Pablo takes pictures to Nat Geo Kids

Pablo began airing on CBeebies and RTÉJr last year

National Geographic Kids in Latin America has picked up animated preschool series Pablo from UK-based distribution outfit Cake.

Produced by Belfast-based Paper Owl Films for CBeebies and RTÉJr, Pablo features a little boy on the autistic spectrum whose imaginative drawings come to life. Giving Pablo an authentic voice is a young actor who is also on the spectrum.

The series will premiere on the Nat Geo Kids channel in April to coincide with World Autism Awareness Day and will also be available on the company’s app. It began airing on CBeebies in the UK and RTÉJr in Ireland last year, with a second season commissioned in November 2016, a year ahead of delivery.

A 2D animated series combined with live-action, Pablo is made in association with Kavaleer Productions and Ingenious with funding from Northern Ireland Screen and BAI.

Nat Geo Kids’ acquisition come swiftly after SVoD giant Netflix and broadcasters in the US, Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa picked up the series at the beginning of February.

“Pablo is a unique opportunity to celebrate diversity and to spread the message to our younger audiences about embracing uniqueness,” said Carmen Larios, senior VP content strategy of National Geographic Partners in Latin America.