France Télévisions commissions animated series Blooming Wonders

Blooming Wonders, directed by Inès Bernard-Espina, Mélody Boulissières and Clémentine Campos

French pubcaster France Télévisions has commissioned animated children’s series Blooming Wonders, with an accompanying film set to be released in cinemas.

Selected for the Annecy International Animation Film Festival this June, Blooming Wonders invites young audiences to discover the world of plants and develop a sense of empathy towards the living world.

Each episode of the series follows a small creature who can shrink and explore the inside of plants, and her companion who has the ability to accelerate time. Together, they explore the different stages of plant life, with each episode focusing on a specific plant.

Aimed at children aged 3-7, Blooming Wonders is directed by Inès Bernard-Espina, Mélody Boulissières and Clémentine Campos, and coproduced by Paris-based Miyu Productions and Belgium’s U-Media. The 26×6’ series was produced using traditional hand-drawn animation on paper, with oil pastels.

Blooming Wonders will air on France Télévisions this spring, under the title Patouille et Momo, while a 40’ film based on the series, Blooming Wonders: Tales from the Forest, will be released in cinemas by KMBO. A follow-up film for future theatrical release is also in development.

Blooming Wonders will be co-distributed internationally by Mediatoon Distribution and Miyu Distribution, with Mediatoon handling TV, VoD and SVoD, and Miyu managing festivals, international theatrical sales and non-theatrical sales.

Morgann Favennec, deputy MD of Mediatoon Distribution, said: “It is with great joy that we welcome Blooming Wonders into our catalogue: a gem of kids’ animation taking us on a journey through a botanical world brimming with poetry, humour and wonder, led by two vibrant heroes. Their boundless energy and the richness of their journey promise a truly captivating experience that will enchant viewers of all ages.”

Blooming Wonders is also partnering with organisations committed to environmental education, including the WWF and the association L’École Comestible.