TV Kids Festival Event Agenda 2022

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Event Agenda

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

BY MANSHA DASWANI

Raising the Bar More players, more platforms, an abundance of content in production and development; 2021 was a banner year for the children’s business, and we at TV Kids made sure to expand our offerings in line with those gains. Indeed, our playground grew tremendously in 2021, including the launch of two super successful virtual festivals. The increasing importance of AVOD platforms in the kids’ business, a need for new funding models and the creative revolution unleashed by the SVOD streamers were all key themes across the 15 sessions at the inaugural TV Kids Festival, with the panels and keynotes logging more than 24,000 views. Our second festival, in June, was as impressive, attracting the likes of Mattel’s Ynon Kreiz, WarnerMedia’s Tom Ascheim, Aardman’s Sean Clarke, M6’s Philippe Bony, Disney’s Ayo Davis and YouTube’s Nadine Zylstra, among many others. Diversity, AVOD, funding models and the always important role of partnerships were key themes across the TV Kids Summer Festival—which will be returning this June!

We can’t wait for you to tap into the expertise of the 32 speakers we have lined up for the 2022 edition of the TV Kids Festival. With 20 panels and keynotes involving executives from across the spectrum—production, broadcast, streaming, distribution, L&M—we’re sure these four days will be jam-packed with insights on where the kids’ content landscape is today and where it’s heading.

Enjoy the show!

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1 9:00 a.m. EST Hit Seekers WarnerMedia’s Adina Pitt, KiKA’s Sebastian Debertin, M6’s Maud Branly and CBC’s Marie McCann share their strategies for finding the best properties on the international market.

Adina Pitt

Sebastian Debertin

Maud Branly

10:30 a.m. EST Keynote: DreamWorks Animation’s Peter Gal As the chief creative officer for television at DreamWorks Animation, Peter Gal will discuss the studio’s approach to developing resonant, compelling content for platforms worldwide. Stay tuned after Gal’s keynote for a sneak peek at a new show from NBCUniversal Global Distribution.

Marie McCann

Peter Gal

12:00 p.m. EST Creative Keynote: Bluey’s Joe Brumm Originated in Australia, Bluey, created by Joe Brumm, has won the hearts of preschoolers across the globe.

Joe Brumm

1:30 p.m. EST Keynote: WildBrain’s Josh Scherba The president of WildBrain, Josh Scherba will weigh in on how the kids and family giant is evolving amid changes in the market.

Josh Scherba

3 p.m. EST Keynote: Common Sense Networks’ Eric Berger As CEO of Common Sense Media’s for-profit arm, Eric Berger architected the launch of Sensical, a new AVOD platform that arrived on the scene last year with a slew of high-end content partnerships in place.

Eric Berger

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2 9:00 a.m. EST Little Learners Serious Kids’ Genevieve Dexter, Jetpack Distribution’s Dominic Gardiner, Dandelooo’s Emmanuèle Pétry-Sirvin and CAKE’s Daniel Bays on preschool trends.

Genevieve Dexter

Dominic Gardiner

Emmanuèle Daniel Bays Pétry-Sirvin

10:30 a.m. EST Creative Keynote: Aardman’s Nick Park A co-director at Aardman and a four-time Academy Award winner, Nick Park will discuss his creative approach to megahit properties such as Shaun the Sheep and Wallace & Gromit.

Nick Park

12:00 p.m. EST Keynote: Mattel’s Fred Soulie As senior VP and general manager of Mattel Television, Fred Soulie oversees a slate of content inspired by the toy giant’s treasure trove of IP. Immediately following Soulie’s keynote, TV Kids Festival participants will be treated to a full episode of the brand-new Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go. 1:30 p.m. EST Behind the Scenes of Alma’s Way Sonia Manzano, best known for her long run on Sesame Street, and Ellen Doherty, the chief creative officer at Fred Rogers Productions, on their new PBS KIDS preschool show Alma’s Way.

3 p.m. EST Engaging Kids Today Deirdre Brennan, COO of WildBrain, and Frank Falcone, president and executive creative director at Guru Studio, participate in a candid conversation about navigating the complexities of the kids’ business today.

Fred Soulie

Sonia Manzano

Ellen Doherty

Deirdre Brennan

Frank Falcone

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3 9:00 a.m. EST Panel & Premiere: The McFire Family Pierre Sissmann, chairman and CEO of Cyber Group Studios, and Coralie Boitrelle-Laigle, head of content for M6 Group’s kids’ channels in France, give a behind-the-scenes look at the animated series The McFire Family ahead of the premiere of the show.

Pierre Sissmann

Coralie Boitrelle-Laigle

10:30 a.m. EST TV Kids Pioneer Award: M6’s Philippe Bony TV Kids is honoring Philippe Bony, general manager of thematic TV channels at M6 Group and president of Gulli, for his achievements in the kids’ business with this year’s Pioneer Award.

Philippe Bony

12:00 p.m. EST Keynote: eOne’s Olivier Dumont Olivier Dumont, president of eOne Family Brands, leads the creation and production of an array of leading kids’ properties, including the megahit Peppa Pig. Olivier Dumont

1:30 p.m. EST Creative Keynote: Alice’s Wonderland Bakery’s Chelsea Beyl Disney Junior’s Alice’s Wonderland Bakery, executive produced by Emmy-nominated writer and producer Chelsea Beyl, is inspired by the classic Alice in Wonderland.

3 p.m. EST The Atomic Spirit Thunderbird Entertainment and Atomic Cartoons’ Jennifer Twiner McCarron, Matt Berkowitz and Richard Goldsmith share details on the company’s expansion strategies.

Jennifer Twiner McCarron

Chelsea Beyl

Matt Berkowitz

Richard Goldsmith

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4 9:00 a.m. EST French Flair Cyber Group Studios’ Raphaëlle Mathieu, TeamTO’s Corinne Kouper and Zephyr Animation’s David Sauerwein discuss the latest developments in French animation.

Raphaëlle Mathieu

Corinne Kouper

10:30 a.m. EST Keynote: Studio 100’s Hans Bourlon Studio 100, led by CEO and co-founder Hans Bourlon, operates across all segments of the kids’ business, from animation studios and a distribution arm to theme parks, TV channels and a successful L&M operation.

David Sauerwein

Hans Bourlon

12:00 p.m. EST Keynote: pocket.watch’s Chris M. Williams The founder and CEO of pocket.watch, Chris M. Williams, will discuss how the company is mining YouTube to deliver a new generation of kids’ IP. Chris M. Williams

1:30 p.m. EST The Kidoodle.TV Way The AVOD platform’s chief content officer, Brenda Bisner, will weigh in on her approach to securing the best properties for audiences.

Brenda Bisner

3 p.m. EST That’s a Wrap!

Anna Carugati, our group editorial director, offers up a closing message and checks in with a pair of delightful young ones in the extended TV Kids family about what they’re watching!

Anna Carugati

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

D Daniel Bays VP, Development CAKE

aniel Bays heads up the development team at CAKE Productions, seeking out and working with creators and studios from around the world to develop standout children’s IP. Bays has over 20 years of experience, 16 of which were at the BBC, creating, developing and producing internationally successful and award-winning shows, including the international hit and two-time BAFTA-nominated preschool animated series Tree Fu Tom and hit CBeebies and Boat Rocker show Bitz & Bob. SESSION Wednesday, February 2, 9 a.m. EST: Little Learners

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

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Eric Berger CEO Common Sense Networks

ommon Sense Networks is a for-profit affiliate of Common Sense Media and a public benefit corporation whose mission is to set a new benchmark in children’s digital media by creating and curating safe, age-appropriate, engaging media experiences for kids and families. In his role as CEO, Eric Berger founded and has oversight of Sensical, a free streaming service for kids aged 2 to 10.

Berger’s experience includes over two decades of creating, growing and leading streaming and interactive services at major media companies, building profitable and global portfolios of digital-first businesses across a range of models, including AVOD, SVOD, TV Everywhere, games, VR, AR and voice.

Most recently, he was chief digital officer and head of direct to consumer at Sony Pictures Television. Considered by many to be the architect of premium AVOD OTT, he built the Emmy-nominated, adsupported streaming network Crackle from the ground up and served as its general manager. His Sony portfolio also included the global anime powerhouse Funimation. Prior to joining Sony, he led strategic planning initiatives at Time Warner and was a principal in the strategic consulting practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

SESSION Tuesday, February 1, 3 p.m. EST: Keynote

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

atthew Berkowitz joined Atomic Cartoons in 2016 as VP of original content when Atomic Cartoons opened its Los Angeles office. He was appointed to serve as the chief creative officer for Thunderbird Entertainment and Atomic Cartoons in 2019. In 2021, he was promoted to the role of president for Thunderbird. As president, Berkowitz supports Thunderbird’s longterm growth strategy to expand, develop and exploit the company’s diverse library of ownedIP across all three divisions—Atomic, Great Pacific Media and Thunderbird Scripted. He also provides oversight and guidance to leadership teams across the company. In addition to this, Berkowitz serves as an executive producer on various productions, including the Emmy Awardwinning The Last Kids on Earth for Netflix and Dogs in Space, also for Netflix. He manages an IP slate that includes titles such as Princesses Wear Pants and tokidoki, among others. Berkowitz is also a producer on the animated feature film Extinct, directed by David Silverman, who directed The Simpsons Movie and is the supervising director of The Simpsons.

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Matthew Berkowitz President & Chief Creative Officer Thunderbird Entertainment & Atomic Cartoons

SESSION Thursday, February 3, 3 p.m. EST: The Atomic Spirit

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

mmy-nominated writer and producer Chelsea Beyl is the executive producer of Disney Junior’s animated series Alice’s Wonderland Bakery. Inspired by the world of Alice in Wonderland, the series centers on Alice, the great-granddaughter of the original heroine and a budding young baker at the enchanted Wonderland Bakery, where her magical treats help bring a new generation of friends and families together.

Beyl began her career at Disney as part of the writing team on the Peabody Award-winning series Doc McStuffins. A former dancer, Beyl also choreographed many of the character’s dances that were featured during the song numbers in the series. She also served as an executive producer and story editor on the hit Disney Junior series Vampirina. Her additional Disney credits include T.O.T.S., The Lion Guard and Sheriff Callie’s Wild West. She also wrote multiple episodes for the animated children’s series Pound Puppies.

A native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Beyl is a graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts. She resides in Los Angeles with her husband, independent filmmaker Cameron Beyl, and their young daughter.

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Chelsea Beyl Executive Producer Alice’s Wonderland Bakery

SESSION Thursday, February 3, 1:30 p.m. EST: Creative Keynote

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

Parent Media Co. is the creator of the Safe Streaming platform Kidoodle.TV. Brenda Bisner is an integral force behind the successful acquisition of top children’s media content from around the world, as well as a future caster for all new business development on behalf of the company.

Bisner has proven expertise in the navigation of an ever-shifting children’s digital media landscape. She has the rare talent to spot trends and recognize brand potential, along with an innate ability to optimize for their success. Bisner’s work with Kidoodle.TV continues to set a standard for a more safe and reliable online space to relieve parents and help protect and entertain kids from over 160 countries as they learn and grow into the best versions of themselves.

Over her 21-plus year career in the children’s media space, Bisner has developed, produced and sold live-action, animation and reality series across multiple channels worldwide and executed on numerous licensing and merchandising deals.

Working with companies such as Scholastic, Cookie Jar Entertainment, Tom Lynch Company and more, Bisner has helped these major brands develop precise and thoughtful plans for today while anticipating the future of the business for tomorrow.

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Brenda Bisner Chief Content Officer A Parent Media Co. (Kidoodle.TV)

SESSION Friday, February 4, 1:30 p.m. EST: The Kidoodle.TV Way

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A DIVISION OF World Screen

OUR PLAYGROUND

IS GETTING

BIGGER!

TVKids.com

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

fter graduating from La Sorbonne Paris IV University in French literature and media linguistics, Coralie Boitrelle-Laigle started her TV career as production manager at Fox Kids France.

She then worked for ten years as first assistant director for several animation studios, including Marathon Animation and Ellipse Studio. In September 2008, she joined TF1, where she worked for five years as program adviser for the kids’ block Tfou. In her role, Boitrelle-Laigle was in charge of researching and selecting new projects for magazines, games and short formats, monitoring developments and animation productions. She was then entrusted with the 360-degree development of entertainment content within the group, focusing on the launch or relaunch of several IPs. In 2016, she started her independent consulting firm, where she leveraged her background to help and advise a leading French company, GRDF, to create its own corporate TV channel. Two years later, she joined Lagardère Group as program adviser for Gulli, Canal J and Tiji, specializing in kids’ animation. In 2020, Boitrelle-Laigle was promoted to head of content for the kids’ channels at M6 Group. As such, she oversees all channels and content for M6 Kid, Gulli, Canal J and Tiji in France.

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Coralie Boitrelle-Laigle Head, Content, Kids’ Channels, France M6 Group

SESSION Thursday, February 3, 9 a.m. EST: Panel & Premiere: The McFire Family

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

hilippe Bony began his career at Paris Première when the channel was created.

After working as head of development at Lyonnaise Communications, he joined the creative team of French satellite platform TPS in 1996, where he became deputy managing director in charge of programs.

Bony joined M6 Group in 2005 as deputy managing director of programs. Today he is head of M6 Group’s thematic TV channels division, including Paris Première, Téva, M6 Music, MCM and RFM TV, as well as the youth TV channels Gulli, Canal J and Tiji in France; Tiji and Gulli Girl in Russia; Gulli Bil Arabi; Gulli Brasil; and Gulli Africa. He is a member of the executive committee of M6 Group.

Bony is being honored for his achievements in the kids’ business with the TV Kids Pioneer Award.

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SESSION Thursday, February 3, 10:30 a.m. EST: TV Kids Pioneer Award Keynote

Philippe Bony General Manager, Thematic TV Channels & President, Gulli M6 Group

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

ans Bourlon is, together with Gert Verhulst, the founding father of the global family entertainment company Studio 100, located in Schelle, Belgium. In 1996, they founded Studio 100, together with Danny Verbiest. At the time of its launch, Studio 100 was a small TV production company. Today, it has grown to become one of the most important independent global family entertainment companies, with more than 1,000 employees worldwide and offices in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany and Australia.

In 1999, Studio 100 took its first step into the theme park business with the opening of Plopsaland De Panne at the Belgian coast. It now operates four venues in Belgium, one in the Netherlands and one in Germany. In 2008, Studio 100 set foot in the international market with the acquisition of the German company EM.Entertainment, which owned the rights of kids’ classics such as Maya the Bee, Vic the Viking and Heidi. Through Studio 100 Media, based in Munich, it distributes television series worldwide. As part of this acquisition, Studio 100 also took over the successful Australian animation studio Flying Bark and founded Studio 100 Animation in Paris.

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Hans Bourlon CEO & Co-Founder Studio 100

SESSION Friday, February 4, 10:30 a.m. EST: Keynote

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

aud Branly holds a B.A. in modern literature from Sorbonne Nouvelle University and a H.N.D of audiovisual production from EFFICOM. She began her career at Patrick Spica Productions, where she was in charge of production scheduling. In December 2006, she became EMEA sales coordinator for DIC Entertainment/ Cookie Jar. She joined Lagardère Active as executive buyer in February 2009, where she was in charge of acquisitions of animated series. In January 2014, she was appointed head of acquisitions for all the channels of the Lagardère Active TV division, comprised of Gulli, Tiji, Canal J, June, MCM and Santa Claus Channel, in France and worldwide. In January 2017, she was appointed as children’s acquisitions director and international TV channels children’s programming director. In September 2019, M6 completed the acquisition of the kids’ TV channels of the Lagardère Group. She is now working for M6 Group as children’s acquisitions director and international TV channels children’s programming director for the following channels: Gulli, M6, Canal J, Tiji, Gulli Girl Russia, Tiji Russia, Gulli Bil Arabi, Gulli Africa and Gulli Brasil.

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SESSION Tuesday, February 1, 9 a.m. EST: Hit Seekers

Maud Branly Children’s Acquisitions Director & International TV Channels Children’s Programming Director M6 Group

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

eirdre Brennan plays a key role in driving WildBrain’s holistic content strategy, overseeing integrated operations across the company’s global distribution and AVOD business, as well as its suite of Family-branded broadcast channels in Canada. Brennan previously worked for NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment as general manager of Universal Kids and as VP of content at Corus Entertainment, where she oversaw all aspects of the kids’ portfolio in Canada. At the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Brennan was ABC TV’s head of children’s, leading programming, acquisitions and commissioning for Australia’s most successful children’s services. Prior to that, as director of content/general manager for BBC Worldwide Australia, she managed BBC’s branded services and content development across drama, entertainment and factual, as well as regional IP management and audience strategy. Brennan also previously worked as director of programming at Nickelodeon Australia.

Brennan is a member of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and BAFTA North America.

D Deirdre Brennan COO WildBrain

SESSION Wednesday, February 2, 3 p.m. EST: Engaging Kids Today

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

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luey has taken Australia by storm. Now available to watch in over 60 countries, the show has broken the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s streaming records, becoming the number one-viewed show on ABC iView ever. Made under one roof in Brisbane, Australia, Joe Brumm’s children’s animation show has won an International Emmy Kids Award as well as many awards in Australia. Named in Rolling Stone’s Top 100 sitcoms of all time, Bluey is broadcast by CBeebies and iPlayer in the U.K. and was released in the U.S. on Disney+.

Previously, Brumm built his career as an animator for ten years in London, where he worked on numerous children’s series. Some projects include the BAFTA-winning Charlie and Lola, working in Kenya and training local crews for the BBC/Disney show Tinga Tinga Tales and being commissioned to create the short film The Meek, which won at the 2015 Austin Film Festival.

Brumm now resides in Brisbane, Australia, where he has founded Studio Joho, which produces animation for the likes of CollegeHumor, New Form Digital, GOMA and others.

SESSION Tuesday, February 1, 12 p.m. EST: Creative Keynote

Joe Brumm Creator Bluey

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

ebastian Debertin helped to create and establish KiKA, the joint public kids’ channel of ARD and ZDF in Germany. He is part of the Programmgeschaeftsfuehrung, which is responsible for the management and programming of KiKA. Debertin searches for new projects and programs and is responsible for all international acquisitions and co-productions. He oversees KiKA’s international business affairs, all contract negotiations with program partners and the management of KIKA’s international contacts within the media landscape worldwide.

As executive producer, Debertin is co-producing the new Smurfs series with TF1, IMPS-Peyo, RTBF and Dupuis; Odo with Letko, Sixteen South and Milkshake!; and Mumfie with Zodiak Kids, Animoka and Rai. Additionally, he is working as a tutor and speaker at several media institutions and universities in Germany and worldwide. He actively supports various film and television juries, both nationally and internationally, and he is a proud supporter of the Akademie für Kindermedien (Germany Academy of Children’s Media).

Debertin was the recipient of the inaugural TV Kids Pioneer Award. He previously received a World Screen Kids Trendsetter Award.

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Sebastian Debertin Head, International Content Acquisitions, Programming & Management Department KiKA

SESSION Tuesday, February 1, 9 a.m. EST: Hit Seekers

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

enevieve Dexter has worked in the kids’ IP sector for 30 years and is CEO of both Serious Kids, a children’s and family content distribution company, and Eye Present, a London-based 2D/CG animation studio. She is the executive producer of Best & Bester, Tee & Mo, Messy Goes to Okido, Horrible Science, Angelo Rules and many more. She is a serial entrepreneur and was the founder of CAKE, which she sold to Zinkia in 2010.

Serious Kids, established in 2011, represents a portfolio of high-quality IP, including the Emmy Award-winning The New Legends of Monkey (See Saw Films); the two-time BAFTA-winning, Emmynominated Operation Ouch! (Maverick), now in its 11th season for CBBC; the Emmy Award-winning Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter (Studio Ghibli/Astrid Lindgren Company), directed by Goro Miyazaki; and Welcome to Earth, from the Oscar-winning studio Zeilt Productions.

Eye Present, established in 2015, is a 50-seat animation studio with both CG and 2D pipelines specializing in optioning or co-producing IP with unique provenance. The studio is currently in production on Best & Bester for ViacomCBS in co-production with the originators, Gigglebug Entertainment, and Nelvana.

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SESSION Wednesday, February 2, 9 a.m. EST: Little Learners

Genevieve Dexter Founder & CEO Serious Kids & Eye Present

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

llen Doherty oversees the creation of television and digital content for Fred Rogers Productions’ PBS KIDS series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Peg + Cat, Odd Squad, Donkey Hodie and Alma’s Way. She is the creator, head writer and executive producer of the awardwinning Through the Woods, a short-form series about nature. Doherty also serves as an executive producer of Donkey Hodie, a new puppet series for kids 3 to 5, and Alma’s Way, a new animated series that premiered on PBS KIDS in October 2021.

In 2018, Doherty was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Mister Rogers: It’s You I Like, the retrospective tribute for the 50th anniversary of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. An Emmy Awardwinning producer and writer with more than 20 years of experience in children’s media, she was previously an executive producer and story editor of the PBS KIDS series Cyberchase. She oversaw the production of television and digital content for the series for six seasons, including several shortform video series. Doherty began her career as an associate producer on the award-winning PBS KIDS series Reading Rainbow. She has a B.A. in communications from Boston College.

E Ellen Doherty Chief Creative Officer Fred Rogers Productions

SESSION Wednesday, February 2, 1:30 p.m. EST: Behind the Scenes of Alma’s Way

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

livier Dumont oversees content creation and distribution activities across all brands from the combined portfolio of kid-targeted properties, including Peppa Pig, PJ Masks, Ricky Zoom, My Little Pony, Power Rangers and Transformers, among others. His responsibilities include developing properties into global TV, home entertainment, new media and licensing and merchandising brands. Dumont also supervises the brand management of all preschool, fashion and actionadventure brands within the combined portfolio.

Under his leadership, yearly retail revenues generated by eOne’s hit preschool property Peppa Pig have surpassed $1.35 billion and PJ Masks $1.15 billion.

Before joining eOne, Dumont served as managing director of kids’ entertainment company TV-Loonland, overseeing all creative and commercial activities. He had previously been managing director of French animation studio Saban International Paris Animation. His career in television and kids’ programming began in 1993 when he joined international distributor Europe Images International (Lagardère Group). He also worked at French kids’ broadcaster Canal J, where he was responsible for acquisitions and co-productions.

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SESSION Thursday, February 3, 12 p.m. EST: Keynote

Olivier Dumont President eOne Family Brands

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

rank Falcone has been bringing film and television projects to life as an animator, director and executive producer for over 25 years.

Under his creative vision, Guru Studio has become a leader in character-driven storytelling and highquality animated entertainment for kids and families around the world. Guru’s roster of hit shows includes True and the Rainbow Kingdom, Justin Time, Abby Hatcher, Ever After High and the global preschool smash-hit PAW Patrol. Falcone also served as an executive producer on the Academy Awardnominated film The Breadwinner, where, under his watchful eye, Guru’s team contributed visual development that brought the rich “story world” sequences to life. Falcone recently co-created the preschool series Pikwik Pack, which launched on Disney Junior in the U.S. and Treehouse TV in 2020.

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Frank Falcone President & Executive Creative Director Guru Studio

SESSION Wednesday, February 2, 3 p.m. EST: Engaging Kids Today

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

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eter Gal oversees development, preschool, casting, music, current series and creative talent management for DreamWorks Animation’s rapidly growing slate of original series, including the content for its multiyear deal with Netflix as well as Apple TV+, Peacock, Amazon, Hulu and other leading broadcasters around the world. Recent series include the Annie Awardwinning Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous, Gabby’s Dollhouse, The Croods: Family Tree and Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans, DreamWorks’ first original feature for Netflix, which marks the epic conclusion to the Emmy Award-winning Tales of Arcadia saga from Guillermo del Toro. Next up for the studio is Dragons: The Nine Realms, an all-new chapter in the How to Train Your Dragon franchise.

Prior to joining DreamWorks Animation, Gal spent three years as VP of production at 20th Century Fox Animation and five years at Nickelodeon, where he was VP of animation development. He has also been a development executive at both Walt Disney Television Animation and Disney Channel. Gal currently serves on the board of Inner-City Arts, as well as the GLAAD Kids & Family Advisory Council. He holds a B.A. from Tufts University and a J.D. from the University of California’s Hastings College of Law. SESSION Tuesday, February 1, 10:30 a.m. EST: Keynote

Peter Gal Chief Creative Officer, Television DreamWorks Animation

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

ominic Gardiner founded the kids’ and family content distribution company Jetpack Distribution in 2014 with studio production partner Samka Productions. It has gone on to become a leading distributor of global kids’ shows, including Dennis & Gnasher Unleashed, Moley, Clangers, Wolf, Critters TV, Talking Tom & Friends, Mechamato and Kitty is Not a Cat. The company prides itself on working in partnership with kids’ content producers. As well as finding the best homes for their shows, it consults on a range of areas from financing to marketing, helping producers build the profile of their work.

Jetpack offers a bespoke and flexible service tailored for the individual needs of each producer.

Prior to that, Gardiner held various senior-level roles in London and Tokyo at global TV and entertainment companies, including The Walt Disney Company (as director of acquisitions) and Turner, where he was the channel manager of Cartoon Network.

Gardiner’s areas of expertise within the media industry include acquisitions, programming, scheduling, creative, production, operations, marketing, digital and business development.

D Dominic Gardiner CEO Jetpack Distribution

SESSION Wednesday, February 2, 9 a.m. EST: Little Learners

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

ichard Goldsmith oversees the sale of Thunderbird Entertainment’s productions to media platforms as well as related consumer experiences. He has led production, media distribution, licensing and merchandising and business development for major brands at The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Entertainment, The Jim Henson Company and Chartwell Partners, the investment company that controlled Spanish media group Univision Communications. Prior to joining Thunderbird, Goldsmith was president and CEO of Cyber Group Studios USA, a subsidiary of the Paris-based animation company. Since 2016, he has also served as an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, John C. Hench Division of Animation & Digital Arts, where he teaches graduate-level animation artists about the business of animation.

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SESSION Thursday, February 3, 3 p.m. EST: The Atomic Spirit

Richard Goldsmith President, Global Distribution & Consumer Products Thunderbird Entertainment & Atomic Cartoons

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

ounded in 2005 by Guillaume Hellouin, Corinne Kouper and Caroline Souris, TeamTO is France’s leading CGI studio. With offices in L.A., Toronto and Beijing and state-of-the-art studios in Paris and Bourg-lès-Valence, TeamTO works with a team of over 400 creative executives, artists and support staff. TeamTO’s premium productions have been broadcast on top kids’ channels across the globe. These include its own original Emmynominated IP Angelo Rules, Jade Armor, Mighty Mike, Presto! School of Magic, My Knight and Me, Oscar’s Oasis and the feature film Yellowbird, as well as eOne’s PJ Masks and Ricky Zoom; Netflix’s City of Ghosts; Activision Blizzard’s Skylanders Academy; Disney’s Sofia the First and Elena of Avalor; and Ubisoft’s Rabbids Invasion, among many others.

Kouper has decades of experience in the industry.

She supervises all artistic, editorial and financial aspects of development and production. Kouper has been a member of the board for AnimFrance (formerly SPFA) for ten years. She is also co-president and a founding member of Les Femmes s’Animent, which promotes the role of women in animation, and a board member of ECAS, a non-profit, free-of-charge animation training program established by TeamTO in 2018.

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Corinne Kouper SVP, Development & Production, Executive Producer & Co-Founder TeamTO

SESSION Friday, February 4, 9 a.m. EST: French Flair

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

orn in the South Bronx, Sonia Manzano is a first-generation American of Puerto Rican descent who has impacted the lives of millions since the early 1970s as the actress who defined the role of Maria on the acclaimed television series Sesame Street. Twice nominated for an Emmy Award as the best performer in a children’s series, she has won 15 Emmys for her television writing. She is also the author of the picture books No Dogs Allowed!, A Box Full of Kittens and Miracle on 133rd Street, published by Simon & Schuster.

Manzano’s first young adult novel, The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano, and a memoir, Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx, were released

by Scholastic. In May 2016, she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in recognition for her role as a pioneer in the representation of Latinos on television and for portraying Maria for 44 years on Sesame Street. Manzano lives in New York City with her husband, Richard.

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SESSION Wednesday, February 2, 1:30 p.m. EST: Behind the Scenes of Alma’s Way

Sonia Manzano Creator & Executive Producer Alma’s Way

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

ith more than 20 years of experience in the audiovisual field, and especially in the distribution of cultural and entertainment content, Raphaëlle Mathieu has been involved in the creation of television and feature animation production companies such as Daydream Production and Timing. Mathieu also co-founded several associations that gather and help audiovisual professionals to connect and find funds for their projects, such as médiaClub, where she acts as general secretary.

Formerly head of acquisitions and sales for Zylo, a French TV and digital distribution company, Mathieu has been senior VP of sales, acquisitions and new media at Cyber Group Studios, a leading animation company headquartered in Paris, with offices in Roubaix and Los Angeles, since 2016.

Since 2017, Mathieu has also been VP of SEDPA, the professional union of French audiovisual distributors for all genres. In her capacity, she negotiates agreements with the French government and market players.

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Raphaëlle Mathieu Senior VP, Sales, Acquisitions & New Media Cyber Group Studios

SESSION Friday, February 4, 9 a.m. EST: French Flair

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

t CBC Kids, Marie McCann oversees the creation and acquisition of content for tele vision, streaming, web platforms, social media and live events for kids 2 to 13. She is currently teaching development at Centennial College and is an author and a singer in a country band. McCann draws inspiration for her work from her two creative and insightful kids, who are now way too old to watch CBC Kids!

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SESSION Tuesday, February 1, 9 a.m. EST: Hit Seekers

Marie McCann Senior Director, Children’s Content Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

ick Park is a four-time Academy Award winner for Creature Comforts, The Wrong Trousers, A Close Shave and The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. All four films were created and produced at Aardman, where Park is a co-director with founders Peter Lord and David Sproxton.

Park became interested in animation as a child and started making films in his parents’ attic. He went on to earn a B.A. in communication arts at Sheffield Art School in 1980, before moving on to the National Film and Television School, where he began working on A Grand Day Out, marking the introduction of Wallace & Gromit. In February 1985, he joined Aardman, where he completed the film.

In 1996, Park and Aardman were honored with a BAFTA Special Award for Original Contribution to Television. In 1997, Park was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire).

In June 2000, Park’s first feature film, Chicken Run, co-directed with Lord, was released worldwide to critical acclaim and box-office success. It established the Aardman studio as a major force in animated feature films. Over the years with Aardman, Park has also served as a director and animator on numerous projects, including pop promos, title sequences and inserts for children’s television.

N Nick Park Co-Director Aardman

SESSION Wednesday, February 2, 10:30 a.m. EST: Creative Keynote

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

mmanuèle Pétry-Sirvin’s career in the kids’ entertainment industry began in 1990 with the opening of a Paris office for Nelvana. PétrySirvin’s first Emmy Award was for the CGI series Rolie Polie Olie, and her second was for the hybrid series The Treehouse Stories, commissioned for Canal+, which she co-developed and co-wrote. She joined Millimages in 2007 and initiated and developed Mouk’s World Tour as the executive in charge of development, and in 2009, thanks to Cilvy Aupin (Ciel de Paris), she was the associate producer on the animated philosophy series Mily Miss Questions. In 2010, Pétry-Sirvin co-created and set up the Paris-based studio Dandelooo along with JeanBaptiste Wéry to produce the DTV special Houdini and Stinky Dog. Along with Wéry, Pétry-Sirvin recently opened the 2D animation studio Ooolala in the animation port of La Cartoucherie in Valence in the south of France. Pétry-Sirvin also founded La Maison Animée, a non-profit organization to share her passion for animation. She also teaches at France’s boutique animation filmmaking school La Poudrière, presents at conferences and various events and has been a part of a jury at ASF (Animation Sans Frontières) at the Gobelins School in Paris from its first session.

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SESSION Wednesday, February 2, 9 a.m. EST: Little Learners

Emmanuèle PétrySirvin Partner & Producer Dandelooo

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

dina Pitt is responsible for identifying, negotiating and acquiring pre-produced series, specials, movies and short-form products that fit the WarnerMedia Kids & Family brands for exposure across all platforms. She continues to oversee those programs once they have been acquired and positioned at each of the networks. Pitt also serves as a liaison internationally to coordinate global acquisition contracts, and she represents the U.S. networks at all major programming markets.

Previously, Pitt was VP of acquisitions for Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group. In this position, she developed acquisition strategies that supported current and long-term programming plans for Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Nick Jr., Nick at Nite, The N and Noggin. In addition to these duties, she oversaw channel inventory, cable and network television series and movie deals, competitive pricing, theatrical and made-for-TV movie availability and competitive inventories, both domestically and globally. She previously worked in film programming acquisitions at HBO. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Pitt earned a B.A. in elementary education from Brandeis University and a Master’s degree in educational communication and technology from New York University.

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Adina Pitt VP, Content Acquisitions, Partnerships & Co-Productions, Americas WarnerMedia Kids & Family

SESSION Tuesday, February 1, 9 a.m. EST: Hit Seekers

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

ephyr Animation is APC Kids’ production arm, co-founded by David Sauerwein and Lionel Marty in 2019. Zephyr Animation’s current slate of shows in development includes Lana Longbeard, Mogu & Perol, MiniTechs and Gone Gills. Prior to this, Sauerwein worked as head writer, story editor and script doctor for Xilam Animation and Ubisoft on shows such as Mr. Magoo, Zig & Sharko and Rabbids Invasion.

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SESSION Friday, February 4, 9 a.m. EST: French Flair

David Sauerwein Producer & Co-Owner Zephyr Animation

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

osh Scherba oversees WildBrain’s talented teams responsible for creating award-winning kids’ and family content and delivering it to audiences worldwide. Scherba has been with the company since its founding in 2006, and since that time, his passion for kids’ and family content has been central to driving WildBrain’s growth into a leading supplier to streaming platforms and broadcasters worldwide. As a key member of WildBrain’s executive team, Scherba plays an integral role in setting and driving WildBrain’s strategic priorities, with oversight of the company’s 360-degree approach to unlocking the value of brands in WildBrain’s deep library of content. He has spearheaded numerous major partnerships for WildBrain with companies such as Apple TV+, Netflix, SEGA, the BBC, Mattel and others. His portfolio includes the company’s leading animation and live-action production business, WildBrain Studios; its global content distribution business; its suite of Family-branded broadcast channels in Canada; its leading YouTube-based AVOD network, WildBrain Spark; and its fastgrowing content and licensing operations in China.

J Josh Scherba President WildBrain

SESSION Tuesday, February 1, 1:30 p.m. EST: Keynote

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

ith more than 25 years of experience in the development, production and distribution of cultural and entertainment products, Pierre Sissmann has been involved in TV channel launches, music production and distribution and even in the creation of a press group. A former top executive at Sony Music Europe, Sissmann has also been president of The Walt Disney France and executive VP of The Walt Disney Company EMEA. During his tenure at Disney, Sissmann launched the Disney Channel in France and founded Walt Disney Animation France. In 2005, Sissmann co-founded Cyber Group Studios, which is today one of the leading European animated entertainment companies.

In November 2016, Sissmann was named “Officer of the National Order of Merit” for his work in the field of culture and the media by the French Minister of Culture. He is also a Knight in the French order of the Legion of Honor, the country’s highest distinction, and in the order of Arts and Letters.

Sissmann has also been a board member of SEDPA (the French union of audiovisual distributors) and is currently serving as a board member of AnimFrance (formerly SPFA, the French union of animation producers).

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SESSION Thursday, February 3, 9 a.m. EST: Panel & Premiere: The McFire Family

Pierre Sissmann Chairman & CEO Cyber Group Studios

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

rederic Soulie is responsible for the worldwide management and operations of Mattel Television, including development, production and distribution of Mattel’s properties focusing on animation, live action, scripted and unscripted.

Soulie is a highly experienced leader in content distribution and strategic partnerships, with strong relationships with all major digital platforms and broadcasters.

Prior to joining Mattel, he oversaw global distribution and consumer products at Saban Brands after developing and executing digital distribution strategies at Endemol. Previously, he oversaw business development at DIC Entertainment/Cookie Jar Entertainment, where he was instrumental in supplying top electronic retailers with one of the largest children’s programming libraries, consisting of 6,000-plus episodes.

Before joining DIC Entertainment, Soulie was a member of the executive team at Intermix Media, the publicly traded parent company of MySpace.

Soulie received his MBA from Pepperdine University in California and is also a graduate of Montpellier Business School in France.

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Frederic Soulie Senior VP & General Manager Mattel Television

SESSION Wednesday, February 2, 12 p.m. EST: Keynote

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

ennifer Twiner McCarron has led production on multiple critically acclaimed titles, including the Emmy Award-winning The Last Kids on Earth for Netflix, and was named the Equity and Inclusion Champion by BCBusiness in the publication’s 2021 Women of the Year Awards.

Having joined Atomic Cartoons (Thunderbird’s kids and family division) as the head of production in 2011, Twiner McCarron was promoted to CEO of the animation studio in 2016. Under her leadership, the studio grew from 25 artists to more than 1,200 today. She was promoted to CEO of Thunderbird in 2018 and continues to hold both CEO roles.

Twiner McCarron oversees Thunderbird’s overall business as well as a team of more than 1,400 people across Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa and Los Angeles. Her collaborative leadership is responsible for continued growth, creative excellence and thriving partnerships across the entire company.

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SESSION Thursday, February 3, 3 p.m. EST: The Atomic Spirit

Jennifer Twiner McCarron CEO Thunderbird Entertainment & Atomic Cartoons

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

eeing your children sit in front of bigscreen televisions watching their iPhones really changes your perspective on kids’ media.” This all-too-familiar scenario is one of the many reasons Chris M. Williams decided to start pocket.watch. As the company’s CEO, Williams is responsible for setting pocket.watch’s vision as well as helping to cultivate a strong working environment where his world-class management team is driven to perform at the top of their abilities. Williams is a true pioneer of online video, with 20 years of proven success in both predicting and capitalizing upon marketplace holes that have dictated the future of media and entertainment.

Most recently, he served as the chief audience officer of Maker Studios, and prior to that, he was the founder and CEO of venture-backed startup Take180. Both companies were acquired by The Walt Disney Company, where Williams also launched Disney Online Originals, a division dedicated to the creation of Disney-branded short-form content. The earlier part of Williams’ career was spent at Yahoo, where he was one of the first 100 employees. Williams is married with two children and spends most weekends at his kids’ sporting events kicking it with other parents.

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Chris M. Williams Founder & CEO pocket.watch

SESSION Friday, February 4, 12 p.m. EST: Keynote

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