KIDS_1013_UPFRONT_ALT_Layout 1 9/19/13 4:45 PM Page 2
TV KIDS 37
Animasia Studio • Chuck Chicken • ABC Monsters • Harry & Bunny Show Geared toward kids between the ages of 7 and 11 is Chuck Chicken, an action comedy. The series, co-produced by Animasia Studio, Agogo and Neptuno Films, is set to complete production early next year. ABC Monsters is an educational yet entertaining preschool program that is complemented by an application, which is available for free download in Apple’s App Store. Other highlights from Animasia Studio include Harry & Bunny Show, a nondialogue slapstick comedy, and Turturbo, a show about a turtlepowered racing machine. “Both series are targeted at kids 7 to 11 and we are open for co-production/co-financing opportunities,” says Edmund Chan, the company’s managing director. According to Chan, all four titles are globally appealing due to their top-notch character designs, powerful story lines and high animation quality.
“We are always on the lookout for great partnerships to co-produce/co-finance our development slates.” —Edmund Chan Harry & Bunny Show
Atlantyca Entertainment • Geronimo Stilton • Bat Pat • Taka & Maka
Following the life of a mouse journalist, Geronimo Stilton has been licensed in more than 100 countries around the world. “Geronimo Stilton, the animated series, saw its first ever U.S. premiere with the launch of the Geronimo Stilton: Operation Shufongfong DVD from Entertainment One,” says Pedro Citaristi, the distribution manager for Atlantyca Entertainment. “The new disc features four exciting adventures!” Bat Pat is an animated comedy involving supernatural activity.Then there is Taka & Maka, a new show from Tiktak Production,Techtonik and Giant Wheel Animation that “relates the adventures and misfortunes of Taka and Maka, two crazy geckos who live in the same house,” says Citaristi. Additional titles being sold by the company include The Fixies, a popular animated property from Russia, and the second season of Dive Olly Dive.
“Our core strategy is to develop new content specifically for books, television and licensed merchandise.” —Pedro Citaristi Bat Pat
Australian Children’s Television Foundation • Worst Year of My Life, Again • WAC—World Animal Championships • Handball Heroes Already presold to CBBC in the U.K., Worst Year of My Life, Again tells the story of a teenage boy who must re-live one of the least favorable years of his existence. Tim Hegarty, an international sales executive at the Australian Children’s Television Foundation, describes the program as being “very funny and very clever.” WAC—World Animal Championships seeks to identify the types of animals that are the strongest, smelliest, cutest and deadliest, among other classifications. “Presented in a highly entertaining way, this show is not only educational, it’s lots of fun,” says Hegarty. Handball Heroes follows two hosts as they travel across Australia to learn different handball skills.The company is also offering up the second season of You’re Skitting Me, a sketch-comedy show that first launched at last year’s MIPTV.
“Topquality liveaction content for kids is not easy to find.” —Tim Hegarty Worst Year of My Life, Again
10/13 World Screen 281