Mondo TV, one of Europe’s biggest animation producers and distributors, has detailed the highlights of its portfolio headed to the MIPTV content market in Cannes (April 9-12). The company will be set up at stand P-1.N1/P-1.M2.
One such highlight is the company’s first live-action series, Heidi Bienvenida a Casa (60 x 45’), which has already sold to many Latin American markets as well as Russia and Israel. Co-produced by Alianza Prod., season 1 will launch in April on Rai Gulp in Italy, bolstered by a major marketing campaign. Season 2, Heidi Bienvenida al Show (60 x 45’) has finished filming and will launch in 2019.
Chugging along at the head of the animation slate is Robot Trains, an inventive new kids 4-7 property produced by CJ E&M (S. Korea). The 32 x 11’ 3D CG series launched on Italian pay TV channel DeA Junior in September 2017, and on free-to-air DTT channel Cartoonito in February. Robot Trains is set in Train World — an extraordinary place, inhabited by talking trains. But some trains are even more amazing: they can turn into robots! A second 52 x 11’ season is in the works, with Mondo TV as a co-producer.
“We’re thrilled with this line-up, a selection of shows that clearly indicates ambition and creativity, with themes that are as diverse as they are engaging,” said Matteo Corradi, Mondo TV CEO. “We are looking forward to telling visitors to MIPTV more about what we feel is one of the most entertaining and original portfolios at this major TV market!”
Also on the docket:
Invention Story (104 x 11’; 3D CGI; Kids 5-9) is a science-themed co-production from Henan York Animation and Mondo TV that arrives next year. It’s the tale of an intelligent and creative fox who, in each episode, comes up with a new invention, delighting most of the inhabitants of his adopted home Carrot Town – and making a few very, very jealous. There are plots, conflicts and rivalries as well as funny, eccentric and engaging characters – but this show also offers something different. Henan York Animation and Mondo TV have already committed to five seasons for a total of 520 11-minute episodes.
YooHoo to the Rescue (52 x 11’; 3D CGI; Preschool) is based on the line of multi-million-selling plush toys made by Aurora World. Now confirmed as a Netflix Original Series, the show is expected to launch in 2019. There has been a strong broadcast and licensing response to YooHoo to the Rescue, which follows five animal friends from the magical island of YooTopia with a mission to help endangered animals, who come to Earth to deal with an environmental crisis — making friends and meeting some amazing creatures on the way.
Sissi, the Young Empress (52 x 26’; Girls 4-8), is an established ratings hit in a number of countries with two series already available and a new, 3D season to be launched in 2019 with a new format and new contents. The free-spirited Sissi has become a big favourite with many young girls, and a strong response is expected to this highly successful tale of adventure, romance, intrigue, magic and mystery.
Cuby Zoo (52 x 11’) is a highly original 3D CGI children’s animated TV show. Telling the story of cube-shaped animal characters who come to life and to help and protect the people of our world, it is ingenious, entrancing and very entertaining.
Adventures in Duckport (52 x 11’; Preschool) is a delightful and engaging animated series based on the whimsical and loveable characters from the popular design and publishing property Suzy’s Zoo. It tells the exciting and amusing adventures of Suzy, Jack, Penelope, Corky and their friends as they try very hard to be helpful – but don’t always succeed.
Partidei (52 x 11’; 2D & 3D; Boys 5-9) is the fantastic, epic story of the clash between a group of youngsters and a tyrannical robot that has enslaved their world. Packed with action, thrills, fantasy, drama and comedy with a feisty and lovable group of young protagonists, this series will have enormous appeal to boys – and quite a few girls.
The Treasure Island (26 x 26’; 3D CGI; Kids 5-9) continues the incredible adventures of Jim Hawkins, the young lad from the Robert Louis Stevenson masterpiece, whose tales are brought to life in each exciting episode of this brand-new story.
