ANNECY, France — Banijay Kids & Family, behind hit “Totally Spies!” and “Mr Bean: The Animated Series,” has unveiled first deals on “Froggie,” crowned best TV pilot at early June’s Cartoons on the Bay Pulcinella Awards.
In deals which suggest one way much Annecy-announced business will go, Spanish pubcaster RTVE and top French kids channel Gulli, have acquired rights to Spain and France respectively.
Both are among the biggest and most established players in Western Europe’s children’s entertainment. The deals come as players large and small seek to sever a dependence on streaming platform buys in favour of tried-and-tested traditional outlets such as state-backed operators and big commercial players. Gulli, for example, forms part of France’s M6 Group.
The buys rep first deals unveiled on “Froggie,” produced by Paris-based studio Monello Productions, part of Banijay Kids & Family), and Barcelona’s Pikkukala and presented to success at last September’s Cartoon Forum.
Created by Eric Noto-Loubier and Monello’s Cécile Sady, the 52-part series turns on 11-year-old Froggie who grew up in Bigg City but is suddenly forced to live in a small town in the middle of the country and nowhere, she thinks.
“For a curious, confident and adventurous girl, Bigg City seemed like the perfect place to live, but she must learn to adjust to her new surroundings. If only she could get cell phone reception…,” the synopsis playfully states.
“There’s a universality to the themes of friendship, finding your identity and dealing with change, and we’ve combined these with some brilliant humour, which we hope will entertain young audiences around the world,” said Sady, COO of Monello Productions. “I’m incredibly passionate about this project and am delighted both RTVE and Gulli, the first kids channel in France, have committed to the series.”
Producing comedy, action-adventure and education for children and the whole family, Monello Productions was founded in 2013. Run by Giorgio Welter and Sady, its top series to date include “Max and Maestro,” “Street Football,” “Marblegen, “When I Was Your Age” and CGI-made “Hello Kitty Super Style!”
Monello has in the pipeline series “Chimera Keepers: Adventures with Incredible Creatures.”
Founded in Helsinki in 2012 by Veronica Lassenius and Pablo Jordi, Pikkukala opened a new studio in Barcelona in 2018. It focuses on producing original animated series for kids and families. Its pre-school “Sari,” sold to more than 20 territories.
Led by CEO Benoît Di Sabatino, Banijay Kids & Family is still expanding, 2023 seeing it have its highest number ever of shows in production, its premium pipeline taking in “Shasha & Milo,” “Super Happy Magic Forest,” “Topo Gigio” and “Street Football.”
Banijay Kids & Family Distribution announced Monday at Annecy multiple package sales totalling nearly 400 hours.
Shows including “Super Agent Jon Le Bon!,” “Topo Gigio” and “Totally Spies!” have been confirmed for Emirates Cable TV & Multimedia’s E-Vision and ejunior in UAE.
“Waybuloo,” “Shasha & Milo,” and “Rekkit Rabbit” have been acquired for CLT UFA, HBD, for RTL Hungary’s channels and streaming platform; “Totally Spies!,” “Marblegen,” and “Redakai” are bound for Vietnam’s LaLaTV.
Source Agencies
