Animation, live-action, cooking competitions and youth shows will compete in the Content Americas Hispanic Kids Programming Pitch in Miami this week. Here, the five finalists – hailing from the US, Mexico, Brazil and Spain – outline their projects and routes to market.
The Content Americas Hispanic Kids Programming Pitch 2025 focuses on two key genres: films and series. Content Americas is bringing C21’s tried-and-tested format once again to Latin America, awarding the winner US$20,000 worth of marketing across C21Media’s digital, print and event products to support development and pre-sales promotion of the show.
This year there were over 40 submissions and five finalists have been chosen to pitch live on Wednesday 22 January at 11.45am. The winning project, selected by a panel of judges, will be announced on Thursday January 23 at the Content Americas closing cocktail party.
Anna Vision
Production company: iKartoons Animation, US
Anna is a brave and empathetic eight-year-old girl, but also funny, insecure and passionate about singing. And she is dyslexic. With her unique perspective, she comes up with creative solutions to transform everyday challenges into extraordinary adventures and valuable lessons, proving that being different is a strength.
In its initial phase, this 26×11’ animated series is planned for the digital environment, particularly YouTube, and is geared toward children ages four to seven.
“It’s a show that seeks to address a topic that has been ignored for a long time. We have invested resources and time to develop this incredible idea that, by the way, is becoming popular after the release of Left Behind, a documentary shown at the Woodstock Film Festival, where iKartoons provided animation services,” says Camilo Osuna, senior business developer at iKartoons.
iKartoons is looking for distributors, coproducers, TV channels, YouTube channels and other studios interested in investing in the project, the budget of which is estimated at US$1.5m. Edino Israel is attached as director.
Bloopers
Production company: Desenlace Films, Mexico
This series follows a coyote called Tenoch and a sheep called Simona, two puppets who become influencers in the world of film and music. With the help of Rex, a poker-playing sunflower, and Flavio, a cactus hacker born in Venezuela, they will seek to interview all kinds of celebrities as they find their place in the professional world.
Already 90% produced and post-produced, the remaining work includes shooting the final scene of each of the 13 episodes, which were intentionally left unfinished during the main production due to budget issues.
The final scenes are designed to include well-known figures from music, film and social media influencers from different countries, with the goal of preparing a global launch for the project.
“We have recognised artists from Mexico onboard for the series, such as Damián Alcázar, Jaime Maussan, Silverio Palacios, Lobo Estepario, Jessy Bulbo, Danik Michell, El Jiots and Dama G. But we aspire to add more personalities from Ibero-America and English-speaking regions,” says Santiago Ortiz-Monasterio, producer of Desenlace Films.
“We are looking for partners and financing to complete the production and boost the 360-degree branding potential of Bloopers through a strong digital-first strategy,” he adds.
The project is aimed at streaming screens, traditional broadcasters and digital platforms, with a focus on young and family audiences. Other partners include Instituto Mexicano de Cinematografía, D Vision, CTT Exp & Rentals, LCI Seguros, Fullmix Studios, Cluster Studio, Guillermo Licona, Gabriela Ortiz Monasterio and Ricardo Reynoso.
Candy Chef
Production company: Beta Entertainment, Spain
If culinary talent shows have so far served starters, main courses and desserts on TV, Candy Chef takes the genre to the next level by giving candy its turn. From gummies to marshmallows, sugar becomes magic in this contest that seeks the country’s “greatest little artist” of sweets.
“This type of format could attract the interest of large channels or streaming platforms that have already invested in large gastronomic entertainment formats such as MasterChef, Top Chef and The Great Bake Off, among others,” says Javier Perez de Silva, CEO of Beta Entertainment Spain (BES).
The project is currently in the development process and BES is open to partners who contribute to its production and can take it to the global market. The programme’s financing plan assumes that BES will be in charge of 50% of the development and the rest will be handled by international partners.
It is also planned to finance the format, in both its launch and sale to the international market, as well as in coproduction models between Spain and other territories. “This format is also ideal for creating an international production hub where several countries can join forces and achieve a spectacular production structure,” adds Pérez de Silva.
La Covacha (Pop Pop)
Production company: Balassa Films, Mexico
The series tells the story of Sara, a young girl who dreams of being a popstar and discovers that her grandfather’s basement holds more than just old belongings. After discovering he was a rock star in the 1970s, together they embark on a journey that rekindles her grandfather’s passion for life and inspires Sara to pursue her dream of taking the stage.
Mexican production company Balassa Films has US$20,000 invested in the development of the bible, episode synopses and a pilot episode of La Covacha (Pop Pop). “We want to produce a first season of 8×30’ episodes at a cost of approximately US$150,000 per episode [US$1.2m in total]. We are looking for an international coproduction partner and/or a broadcaster to commission it,” according to writers, directors and producers, Marisol Mijares and Alex Balassa of Balassa Films.
The two producers add that the project can fit Lat Am, US or Spanish audiences through partners that make possible the final phase of development and production of the first season. “The versatility of the format allows the production of several versions for different territories,” they say.
The Obedience Drug
Production companies: Conspiração Filmes and Scriptonita Films, Brazil
Conspiração Filmes, one of Brazil’s leading independent production companies, and fellow Brazilian prodco Scriptonita Films are in development on The Obedience Drug, a teen thriller featuring five young people who play out the struggle between obedience and freedom.
“It is an adaptation of one of Brazil’s most iconic adult IPs, A Droga da Obediência by Pedro Bandeira. Despite being a book from the early 1980s, it remains relevant as a bestseller and continues to captivate generations of children and teenagers,” says Renata Brandão, CEO of Conspiração Filmes.
The story revolves around a drug created by Doctor IQ in the secret Pain Control division of a pharmaceutical company, which threatens to turn people into obedient puppets. Writers include André Catarinacho, Bruna Skrzypek and Luca Paiva Mello.
The producers are already in development and are on track to complete the first draft of the script, with the expectation of filming in the second half of 2025 and having a screening in 2026. To this end, they aim to attract international partners during the creative phase, which will allow them to achieve a more global narrative.
“We are pitching the project to a distributor, which generates great expectations. In addition, we intend to incorporate a pre-sales agreement for streaming distribution,” Brandão explains.
The project will also be submitted for funding from Brazil’s Audiovisual Sectoral Fund to cover the production budget, which is estimated at US$2.5m.
