MIPCOM 2015: 12 Toons to See

The MIPCOM content market and conference in Cannes, running Oct. 5-8 in the Palais des Festivals, will be a veritable sea of participants ( more than 13,000), exhibitors ( 2,000-plus) and buyers ( more than 5,000 broadcast and digital/ VOD shoppers). In between taking in engaging talks from top global executives, rubbing elbows at the swank cocktail parties and checking out programs on featured country Turkey, 4K ultra HD and the growing non-linear distribution universe, here’s a dozen promising toons to sample. ( mipcom.com) Produced by: m4e AG, Studio Campedelli, Cartobaleno Animation Studios Represented by: m4e Format: 52 x 11 Target audience: Kids 6-9 Type of animation: Digital 2D Synopsis: Eight-year-old Teo has a curious characteristic: whenever he feels a strong emotion, he expresses himself by sneezing — while turning into an animal. Selling points: m4e will be shopping an episode of the in-production series, which it says offers loads of comedy in the forms of gags and witty dialog. At the same time, Atchoo! aims to present the important message that kids’ difficulties and fears can be dealt with in a way that fosters resilience and creativity. Delivery: 2017 Produced by: Moolt Studios Distributed by: Ink Global Format: 52 x 13 Target audience: Kids Type of animation: HD CG Synopsis: The story of six remarkable kids who become the planet’s only defense against aliens intent on global domination. Working from their headquarters — an old garage that is secretly a super high-tech base — and armed with special abilities and inventive weapons like bubble guns and chocolate grenades, the young heroes pit their wits against the invariably hapless invaders. Selling points: Inspired by classic movies Home Alone and Men in Black, the show is “something very different from anything else in the genre,” according to Ink Global partner Claus Tømming. “It is defiantly Russian in its imagery, combining a vision of the Soviet era with how the country is today, which is a striking contrast to the Americanized look and feel of so many animated adventures.” Delivery: First episodes will be delivered by the end of year; broadcasters signed in the Middle East, North Africa, Indonesia and Portugal. Produced by: King Rollo Films Represented by: Koko Media Created by: Jo Rose Format: 52 x 11 Target audience: Preschool Type of animation: 2D Synopsis: Sweet young girl Forest Flo and her band of woodland critter buddies use music, nature and friendship to navigate the daily challenges of life and protect the world around them. Using their imaginations, musical instruments and a touch of forest magic, any dilemma can be solved and any question answered. Selling points: The property, based on the Henries Award-nominated illustrations of Jo Rose, already has a growing licensing program in addition to the development of pictures books and the animated series. Forest Flo and company can be seen in

Get Busy and Busy Time magazines, at Paperchase and the T-shirt booth in the U. K., on greeting cards in Finland and Russia, and soon in an iOS and Android app in the U.S. Produced by: Animaccord Studio Represented by: Ink Global Format: 26 x 6 Target audience: Kids Type of animation: CG Synopsis: The recently announced spinoff series will teach young viewers how to come to terms with common childhood fears through play, and feature scarily cute characters in terribly engaging stories as well as a strong original score inspired by classical composers Edvard Grieg and Tchaikovsky. Selling points: This follow up to Animaccord’s globally successful Masha and the Bear and first spin-off Masha’s Tales carries great broadcast potential. Masha and the Bear is aired by major broadcasters around the world including France TV, KiKA ( Germany), Rai YoYo ( Italy), Turner’s Cartoonito ( U. K., LatAm), Turner’s Boing ( Spain), ABC ( Australia), Canal Panda ( Spain, Portugal), Minimax ( Central Europe), Russia 1 ( Russi & CIS), SIC ( Portugal, Portuguese-speaking Africa), SpaceToon ( Middle East, North Africa, Malaysia) and is available on Netflix in the U.S. Delivery: 13 episodes by Q1 2016, additional 13 episodes Q4 2016. Produced by: CTV Media, TVG Represented by: BRB Internacional ( exc. Italy) Format: 50 x 3 Target audience: Kids Type of animation: Puppet/Animation/ LiveAction Synopsis: Minchi is a very special baby lizard: curious and friendly, she discovers the world outside her techy terrarium thanks to the Internet. With her computer she finds ways to explain nature to kids in a simple, fun- filled way. Selling points: A pleasant, graphically simple blend of media combined with Minchi’s love of donning disguises, singing and dancing are a winning recipe to keep young kids interested in the show’s educational, ecological message. The producers collaborated with experts in child development and elementary education. Produced by: Spiffy Chicago for PBS KIDS Represented by: 9 Story Media Group Format: 80 x 11 Target audience: Kids 4-8 Type of animation: Digital 2D Synopsis: Nature Cat can’t wait to get outside for a day of backyard nature excursions and bravery, but there’s one problem: he’s a house cat with no instincts for nature! Fortunately, his animal friends are at his side to share in his deep love for Mother Nature, passion for exploring the great outdoors, and swashbuckling wanderlust for old-fashioned backyard adventure. Selling points: “Research shows that children benefit greatly from playing outside, yet the amount of time kids spend outdoors has been steadily declining over the past several years,” said Lesli Rotenberg, GM of children’s media, PBS. “Through Nature Cat, our goal is to get kids excited about the wonders of nature and encourage healthy outdoor activities by modeling hands-on exploration with engaging, humorous stories and characters.” The animated stories will model age-appropriate reasoning skills while live-action interstitials demonstrate ways to experience nature. Produced by: S. A. Distributed by: ( Europe) Format: 52 x 23 Target audience: Kids Type of animation: HD 2D Synopsis: Hyped as the first entertainment brand in the world created exclusively to promote healthy eating, Nutri Ventures follows the adventures of Theo, Lena, Ben, Little Nina and furry friend Guga on their quest to find real food, having only known ( and eaten) Genex 100, a synthetic food developed by the evil Alex Grand. Selling points: “Nutri Ventures is not just a series but a complete children’s entertainment brand supported by a diversity of digital content including apps, music and gaming for children in addition to a dedicated international licensing and merchandising program,” says Atlantyca distribution manager Pedro Citaristi. In addition to a growing worldwide broadcast presence, young audiences are engaged with the brand through an online virtual world at nutriventures.com. Broadcasters: Sold in more than 32 countries to date including Disney Channel ( Spain), RTP ( Portugal), Megamax ( Eastern Europe), TV3 ( Thailand) and Okto ( Singapore) and Nutri Ventures is currently available in the U.S. on the HULU Plus streaming platform, Netflix ( also Brazil), Hulo, ION TV and Playkids. Produced by: Cottonwood Media Created by: Diane Kredensor Format: 52 x 11 Target audience: Kids 3- 6 Type of animation: Digital 2D Synopsis: This slapstick comedy follows

two animated cats traveling across the liveaction globe, introducing kids to serendipity, the joys of unlikely friendships and global citizenship. Moon is a fashion-forward hat aficionado who delights in happy accidents, while Ollie is a die-hard planner who would do anything to avoid surprises — but never does, thanks to Moon. Selling points: “The key selling points are firstly that the series is based on an established best-selling book series published by Random House Children’s Books. And secondly, there is great talent involved,” says Cottonwood Media CEO David Michel. “The book series was created by author and illustrator Diane Kredensor, an Emmy Award-winning artist, director and producer whose credits include Pinky and the Brain, Clifford the Big Red Dog and Word World, among others. Kredensor also serves as creative producer. The series was developed in collaboration with Kredensor by Robert Vargas ( Word World, Wonder Pets, Zack & Quack and Henry Hugglemonster).” Broadcasters: NBC Sprout Produced by: TeamTO, Digital Dimension Format: 78 x7 Target audience: Kids 6-11 Type of animation: 3D CG Synopsis: Mike the dog’s only ambition in life is to read his daily paper and enjoy his hot cup of tea in peace. Unfortunately, all the other pets in his home and the neighborhood at large have a very different idea of a good time. Selling points: Created by the comedy geniuses behind nonverbal series Oscar’s Oasis — which can be found on TF1, Canal+ Family and Netflix — the misadventures of realistically-rendered pug Mike and his fellow pets promises to be part Tom and Jerry, part Garfield, part viral YouTube video and 100 percent dialogue-free hilarity. Produced by: Gaumont Animation, Vivement Lundi Distributed by: Gaumont Animation Created by: Amandine Gallerand, Matthieu Chevallier Format: 39 x 7 Target audience: Kids Type of animation: HD 2D Synopsis: In the hopes of calming him down, lively Mino the city cat’s parents send him to summer camp in the country. Stuck in the middle of nowhere on a dilapidated farm run by an old goat and a scatterbrained giraffe, he tries to make the best of it — though his exuberance often leads to trouble. Selling points: The fourth animated series from Vivement Lundi has a softened, midcentury-modern look to bring a modern edge to the pastoral adventures. The pilot episode had a fine showing at international festivals, picking up awards at Expotoon in Buenos Aires, Chicago International Children’s Film Festival and WFAF Varna. Broadcasters: Canal+ ( France) Produced by: Absolutely Cuckoo, m4e AG, Telegael, Discreet Art Productions, BASTEI Media GmbH Distributed by: m4e Created by: Dan Good Format: 52 x 7 Target audience: Girls 4-7 Type of animation: CG Synopsis: Wissper is a little girl with a very special talent: she can talk to animals. As the only “animal whisperer” in the world, creatures of all shapes and sizes seem to know to come to her when they have a problem. Selling points: Created by Absolutely Cuckoo, known for successful kids series Waybuloo, m4e saw the potential of this beast-friendly brand with built-in licensing opportunity and a timeless feel when it partnered up with the producers last year. Simba Dickie Group recently signed on as master toy partner, and U. K.’s Milkshake is commissioning broadcaster. Delivery: 26 episodes due end of year, additional 26 due spring 2016. Produced by: ToonDraw Productions in association with Société Radio- Canada and YOOPA Distributed by: Distribution 360 Created by: Raymond Lebrun and Dominique Jolin Format: 78 x 5 Target audience: Kids 3-6 Type of animation: 2D Synopsis: Each episode features, YaYa, the big sister with a taste for mischief, and her quirky little brother Zouk, as they get themselves into hilarious situations as they travel between real and imaginary worlds; influenced by real life places and people — whether it’s through a mirror, on a spaceship or into the forest in the back of the closet. Selling points: Dominique Jolin’s name is familiar in Canadian kids’ TV; she created the books and animated TV adaptation of Toopy and Binoo. Likewise, the whimsical adventures of YaYa & Zouk are already familiar to youngsters through books from Bagnole, a free app for iOS and Android tablets and yayaandzouk.com. Broadcasters: Radio- Canada and YOOPA, Canada [