The new titles include the first commission from the BBC’s Ignite animation programme and three new animations for CBeebies.
Ignite was launched three years ago by BBC Children’s and Education as an initiative to develop UK animation and find ideas anchored in British culture. Sam Shaw’s Duck and Frog was one of the projects that was chosen to take forward and it becomes the first Ignite commission to go into production after Mediawan Kids & Family came on board as a co-producer.
Duck and Frog is a 50×7′ series aimed at 7-12 year-olds and the production company is Sun & Moon. The series is a “dialogue free slapstick comedy with a modern British setting and an energetic anarchic sense of humour.”
Julien Borde, President of Mediawan Kids & Family, says: “We are thrilled to partner with BBC Children’s & Education and Sun & Moon to bring Duck & Frog to international audiences. Mediawan Kids & Family’s mission is to empower creativity by supporting talents and innovation. Duck & Frog is exactly that, a fresh new slapstick series created by Sam Shaw a growing star of UK animation. It’s an honor for Mediawan Kids & Family to join forces with the creative teams at CBBC on Duck & Frog to bring fun and joy to kids and families around the globe”.
A second round of Ignite was launched in November last year with a new search for the best animation talent the UK has on offer. It received over 1600 entries and after the final selection stage, up to 15 will enter the Ignite 2 scheme next month.
In addition, CBeebies has commissioned three brand-new animations Beddybyes, Piri Penguins and Piggy Builders which “blend imaginative storytelling with high-quality animation techniques that bring families together by engaging and entertaining.”
Patricia Hidalgo, Director of BBC Children’s and Education, says: “These brilliant titles each bring something unique to young audiences across CBBC and CBeebies and we’re pleased to be working with such talented partners both in the UK and internationally to bring our animation strategy to life. Whether it is through our Ignite Animation partnership or our commissions, we constantly strive to deliver content we know our audiences will love and we’ve brought plenty of joy to audiences across the years with animated hits. It’s a real pleasure to announce even more vibrant, imaginative and enriching animations that will bring families together.”
The new commissions
Beddybyes
BeddyByes, created and produced by JAM Media, is an innovative new format designed specifically for the youngest demographic: toddlers to preschoolers. This enchanting series takes young children on a gentle, undulating journey to Bedtime.
Audiences will join the delightful characters MeMo and BaBa as they encounter a host of fantastical beings that encourage good nutrition, mindfulness, and creativity, all while winding down towards sleep. The series features a unique aesthetic with a focus on tactility, engaging children through visually rich and touch-friendly animation.
BeddyByes is produced by UK and Irish-based JAM Media with offices in Belfast and Dublin. Executive producers and creators are John Rice and Alan Shannon, with Beth Gardiner serving as the Commissioning Editor for CBeebies.
This series promises to offer a captivating and calming experience for young viewers, supporting their development and promoting healthy bedtime routines.
John Rice, CEO of JAM Media says, “We are delighted to introduce BeddyByes to CBeebies and the world. This series is crafted to offer a magical and calming experience for toddlers and preschoolers, guiding them gently towards bedtime with enchanting stories and a soothing aesthetic helping them drift off to sleep happily.”
Piripenguins
Piripenguins is a brand new children’s animated series about a cheerful, funny colony of penguins enjoying life to the fullest on a remote iceberg. The funny, pacy comedy series is aimed at 5-8 year-olds and centres on five lively penguins, each with distinctive personalities voiced by a diverse cast. Life on the iceberg throws up lots of challenges and funny situations for Nugget, Pancake, Looph, Brinicle and Flutter, who learn about life, friendships and themselves along the way.
Piripenguins is made by Eaglet Films, with international co-production partners RAI and Red Monk Studio and in partnership with Wild Child Studio in Scotland. Eaglet Films are the team behind family favourite animated boxset Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures for CBBC. Massimo Fenati is the Series Director for Eaglet with Tess Cuming Executive Producing and the Commissioning Editor for CBeebies is Beth Gardiner.
The creator and series director Massimo Fenati says: “This project is very dear to my heart so I’m tremendously excited to be working on it. One day years ago I randomly sketched a little penguin on a sticky note and since then I’ve been dreaming of bringing to life what has now become the very blueprint of the Piripenguins, so I’m hugely grateful to the BBC and Rai for making that possible.”
Luca Milano, RAI Kids says: “Piripenguins is a series that celebrates imagination and fun, perfect for an audience of young children who are open to discovering the world, which will succeed in engaging their families as well. As Rai, we are delighted to be partners in the project along with the BBC and the talented producers Eaglet Films from London and Red Monk from Milan.”
Piggy Builders
Piggy Builders follows Cornelia, Cesar and Charlie, a trio of charismatic and curly-tailed piggy siblings who live in Fine Forest. Whilst they are very different to one another in nature, they have many things in common: they all love building, they all love solving problems, they all love their community and, most importantly, they all love each other. There’s one more thing they have in common: they all have a lot to learn about working together. When these three little piggies don’t function as a team, the projects they’re working on go wrong in very silly and funny ways. But when they manage to work as a team, the impossible becomes possible!
Marc du Pontavice, CEO of Xilam Animation says: “We are honored to partner with the great BBC Children’s & Education team on Piggy Builders, our new preschool CG series that brings endearing characters and humorous stories of teamwork.”
Piggy Builders is made by Academy Award®-nominated French animation studio Xilam Animation. France TV and ZDF are commissioning partners.
Jon Creamer
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