NATPE Budapest International Spotlight: ZDF Enterprises

ZDF Enterprises (ZDFE) is focusing on its drama and kids’ slates, with highlights such as Ku’damm 59 and School of Roars, at NATPE Budapest International.

Mirela Nastase, the director of ZDFE.drama, says there is a lot of demand from CEE channels for crime dramas and event series. “Most interest is driven by the cult series Bron and its last season, but CEE buyers will be pleased to discover the new French event series The Crimson Rivers, which might very well become our new international reference in high-end European crime series,” she says.

Nastase also believes the 3×90-minute Ku’damm 59 will be a draw for buyers. “Ku’damm 56 already proved to be successful, so the second season will follow its lead and further develop the saga of a Berlin dance school in the ’50s.”

She adds, “NATPE Budapest has grown as a key market for ZDF Enterprises as the CEE business has been developing at a steady pace in the past years.”

Animated and live-action programs, including a show for preschoolers, are also among the highlights ZDFE is presenting at NATPE Budapest International. The preschool comedy School of Roars seeks to prepare kids for their first year of school. The mini monsters in the show learn about math, music and finding new friends. “School of Roars is already widely placed with CBeebies and Universal Kids, among others, and season two is coming up,” says Jan-Frederik Maul, the director of ZDFE.junior.

There is also the animated series Lassie, a “classic brand with wide recognition,” Maul adds. Season one has performed well, and the second installment is expected to appeal to international buyers. In the live-action space, ZDFE.junior has the book-based family-entertainment show Mister Twister.

“We can offer around 1,000 hours of content in key CEE languages such as Russian, Polish, Hungarian, Czech and Romanian,” Maul notes.