Foothill & Odyssey Expand Partnership, Line Up New Shows

CANNES: Foothill Entertainment has firmed up its relationship with investment partner Odyssey Pictures, with the two serving as the exclusive sponsors of the MIP Junior Networking Lounge this year, in addition to showcasing its roster of live-action reality shows and animation projects, among them the book-based GUNK Aliens.

The Foothill-Odyssey tie-up now encompasses development funding as well as strategic marketing and business activities on an international basis. The Networking Lounge sponsorship marks the first of several high-profile promotional efforts the two have planned.

This summer, Foothill took on the new reality series On Duty, which follows firefighters in Santa Barbara. The company also opened the doors of its new U.K.-based affiliate, Foothill Europe. “Being British, it has long been a goal of mine to have a footprint in the U.K.,” said Jo Kavanagh-Payne, the president of Foothill. “The timing was just perfect for us to take this exciting step at this point in our company’s development.”

The first project for the new affiliate is under way, with the signing of a new co-development and co-production deal with between Foothill Europe and Huminah Huminah Animation for GUNK Aliens. The series is based on the popular HarperCollins kids’ book of the same name. GUNK Aliens targets kids 6 to 11. The partners will be launch new development initiatives and are seeking international presales for the title.

“GUNK Aliens has all the elements that make for a classic property: it’s fun, deals with timeless themes like aliens, but also has the kind of wacky and gross appeal that kids in that age group all seem to enjoy,” added Kavanagh-Payne. “To be able to produce it with the talented team at Huminah Huminah is an added bonus.”

Adam Mimnagh, the CEO of Huminah Huminah, stated, “When Foothill approached us about joining with them to co-produce GUNK Aliens we recognized the potential both visually and story-wise. Its universal themes should make for an evergreen series.”

Other developments at Foothill include Raz & Benny being completed as an 11-minute storyboard to accompany the Stereoscopic 3D trailer. My Momtourage and Me has a half-hour pilot script that has been penned by Ann Austen. The preschool series Iconicles, which Foothill and Create Media Ventures are handling U.S. distribution for, launched in the U.K. The company also took on the 15-episode live-action series Kings of France, as well as the hour-long special Vauban and all five seasons of the cop series On Patrol. Foothill also represents the travel series This is California!

“We are genuinely excited to be at the market this year, with all the good things that are happening!” said Foothill’s chairman, Gregory Payne. “If past is prologue, we are looking forward to making the next 11 years as thrilling as the first!”