Lion Forge adapts TalesVision’s shortform YouTube series Lostlings for TV

US-based animation and entertainment studio Lion Forge Entertainment is partnering TalesVision to adapt its shortform young-adult YouTube series Lostlings for television.

Young-adult YouTube series Lostlings

The longform version of the project is set to begin production this summer and premiere on TalesVision’s YouTube channel. Following that, Lion Forge said it will become available on traditional streaming and linear outlets in the second window.

TalesVision, led by founders Tristan Tales and Luke Pounder, is a multi-media entertainment company that claims to put a “modern spin on the traditional television ‘pilot’ model, testing new IP and concepts via shortform content with their millions of engaged fans, building fanbases before the shows even launch.”

The company’s YouTube channel has gained nearly 600,000 subscribers and 200 million views since it was launched last year.

Tales and Luke Pounder will serve as showrunners and writers on season one of the longform series. It is being executive produced by Lion Forge’s CEO and founder David Steward II, president and chief creative officer Stephanie Sperber and executive VP Kirsten Newlands.

The show is set in Shadowbrook, where every year a teenager mysteriously vanishes without a trace, only to return exactly one year later with no memory of where they were or what happened while they were gone. When their friend Jesse becomes the latest victim – and doesn’t return after a year – a group of teens sets out to rescue him and, in doing so, free their town from its curse once and for all.

On YouTube, the shortform property has garnered more than 17 million views and 1.6 million likes.

Lion Forge is behind titles including animated series Iyanu for HBO Max and Cartoon Network. It is also partnering with George RR Martin (Game of Thrones) to adapt the novella A Dozen Tough Jobs as an adult animated feature.

“We see this as the first project in a strategic partnership to develop YA-focused live-action content working with some of the best YouTube creators in the business,” said Steward.

“We’re happy to make this investment and feel confident that this approach is a smart path forward in the future of live-action development and content distribution – especially for YA audiences.”

Tales and Pounder added in a statement: “We’re hopeful that this partnership will become a blueprint for how future IP can grow – digitally native and community-driven from the start.”