By: Sadhana Bharanidharan & Ryan Tuchow 

With another Annecy wrapped, we’re highlighting some of the cool new shows presented at the market that we have on our radar, and that we think could go far. The projects that drew our eye come from prodcos leaning on cute creatures, age-appropriate lessons in geometry and African culture to attract partners.

The Clumps (pictured above) – Preschoolers

Producer: Igloo Animations (Ireland)
Style: Live action and 2D animation
Format: 26 x seven minutes
Budget: US$3 million
Status: A trailer, bible, sample script and episode outlines are in hand. Igloo is looking for broadcasters, fi nancing and co-producers.
Delivery: 18 months from greenlight

Encouraging imaginative play outdoors, this mixed-media series centers around three creatures who live underground in a human family’s backyard. Taking inspiration from how their human neighbors play, the Clumps venture above ground for a few minutes each day to have fun and learn. Their adventures span from feeding a bee sugar water, to making their own instruments out of objects from nature. Igloo CEO Trevor Courtney is writing and directing the series.

Mondays with Maddy – Preschoolers

Producer: Sow You Entertainment (Ireland)
Style: 2D animation
Format: 39 x seven minutes
Budget: Approximately US$4.8 million
Status: A bible, two scripts and a sizzle reel are complete. Sow You is on the hunt for broadcast presales.
Delivery: Q4 2025

Seven decades might separate six-year-old Maddy from her octogenarian grandfather, but that doesn’t stop the pair from having fun together doing the simplest of tasks. Typical episodes might see them journeying upstairs on Walter’s chair-lift to retrieve a scarf stolen by the cat, or exploring the story behind Walter’s gold medal. They’re connected by their love of music and their interest in learning about each other. Peter Hirsch (Arthur) and Chris Dicker (Jessy and Nessy) are the series creators.

Papo Hapo – Four and up

Co-producers: Mako (Turkey), August Media (Singapore), Fatboy Animations (Kenya), Karrot Animation (UK)
Style: CG animation
Format: 52 x 11 minutes
Budget: US$300,000 to US$350,000 per episode
Status: A bible and four scripts are ready, with 20% of the budget secured. The producers are now seeking broadcasters, co-producers and distributors.
Delivery: Q3 2025

Set in an East African village, a girl and her animal friends learn about the local environment and culture in episodes that include preparing an environmentally friendly surprise party for a tree—who is also a wise mentor—and encouraging an insecure zebra to be confident about the way she looks. Irmak Atabek Ndungu and Mbithi Maysa created this charming series, and Kenyan writer/singer Wangari Grace is penning the scripts.

Wubbles – Preschoolers

Producer: Luminous Blue (US)
Style: CG animation
Format: 20 x seven minutes
Budget: US$4 million
Status: A bible and script are ready to show to potential broadcasters and distributors.
Delivery: Fall 2024

A young science genius and her mom meet four excitable creatures called Wubbles, who help them explore the life lessons that physics can teach. From learning how gravity affects a pogo stick, to understanding the magnetism behind bouncy castles, Piper finds educational moments in everything she does. The series aims to make basic physics concepts fun for preschoolers, with a formula of comedy and education.

Bock-Bock Chicken – Four to six

Co-producers: Paper Owl Films (Ireland), CAKE (UK)
Style: 2D animation
Format: 52 x five minutes
Budget: US$7.3 million
Status: A bible and script are completed, and the partners are looking for initial broadcasters.
Delivery: Q4 2025

Created by former BBC Children’s producer Sarah Legg-Barratt (Peter Rabbit, Bing), Bock-Bock Chicken stars three barnyard animals who spend their days turning the everyday shapes around them—from square cardboard boxes to round hoops and buttons—into exciting toys. The show aims to teach kids basic geometry through play.

MOODS – Three to five

Producer: Toon Factory (France)
Style: 2D animation
Format: 52 x seven minutes
Budget: US$5.5 million
Status: A dozen scripts, graphic/literary bibles, an animatic and animation test are available. Looking for

Based on an original concept from indie development exec Séverine Vuillaume (Gormiti, Martin Mystery), this series is about a dozen colorful characters that each represent a primary emotion experienced by children. The social-emotional lesson underpinning the toon is understanding how to identify and manage your emotions and navigate relationships. Marie-Laure Pitschon Lautric is also attached as a director and graphic designer.

This story originally appeared in Kidscreen‘s June/July 2023 magazine.