MIPJunior is finally returning to the JW Marriott, and by all accounts, the global kids\u2019 industry is expected to be back in full force in Cannes. Buyers from across the landscape\u2014linear, AVOD, SVOD\u2014have an abundance of fantastic properties to choose from, as you\u2019ll see from our second-annual TV Kids Screenings Festival.<\/p>\n
Visit TVKidsScreeningsFestival.com<\/a> to screen these titles. Clicking on each show title below will take you directly to the trailer.<\/p>\n ZDF Studios arrives in Cannes with a broad selection of shows to meet the needs of every buyer in the kids\u2019 segment. Arne Lohmann, VP Junior, spotlights the company\u2019s strong preschool slate, led by Gris\u00f9<\/em><\/a>, about a plucky dragon who wants to be a firefighter. \u201cThis remake of the classic property will enchant a new generation of preschoolers,\u201d Lohmann says, also pointing to another revival on offer from the company, Pettson and Findus<\/em><\/a>. ZDF Studios has also strengthened its successful live-action lineup for older kids. There\u2019s Theodosia<\/em><\/a>, targeting kids 10-plus, and a new season of #LikeMe<\/em><\/a>, which will make its tween and teen viewers \u201claugh, cringe, smile, cry and sing along to catchy tunes at the same time,\u201d Lohmann says.<\/p>\n As virtually every major kids\u2019 content buyer chases that elusive perfect 6 to 11 comedy, Odin\u2019s Eye Animation is offering up The Beachbuds<\/em><\/a>, about a group of exotic birds working at the Zoobak Resort. \u201cWe are confident that streamers, broadcasters and audiences alike will love The Beachbuds<\/em>, a very funny, warmhearted, action-packed series from J-TOON Productions,\u201d says Michael Favelle, CEO and founder.<\/p>\n CAKE, meanwhile, is showcasing its Angry Birds<\/em><\/a> slate, encompassing such titles as Angry Birds Toons<\/em>,\u00a0Angry Birds Stella<\/em>,\u00a0Angry Birds MakerSpace<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0more. \u201cWe are excited to be offering\u00a0Angry Birds<\/em>\u00a0short-form non-dialogue content now in a compilation format of 11-minute or 22-minute episodes,\u201d says CEO Ed Galton. \u201cFun for all ages, our latest compilations introduce a second season of\u00a0Angry Birds MakerSpace<\/em>\u00a0(now in 3D) as well as the newest series,\u00a0Angry Birds Slingshot Stories<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n Epic Story Media is also looking for laughs with its new preschool offering, Luna, Chip & Inkie: Adventure Rangers Go<\/em><\/a>, a music-filled series for the 4-to-6 set. \u201cEach episode contains an original song written by award-winning composer Daniel Ingram,\u201d says Jessica Labi, head of distribution and brand strategy. \u201cIt\u2019s such a fun way to encourage kids to respect nature and explore the great outdoors!\u201d<\/p>\n Animasia Studio has four highlights in the TV Kids Screenings Festival, including its hit non-dialogue slapstick comedy Harry & Bunnie<\/em><\/a> and an action series for kids aged 6 to 11, Dragon Force 3\u2014Monsters Rise<\/em><\/a>. \u201cKids love dinosaurs and giant robots such as [those in] Transformers <\/em>and Power Rangers<\/em>,\u201d says Raye Lee, executive director. \u201cDragon Force<\/em> is a perfect blend: all these kid-favored epic elements with stories that also highlight universal values of friendship, self-reliance, sacrifice and true heroism.\u201d Animasia is also highlighting the edutainment adventure Team Curios<\/em><\/a>, which has been a hit in China, Lee says, and a series of educational music videos created by Adam Williams-Walters, English Tree TV<\/em><\/a>, which has logged over 2.5 billion views and 2 million subscribers on YouTube alone.<\/p>\n Education is also the focus at Bimi Boo Kids with its 52×5-minute preschool series, The Incredible Stories of Bimi Boo and Friends<\/em><\/a>. \u201cThe series inspires one to believe in oneself, to be unafraid of venturing out of one\u2019s comfort zone to learn\u2014what Bimi constantly does, pushing his friends into new adventures,\u201d says Ani Poghosyan, COO and producer. \u201cThey learn by having constant fun. The series teaches about collaboration and compromise, and embracing differences. Good cartoons make you want to stay home; great cartoons inspire you to roam. We strive to create exactly that: a kind of series that would inspire kids to roam, play and learn.\u201d<\/p>\n New from WildBrain is the comedy series Summer Memories<\/em><\/a>, based on creator Adam Yaniv\u2019s experiences growing up in Israel with his friends and family. \u201cSummer Memories<\/em> is an amazing, creator-driven comedy series for 6- to 12-year-olds,\u201d says Caroline Tyre, VP of global sales and rights strategy. \u201cThe 2D-animated show offers heart, authenticity and laughs.\u201d<\/p>\n Fostering a belief in kids that they can help to save the environment, SeaBelievers<\/em><\/a> is being rolled out by Studio 100 Media. \u201cSeaBelievers<\/em>is targeted at preschoolers and is an outstanding TV series\u2014the first ever to represent a whole new genre of eco-tainment,\u201d says Dorian B\u00fchr, head of global distribution. \u201cThis genre, created by Brien Arone, founder and SeaEO of SeaBelievers, combines the benefit of edutainment for children being informative and realistic about real-life issues affecting our ocean and encouraging kids to make a difference\u2014because they can!\u201d<\/p>\n