TVKIDS
The Treehouse Stories, a series from the boutique French animation company Dandelooo, is set for a local adaptation in China.
The China-based digital distribution and IP management company Jetsen Huashi, through a deal with Dandelooo, has acquired the format rights for the preschool live-action and 2D animated series. Jetsen Huashi’s local version of The Treehouse Stories will feature a new wooden treehouse in Chimelong and a cast of Chinese children while using Dandelooo’s animation footage to create its own 30 episodes. The Chinese VOD platform Youku Kids is on board as a co-production partner.
Seasons one and two of the original The Treehouse Stories, produced in France for Canal+, has been distributed to more than 60 new media platforms in China, including iQIYI, Youku, Tencent and to IPTV and OTT digital TV mobile operators. The first season will make its debut on Youku Kids during prime time over the summer, with it airing on major new media and TV stations across China in the second half of 2019.
Emmanuèle Pétry Sirvin, producer at Dandelooo, said: “We are thrilled with the format being created by Jetsen Huashi and are so excited to see the new casting of young Chinese actors and a real treehouse being built locally. We look forward to discovering the new episodes featuring our own animation. It is a wonderful opportunity to share our passion of books with millions of Chinese children and we wish The Treehouse Stories and our partner Jetsen Huashi every success.”
Tracey Cui, general producer of the Chinese version of The Treehouse Stories and general manager of kids’ animations and entertainment at Jetsen Huashi, said: “The Treehouse Stories can not only lead children to love reading and find answers from books but also stimulate their potential in art and painting. In the Chinese version that we are now producing, with Chinese child actors, it is aligned for the Chinese audience and therefore easier to gain approval and support. In addition, we have developed strong partnerships with Chimelong, the world’s sixth largest theme park, and Youku Kids, Mahua Fun Age Troupe for kids, etc., which will fully expose the Chinese version of The Treehouse Stories through various online and offline channels and promote it to the maximum.”
Vincent Wang, COO of Chimelong Group, added: “The Treehouse Stories is concerned about children’s growth just as we are. We transmit the knowledge of science to children through fairy tales and we share many common beliefs with each other, which has contributed to this deep co-operation with Jetsen Huashi.”
