors of Life

ORF-Enterprise has on offer The Real Jungle Book, filmed entirely in India. The title follows the daily and seasonal struggles of animals as they obey the unwritten laws of the jungle and strive to raise a new generation. Nicobar Islands—A Monkey’s Long Tale explores the unique tropical paradise, which is largely barred to visitors, along with the macaques and other species that live there. Corridors of Life spotlights the vital animal migration pathways that have been interrupted by human settlements, roads, factories and power plants.

The Real Jungle Book

ZDF Studios

Time: A Journey Through Thousands of Years / The Lost Women Spies / Wild Talk

ZDF Studios’ two-parter Time: A Journey Through Thousands of Years explores the discovery of time, the history of time measurement and the effect it has on our lives today. The Lost Women Spies is “a gripping, poignant docudrama series about the fate of British female spies in World War II,” says Ralf Rückauer, VP Unscripted. “There is a genuine demand from viewers wanting to discover more about women in war,” he adds. Wild Talk reveals how animals communicate, showcasing the scientists and technology at the heart of this research.

“Our catalog contains a wide selection of excellent documentaries created by talented producers and renowned co- producers.”

—Ralf Rückauer

Wild Talk

Inside The Americas

By Mansha Daswani

Universal Television Alternative Studio’s Toby Gorman, BBC Studios Natural History Unit’s Mike Gunton and series editor Holly Spearing took MIPTV delegates behind the scenes of the big-budget event series The Americas at a session moderated by World Screen’s Anna Carugati. The ten-part blue-chip production, narrated by Tom Hanks with a score from Oscar winner Hans Zimmer, is set to air on NBC in prime time in 2025. The MIPTV panel saw Gorman, president of Universal Television Alternative Studio; Gunton, creative director at BBC Studios’ storied Natural History Unit (NHU); and Spearing, series editor at the BBC, showcase clips from the series while sharing insights into its five-year journey to the screen with Carugati, editor-at-large at World Screen. Gunton had long wanted to spotlight the natural wonders of the Americas, and knew he needed a partner of significant size to collaborate on the production. “For some reason, no one

Toby Gorman, Mike Gunton, Holly Spearing and Anna Carugati at MIPTV.

had ever done a full job on the whole of the Americas. The scale was so huge, I thought, there aren’t many places that will be able to take this on.”

Gorman noted, “We would have never thought about doing it in our backyard. That’s what was so special about the concept Mike brought to us.”

Gunton added, “There’s nowhere on Earth that has this range; its head is almost in the Arctic, and its toes almost in the Antarctic. It splits the two greatest oceans on the planet: the Atlantic and the Pacific. It goes through the tropics, the equator, deserts and ice caps; you can’t imagine anything more diverse. As a wildlife filmmaker, it’s all about superlatives, and [The Americas] has all the superlatives. The biggest trees and rivers, the deepest canyons and A-list animals of an extraordinary nature. It was just a dream to do it.”

“We wanted to show things that people have never seen before.”

—Mike Gunton

To showcase all of that diversity, “we wanted to show things that people have never seen before,” Gunton said. “It’s all about firsts. Now, that’s tough. The low-hanging fruit has all been taken. The difficult things are left. One of the things we’ve been most gratified about is we have been able to do things that people have never seen before, in ways they’ve never seen before.”

Exploring Secrets of the Octopus

By Jamie Stalcup

The third installment of National Geographic’s Secrets of… franchise, Secrets of the Octopus, delves into the underwater creatures that are almost like aliens on Earth.

Adam Geiger, executive producer of the series and creative director of SeaLight Pictures, says the idea for the series came about because the production company was frequently diving and encountering the creatures. After conducting some research, they realized “just how incredible [octopuses] are and how much there is to learn about them,” he says.

Sy Montgomery, who authored the companion book of the same name and has past experiences with octopuses, as documented in The Soul of an Octopus , adds, “These are creatures who think and feel and know. Despite the fact they’ve got three hearts, blue blood and a brain that wraps around their throat and [can] change

color and shape and shoot ink and venom, you can be friends with an octopus.”

“They look at the world in some ways similar to the way we do,” Montgomery continues. “They want to play with the same toys that our children enjoy; they love play and exploration. We wanted our work to bring that truth to the public, to share that love for a creature that is different. It just expands your consciousness, your compassion and your world.”

The Secrets of… franchise is executive produced by James Cameron, who was involved behind the scenes. “He

“ Octopuses are kind of quirky and funny and mischievous.”

—Dr. Alex Schnell

is such an ambassador for our oceans,” notes Dr. Alex Schnell, a National Geographic Explorer and host of the series. “He loves deep sea exploration, and he loves octopuses. It was just so fascinating to hear his perspective and also about how octopuses had influenced his work in his new Avatar films and just the way he was connecting with the octopus.”

The three-parter also features Paul Rudd as a narrator. “Octopuses are kind of quirky and funny and mischievous, and we really wanted that to shine with our narrator as well,” Schnell says. “He’s done such a fantastic job.”

Since 2021, Paul Heaney’s BossaNova has been hosting its annual Development Day event, bringing together buyers and producers with a view to crafting shows that will meet a commissioner’s remit while also being able to cut through globally. The event has been a resounding success for BossaNova, spawning projects like The Flight Attendant Murders , a Flicker Productions doc that landed on Sundance Now in the U.S. and Foxtel Group and SBS in Australia. Heaney, founder and CEO of BossaNova, tells TV Real about how the indie is traversing the ups and downs of the market today.

Paul Heaney BossaNova

By Mansha Daswani

TV REAL: How do you assess the state of the factual distribution business at present?

HEANEY: The often-mentioned “reset button” has been well and truly pushed; we are now coming out of the other side. We are in a higher-risk landscape without a doubt, so obviously, the rewards are greater, too. But we are talking factual, so it’s all relative in that regard. The

BossaNova team is finding it very encouraging right now. It seems to be projects from all areas of the content spectrum are coming our way—budgets big and small, one-offs and series—and the subject matter is showing signs of widening; it needs to! We were in danger of everyone crowding into a few subgenres and fighting for attention.

“Projects from all areas of the content spectrum are coming our way—budgets big and small.”

TV REAL: Is AVOD playing a greater role in your overall monetization strategies?

HEANEY: Yes, more and more, but in terms of financing, we are totally pragmatic. With barely 1,000 hours, we need to ensure that we are delivering the highest fees to our producers. AVOD is catching up here, but we have high expectations.

TV REAL: What’s your sense of what broadcasters and platforms are looking for in acquisitions?

HEANEY: Pretty much as before! Three main silos: A franchise with great access that could return, old favorites that can scale up and deliver even more episodes across a year, and noisy signature singles and short-run series to prevent churn and attract a subscriber base.

European Animation / Warner Bros. Discovery’s Adina Pitt Rainbow’s Iginio Straf f i

A Special Thanks to

SPONSORS

SPONSORS

Tried and True

What’s ruling the roost for the elusive 6-to-9 set in 2024? Apparently, the same show that was dominating kids’ attention in 1999.

EUROPE TOONS IN

Mansha Daswani checks in with some of Europe’s leading IP owners about the health of the animation sector.

Ricardo Seguin Guise Publisher

Mansha Daswani

Editor-in-Chief

Anna Carugati

Editor-at-Large

Kristin Brzoznowski

Executive Editor

Jamie Stalcup

Senior Associate Editor

Alexa Alfano

Associate Editor

David Diehl

Production & Design Director

Simon Weaver

Online Director

Dana Mattison

Sales & Marketing Director

Genovick Acevedo

Sales & Marketing Manager

Ute Schwemmer Bookkeeper

According to the trend trackers at Dubit, the antics of an enthusiastic sea sponge and his coterie of ocean besties continue to charm audiences, 25 years since SpongeBob SquarePants arrived on Nickelodeon and became a co-viewing hit. Alongside SpongeBob in the ranking— which you can learn more about by tuning into a session with Dubit’s David W. Kleeman and media consultant Emily Horgan at the TV Kids Summer Festival— is Bluey, which has set the standard for the perfect family sitcom that appeals to children and parents alike. PAW Patrol, on the air since 2013, is still striking a chord, as is Pokémon, so it’s no wonder that in a time of audience erosion and budget cuts, known IP is in demand.

TV KIDS PIONEER AWARD: ADINA PITT

Ricardo Seguin Guise

President

Anna Carugati

Executive VP

Mansha Daswani

Associate Publisher & VP of

Strategic Development

TV Kids

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Phone: (212) 924-7620

Website: www.tvkids.com

GET

Co-viewing and the difficulties of launching new IP are key themes of this year’s TV Kids Summer Festival, with almost 30 speakers weighing in on surviving and thriving in a market in the midst of transition. While concerns remain, kids’ media executives are relying on ingenuity, creativity and some tried-and-true models to navigate this great reset, as you’ll read in my special report on European animation. This edition also sees Warner Bros. Discovery’s Adina Pitt being honored with the TV Kids Pioneer Award. Mansha Daswani

Adina Pitt, VP for kids’ and family content acquisitions, partnerships and coproductions in the U.S. at Warner Bros. Discovery, is being honored with a TV Kids Pioneer Award.

RAINBOW’S IGINIO STRAFFI

Iginio Straffi, founder and CEO of Rainbow Group, reflects on Winx Club ’s 20 years of success.

9 Story Distribution International

Let’s Go, Bananas! / Dylan’s Playtime Adventures / Open Season: Call of Nature

9 Story Distribution International’s slate features the new 2D animated comedy Let’s Go, Bananas! “The series does a great job of highlighting relatable family moments through the unique and diverse perspectives of children that will appeal to kids and families around the world,” says Alix Wiseman, senior VP of distribution and acquisitions. The preschool show Dylan’s Playtime Adventures, based on the book series by Guy Parker-Rees, follows a striped dog who pretends to take on a new career in each episode by playing with regular household objects. It “models universal play patterns and encourages kids to use their imaginations,” Wiseman says. Open Season: Call of Nature, for children ages 6 to 11, centers on the adventures of characters from Sony Pictures Animation’s Open Season films, including grizzly bear Boog.

Animotion Media Group

Annie & Bennie / Mr. Dogood

Animotion Media Group is a new production, financing and sales company focused on animation. The multiplatform kids’ and family content company engages in licensing, distribution and strategic partnerships. Its slate includes Annie & Bennie, which tells the story of two unlikely best friends, and Mr. Dogood, created with puzzle enthusiasts in mind. Animotion is also developing a number of IPs for older children, teenagers and adults. “We decided to go beyond the bounds of kids’ and preschool content from the very beginning,” says Julia Nikolaeva, VP and chief content officer. Animotion Media Group also holds rights to a library of characters, including from The Fixies and Finnick franchises, Tina and Tony and Beardy Bodo. Animotion Music produces music and teams with artists whose work is targeted to kids, teens and families.

“9 Story’s distribution and development teams are looking forward to attending Annecy/Mifa this year.”

“Mr.

is a charming animated detective story.”

Banijay Kids & Family

Super Happy Magic Forest / Miniheroes of the Forest / Chimera Keepers: Adventures with Incredible Creatures

Leading Banijay Kids & Family’s offering, Super Happy Magic Forest comes from the producers of Mr Bean: The Animated Series and “is a great concept, filled with humor, adventure, picnics and frolicking,” says Delphine Dumont, chief commercial officer. Miniheroes of the Forest focuses on the playtime of four woodland creatures. “A proven IP with strong book sales, the transformation into a series, with its amazing design and playful storylines, makes it the perfect fit for a younger preschool market,” Dumont notes. The brand-new original series Chimera Keepers: Adventures with Incredible Creatures follows the adventures of two sisters after they discover that their grandfather’s garden is full of astounding creatures.

Miniheroes of the Forest

“Our

recent successes and upcoming titles are a testament to our producers’ ability to deliver long-running franchises and new shows.”

—Delphine Dumont

Dogood

—Julia Nikolaeva

—Alix Wiseman

Dylan’s Playtime Adventures

Mr. Dogood

Boat Rocker

Dino Ranch / The Next Step / Olga Da Polga

Boat Rocker’s kids’ and family highlights include Dino Ranch, a preschool series that combines young children’s love for dinosaurs and cowboys. The show “weaves themes of teamwork, friendship and the great outdoors into its exciting, action-packed stories of ranch life with a difference,” says Gia DeLaney, senior VP of global sales for kids and family. The tween drama The Next Step follows a group of dancers at The Next Step dance studio as they attempt to win regional, national and international championships. In Olga Da Polga, based on the best-selling books from Paddington Bear creator Michael Bond, the “irrepressible, vividly imaginative heroine is always ready to spin an outlandish yarn, making for an irresistibly fun combination of cute animals, mischievous escapades and laugh-out-loud humor,” DeLaney says.

Brands & Rights 360

Elinor Wonders Why / Captain Tsubasa/Campeones / Gina Yei

Brands & Rights 360 is showcasing Elinor Wonders Why. The show “stands out globally by encouraging preschoolers to follow their curiosity, ask questions when they don’t understand and find answers using science inquiry skills,” says Ignacio (Iñaki) Orive, president. Orive adds that the show “involves parents and caregivers in the learning process, encouraging a collaborative exploration of nature and science.” Season two is set to air in June on PBS KIDS. Captain Tsubasa/Campeones, meanwhile, is a long-running, footballdriven animation. “We periodically relaunch the series to coincide with the EUROs and World Cup,” notes Orive. The live-action production Gina Yei is upcoming. Season two of Studio Campedelli, Cartobaleno and Digitoonz’s upperpreschool comedy Atchoo! rounds out the company’s slate.

Branscome International

ROBOTIK

From Cheshire Smile Animation, the series ROBOTIK is a top highlight from Branscome International. “We are delighted by the joy and impact of the series as it connects to children through more and more platforms and regions,” says Tim Tyler, executive producer and CEO at Cheshire Smile. “ROBOTIK season one ran successfully on CBC Kids, SRC and TFO in Canada. In the past year, its global footprint has expanded greatly thanks to media license partnerships that have resulted in multiple new language versions (Spanish, Portuguese, French, Arabic and Mandarin).” Catherine Branscome, executive producer and president of Branscome International, adds, “We look forward to the views and feedback from our current brand partners and to expanding the ROBOTIK family of talent and resources.”

“We’re working hard on creating even more fantastic content from our robust kids’ development pipeline to provide the next big global hits.”

—Gia DeLaney

“We have added new and exciting content to our portfolio that we are looking forward to sharing.”

—Ignacio (Iñaki) Orive

“An appealing and unique original IP, ROBOTIK has a distinctive, eye-pleasing color palette, warm-looking character designs and backgrounds that make you smile just looking at them.”

—Catherine Branscome

ROBOTIK

Gina Yei

Olga Da Polga

CAKE

Total Drama Island / Cracké Family Scramble / Mush-Mush & the Mushables

Total Drama Island, which counts among CAKE’s highlights, introduces a new cast of teen contestants to the Total Drama tween franchise with a new rebooted season, produced by Fresh TV. Cracké Family Scramble, a family-skewed nondialogue slapstick comedy, sees a first-time daddy ostrich try to control his eight kids while dealing with mischievous crow neighbors. A second season of Mush-Mush & the Mushables features “charming characters and warmhearted, joyful stories,” says Ed Galton, CEO of CAKE. It continues to follow the outdoor self-discovery adventures of the Mushable community. CAKE also has on offer the preschool series Wow Lisa!, the bridge comedy Stinkbomb & KetchupFace and the preschool show Bock-Bock Chicken, as well as Kiwi Island

Cyber Group Studios

Press Start! / Alex Player / Droners

The CGI comedy-adventure Press Start!, part of the Cyber Group Studios slate, is based on a best-selling book series written and illustrated by Thomas Flintham that has sold more than 4 million copies worldwide. The show captures the wish-fulfillment of kids being able to have epic adventures inside a video game world alongside their best friend, who happens to be an iconic video game hero. Also video game related, Alex Player centers on an esports team that replaces its captain with a charismatic football player who emphasizes qualities of courage, perseverance and team spirit. The show is done in 2D and CGI and targets 6- to 10-year-olds. Cyber Group Studios also has a second season of Droners, featuring a high-tech adventure set in an eco-friendly world.

Dandelooo

Pong Pong Dino / Birds & Bees / The Upside Down River

Pong Pong Dino, on offer from Dandelooo, takes place in a world where food comes to life. “It encourages children to develop an interest in a wide variety of foods and aims to dispel preconceptions that they may have about nourishment, helping to create a more open-minded approach to eating,” says Emmanuèle Pétry, producer and head of distribution. Birds & Bees, a stop-motion series for 8- to 11-year-olds, teaches lessons about sexuality, emotions and body development. The Upside Down River tells the story of Hannah and Tomek, whose quests overlap on their way to the Qjar River. “Our shows try to make outstanding design meet a strong message, and we believe subtle humor is key to catching kids’ attention and imagination and conveying meanings and emotions,” Pétry notes.

“We are very excited to showcase our vibrant slate of new shows at Annecy.”

—Ed Galton

“All three shows are deeply meaningful, with the objective to help children understand their world.”

—Emmanuèle Pétry

Birds & Bees

Mush-Mush & the Mushables

Press Start!

Ellipse Animation/Mediatoon Distribution

Komodo No Chill / The Marsupilamis / Belfort & Lupin

Ellipse Animation will be at Annecy pitching Komodo No Chill, a brand-new project and its first slapstick. The 2D original creation follows the misadventures of a Komodo dragon shipwrecked on an island guarded by a herd of overenthusiastic miniature sheep. The Marsupilamis marks the reboot of a classic IP through a comedy show with 3D animation, refreshing the brand. “We are super excited to welcome partners to our stand and immerse them in the universe of these adorable creatures that have been captivating generations of children for decades,” says Morgann Favennec, deputy managing director of Mediatoon Distribution and VP of international financing at Ellipse Animation. Belfort & Lupin, meanwhile, is entering its final phase of production and should be ready next year.

HARI

The Weasy Family / Mystery Lane / Grizzy & the Lemmings World Tour

HARI’s non-dialogue slapstick comedy The Weasy Family is currently in production. The show’s narrative, which has emotional stakes at its core, “resonates with a wide audience, including parents,” says Sophie “Kido” Prigent, head of distribution. Also a highlight in HARI’s slate, Mystery Lane is an animated comedy adventure series that takes inspiration from Scooby-Doo and Sherlock Holmes, while Grizzy & the Lemmings World Tour sees its wacky characters land in unexpected places, as Grizzy the bear believes he is above the animal kingdom, unlike the Lemmings. “ Grizzy & the Lemmings is driving the growth of our global digital strategy and licensing and merchandising program, thanks to its huge popularity worldwide,” adds Prigent.

“Every part of HARI is currently expanding.”

—Sophie “Kido”

Prigent

Konami Cross Media NY

Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters / Yu-Gi-Oh! SEVENS / Yu-Gi-Oh! GO RUSH!!

The Konami Cross Media NY offering features an array of series from the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise. The storyline of Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters focuses on games pitting mystical creatures against each other. Yu-Gi-Oh! GO RUSH!! sees an extraterrestrial arrive on Earth after learning that the only way to stop the battle on his homeworld is through rush duels. Yu-Gi-Oh! SEVENS centers on the fifth grader who invents rush duels, a faster and simpler way to battle. “Fans are captivated by [Yu-Gi-Oh!’s] themes of friendship, inclusivity, self-power and self-expression,” says Mark Kirk, senior VP of distribution. The popularity of the brand is demonstrated by the Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card championship setting the Guinness World Records title for the most entrants in a trading card game tournament in April 2024.

“Annecy will be as busy as ever, with a powerful lineup of new productions, combining original creations and wellestablished IPs.”

“With its legendary characters, Yu-Gi-Oh! has become a multigenerational brand.”

—Mark Kirk

Yu-Gi-Oh! GO RUSH!!

—Morgann Favennec

Komodo No Chill

Grizzy & the Lemmings World Tour

LooLoo Kids

LooLoo Kids Musical Adventures

LooLoo Kids, which has 100 billion-plus views and over 120 million subscribers on YouTube, is showcasing LooLoo Kids Musical Adventures. The series is “perfect for strengthening the preschool audience on any platform,” says Valentin Pintilescu, development manager at LooLoo Kids. The 3D/CGI musical show follows the adventures of Johny and his friends in a diverse and enriching universe of educational topics that have become LooLoo Kids’ hallmark. “This 52x11-minute format is designed to integrate seamlessly into various distribution channels, offering flexible programming options while emphasizing the enchanting and educational essence that defines LooLoo Kids,” adds Pintilescu. There’s a nuanced approach for each language and culture with LooLoo Kids Musical Adventures

“We meticulously adapt our shows to reflect the cultural variations of each language and region, creating a connection that feels authentic and meaningful.”

—Valentin Pintilescu

Mattel Television Studios

Hot Wheels Let’s Race / Barbie: A Touch of Magic / Barney’s World

Leading Mattel Television Studios’ highlights, Hot Wheels Let’s Race brings the hit toy brand to the screen, providing viewers with engaging stories, characters and fast cars. Barbie: A Touch of Magic, now with a second season, continues to empower kids “with Barbie brand messaging that anyone can be anything,” says Michelle Mendelovitz, head of Mattel Television Studios. The upcoming series Barney’s World will introduce the iconic dinosaur to a new generation. “The series will reflect the world that kids are living in today and deliver meaningful lessons about navigating it while remaining true to the original theme of the brand,” Mendelovitz says. She adds, “With both the nostalgia and timelessness associated with our brands, our content strives to resonate across generations and is relatable to audiences all over the world.”

NJ World

Nelly Jelly

NJ World has teamed up with the British creative studio 3Megos for a new preschool comedy series based on the Nelly Jelly IP. The brand, building on the hit children’s book series from Lithuania, already has a successful licensing business, including 30 partners. A hit in Lithuania across publishing, live experiences and more, Nelly Jelly is now going global with a new preschool comedy series. The companies will be at Annecy sharing the trailer and script for the animated series, which centers on a strong-willed girl with a big imagination who sometimes simply needs a little help from her monster friends. “The new animation will work across different languages and cultures and extend engagement beyond the original Nelly Jelly books,” says Simona Krasauskienė, CEO of NJ World.

“Each

of these shows builds off one of our beloved global franchises, expanding upon fans’ favorite characters, toys and brands.”

—Michelle

“Nelly Jelly offers a heartwarming, relatable story with elements of music, fun, surprises and comedy, making it great for family co-viewing.”

—Simona Krasauskienė

Nelly Jelly

Hot Wheels Let’s Race

LooLoo Kids

Mendelovitz

pocket.watch

Ryan’s World The Movie: Titan Universe Adventure / Love, Diana / Toys and Colors Kaleidoscope City

Ryan’s World The Movie: Titan Universe Adventure leads the pocket.watch slate. The film sees popular kids’ content creator Ryan Kaji’s twin sisters, Emma and Kate, become trapped in a comic book world. Ryan makes it his mission to rescue them and embarks on an epic adventure. Love, Diana takes its star into the Land of Play, where she is transformed into the animated Princess of Play. Episodes showcase themes of friendship, family, imagination and the power of play. “It’s been exciting to watch our existing programming from Ryan and Diana consistently trending on Disney+ and Hulu since the integration,” says Jeff Siegel, head of global content distribution. The series Toys and Colors Kaleidoscope City enters a magical world where kids learn to see through new perspectives.

Rainbow Group

Mermaid Magic / Gormiti—The New Era

Mermaid Magic is a high-budget CGI fantasy adventure show from Rainbow Group that will be released on Netflix worldwide in Q3 this year. It follows the adventures of mermaid princess Merlinda and her friends Sasha and Nerissa as they discover the surface world on an adventurefilled journey to save their magical underwater realm called Mertropia from the fearsome pirate Barbarossa and his sea monsters. Iginio Straffi, Rainbow’s founder and CEO, calls it a “series full of magic, colors, action, humor, strong emotions and great values such as environmental protection.” Gormiti—The New Era is Rainbow’s new live-action series based on the Giochi Preziosi brand launched in 2005. The show follows four boys from Earth chosen to become the new generation of Scions, heroes called to save Gorm.

“Our portfolio is helping streamers and networks attract and retain the kids audience that flocked to YouTube.”

—Jeff Siegel

“We are working to develop long-lasting stories that we hope will continue to entertain audiences for a long time.”

—Iginio Straffi

Thunderbird Distribution

Mermicorno: Starfall / BooSnoo! / Mittens & Pants

Thunderbird Distribution is highlighting Mermicorno: Starfall Richard Goldsmith, president, describes the series as “an epic adventure-comedy for kids 5 to 9 that will captivate audiences internationally with its incredible storytelling, setting, cool heroes and beautiful animation.” It is set to debut on Max in the U.S. in 2025. BooSnoo!, meanwhile, is a calming, dialogue-free program commissioned by Sky Kids that follows a little red ball on an exploration of different landscapes, machines and rooms. “It has the ability to appeal to kids and viewers of all ages and cultures,” notes Goldsmith. The live-action CBC Kids commission Mittens & Pants sees a kitten and puppy go about their lives in the all-animal town of Kibble Corners. Despite being a dog and a cat, they are the best of friends.

“We

are continuing to focus on expanding the distribution footprint for our series.”

—Richard Goldsmith

Mittens & Pants

Ryan’s World The Movie: Titan Universe Adventure

Mermaid Magic

VISMANIMATION

A Name That Is Not Mine / On Your Tail / mindTOONness

VISMANIMATION launched “with the mission of fostering production and distribution of high-quality animation and social impact-driven content,” says Lucia Vismara, founder. Among its slate, BRAND-CROSS’s A Name That Is Not Mine explains the Holocaust to a new audience of young ones through modern-day scenes and flashbacks. MAGA ANIMATION’s On Your Tail, an adaptation of the Nintendo Switch game, follows an aspiring goat detective who solves mysteries in a fantasy version of coastal Italy. MindTOONness , from VISMANIMATION and based on the children’s book series by psychologist and digital entrepreneur Luca Mazzucchelli, promotes mental health and wellness through the adventures of anthropomorphic animal characters.

Wind Sun Sky Entertainment

Creatures of Sonaria / Roblox Experiences / Future Chicken

Wind Sun Sky Entertainment is developing the IP for the Roblox game Creatures of Sonaria. The game sees players embark on epic adventures as fantastical creatures in a lush world full of engaging characters, comedy and combat, collecting artifacts along the way. Wind Sun Sky is also highlighting Future Chicken, a branded universe created to promote ecological positivity featuring a time-traveling chicken named Potato. The company has produced a host of Future Chicken content, including short form, a digital series, a Roblox experience, learning resources, a podcast and more. “Wind Sun Sky is expanding its existing expertise to work with IP owners to create holistic and immersive experiences that leverage the power of multiple platforms,” says Catherine Winder, founder, CEO and executive producer.

ZDF Studios

Sam and Julia / Tobie Lolness / Klincus

ZDF Studios is showcasing a mix of established and brand-new properties. “TV channels and streaming providers are relying on proven hits, franchises, longstanding brands and reboots,” says Oliver Grundel, Director Junior. “This trend benefits established IPs like Grisù.” The company is also highlighting the 3D-animated Sam and Julia , which is produced in a stop-motion style to match the real-doll atmosphere of Karina Schaapman’s best-selling book series, off which the program is based. In Tobie Lolness , the very tiny Tobie’s father makes a discovery that has the potential to permanently damage their entire world, leading to exile. The ZDF Studios Jun ior slate also features the 26x22-minute animated series Klincus .

“VISMANIMATION’s goal is to help valuable content travel worldwide, positively impacting global audiences through quality storytelling.”

—Lucia Vismara

“We have a strategic in-house team and network of game developers to ensure that experiences deliver brands’ objectives.”

—Catherine Winder

“European animation is gaining recognition for its unique storytelling and artistic quality, resonating with children and family audiences worldwide.”

—Oliver Grundel

Sam and Julia

mindTOONness

Future Chicken

EUROPE TOONS IN TOONS IN EUROPE

As producers and distributors descend upon Annecy to tout their new projects, Mansha Daswani checks in with some of the region’s leading IP owners about the health of the animation sector.

HARI’s Grizzy & the Lemmings

Europe’s animation business is certainly not immune to the seismic shifts reshaping the global kids’ sector, from a change in priorities at the streamers to macroeconomic headwinds to children just not consuming content as they used to. However, the executives I surveyed for this piece indicate that the region has a fair bit going in its favor, including a robust pubcasting ecosystem that continues to commission high-quality fare for kids and a reliable government funding infrastructure.

“I think there’s a growing confidence in the European animation industry and a wish to foster and encourage more great, ambitious content and local talent,” observes Emmanuèle Pétry, producer and head of distribution at Dandelooo.

“Overall, European animation is gaining recognition for its unique storytelling and artistic quality, resonating with children and family audiences worldwide,” agrees Oliver Grundel, Director Junior at ZDF Studios. “There’s a noticeable trend toward more inclusive and culturally rich content, along with a growing interest in educational and environmentally themed animation.”

Sophie “Kido” Prigent, head of distribution at HARI, notes that European producers continue to succeed globally with animated projects, especially known IP like the com pany’s own Grizzy & the Lemmings . However, content creators are still feeling the pinch from the global slowdown in the industry.

“Service work flourished in Europe during and postCovid,” Prigent continues. “Some studios increased their capacity to respond to the initial orders and general market trends, but they are now impacted by the budget cuts and fewer commissions from the U.S. players such as Dis ney, Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery.”

BETTER TOGETHER

Given a commissioning cutback driven by the global streamers, “many producers have turned back to public and private broadcasters and co-producers to finance their shows the traditional way,” explains Morgann Favennec, deputy managing director at Mediatoon Distribution, the distribution arm of Média-Participations. “Co-productions have always been the DNA of the group between Frenchbased Ellipse Animation and Belgian Belvision. Adding a new member to the family, Studio Campedelli in Italy, reinforces this strategy even more.”

European pubcasters are increasingly pooling their limited resources to get shows off the ground. “For many, European PSBs have been the steadiest partners lately,” says Prigent. “They are still considering fresh original content and innovative storytelling. They are also on the lookout for hits and are strong partners for consecutive seasons if the show delivers good ratings, as competition is fierce and linear viewing figures are in decline.”

Grundel expresses a similar opinion: “To manage the costs of premium content production, there’s a noticeable trend toward increased collaborations and co-productions. Co-productions will remain key to our business, allowing

us to combine resources, expertise and creative talent for more ambitious projects.”

Pétry adds that Europe’s public broadcasters are “fully aware of the financing challenges producers face and are now savvy on developing and producing series that work along their mandates. We have reached a kind of ‘golden age’ on the editorial side that nicely balances PC requirements, S&P rules and humor.”

FUNDING FORMULAS

Unlike North America, the region also boasts a welldeveloped system of tax breaks and funding programs such as Creative Europe MEDIA.

“The government funding ecosystem has been crucial in helping European animation companies navigate the current market challenges,” Grundel says. “Various funds and grants from national and regional governments and initiatives like Creative Europe provide essential financial support that helps studios mitigate risks and maintain production levels. This funding is particularly important in the face of economic uncertainties and the increasing costs of high-quality animation production. Government support has allowed our partners and us on several projects to continue innovating and producing content that might otherwise be unfeasible due to financial con straints.”

“Producing new shows would be possible without their support, but the level of quality would be very different, and thus the exportation potential much lower,” says Favennec.

“The Upside Down River would not have been financed if MEDIA did not exist,” Pétry says. “We are very thankful and proud to be European. It’s the same for our French

Dandelooo is home to several pubcaster commissions, including Stinky Dog on France Télévisions.

CNC, which many countries envy; our audiovisual and cinema industry would not be the same without this virtuous system.”

ZDF Studios’ Grundel adds: “More countries are deploying animation tax incentives to attract co-production opportunities. These incentives make producing animation in certain regions more financially viable by reducing the overall production costs. Countries like France, Ireland and Spain have been particularly proactive in offering attractive tax credits and rebates. These incentives attract foreign investment and encourage local talent development and employment. As a result, we are more inclined to consider these locations for our projects, benefiting from both the financial incentives and the burgeoning local animation ecosystems.”

But the region’s producers need more support, HARI’s Prigent says, “given the difficulties of the international market now. Subsidies for versioning in different languages, for example. Or for greater access to ratings that aren’t shared and are costly to access via organizations such as Nielsen and Médiamétrie.”

BACK TO BASICS

The market is tough right now, especially when it comes to getting new ideas off the ground.

“The streamers have strongly decreased original commissions in animation, and there are more and more companies trying to produce animation,” Dandelooo’s Pétry says. “It obliges the producers to turn back to the ‘old model’ based on the public systems. France Télévisions receives between 800 and 1,000 offers every year, and the BBC tells me 20,000 per year! To stand out, our projects must be exceptional and essentially need to be ‘must-have’ for broadcasters. This emphasizes the importance of quality and originality in producing animated content to secure commissions in this competitive landscape.”

Prigent says the market is “tighter” amid increased competition for limited slots. “It’s easier for IP owners who have established relationships with broadcasters and where there is a history of strong IP performance. That can be tough for newcomers.”

ZDF Studios’ Klincus has a host of co-production partners, including ZDF, Rai Ragazzi, Fabrique d’Images, Showlab and Telegael.

Mediatoon Distribution’s

Living with Dad, made by Dupuis Audiovisuel and Belvision, is adapted from a best-selling comicbook series.

ZDF Studios’ Grundel adds, “Budget constraints have led broadcasters to become more selective in their commissioning choices. Collaborations and co-productions have also become key strategies to secure commissions and share the financial burden. It has been more challenging and has perhaps taken longer than usual. Still, it hasn’t been impossible, so we are happy to say that we were able to maintain our number of project developments in the challenging past years.”

LIBRARY WINS

The other silver lining is a bump in acquisitions as broadcasters and platforms find ways to do more with less. “There has been a noticeable increase in the acquisition of existing animation content,” Grundel notes. “Broadcasters and streaming platforms are looking to fill their programming schedules without bearing the high costs of new productions. If cost-cutting becomes necessary, series reruns

could also be an alternative. This trend has led us to prioritize offering renewals on expiring licenses to our partners and pointing to our robust library of high-quality, marketable, localized content that can be easily acquired and distributed. Acquisitions offer a more immediate and cost-effective solution for content providers, allowing them to quickly meet audience demand while maintaining a diverse and engaging programming slate.”

Indeed, having a diverse catalog of scale is increasingly important in an environment like this one. “Because of mergers and buyouts and cancellations by streamers, demand focuses mainly on IPs and wellestablished (with multiple seasons) brands, making introducing new projects a little more challenging,” Mediatoon’s Favennec says. “We are in a good place as the group counts 85 companies, the majority of which are publishing houses constituting a real IP treasure.”

Channels and platforms “are relying on proven hits, franchises, long-standing brands and reboots,” Grundel says. “This trend benefits established IPs. However, maintaining a balanced portfolio requires nurturing new IPs that have the potential to become future classics.”

And on that front, Annecy/Mifa hopes to deliver this year as it cements its position as a key platform for launching new projects and nurturing the content creators of tomorrow. “We have 4,000 animation students coming to Annecy,” says Mickaël Marin, CEO of the Annecy Festival. “We want to have them in the event because tomorrow they will be in the industry as the next producers, animators and directors.”

TV KIDS PIONEER AWARD

Adina Pitt

By Anna Carugati

Adina Pitt has worked in the children’s content business her entire career, currently as VP for kids’ and family content acquisitions, partnerships and co-productions in the U.S. at Warner Bros. Discovery. She is widely respected in the industry for her expertise in dealing with creators, evaluating projects, structuring deals and, above all, her respect for young viewers. She is equally beloved for her dedication to the kids’ community and organizing events that foster shared knowledge and a feeling of belonging. Pitt is being honored with a TV Kids Pionee r Award for her many accomplishments.

TV KIDS: What have children, their entertainment and well-being meant to you in all your years in the business?

PITT: Well, is there a better audience? For those who have dedicated our careers to the kids’ industry, it’s a calling. We are part of a community that stays through the good, the bad and the ugly, in service of the greatest audience: kids. I remember the early days of Sesame Street , all those wonderful PBS shows and all the cartoons we watched. I also have a background in early childhood education. I wanted to parlay that classroom experience in a broader way to serve kids. They always say what they think and mean what they say. It’s a tough audience because they will let you know in real-time how they feel and what they like and don’t like. There’s something refreshing about that honesty. And it keeps us all innovating because they expect us to up our ante with everything we do. As the world becomes even more complicated, I think there is no greater time to serve this audience with safe, entertaining, memory-making content, games, books—whatever your role is within this ecosystem. We are needed now more than ever.

TV KIDS: What are some effective strategies for connecting with kids in today’s crowded market?

PITT: It all starts with your intellectual property. What do you want to achieve with this IP? Are you hoping to build it into a series, shorts or games? How are you mapping out your idea? That’s an important conversation for creators to have with themselves because that will inform where to start deploying the content. So, if it’s a book, start with a book. If it’s shorts, maybe a big platform is not the place to start. Maybe you create your own channel. There are so many avenues that people can take, and the best path forward is to identify how you want to start. Where do I want to go? Work backward from there and be nimble. We have to be everywhere kids are. As big companies, we’ve been trying to diversify how we create content, where it starts, where it finishes. And we’re always troubleshooting. Kids are everywhere, so the chances of you grabbing them somewhere are good. The question is, are they going to stay?

I’ve always encouraged people not to be afraid to ask for help and partner with other creators or production and distribution companies. The business is so fragmented right now and so much content is available. You need to rely on people with expertise in the global marketplace and try not to be a hero. You do yourself a much better service if you ask for help and strategize with people who have been doing it for a while.

TV KIDS: When you evaluate projects and shows, what elements do you look for?

PITT: This answer changes all the time. Programming needs ebb and flow. Sometimes, we need a little more in the younger space, sometimes in the 6-to-11 [demographic]. Across the board, we want to ensure an authentic, diverse way of telling the story. If you’re going to feature characters that are either visibly or invisibly diverse, then that should be represented on and off the screen and be part of the development and production process. We always talk about wish fulfillment in the characters that we’ve created. That’s what keeps, as we used to say, “bums on seats,” everybody together and enjoying. It’s harder and harder to do that. It’s harder to innovate. We tend to lean in favor of legacy IP and the rebooting of those [brands]. And where you make room to onboard new IPs. We always have to keep some cadence allowing the new to come in as we celebrate the classics.

Without getting into specifics, we’re looking for authentic voices and creator-driven [projects]. We’re always excited to see ideas from creators that take into account the kids of today.

TV KIDS: Are you seeing less insistence on exclusivity? Are broadcasters and platforms more accepting of sharing rights or agreeing to shorter deals?

PITT: Yes, and this is very reminiscent of the late ’90s when cable was growing and there was a lot of investment. The current climate the kids’ media business is experiencing globally has enabled the conversation about non-exclusivity. It’s exciting because it protects the IP and allows for more discoverability of that IP the more places you deploy it. When you think about some of the biggest shows, you can find them in many places, and it doesn’t hurt the show. I think that’s going to be the new normal for a while. With less money and less need for content in the marketplace, it needs to be done.

TV KIDS: Has the need for co-produced or jointly financed programs increased recently?

PITT: For sure. The need for co-pros has been going on for a while because the U.S. isn’t party to any government funding the way some treaties exist in other countries. And so, if we want to get technical, we’re cofinancing as opposed to co-producing. For Canadian, French and Australian companies, it’s super beneficial to partner with other countries and for partners to get the funding that they need. It activates the government funding they can access if they have a partner like us. It just allows for more content to be produced. And by the way, by more content, I don’t even mean more shows—even more episodes within that one series. We were seeing a decline in the number of episodes being ordered because the costs were going up so astronomically. When I started in the business, it was standard to have 52 half-hours as a one-season pickup. That then became 26, then it became 13. Now, it’s going down to six or eight. The costs were going up so astronomically, something had to give. Now, co-producing is the right way to go. Creatively, it allows other voices in that room. If we’re going to say we want something diverse, then you have to have a variety of voices; it can’t just be your voice in the room, and co-producing allows for that.

TV KIDS: What elements make a co-production successful?

PITT: I say to creators, partner with somebody. You need to ascertain if there’s a place for your IP in the world. Are people going to spend whatever little money they have on it? Before you go out there, do some homework and talk to people—see what the market is looking for. If you’re asking what elements we need to see to make that decision, it’s simple. We’re not particularly precious about having too much. I always tell people not to spend all their

Mattel Television’s CG animated preschool series Barney ’s World is set to air on Cartoonito on Cartoon Network and Max in the U.S. later this year.

Mermicorno: Starfall, produced by Thunderbird Entertainment’s Atomic Cartoons in partnership with tokidoki, is slated to launch on Max in the U.S. in early 2025.

money making everything look beautiful. It’s really what’s on the page—what are we reading? What’s the story of the characters? Some art is always welcome. We love to see some sort of treatment. If you have a bible, great. In some cases, we love boards, but if you don’t have one, we’ll look at a script. In some cases, people need to see the script, and we might ask them to do another pass. It varies from project to project. The more you have to illustrate what you’re trying to achieve, the easier it is for us to decide on your IP

The level of investment for each project also varies [because] every project has a different price. You

might have 60 percent of your funding when you come to the table, but I may not be able to give you the remaining 40. Maybe a few years ago, that was the case. We have to have that honest conversation with the producers and say, what is your budget? Is that your ceiling? And work backward and say, we can only come in for this amount, and the production or distribution company will have to find the remaining money elsewhere. It’s all a series of bite-sized conversations. It all starts with the pitch. It has to be the right show at the right time and price.

TV KIDS: You mentioned diversity. What kind of progress have you seen in the kids’ business in recent years?

PITT: So much, even in companies sprouting up in countries that never pitched to us before. It’s wonderful. Kids exist everywhere; their voices need to be heard, and their faces need to be seen. They’re all beautiful, and not everybody is born the same way. We love the pitches that feature both visible and invisible diversity. Neurodivergence needs to be seen. For years, producers have been banging on our doors to get visibility for these characters. The time is

now. When you look at the characters, what inspires me is that the stories are less tokenistic and much more authentic. We’re going to see more of that where it doesn’t stand out; it’s just part of the collection of IP that is out there. Those days of seeing that perfect shiny family—that’s not so necessary now. You just have to see a family that feels like your family.

TV KIDS: My impression has always been that the kids’ content community is populated by fun and passionate producers and executives. What has kept you in the kids’ business for so many years?

PITT: This is the greatest community in the world, bar none. We work hard. We love each other. We have been in each other’s homes. We have been to

our children’s events. I wish everyone the experi ence that I have had so far. The welcome they gave me when I first started in the industry—it was an instant community. I’m especially in awe of the independent community, who gets up every day and is committed to working through their ideas until they are shared with kids around the world. Some take years and years, and I tip my hat to them. They inspire me. Despite arts programs and all kinds of things being cut around the world, they still show up with ideas y ear after year. The buyers, the marketers and everybody involved in the service of kids love it. I’ve known some of these people for close to 30 years and will forever be grateful for what they’ve taught me and continue to teach me. I hope we can pay it forward with the next generation of creators and executives.

CAKE’s Lucas the Spider is airing on Warner Bros. Discovery platforms around the world.

Iginio Straffi Rainbow

By Kristin Brzoznowski

The global hit Winx Club is celebrating a milestone 20th anniversary this year, a testament to the power of Rainbow’s storytelling capabilities in keeping the show fresh for a new generation of fans. There’s a Winx Club reboot in the works as well as the Gormiti—The New Era live-action show, and Rainbow has a new animated series, Mermaid Magic , that it is bringing out at Annecy. Rainbow’s Colorado Film is also behind the teen romance drama The Tearsmith, which has been a resounding success on Netflix. Iginio Straffi, founder and CEO of Rainbow Group, talks to TV Kids about the different approaches for animation and live action.

TV KIDS: What is driving growth for Rainbow?

STRAFFI: We have had quite a lot of success in the liveaction division, starting from The Girl in the Fog but also, recently, My Name Is Vendetta , which is still in the top ten of Netflix for non-English-language movies. Our service division is also doing very well, producing Emmy Award-winning series. They’re also working on a theatrical movie for Disney. Last but not least, our animation series are doing great. We are going to be launching Mermaid Magic on Netflix in the summer and Gormiti— The New Era live-action show with stunning CGI effects in October this year. We are working very carefully on the reboot of the Winx Club animated series, with a lot of attention to the storytelling, animation and graphics. We want to bring the show to a new audience, with all

the DNA of Winx but with today’s quality animation and pace.

TV KIDS: Tell us about the new animation project Rainbow will be launching at Annecy.

STRAFFI: Mermaid Magic, a high-budget CGI IP, will be released on Netflix worldwide in Q3 ’24. It’s a magic story telling the adventures of mermaid princess Merlinda and her friends Sasha and Nerissa on a mission to the surface world to save the underwater kingdom of Mertropia. This series is the perfect mix between a great technical style and narrative of a beautiful story where adventure, magic, mystery and contemporary values such as ecology and protection of the marine environment merge to offer a series to entertain kids and the whole family.

TV KIDS: How is the 20th anniversary of Winx Club being celebrated?

STRAFFI: The celebration started in January and continues throughout the year and across the whole world. We launched many activities and content on social media to be sure our whole community could join the celebrations. We joined the main Comic-Con events around the world, not only in Italy but also in the U.S. and Brazil, where the fan base is stronger than ever. The biggest event will be the official Winx Club 20th birthday party in Rimini on August 31. The entire town will be buzzing with activities, surprises, concerts and special content for new and longtime fans. In the new version of Winx, the graphics have changed. From the traditional 2D, we have created CGI models, and everything has been redesigned. The storytelling will finally tell how Bloom joined the other Winx to form the Winx Club. In a coming-of-age story, she and the other fairies find out how to become more powerful and, most importantly, how to save the magic dimension from the dark forces who want to take control of it. We have put a new twist, and some new secrets will be revealed. We have new elements to the story in this reboot.

TV KIDS: What are the challenges in producing live action versus animation?

STRAFFI: I am really enjoying producing live action, trying to bring the experience that we have with animation series. We create and use storyboards and animatics usually used for animation to better develop some particular scenes for live-action series or TV movies. This gives us many advantages: it’s helpful with complicated scenes that may require more attention during the shooting. We work on them and study all possibilities very carefully in advance to avoid difficulties on sets. That’s how you work in animation to avoid mistakes and consequent costs, and when it comes to live action, we found out the best solution would be the same. Our passion is to identify stories that can be good for a global audience and try to tell them in a way that they can connect to the audience. It is always the biggest challenge. But, we really put all our passion, experience and investment in, and the result has been encouraging

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The Sun (Science/tech., 2x52 min./1x90 min.) For all life on Earth, the Sun is the miracle that makes everything possible—but also the greatest danger.

Death on Mallorca—The Beer King Killings (Crime, 3x45 min.) One of the most mysterious murder stories of the 1990s, unsolved for over 25 years.

BANIJAY KIDS & FAMILY

O (44-0370) 042-0042

m sales@banijaykids.com w www.banijaykidsandfamily.com

Super Happy Magic Forest (Adventure/comedy, 52x11 min.) A comedy-quest adventure about five brave heroes brought together by a love of quests, picnics and frolics.

Chimera Keepers: Adventures with Incredible Creatures (Adventure, 52x11 min.) Join Thelma and Wendy on an extraordinary summer adventure, discovering the unique and magical Chimera creatures.

Miniheroes of the Forest (Preschool, 52x7 min.)

Gaston, Juliette, Jade and Gabin put on their costumes, run to their treehouse, discover adventures in the woods and use their “mini mega powers.”

Totally Spies! (Comedy/action, S1-7: 26x22 min. each & 1x75 min.) Follows the hilarious, actionpacked adventures of three Beverly Hills girls who

were hired as secret agents by WOOHP (World Organization of Human Protection).

Shasha & Milo (Action/comedy, 25x22 min. & 12x2 min.) Shasha and Milo discover they’re next in a long line of shapeshifting feline guardians tasked with preventing dark magic from taking over Crescent Island.

Moominvalley (Adventure, S1-4: 13x22 min. each) Curious and idealistic Moomintroll, along with his family and friends, takes us on an adventure into the magical world of Moominvalley.

The Game Catchers (Preschool, S1-2: 52x7 min. each) The Game Catchers are a team of five friends on a journey to explore fantastic planets with the aim of playing and collecting games.

Silverpoint (Sci-fi/adventure, S1-2: 13x22 min. each) Four kids stumble upon something buried in the woods that will send their lives and the world around them spiraling out of control.

When I Was Your Age (Adventure/comedy, 52x11 min.) Paul is a typical boy, but when someone says, “When I was your age…” he’s immediately transported to when the person was 10 years old.

Gym Stars (Factual, 80x30 min.) Goes behind the scenes to find out about the lives of some of the U.K.’s most promising and dedicated young gymnasts.

One of Our H-Bombs Is Missing (Doc., 1x120 min.) Featuring elements of action and adventure, a

Super Happy Magic Forest

The FAST Festival is a virtual event taking place

The second edition of the FAST Fest FAST and AVOD segment, delivering FAST channel operators, AVOD acquisi To register for free

For sponsorship opportuniti

Deadline to submit sponsor

a three-day must-attend ace from July 23 to July 25 . Festival will explore the booming ering keynotes and panels with leading acquisition executives and distributors. please click here . ortunities please click here . ponsorship materials: July 8

cover-up, high-stakes diplomatic negotiations and the race to clean up a potential environmental disaster, presents the definitive account of the worst nuclear weapons disaster of all time.

One of Our H-Bombs Is Missing

Blood and Sand (Drama, 1x113 min.) A despondent Gallardo runs away and meets a beautiful, wealthy lady who offers him a job to work her fields. My Bodyguard (Drama, 1x182 min.) When a boy comes to a new school and gets harassed by a bully, he acquires the services of the school’s most feared kid as a bodyguard.

The Stunt Man (Comedy/action, 1x130 min.) A fugitive stumbles on a movie set just when they need a new stuntman, takes the job as a way to hide out and falls for the leading lady.

Scavenger Hunt (Action/comedy, 1x116 min.) To inherit a fortune, various addressees of a will must compete in a wild scavenger hunt to collect selected items that cannot be simply bought.

Porky’s (Comedy, 1x94 min.) Set in 1954, a group of Florida high schoolers seeks to help a buddy lose his virginity, which leads them to seek revenge on a sleazy nightclub owner and his redneck sheriff brother.

Somebody Killed Her Husband (Thriller, 1x97 min.) A woman’s husband is murdered, and she

and her lover must find the killer or stand accused of doing it themselves.

When a Stranger Calls (Thriller, 1x97 min.) A psychopathic killer terrorizes a babysitter, then returns seven years later to menace her again.

The Miracle Worker (Drama, 1x98 min.) Based on the life of Helen Keller. Annie Sullivan, her dedicated and patient teacher, struggles to reach her blind, deaf and dumb pupil.

Piranha II: The Spawning (Horror, 1x94 min.) A scuba diving instructor, her biochemist boyfriend and her police chief ex-husband try to link a series of bizarre deaths to a mutant strain of piranha fish whose lair is a sunken freighter ship off a Caribbean island resort.

BRANSCOME INTERNATIONAL

O (1-212) 448-0001

m sales@branscomeinternational.com

ROBOTIK (Animation, 42x2.5 min.) A young robot girl named Beka and her dogbot Bubo help friends in need at the Robotik Lab and around their town.

ROBOTIK Super-Charged (Animation) Season two in development. Two 7-minute scripts and brand deck available on request.

ROBOTIK

Purple Palms Oasis (Kids/lifestyle) In early development, a well-being lifestyle brand inspired by Dar AlManhal Publishers’ book Welcome to Purple Palms. Time for Classics! (28 videos) Animation artists interpret pieces by renowned classical music composers, including Bach, Couperin, Burgmüller, Schumann, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Bizet, Ricci and many more.

CAKE

m info@cakeentertainment.com w www.cakeentertainment.com

Tish Tash (Preschool animation, 104x5 min.)

Young bear Tish, her bear family and her largerthan-life imaginary friend Tash embark on fun adventures while inspiring imaginative play and problem-solving in young children.

The Guava Juice Show (6-12 animation, 26x11 min.) The wacky adventures of 14-year-old Roi and his best friends, fearless fellow teen Jenny and Guava, a risk-averse neurotic talking fruit, as they travel through the multiverse in a magical bathtub.

Cracké Family Scramble (4+/family animation, 52x7 min.) First-time daddy ostrich Ed scrambles to keep control over his eight kids, turning every family activity into a hilarious adventure. Non-dialogue.

Sherwood (8-12 animation, 10x22 min.) Teen hacker Robin Loxley and her band of warriors bring down the

oppressive regime of Sheriff Nottingham in a 23rdcentury London devastated by climate change.

Toru Superfox (Preschool animation, 52x7.5 min.)

Super fox Toru and his friends are on a quest to face the most puzzling of creatures—their emotions.

Angry Birds Summer Madness (6-11 animation, 32x11 min. & 4x22 min.) Teenage Red, Chuck, Bomb and Stella spend a wild summer together with other Angry Birds at Camp Splinterwood.

Total Drama Island (6-12 animation, 26x22 min.)

After seven seasons, it’s time to go back to the island as Total Drama promises to take reality to the next level.

Lucas the Spider (Preschool animation, 78x7 min.)

Based on the YouTube hit, adorable spider Lucas and his friends leap head-first into adventure and discovery.

Super Sema (5-7 animation, 20x5 min. & 24x11 min.)

Ten-year-old Sema uses ingenuity, super-intelligence and her technovating powers to save her African village from artificially intelligent villain Tobor and his minions.

Mush-Mush & the Mushables (4-8 animation, S1-2: 96x11 min. & 4x22 min.) Follows the Mushable community, pocket-sized Guardians of the Forest, as they embark on a journey of self-discovery and more.

CALINOS ENTERTAINMENT

O (90-216) 999-4999

m info@calinosentertainment.com

w www.calinosentertainment.com

NATPE Budapest: Suite 223

Farah (Drama, S1: 47 hrs., S2: 42 hrs.) Adapted from La chica que limpia , the story of an Iranian woman struggling to live in Istanbul who works as a cleaning lady to maintain her son’s medical treatments and becomes a mafia accomplice.

EGO (Drama, 40 hrs.) Elif, Erhan and Sibel’s lives will change when Sibel decides to get pregnant

Tish Tash

with Erhan’s baby and makes an indecent cash proposal.

Adela (Drama, S1-4: 158 hrs.) Two sisters live with their parents in a slum near Bucharest. The secret identity of one will be revealed when her biological grandfather decides to repair his past mistakes.

Indefensible (Crime drama, S1: 120x20 min., S2: on air, S3) A daily series set in the world of the Lapointe-Macdonald law firm and its criminal defense team.

Alert Squad (Crime drama, S1: 24 hrs., S2: 25 hrs., S3: 26 hrs., S4) Every minute counts when the Missing Persons Unit is working a case.

No Trespassing (Crime drama, S1: 10 hrs., S2: 10 hrs.) When the police detain his daughter with a well-known Belgrade dealer, Dejan Matić moves with her to Dol, his father’s home village.

Tycoon (Action, S1: 10x50 min., S2) Vladan

Simonović, a tycoon hated in Serbia because of the wealth he gained during the disintegration of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, is forced to take drastic measures to preserve himself and his company.

The Clan (Crime/thriller, S1-3: 24x50 min.) The murder of mafia boss Tigar shook the Serbian underground. Shock and Pasha, not overly successful petty thieves, are just beginning their careers.

The Well (Drama, 11x50 min.) Radomir Pavlović, a philosophy professor, searches for answers.

The Only Way Out (Thriller, 10 hrs.) Lawyer Ana Kolar investigates the suspicious death of her husband. Inspector Strbac suspects that the death of his daughter’s friend might not be a suicide.

CYBER GROUP STUDIOS

O (33-7) 8282-4481

m latlanov@cybergroupstudios.com

w www.cybergroupstudios.com

Press Start! (Bridge CGI comedy/adventure, 52x11 min.) Follow Sunny and Rue in their incredible adventure inside a video game with their favorite hero, Super Rabbit Boy.

Alex Player (Kids 2D/CGI adventure/esport, 26x22 min.) Alex and his teammates juggle their school life and their training to win the esports national interschool championship.

Droners (Kids 2D/CGI adventure/comedy, S1-2: 52x22 min.) To save Terraqua, the Tikis head to Tortuga, Queen Scarlett’s island, home of the Rotor Punch competition. The winners will get the chance to seize the Queen’s treasure.

Gigantosaurus (Upper preschool 2D/CGI comedy/adventure, S1-3: 156x11 min./78x26 min.) Follow the adventures of Tiny, Rocky, Bill and Mazu in Cretacia, where every day is a new adventure, under the watchful eye of Gigantosaurus.

The McFire Family

EGO

The McFire Family (Bridge/family adventure, 52x11 min.) A family of firefighters protects the city with their super abilities and high-tech equipment..

50/50 Heroes (Kids 2D comedy/adventure, 52x11 min.) Half-siblings Mo and Sam found out they inherited superpowers from their ancestor, but the problem is they need to share them.

Taffy (Kids/family 2D comedy, S1-2: 156x7 min.)

Taffy the raccoon and Bentley the dog are “partners in crime” for vigorous adventures and new crazy chases.

Nefertine on the Nile (Bridge 2D/CGI comedy, 52x13 min.) Nefertine is an 8-year-old girl with inexhaustible curiosity and great courage who lives in ancient Egypt, aspiring to be the first female scribe.

Alpha and Omega (Kids animation/adventure, 3x45 min.) Kate and Humphrey are back with three wolf pups.

Squared Zebra (Preschool 2D comedy/edutainment, 78x7 min.) Every day is an adventure with Squared Zebra and her friends as they learn from their differences in a cute and fun way.

DANDELOOO

O (33-9) 7264-4601

m sales@dandelooo.com w www.dandelooo.com

The Upside Down River (Kids adventure, 8x22 min.) The story of Tomek and Hannah’s meeting on the way to the Qjar River.

Billy the Cowboy Hamster (Preschool adventure/ comedy, 48x11 min. & 2x22 min.) Billy dreams of being a cowboy.

Pong Pong Dino (Early preschool/comedy, 52x7 min.) In a world where food comes to life in massive proportions, five kids are about to set off on an unforgettable adventure.

The Superheroes of Nature (Kids/family edutainment, 30x3 min.) Uses humor to make accessible to the youngest the inventiveness of nature and the importance of preserving it.

Birds & Bees (Kids educational, 20x3 min.)

Friendly and dynamic, Lili, an expert in sexuality and emotions, answers all the questions that 8- to 11-year-olds inquire about.

Petit (Preschool animation, S3: 26x7 min.; total: 45x7 min.) Discover Petit’s unique and imaginative perspective about daily situations that will become adventures he will have to face being brave and creative.

Jasmine & Jambo (Preschool edutainment, S1-2: 52x7 min., 52x1 min., 26x1.5 min., 4x26 min.) Jasmine and Jambo are crazy about music. They live in Soundland, where music and life go hand in hand. Dounia, the Great White North (Kids/family drama, 1x50 min./7x7 min.) The story of how little Dounia, a Syrian girl aged 7, finds a new home and makes new friends in Canada while hoping her dad will join her soon.

Pompon Little Bear (Preschool adventure, S1: 39x7 min., S2: 72x7 min. & 2x21 min.) In bear cub years, Pompon is 7. He is mischievous, cheerful and playful, but above all, he has an incredible and precious gift: he adds a bit of extra to the ordinary.

Taina and the Amazon’s Guardians (Preschool adventure, S1: 26x11 min., S2: 18x11 min.) When

Pong Pong Dino

the forest is in distress, the “Cru-Cru” call echoes all the way to the Great Tree, where Taina and the Guardians of the Amazon are always ready to help.

DORI MEDIA GROUP

O (972-3) 647-8185

m sales@dorimedia.com w www.dorimedia.com

Lalola (Comedy, 10x30 min.) Lalo’s life changes when he breaks Romina’s heart and she goes to a witch to teach him a lesson. He wakes up as Lola and will learn to be a woman while seeking to reverse the spell.

Amia (Political/action drama, 8x45 min.) A Mossad agent hooks up with a local Argentinean journalist to find those responsible for a terrorist attack.

Indal (Action drama, 8x45 min.) A group of Ethiopian Israeli youth decide to kidnap the police officer who peppered their adolescence with abuse and eventually murdered their closest friend, resulting in a massive national protest movement against police violence and for equality.

Yum Factor (Cooking competition) Flips the script on culinary competitions. This isn’t about the professionals; it’s about the everyday culinary maestros.

Power Couple (Reality format) Eight couples face extreme challenges that will test how well they really know each other.

15 a la Hora (Minimum Wage) (Drama, 10x30 min.) Three Latina women in Los Angeles, each carrying a difficult past and an even harder present, decide to take charge of their destiny and open their own cleaning services business.

The Best of All (Game-show format) Is the average answer from a large group of people always closer to the right result than the answer of one?

Nehama (Dramedy, 8x60 min.) A father of five children loses his wife in an accident and is forced to face raising his children and the dream that he now seeks to fulfill: conquering the world of stand-up.

Shtisel (Drama, 33x45 min.) A bachelor Haredi (ultraOrthodox) and his widowed father share an apartment, a cynical sense of humor and a quest for love.

El Buscador (The Browser) (Interviews) Faceto-face interviews triggered by web content that anyone can easily access online.

HARI

O (33-1) 4307-6577

m kido@studiohari.com w hari-studios.com/en

Grizzy & the Lemmings World Tour (Non-dialogue slapstick, S1-4: 78x7 min. each) The latest season sees the slapstick phenomenon traveling the world with the much-loved characters going wackier.

Grizzy & the Lemmings World Tour

Lalola

Mystery Lane (Comedy, 26x22 min.) After an amazing start (over a million views in six weeks following the launch on France Télévisions), a Christmas special (1x44 min.) is being delivered this year.

The Weasy Family (Non-dialogue slapstick, 78x7 min.) Comedy and heartwarming narrative are at the core of this weasel-father and duckling-daughters story.

KANAL D INTERNATIONAL

m hello@kanald.international w kanald.international

NATPE Budapest: Suite 219

Secret of Pearls (Drama, 44 min. eps.) Azem takes the blame for his wife’s death to protect his daughter. After prison, he seeks out his adopted children, navigating complex relationships.

A Father’s Promise (Drama, 67x44 min.) In the 1980s political turmoil, Mustafa sacrifices to save his wife, leaving his daughter with the wealthy Ronas. A poignant tale unfolds as they reunite, facing danger and love’s resilience.

Daylight (Drama, 45x44 min.) Gece’s summer dreams of university and music in Istanbul are disrupted when her family moves to Foça for her sister’s special needs.

Farewell Letter (Drama, 76x44 min.) Alanur’s life, dependent on Ziya, takes an unexpected turn after

30 years. As their children, Aslı and Mehmet, navigate love and family opposition, hidden connections from the past resurface.

Three Sisters (Drama, 277x44 min.) Crafted by the esteemed İclal Aydın, the narrative revolves around three sisters in the enchanting lanes of Ayvalık’s pine-scented streets.

That Girl (Drama, 79x45 min.) Zeynep aspires to be a social media influencer to escape poverty while caring for her childlike father. Unexpected connections unravel as she works in influencer Ozan’s house, where she encounters businesswoman Sitare.

Love and Hope (Drama, 285x53 min.) Zeynep navigates a world of wealth and power in Istanbul, discovering her estranged father’s existence.

Love and Hate (Rom-com, 61x44 min.) Famous actor Tolga and ordinary dreamer Asya cross paths, bringing together two contrasting worlds of dissatisfaction and dreams in the collision of black and white.

Twist of Fate (Rom-com, 58x43 min.) Superstitious Ada marries Rüzgar to avoid a curse, but her attractive boss, Bora, complicates things.

Recipe of Love (Rom-com, 41x43 min.) Chef Fırat and French restaurant owner Naz encounter a sweet rivalry in the kitchen.

KONAMI CROSS MEDIA NY

O (1-212) 590-2100 m info@konamicrossmedia.com w www.konami.com/crossmedia

Yu-Gi-Oh! GO RUSH!! (Animation, 151x22 min.)

As his home world rages in a never-ending battle, Yudias travels across the galaxy after learning that there is only one thing that can end the conflict: rush duels. (Excluding Asia)

Secret of Pearls

Yu-Gi-Oh! SEVENS (Animation, S1: 43x22 min., S2: 46x22 min.) Yuga Ohdo may seem like any other 5th grader in Goha City, but he’s about to take his favorite game to the next level by inventing a whole new way to duel: rush duels. (Excluding Asia)

Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters (Animation, 236x22 min.)

Meet Yugi and his best buds Joey, Tristan and Téa, who share a love for Duel Monsters. (Excluding Asia)

MATTEL TELEVISION

m content_sales@mattel.com w www.mattel.com

Barbie: A Touch of Magic (Animation, 26x22 min.) Barbie and Barbie discover a mysterious baby Pegasus on the beach in Malibu and work to find out where the magical horse came from.

Barbie and Stacie to the Rescue (Animation, 1x60 min.) The Roberts family heads to Wisconsin for a hot air balloon festival. When Barbie and Skipper have a ballooning mishap, Stacie has the right skills to save the day.

Barbie Mermaid Power (Animation, 1x60 min.)

Barbie “Brooklyn” Roberts, Barbie “Malibu” Roberts and her sisters Skipper, Stacie and Chelsea transform into mermaids to help save the world of Pacifica.

Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go! S25 (Animation, 52x11 min.) Adventure and excitement

abound for Thomas and his friends as they work together and form lasting bonds that help them overcome any obstacle on the Island of Sodor.

Thomas & Friends Race for the Sodor Cup (Animation, 1x60 min.) Kana is convinced that her speed is all she needs to win the Sodor Cup. But when she ends up paired with Thomas, she discovers that it takes much more than speed to really be a champion.

Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go! S26 (Animation, 52x11 min.) Thomas and his loc-amigos will embrace unexpected surprises and discover more about each other on the Island of Sodor.

Thomas & Friends: The Mystery of Lookout Mountain (Animation, 1x60 min.) When cars begin to disappear in the mines, Thomas recruits the Biggest Adventure Club to dig into the history and uncover the mystery inside Lookout Mountain.

MEDIATOON DISTRIBUTION

O (33-1) 5326-3100

m g.milagres@mediatoon.com w mediatoon-distribution.com

Belfort & Lupin (Adventure/comedy, 26x22 min.)

Lupin’s street smarts combined with Belfort’s know-how make them an unstoppable pair. Together they explore every nook and cranny of the palace and join forces with animals they meet.

Yu-Gi-Oh! GO RUSH!!

Barbie and Stacie to the Rescue

& Lupin

SamSam: Cosmic Adventures (Adventure/comedy, 52x11 min.) Six-year-old superhero SamSam lives on Planet Sam. When he’s not at school, he spends his days exploring the galaxy with his friends and defeating not-so-clever villains.

Living with Dad (Sitcom, 52x12 min.) Dive into the unpredictable and hilarious life of this unconventional family.

The Fox-Badger Family (Adventure/comedy, 104x12 min.) When Edmund falls in love with Margaret, he asks her and her daughter to move in with him and his three children to form one big Fox-Badger family. Zoobox (Adventure comedy, 1x26 min.) Determined to find her parents, Kerala, an enthusiastic and curious baby kangaroo, embarks on an adventure. The Marsupilamis (Comedy, 52x11 min.) Hope, Twister and Punch have hatched in the big city.

OGM UNIVERSE

m ekinkoyuncu@ogmuniverse.com, mustafakeyvan@ogmuniverse.com w www.ogmuniverse.com

NATPE Budapest: Suite 214

Dilemma (Drama/thriller, 8x45 min.) The life of Neslihan Turhan, a TV show host who built her career on the principles of justice, is rocked when her son is implicated in the death of Lal Kaleli.

Lost in Love (Drama, 85x45 min.) Mete and Naz, from affluent families, are bound by a childhood promise. Fate intervenes when Mete meets İncila, Naz’s loyal servant.

When a Man Loves (Drama, 26x45 min.) The story of the accidental romance between Zeynep, a divorced mother of two children, and her single, handsome, charismatic and successful boss, Kenan.

When a Man Loves

Stickman (Drama, 88x45 min.) Tamer’s marriage to Berrin and a $300 million game success reunites his family, including estranged parents Aysel and Bülent.

ONZA DISTRIBUTION

O (34-915) 620-671

m onza@onzadistribution.com w www.onzadistribution.com

NATPE Budapest: VS2

Heartless (Thriller, 8x45 min.) Relentless criminal Haro is targeted by a serial killer. He offers help to the judge he seeks revenge on for imprisoning him. Cacao (Telenovela/romance drama, 139x50 min.) Cacao finds out her real father owns the rich farm and that she is his heir.

Traffic Jam (Comedy, 6x25 min.) As evening falls, a massive traffic jam disrupts the plans of thousands of drivers, leading to funny, crazy and emotional conflicts.

Belfort

The Daughter (Drama, 6x50 min.) Inspired by true events, revolves around the legal and emotional battle between the adoptive and biological parents of Maria Júlia, both fighting for her custody.

Golden Swan (Period drama, S1: 21x50 min., S2: 17x50 min., S3: 18x50 min.) 1939, Prague. Bára, a fugitive thief, becomes a saleswoman at a luxurious department store.

Flowers Over the Inferno (Thriller/crime, S1: 6x60 min., S2: 6x60 min.) In a mysterious mountain town, criminologist Teresa Battaglia, battling Alzheimer’s, leads a team to uncover dark secrets and confront a ruthless child-protecting killer.

Forever (Telenovela, 205x50 min.) Pedro’s life has always been shrouded in mystery. The investigation of his past leads him back to his hometown, where he discovers that his first love is engaged to his biological brother.

Sweet Strawberries (YA thriller, S1: 10x45 min., S2: 10x45 min., S3: 10x45 min.) A reboot of the popular Portuguese series unfolds at Barra Secondary School, where disturbing disappearances linked to cyberbullying unveil secrets among the students.

Allende The Thousand Days (Historical drama, 4x60 min.) Manuel Ruiz, a close friend of Salvador Allende, witnesses his final moments during Pinochet’s coup. He later exposes Chile’s political turmoil and Allende’s referendum plan.

FC Barcelona: A New Era (Sports doc., S1: 5x40 min., S2: 4x40 min.) FC Barcelona’s total reconstruction journey to regain the lost throne and the excitement of supporters following Xavi’s leadership and the achievements of the 2022-2023 season.

ORF-ENTERPRISE

O (43-1) 87878-13030 m contentsales@orf.at w contentsales.orf.at

Sunny Side: B15

Kafka (Drama, 6x45 min.) Miniseries by Daniel Kehlmann and David Schalko explores the life, loves and relationships of Franz Kafka, marking 100 years since the author’s passing.

Glambitious (Comedy, 10x45 min.) As the world of two careful girls collides with the world of two rich troublemakers, chaos erupts and reveals unexpected twists and turns.

The Real Jungle Book (Wildlife/nature, 1x52 min./45 min.) The daily and seasonal struggles of the living characters Rudyard Kipling described in his book.

Nicobar Island—A Monkey’s Long Tale (Wildlife/nature, 1x52 min./45 min.) An adventurous filmmaker has challenged himself to explore the Nicobar Islands in the Indian Ocean.

Traffic Jam

Kafka

Corridors of Life (Wildlife/nature, 1x52 min./45 min.) Investigates the challenges, consequences and solutions for maintaining natural corridors, migration routes that are vital for wildlife but are being threatened by human development.

Rebellion in the Brothel—Trafficking in

Building Icons (Doc., 4x60 min.) Exploring the great buildings of the world, from those constructed to worship to those built to exert power or protect their owners.

Churchill’s Forgotten War (Doc., 1x60 min.)

Women Around 1900 (History/bio., 1x52 min./45 min.)

Marie König’s struggle in a 1902

Vienna brothel prompts journalist Emil Bader to expose the widespread exploitation of women in prostitution, sparking a Europe-wide debate.

Women Pirates—Rebels of the Seas (History/bio., 2x52 min.) Four 18th-century pirate women defy colonial powers, leading adventurous lives across the Caribbean.

Pirates of the Mediterranean—A Game of Greed and Power (History/bio., 1x52 min./45 min.) A 2023 expedition explores a 16th-century shipwreck and sheds light on piracy and slavery in the Mediterranean.

Paradise on the Brink? Climate Changing

Effects on Polar Fauna (Wildlife/nature, 1x52 min.)

Explores the lives of polar creatures and humanity’s impact on their habitats.

Wild Transylvania—Dracula’s Hidden Kingdom (Wildlife/nature, 1x52 min.) The Carpathian

Moun tains and Transylvania, Dracula’s legendary land, host wildlife facing habitat loss.

PASSION DISTRIBUTION

m sales@passiondistribution.com w www.passiondistribution.com

Gold: A Journey with Idris Elba (Doc., 1x90 min.)

Join Idris Elba on an adventure that explores gold’s meaning and how it has shaped cultures, religions and entire economies around the world.

Charts the actions of Winston Churchill at the beginning of World War II, when the fear of a “fifth column” of Nazi spies was at fever pitch.

Gold: A Journey with Idris Elba

Prince George: A King for the Future (Doc., 1x60 min.) Uncovering the secrets of Prince George, including his education, the royal rituals he must learn and how his upbringing will lead the royal family into the modern age.

Kate and the King: A Special Relationship (Doc., 1x60 min.) Celebrate the bond that has grown between the royal pair as we discover the strength, resilience and love behind the smiles.

Red Flag (Crime/investigation, 8x60 min.) This true-crime series tells the stories of people who have been catfished, gaslit and deceived through first-person survivor testimony.

Help! We Bought a Hotel (Fact-ent., 6x60 min.)

Tells the stories of people who have given up their jobs and homes to chase that dream in some of the prettiest locations in Europe.

Strip (Fact-ent., 6x60 min.) Explores the glamorous, aspirational world of strippers at the Crazy Horse III Gentlemen’s Club in Las Vegas.

Pet Psychic (Fact-ent., 4x60 min.) Explores the wonderful world of a real-life Dr. Dolittle and sees her powers in action.

Big Miracles (Fact-ent., S2: 7x60 min.) Follows Australian couples and singles from all walks of life as they navigate the raw and emotional road to parenthood through assisted reproduction.

POCKET.WATCH

O (1-424) 298-8234 m content@pocket.watch w pocket.watch

Ryan’s Mystery Playdate (Live-action, 90x22 min.)

In the top-rated, Emmy-nominated series, kid video superstar Ryan, along with his parents and animated friends, work together to identify a mystery guest.

Ryan’s Mystery Playdate

Toys and Colors Kaleidoscope City (Liveaction/CGI, 10x22 min.) Starring global sensation Toys and Colors, a magical world where kids learn to see the world through new perspectives. Love, Diana (Animation/live-action, 13x22 min.)

Real-life vlog superstar siblings Diana and Roma take you on a magical adventure.

Ryan’s World Specials (Live-action/animation, 193x22 min.) Kid video superstar Ryan, along with his family and animated friends, play games, make crafts, learn science and go on adventures.

Toys and Colors Ultimate Mishmash (Live-action, 90x22 min.) YouTube’s number one kids ensemble learn life skills, letters, numbers and more through musical and pretend play adventures.

Kids Diana Show Ultimate Mishmash (Liveaction, 45x22 min.) Join family vlog superstar Diana, aka the Princess of Play, and her brother Roma on their pretend play adventures.

LankyBox Ultimate Mishmash (Liveaction/gameplay, 60x22 min.) YouTube’s number one gamers, LankyBox is Justin and Adam, two best friends who love playing Roblox and making funny videos with sidekicks Foxy, Boxy and Rocky.

Onyx Family Ultimate Mishmash (Live-action, 45x22 min.) Follow YouTube’s most popular AfricanAmerican family creators as they sing, try fun challenges and investigate mysterious occurrences.

Onyx Monster Mysteries (Animation, 8x22 min.)

The Onyx family comes to cartoon life in epic adventures to save monsters.

Kid City Ultimate Mishmash (Live-action, 30x22 min.) Play along with DadCity, MomCity, Lil’ Flash and Ava as they do challenges, DIY projects and play all sorts of kids’ games.

RAINBOW

O (39-071) 7506-7500

m info@rbw.it w www.rbw.it/en

Mermaid Magic (CGI adventure/action, 10x24 min.) A magical story set between the ocean and the surface world starring a young mermaid called to save the ocean from an evil threat.

Gormiti—The New Era (Action/adventure dra ma/comedy, 20x22 min.) The popular franchise is reinvented into a live-action series starring

four young heroes called to save Gorm and Earth from war and destruction.

Pinocchio and Friends S1 (Adventure comedy, 26x11 min.) A fresh adaptation of Pinocchio’s adventures set in our day, this bridge show combines fantasy, friendship and big adventures.

Pinocchio and Friends S2 (Adventure comedy, 26x11 min.) A second season full of surprises starring old and new friends for plenty of comedy, friendship and surefire twists and turns.

Summer & Todd—Happy Farmers (Comedy edutainment, 52x7 min.) Summer, the enthusiastic bunny, and Todd, the handy raccoon, live at Sunshine Farms, learning new things every day and solving farm issues in original ways.

44 Cats (Comedy, S1-2: 106x12 min.) The adventures of the Buffycats, four special musician cats, always ready to play new songs and help all friends in need with their Noodle Power.

Winx Club (Adventure/action comedy, S1-8: 208x24 min.) The fantasy saga that follows Bloom, Stella, Flora, Aisha, Tecna and Musa, six special fairies always ready to save anyone in danger.

Regal Academy (Comedy, S1-2: 52x23 min.)

Fairy-tale heroes and their grandkids come to life at Regal Academy, where Rose Cinderella and her friends combine their hero life with magic studies.

Maggie & Bianca Fashion Friends (Comedy, S1-3: 78x23 min.) Maggie and Bianca meet at the Milan Fashion Academy, where they follow their dreams and discover secrets that change their lives forever.

World of Winx (Action/mystery, S1-2: 26x23 min.)

As talent scouts for WOW!, the Winx fairies travel the world searching for talented kids to prevent the mysterious Talent Thief from kidnapping them.

RED ARROW STUDIOS

INTERNATIONAL

O (49-89) 9507-7303

m sales@redarrowstudios.com

w redarrowstudiosinternational.com

NATPE Budapest Suite: 215

Beat the Channel (Game-show format, S1-6: 48x120 min.) Two popular TV presenters are given the chance to win a 15-minute live broadcast slot where anything goes.

Stranded on Honeymoon Island

Stealing the Show! (Game-show format, S1-5: 29x180 min.) Everything you know about quiz shows is turned upside down in this format that gives contestants the chance to literally steal the show.

Married at First Sight (Dating/reality format) Singles who have failed to find love put their hearts in the hands of a team of experts to select their perfect partner.

Mermaid Magic

Stranded on Honeymoon Island (Dating/reality format) Couples matched by experts are stranded on a deserted island. Isolated and pitted against the forces of nature, will true love blossom—and survive?

Reality Backpackers (Reality format, 16x25 min.) Reality stars are sent back to basics in this fun new adventure format.

Vienna Blood (Crime drama, S1-3: 3x90 min./6x45 min. each) A thrilling crime drama set in 1900s Vienna from screenwriter Steve Thompson. Forgiven (Drama, 4x60 min.) Based on Laura Manni nen’s best-selling novel Kaikki anteeksi, a series about love, domestic violence and shame.

66 North Precinct (Crime drama, S1: 8x60 min., S2: coming soon) Mixes crime and black humor with the trials and tribulations of family life to create a warm and fresh new police procedural.

The Laws of Man (Drama, S1: 8x60 min., S2: 8x60 min., S3: coming soon) Set in Helsinki’s courtrooms and law offices, explores cases, human stories and societal issues involving family and marriage.

Those Who Stayed (Drama, 6x30 min.) A heartfelt drama anthology inspired by true stories from Kyiv during the first weeks of the Russian invasion in February 2022.

VISMANIMATION

O (39-333) 832-5487

m lucia@vismanimation.com w www.linkedin.com/company/vismanimation

Leo’s World (Preschool 2D, 22x12 min.) Leo, Lola and Babù travel to fantastic places to teach children how to face everyday challenges, fostering inclusion and autism acceptance. (Produced by Brand-Cross.)

A Name That Is Not Mine (2D, 1x15 min.) A small piece of art that, through experimental and highly

artistic techniques, explains the Holocaust to young people. (Produced by Brand-Cross.)

On Your Tail (CGI adventure, 26x22 min.) Adaptation of the detective life simulation game produced for Nintendo Switch, set in a fantasy version of coastal Italy. (In development by Maga Animation Studio.)

The Gogo Pig (CGI comedy, 52x2.5 min.) A clumsy pig becomes a sports champion, trained by a bizarre green cat. (Produced by Maga Animation Studio.)

Water & Bubbles (CGI comedy, 104x3.5 min.) Two fish in a tank live with a family with two teen kids who are always arguing. (Produced by Maga Animation Studio.)

Extreme Football Tricks (CGI adventure, 26x2 min.) Players from different teams deliver spectacular freestyle soccer tricks with a cool soundtrack. (Produced by Maga Animation Studio.)

PSICOVIP (CGI comedy, 26x4 min.) The comic therapy sessions of MiniVip, who suffers from an inferiority complex toward his superhero brother SuperVip. (Produced by Maga Animation Studio.)

WIND SUN SKY ENTERTAINMENT

m sales@windsunsky.com w www.windsunsky.com

Future Chicken Shorts (Short-form ecotainment, 150+ eps., ongoing) Fun learning for kids curious about the environment and the future of the planet.

Leo’s World

Future Chicken Today Show (YouTube/digital, 16x11 min.) Live streaming from 2050 with Potato the Chicken and Frittata the Egg. Future Chicken and the Planet Protectors (Animated comedy, 40x11 min.) Potato and her planet protectors travel to the past from Eco Bay in 2050 when things go environmentally awry. The Adventures of Team POM (Animated comedy, in dvpmt.) Misfits Roberta, Agnes and Ruby (aka Team POM) can’t resist trying to unravel the mischief and antics happening in Shadyside.

Future Chicken Shorts

Jailbreak (Animated comedy, in dvpmt.) Based on the hit Roblox game. It follows a wacky group of reformed crooks (modern-day Robin Hoods) rescuing stolen artifacts from the local crime lord. Creatures of Sonaria (Animated fantasy adventure, in dvpmt.) Inspired by a Roblox universe, an unlikely trio of reluctant heroes must battle Sonaria’s creatures to save their world.

ZDF

STUDIOS

O (49) 6131-991-0

m info@zdf-studios.com w www.zdf-studios.com

NATPE Budapest: Suite 230

The Zweiflers (Drama, 6x45 min.) Family patriarch Symcha Zweifler wants to sell his delicatessen

empire when suddenly he is confronted with his past in Frankfurt’s red-light district.

We’re On It, Comrades! (Drama, 8x45 min.)

Investigators David and Vojta from the Institute of Paranormal Phenomena tackle mysteries like alien abductions, spontaneous combustion and monster attacks in Czechoslovakia.

Time: A Journey Through Thousands of Years

Suplex (Drama, 4x42 min.) A peaceful small town is shaken by the horrific murder of Liam, a young and promising wrestler. In a dark and twisted mystery, secrets are exposed and trust is scarce. In this thrilling whodunit, no one is innocent.

Clan—Choose Your Destiny (Junior live-action, 10x25 min.) Fifteen-year-old Francesco from Naples’ Vele dreams of a better life away from the Camorra’s grip after meeting Maddaloni’s clan and the inspiring Ginevra.

Klincus (Junior animation, 26x22 min.) During Umghard’s centennial, Sir Graylock’s feast facilitates Klincus’s escape to find his parents.

Surviving Summer (Junior live-action, 18x25 min.) Brooklyn teen Summer Torres is exiled Down Under to live with ambitious young surfer Ari Gibson and his family.

Time: A Journey Through Thousands of Years (Science/knowledge, 2x50 min.) We go beyond clocks and calendars and talk to global experts who connect the dots between past and present

and jump through time with amazing effects to amaze and educate the audience.

Skydive Quiz (Ent./quiz show, 1x45 min./1x50 min./format) Six brave contestants face simple questions while plunging from a plane at 15,000 feet.

Wild Talk (Wildlife/nature, 5x50 min.) Delves into animal communication, uncovering their complex languages through cutting-edge research, technology and scientists’ efforts to understand creatures.

The Lost Women Spies (History/bio, 6x50 min.)

Vera Atkins was a key figure in the SOE, the British organization that sent undercover agents to Nazioccupied Europe. After the war, she embarked on a quest to find out what happened to her missing agents.

ZONE3 INTERNATIONAL

O (1-514) 284-5555 m mratte@zone3.ca w www.zone3.ca/en

Build It to Win It (Competition, 40x22 min.) With access to home ownership becoming increasingly difficult today, 12 couples compete in a renovation competition to win a new, fully appointed home worth $700,000.

The Devil’s Lot (Reality competition, S1-2: 20x45 min.) Re-creating the hard life endured by pioneers, two groups of contestants face epic challenges without the aid of modern-day comforts or technology.

Single Parents Cruising (Dating/reality, S1-3: 35x45 min.) Single parents embark on a dream cruise with their kids, determined to find love amid experiences with potential partners.

Celebrities on the Menu (Celeb. interview, S1-4: 32x45 min.) Unexpected pairs of A-list celebrities engage in an intimate lunchtime conversation, offering a unique “fly on the wall” viewing experience.

Plastic Surgery: Reconstructing Life

(Factual, S1-3: 30x22 min.) Four world-renowned Canadian surgeons offer access to complex procedures that will change their patients’ lives, from face transplants to sex reassignment surgeries.

Iron Mountain (Factual, S1-3: 30x22 min.) Delve into the workings of the Mont-Wright iron complex for a close-up look at how one of the largest openpit mines in America operates.

Coast Guard (Factual, 10x22 min.) With unpredictable weather, unexpected breakdowns and boaters in peril, the Coast Guard tackles numerous challenges to ensure the safety and accessibility of Canadian waterways nationwide.

Build It to Win It

When

A Designer Knocks (Lifestyle, S1-2: 26x24 min.) A celebrity designer and a well-known comedian surprise homeowners, offering impromptu decor makeovers with humor, games and prizes, turning decorating disasters into stylish transformations.

Master General Contractor (Competition, S1-2: 22x44 min.) Twelve construction workers battle it out to prove they have what it takes to be named the best general contractor in the country.

All for a Cottage (Competition, S1-4: 48x45 min.)

Duos of amateur renovators compete to win their dream cottage. Facing off in challenges, only one team will win the fully renovated cottage.