Slate of new toons from CineGroupe

Montreal-based children's animation and live-action outfit CineGroupe has kicked off production on a number of new toons: The Three Pigs and Edward.

A 26×30' comedy co-production with France's AnimaKids, The Three Pigs follows a dysfunctional porcine family comprising of a teenage country bumpkin pig who goes to live with his city-dwelling cousins.

The show, directed by Andy Knight of Ned's Newt fame, is set to air on Teletoon (Canada), Fox Kids (France), Fox Kids Europe and ProSieben (Germany).

Created by Christian and Yvon Tremblay (Mega Babies), Edward is a series of 65 half-minute interstitials. The show follows the everyday happening of a bloke trying to discover the Meaning of Life. Bernard Denk directs, with Teletoon also picking up the shorts.

Other news toons in production at the company include a 13×30' co-pro with Spumco Canada and Cambium Entertainment called The Ripping Friends. This John Kricfalusi show follows a bunch of crime-fighters. Teletoon and Fox Kids are the broadcast partners.

Wunsch Punsch is a 52×30' series that brings together CineGroupe and Saban International (Paris). It features a pair of bickering wizards: Bubonic and Aunt Tyrannia. Radio Canada and France's TF1 are already on board.

Meanwhile, The Kids from Room 402 is a 21×30' toon based on the book Gracie Greaves and the Kids from Room 402 by Betty Paraskevas. It follows the antics of a classroom of mischievous school kids. Teletoon and Fox Kids have pre-bought the show.

The new shows add to CineGroupe's current production roster which includes: Galidor: Defenders of the Outer Dimension, What's With Andy?, Sagwa the Chinese Siamese Cat, The Kids From Room 402 and Big Wolf on Campus. Other returning series in production include Mega Babies, Bad Dog, Princess Sissi, Jim Button and Student Bodies.