Spanish projects in the animation forum: A Drilldown

Eight animated television projects featuring Spanish companies will be presented to buyers and producers attending the promotion sessions for the 2022 Animation Forum, the main attraction of the event.

Among the well-known production companies offering their latest cartoons in Efecto Atlantis, the Spanish-French studio behind the Disney series “Tara Duncan”; Sygnatia, producer of the multi-award winning animated film “Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles” and Peekaboo Animation, creator of the successful global sales series “I, Elvis Riboldi”.

Two of the selected Spanish projects (“My Brother is a T-Rez” and “Polka Dot Zebra”) target preschool children; Five titles (“Bertie’s Brainwaves”, “Best Friends Forever…Stranded!”, “Mervyn’s Album”, “The Little Orchestra” and “Zoey Oceans”) are intended for older children; The “firsts” are aimed at the family audience.

“The eight great Spanish series demonstrate the wealth of knowledge and talent that Spain has gained since we started developing the industry in the 1960s,” says Nico Matje, Chairman of Diboos, the Spanish Federation of Animation Producers and Visual Effects Production Companies.

Nine Spanish production companies will showcase their latest projects in the promotional videos shared during the croissant and coffee shows at the Cartoon Forum: 3 Doubles Producciones (“The Book of Dreams”), Barrios Producciones (“Annunaki Files”), DeAPlaneta Kids & Family (“Magic”). Lilly), Hampa Studio (“Melbits”), Imagic Telecom (“The Wawies”), Koyi Talent (“Yanco, Dina and the Dinosaurs”), Pikkukala Barcelona (“Taste Buddies”), and Teidees Audiovisuals (“Jasmine & Jambo” ) and Verjim Animation Studio (“Count the sheep”).

Also, two Barcelona-based companies, Peekaboo Animation and GoldBee, were respectively nominated in this year’s Cartoon Tributes for Best Producer and Best Investor/Distributor respectively.

Spanish projects at the Animation Forum 2022

“Bertie’s Brainwaves,” (TBC, Spain-UK)

Spanish-French studio at Efecto Atlantis, producer of Princess Sam Pictures of Disney’s “Tara Duncan” series, is collaborating with UK-based Flickerpix to adapt David Roberts’ bestselling “Dirty Bertie” books for children. At Efecto, Efecto co-founder Raul Carbo has produced an 11-minute, 52-episode adventure series project for a 10-year-old with a hyperactive imagination.

“Best friends forever…stranded!” (Jose Balbuena, Spain)

Peekaboo Animation from Barcelona, ​​producers of the hit series “I, Elvis Riboldi” – which has been sold to more than 140 regions around the world – is looking for co-production partners for this project, which focuses on an elegant rooster who dreams of becoming a famous writer. Peekaboo co-founder Evan Agengo explored the potential of Balbuena in this Cartoon Springboard edition. The goal is to start production in 2024.

“Firsts” (“Primeras”, Paloma Mora, Bamboo Oriana, Spain-Chile)

An 11-minute, 13-part anthology that depicts the life stories of women from around the world who have become pioneers in fields that until then were only for men. The project was produced by Paloma Mora at Valencia-based TV ON Producciones in partnership with Chilean Typpo Creative.

“The Mervyn Album” (Judy Gannon, Spain, Germany)

Produced by screenwriter Marie Birdmore on Kick the Door in Barcelona, ​​in collaboration with German firm BigB, the project follows 10-year-old Mervyn, who is able to enter the world through postage stamps. But the philatelic world has a dark side, too: a group of elusive species plot to cross the gap between fantasyland and reality. Episode 52 adventure series, 13 minutes long, targeting 6-9s.

“My Brother is a-Rez” (Javi Peces, Spain-Portugal)

Directed and produced by Javi Peces at Mr. Klaus’ Studio in Madrid (“Bento”) in co-production with Céline Fernandez at Lusco Fusco Animation in Portugal. The 52-episode show turns on Coco, a 6-year-old girl who loves to spend her time composing stories in the company of her little brother, a big pink T-Rex.

“Polka dot Zebra,” (“Cebra con lunares,” Laura Blanco, Margarida Madeira, Spain-Portugal)

A pre-school TV series based on a comprehensive book of the same title by Anna Paola Catarino and Helena Brim. The story focuses on Bella, a young zebra born with spots instead of stripes. Produced by Xosé Zapata at Studio Sygnatia (“Buñuel in the Turtles”, “Dragon Keeper”) and co-produced by Catarino’s Bro Cinema in Portugal, the series was purchased by Spanish public broadcaster RTVE.

“The Little Orchestra” (“La orquestita,” Juan Carve, Martín Guido, Spain-Peru-Uruguay)

The adventures of a great rock band for kids who travel the world, meet strange characters and try to uncover the secrets of music. Produced by Peter Kedel, founder of Mago Audiovisual Production in Barcelona in co-production with Perú’s Apus Animación y Contenido and Chucho TV in Uruguay.

“Zoey Oceans” (Alice Guimarães, Spain)

A 26-minute, 13-minute adventure comedy about a 9-year-old girl who builds an amphibious vehicle to search for her missing father at sea. Only the shipment of rubber ducks that carried the remains, appeared in the most contrasting places on earth. The project won the Netflix and Women’s Animation Lobby Mianima Award, and it is produced by Carlota Pou at Studio Kimchi in Barcelona.