TV Kids In-Demand: Diversity & Inclusion

In time for the TV Kids Festival and Kidscreen Summit, we’re spotlighting three great shows that place diversity and inclusion front and center: Boone Productions’ The Nap Time Show, ZDF Studios’ Heirs of the Night and Guru Studio’s Big Blue.

The Nap Time Show

Commissioner: Black Education Station
Produced By: Boone Productions
Distributor: All rights available from Boone Productions.
Description: (3-6 comedy/educational, 10×22 min.) An interactive episodic preschool series using imaginative play to develop a healthier relationship between children and rest.
DNI Components: Age, gender, neurodiversity and cultural representation.
Pitch Perfect: In a world recovering from widespread burnout, The Nap Time Show answers the call for authentic diversity with universally relatable characters and compelling storylines championing the benefits of rest. With imaginative play, magical music, wildlife adventures and a vintage nurturing appeal, this show is an everyday breath of fresh air. Watch the trailer for more about the show from Sierra L. Boone, executive producer.
Sales Contacts: Sierra L. Boone, Daphne Boone, sales@thenaptimeshow.com.

Heirs of the Night

Commissioners: NRK, AVROTROS, NDR, ZDF Studios
Produced By: Lemming Film, Hamster Film, Maze Pictures, Maipo Film, ZDF Studios
Distributor: ZDF Studios, worldwide, excluding co-production partners’ territories.
Description: (10+/family, 26×26 min.) Heirs of the Night is set in 1889 and tells the story of the five remaining vampire clans in Europe and their young ones, “the Heirs.” In their midst is Alisa, 14, who has the power to choose between eternal life as a vampire or for all vampires to become humans once again.
Pitch Perfect: After centuries of war, there are only five vampire clans in Europe. All direct descendants of Lord Dracula, who gave each of them a ruby endowed with a specific power that is only mastered by its clan. The never-ending clan wars and the growing threat of vampire hunters have forced the vampires to retreat into isolation to protect their heirs. However, they realize they must come out of hiding and unite their powers if they want to survive. And this is where our saga begins. An epic adventure for tweens, teens and families, filmed on location all over Europe. This is a fantastical coming-of-age saga with international appeal, an incredible cinematographic look and outstanding production values.
Slot Winner: Winner of the White Elephant Art Award, Goldener Spatz and nominated for the International Emmy Kids Awards (all 2021).
Sales Contacts: Arne Lohmann, VP, Junior; Katharina Pietzsch, Director, Junior; Jan-Frederik Maul, Director, Junior; Marei Bruckmann, Director, Junior.

Big Blue

Commissioners: CBC, Radio-Canada
Produced By: Guru Studio
Distributor: Worldwide content and L&M rights from Guru Studio.
Description: (6-9 comedy, 52×11 min.) Siblings Lettie and Lemo lead their quirky submarine crew to solve the ocean’s mysteries and find the origins of a new magical recruit named Bacon Berry.
DNI Component: Created by Ghanaian-Canadian artist Gyimah Gariba and produced by award-winning entertainment company Guru Studio, Big Blue offers young viewers a zany yet heartfelt look at what it truly means to be part of a tightly-knit family. Gariba’s vision was to create a show where kids of all backgrounds, specifically Black children, could see themselves reflected on screen. Lettie is played by Bahia Watson (The Handmaid’s Tale), and Lemo by Kevin Duhaney (Power Rangers). They are inspired by Gariba’s siblings growing up in Ghana.
Pitch Perfect: Big Blue drops young viewers into a wacky world of comic adventure while helping to redefine what it means to be part of a tightly-knit family. The show underscores the values of discovering our differences and caring for our planet. Kids learn the important role we can play in protecting our planet and that sometimes the smallest creatures in the sea can make the biggest waves.
Slot Winner: Big Blue is a top-rated program on CBC Kids in Canada, Radio-Canada in French Canada, Nicktoons in the U.K. and Cartoon Network in Africa. Gariba’s work has gained international attention and he was praised by Forbes Magazine as one of 15 Young African Creatives Rebranding Africa. Grammy-winning music producer Timbaland produces the theme song of the show.
Sales Contact: Corey Caplan, Senior Director, International Sales.