9 Story to Take Guitar & Drum Global

9 Story Distribution International has picked up the worldwide distribution rights for the new animated series Guitar & Drum, which premiered on Disney Channels Latin America last May.

Produced by Punkrobot Animation Studio (Chile) and Hype Animation (Brazil), the 52×5-minute show is aimed at preschool audiences. Through the adventures of two musical instruments who are also best friends, alongside a wide range of characters, the series celebrates diversity as an essential part of who we are.

Punkrobot is the studio behind the short film Bear Story, which made history in 2016 as the first Latin American animated short Oscar winner. The series is directed by Punkrobot’s Antonia Herrera and María Elisa Soto-Aguilar, in their directorial debut. Pato Escala (Bear Story, I Am Little Red) and Gabriel Garcia (Tainá and the Amazon’s Guardians) serve as executive producers.

“We are excited to be partnering with the incredibly talented studios Punkrobot and Hype,” said Alix Wiseman, senior VP of distribution and acquisitions for 9 Story. “Guitar & Drum is a beautiful series with important messages about inclusivity which we’re thrilled to bring to an international audience.”

Herrera and Soto-Aguilar added: “Guitar & Drum has powerful messages of acceptance, respect towards others and empathy. We hope it will inspire children to be kinder to one another, and to see each other’s differences in a positive light.”