TVKIDS
Gigglebug Entertainment’s new animated comedy Tadpoles has lined up DR and Ketnet as co-producers, and CANAL+ has pre-brought the rights to the series.
Tadpoles follows two adventurous sibling tadpoles as they navigate their home pond. The series is being designed for both horizontal and vertical screens to ensure it will reach kids across all the platforms they use.
A Roblox game is also currently in development to give viewers another opportunity to further immerse themselves in the world.
The series is being produced by Gigglebug’s studios in Helsinki and Las Palmas, as well as the Belgian production outfit UMedia. Folivari International is handling worldwide rights. It has received development funding from Creative Europe.
Tadpoles is created by Joonas Utti and Anttu Harlin, the creative team behind Nickelodeon’s Best & Bester and Disney’s The Unstoppable Yellow Yeti, as well as the concept developers for Disney’s 101 Dalmatian Street.
“Tadpoles brings the comedy of sibling dynamics to life, with Ted and Paula’s escapades delivering laughs and heart in equal measure,” said Geraldine Soto, head of kids’ Acquisitions, prebuys and co-productions at CANAL+. “Combining an epic story within an unusual environment with innovative production formats for all screens, this show captures the wonder and determination of growing up. We’re excited to add Tadpoles to the CANAL+ lineup, and we can’t wait to introduce the series to our subscribers.”
“Tadpoles is a 100 percent match with VRT Ketnet and carries out the values of Ketnet for 100 percent: the underwater quests are fascinating; the characters are positive, fun and appealing; the interaction between Ted and Paula is hilarious; their adventures are exciting and at the same time brimming with humor, the design and graphics are fantastic; the transmedia potential is very high,” commented Telidja Klai, content manager of program acquisitions and co-productions for animation at VRT’s Ketnet. “We are very happy Ted and Paula, as well as all the other fantastic underwater creatures of Tadpoles, will be part of our Ketnet clubhouse, and we are very much looking forward to our collaboration with Gigglebug, UMedia and Folivari.”
“We are always on the lookout for entertaining projects that can bring the whole family together,” said Julia Lind-Holm, commissioning editor at DR. “Tadpoles stands out with its clear storytelling, excellent animation and not least a great amount of physical gags that have broad appeal. Both children and adults love to laugh, and there is no doubt that the series delivers just that. We are very proud to be part of this project and look forward to seeing the finish result.”
Melissa Vega, co-founder and head of sales at Folivari International, commented, “We couldn’t be more excited to bring Tadpoles to the world! The scripts are such a joy to read, and Ted and Paula’s adventures are full of heart. It’s a real thrill to be working with the brilliant team at Gigglebug Entertainment on this fantastic series.”
“Kids can have this amazing dreamer mindset of trying to defy the odds and going for seemingly impossible things, regardless of the size of the obstacles,” added Anttu Harlin, CEO of Gigglebug Entertainment. “We want to celebrate that attitude in this goofy, high-stakes comedy. Plus, I’ve already told five seasons of Tadpole stories to my 9-year-old sons. So, I owe them!”
