Mercury Filmworks Options Hello, My Name is Octicorn

Canada’s Mercury Filmworks has optioned Hello, My Name is Octicorn, which teaches kids about acceptance of themselves and others.

Octicorn is a funny, sweet and disarming half octopus and half unicorn who has trouble finding friends because he is so unusual. He spends his time figuring out how his talents make him feel unique and someone who would be appreciated by others. An Amazon Book of the Year from debut authors Justin Lowe and Kevin Diller, Hello, My Name is Octicorn is published by Balzer & Bray (Harper-Collins).

Josh Fisher (I Got a Rocket), who has held roles at WildBrain, Spin Master and Netflix, is onboard the series as executive producer.

Heath Kenny, chief content officer at Mercury Filmworks, said: “We feel that in a time of emotional upheaval and unprecedented uncertainty, it is important to provide kids with content that helps them untangle their feelings associated with anxiety, celebrate their differences and laugh out loud. Octicorn fits this goal perfectly, and we are excited to have Josh help us bring Octi’s story to life. We can’t wait to get started to bring Justin and Kevin’s clever stories to kids TV, and are confident that kids everywhere will immediately fall in love with Octicorn.”

Lowe and Diller added: “We are excited to collaborate with Mercury Filmworks and Josh Fisher to bring Octicorn off the page and out into the world.”

Fisher said: “I immediately loved Justin and Kevin’s first book. The honesty of the character, who just feels a little awkward and uncomfortable, totally resonated with me. It made uncomfortable moments feel comfortable, warm, and funny. Mercury is a fantastic partner, they are taking the book from the page to the screen in a way that is perfectly Octicorn. I’m excited to share this adorable project that is all about acknowledging and accepting feelings and treating people how they want to be treated, with the world.”