New kids on the block

As MipTV approaches, Ed Waller and Nico Franks select the top 21 children’s shows worth screening in Cannes, as part of our latest Hot Properties Playlist.

The playlist is available to view through the C21Screenings portal and the C21Screen app.

If you would like to submit a show for consideration in one of our upcoming C21 Hot Properties Playlists, [email protected].

Show: Make it Pop (20×22’)
Producer and distributor: DHX Media.
They say: “Centres on three teenage girls with a shared love of the K-pop aesthetic who turn their high school upside down.”
We say: Created by tween TV master Tom Lynch (The Secret World of Alex Mack) and Nick Cannon (Incredible Crew), this show is riding the K-pop wave and already has YTV in Canada and Nickelodeon in the US attached. Cannon was also behind Teen Nick’s K-pop themed Wonder Girls World.

Show: Story Time! (13×13’)
Producer: Le Regard Sonore Productions.
Distributor: Superights.
They say: “A collection of little-known and original tales targeting preschool and family audiences.”
We say: Commissioned by Piwi+ in France, this project made its debut at Cartoon Forum in Toulouse last year, where Superights says it received interest from VRT (Belgium), SVT (Sweden) and Česká Televize (Czech Republic).

Show: Blinky (52×11’)
Producer: Flying Bark Productions.
Distributor: Studio 100 Media.
They say: “Always upbeat and guided by his Adventurer’s Handbook, this cheeky kid koala is sworn to protect his hometown from all perils, real or imagined. Usually imagined.”
We say: Currently in development, this CGI toon is based on 1939 Aussie kids’ classic The Complete Adventures of Blinky Bill, written and illustrated by Dorothy Wall. The series will benefit from the movie due out this fall, from Studio 100-owned Australian prodco Flying Bark. Aimed at five- to seven-year-olds, the series is due out in fall 2016.

Show: Kulipari: Army of Frogs (3×66’)
Producers: Splash Entertainment, Outlook Company.
Distributor: Splash Entertainment.
They say: “Takes place in a fantasy version of the Australian outback where peaceful amphibians are attacked by an army of scorpions and spiders.”
We say: Based on the books by former NFL star Trevor Pryce, this miniseries trilogy will be completed by October and a further three films are also being developed. Star Wars actor Mark Hamill is among the voice cast.

Show: Floogals (52×11’)
Producers: The Foundation/Zodiak Media, Nevision, Jellyfish Pictures, Sprout.
Distributor: Zodiak Kids.
They say: “Follows the wild and comedic adventures of three teeny aliens who’ve landed in a suburban house near you.”
We say: This show benefits from the UK Animation Tax Credit, enabling it to be shot and animated entirely in the UK. Based on an idea by Dan Good (Waybuloo), the show has UK kids’ TV veteran Nigel Pickard (Waybuloo) among its exec producers. Sprout is attached for US rights.

Show: Buuu (26×22’)
Producer: Casablanca.
Distributor: Globosat.
They say: “Four kids go on an adventure inside a pyramid.”
We say: Already airing weeknights on Globosat’s new kids’ channel Gloob in Brazil, this show marks a step-change in the ambitions of Brazilian kids’ live-action programming.

Show: HTDT (52×11’)
Producer: Toonz Animation.
Distributor: Imira Entertainment.
They say: “In this animé-inspired bedtime story reimagined, Humpty Dumpty is revived from his fall and becomes the invincible crime-fighting HTDT.”
We say: Created by US animator Larry Schwarz, whose credits include Nicktoons hit Kappa Mikey, this toon is aimed at 8-12s. Schwarz developed the show some time ago but it is now in production at Imira’s Indian parent Toonz and the full series will be delivered in the third quarter of 2015.

Show: Nemesis (26×22’)
Producer and distributor: Guru Studio.
They say: “Blade and Josh are arch enemies and wage a daily prank battle of epic proportions.”
We say: This web-first toon, created by Jamie Waese (Mudpit, Caillou, The Doodlebops) and supported by the Bell Fund, is aimed at seven- to 11-year-olds. A six-minute pilot debuted on Teletoon.com in Canada in March and Guru is now developing the full series.

Show: Blaze & the Monster Machines (20×30’)
Producers: Nerd Corps Entertainment, Nickelodeon Studios.
Distributor: Viacom International Media Networks.
They say: “Features monster truck Blaze, his driver, an eight-year-old boy named AJ, and their adventures in Axle City.”
We say: This Nickelodeon show was created by Jeff Borkin (The Backyardigans, Blue’s Clues) and Ellen Martin (Bubble Guppies), and debuted stateside last fall and on international Nickelodeon channels in February.

Show: Deer Little Forest (26×11’)
Producer: King Rollo Films.
Distributor: Koko Media.
They say: “Forest Flo and her band of boisterous woodland buddies spend their days in the enchanting Deer Little Forest.”
We say: Created by the illustrator Jo Rose, this brand has plenty of consumer
product deals already in place and the UK prodco behind Spot, Maisy and Poppy Cat and former TV-Loonland executive Lisa Hryniewicz are now developing it for the small screen. Among our Kidscreen Hot Properties selection earlier in the year.

Show: Bottersnikes & Gumbles (52×11’)
Producers: Cheeky Little Media, Mighty Nice, Cake Entertainment, Kickstart.
Distributor: Cake Entertainment.
They say: “A fast-paced community comedy series that follows the adventures of three young Gumbles as they bounce about while avoiding getting tin-canned by their grumpy neighbours.”
We say: Adapted from the books by SA Wakefield, this CGI series is aimed at six- to 11-year-olds. It is being made for Seven Network and CBBC with Netflix taking first-run rights outside the UK and Australia, where it gets second window. Among our Kidscreen Hot Properties selection earlier in the year.

Show: G-Fighters (26×22’)
Producers: CJ E&M Corporation, Electric Circus, Tiny Island Productions.
Distributor: Cyber Group Studios.
They say: “A bright and warmhearted superhero series that deals with the friendship between a boy and a robot cat.”
We say: This CGI action toon recently debuted on South Korean net EBS and France’s Cyber Group will be offering a look at MipTV ahead of its full international launch at Mipcom. It is aimed at six- to 10-year-olds. Among our Kidscreen Hot Properties selection earlier in the year.

Show: The Moe Show (52×11’)
Producer: Pop-Up Workshop.
Distributor: Jetpack Distribution.
They say: “Combines puppetry, animation and live-action, to bring a relatable yet magical world to New Zealand preschoolers and their parents.”
We say: Airing on Four Kids in New Zealand, this show is aimed at three- to six-year-olds. Created and produced by Pop-Up Workshop founders Jeremy Dillon (What Now) and Zane Holmes (Lord of the Rings). Among our Kidscreen Hot Properties selection earlier in the year.

Show: Camp Yeti (52×11’)
Producers: Abominable Snowman, Nelvana, Studio Liddell.
Distributor: Nelvana.
They say: “Follows the adventures of a sweet yeti and her friends at a special sleepaway summer camp high in the mountains.”
We say: This preschooler is being developed with Keith Chapman, creator of Bob the Builder, and Ian Liddell (Cloudbabies), who have previously worked together on Roary the Racing Car and Fifi & the Flowertots. Camp Yeti is expected to be delivered in fall 2016. Video not yet available.

Show: Xephos & Honeydew (52×11’)
Producer: Eye Present.
Distributor: Serious Lunch.
They say: “A comedy duo of opposites: Xephos will teleport himself out of trouble while Honeydew, a Saxon dwarf, will dig himself out with his spade and ride a pig home.”
We say: Based on a five-year-old Minecraft-themed YouTube network called Yogscast that has over 20 million subscribers and gets more than 130 million video views a month, the show is the first project from Eye Present, which launched as a JV with Serious Lunch last Mipcom. Video not yet available.

Show: Wind in the Willows: Mole of Mole End (52×11’)
Producers: Martin Gates Productions, Cloth Cat Animation, Hoho Entertainment.
Distributor: Hoho Rights.
They say: “Mole, Ratty and Toad are back to introduce a whole new generation of children to the wonderful, watery world of the riverbank.”
We say: Uniting the teams behind 1994 holiday special Mole’s Christmas and more recent series Toot the Tiny Tugboat, as well as executives from Cloudbabies and the Postman Pat reboot, this show catches up with the ever-popular Kenneth Grahame characters. Video not yet available.

Show: Peckles (52×11’)
Producer and distributor: Jam Media.
They say: “Peckles overcomes obstacles with the courage of an eagle. From her hobbies to her dress sense, she embodies the spirit of a bird that chirps to her own tune.”
We say: This preschool series was pitched by Ireland’s Jam Media at Cartoon Forum in Toulouse last year under the title Early Bird and attracted strong interest from buyers bewitched by its unique style. Video not yet available.

Show: Freaktown (52×11’)
Producer and distributor: Portfolio Entertainment.
They say: “A rollercoaster ride of fun that follows the oddball adventures of a skeleton and his friends as they try to avoid their nemesis.”
We say: Based on a concept from Peter Ricq and Philippe Ivanusic, the creators of YTV hit The League of Super Evil, this show is aimed at six- to 11-year-olds and follows a bunch of friendly freaks fighting against the forces of cuteness. From the production outfit behind RoboRoach and with Canada’s Teletoon already attached. Video not yet available.

Show: Stick Man (1×30’)
Producers: Magic Light Pictures, Triggerfish Animation Studios.
Distributor: Magic Light Pictures.
They say: “This wonderful story follows the journey of Stick Man, whose life is turned upside down when he finds himself far from home.”
We say: Bringing together the team behind award-winning The Gruffalo, this special has been sold to ABC in Australia, NRK in Norway, RTÉ in Ireland, RUV in Iceland, France Télévisions, SVT in Sweden, VPRO in Netherlands and ZDF in Germany. Video not yet available.

Show: Vote For Me (format)
Producer: Keo Films.
Distributor: Hat Trick International.
They say: “One primary school puts democracy to the test as their gutsiest pupils enter an election race to run their school.”
We say: There have been several attempts to mix politics and reality TV but this one offers a nice twist by having kids go out on the hustings. CBBC will air its show, hosted by Stacey Dooley (pictured), during the UK general election in May, alongside related shorts about democracy. Video not yet available.

Show: Secret Wings (26×22’)
Producers: Mondo TV, Blonde Pilot.
Distributor: Mondo TV.
They say: “Combines vibrant colours and a modern style with a unique sophisticated edge, elegance and beauty.”
We say: Aimed at three-to 10-year-olds, this show has been developed from a popular greetings card brand from UK- and Hong Kong-based Blonde Pilot. Mondo, the prodco behind Angel’s Friends and Beast Keeper, says Secret Wings will be ready to air in fall 2016. Video not yet available.