The Enchanted World of Emilily

Cool New Shows: MIPCOM edition

Kids producers leaned into enchantment for MIP Junior and MIPCOM 2023. Here's a look at some of the mystery and magic behind several new series concepts being shopped in Cannes this week.
October 16, 2023

By Sadhana Bharanidharan and Andrea Hernandez

The Enchanted World of Emilily (pictured above) – 4 to 7

Co-producers: All In One Production (France), Syon Media (Canada) and White Boat Pictures (Belgium)
Style: 2D animation
Format: 26 x 11 minutes
Budget: US$3.8 million
Status: Three scripts, a bible and a two-minute teaser are ready. The team is on the hunt for broadcasters and financing.
Delivery: 2025

Eight-year-old Emilily has been intrigued all her life by urban legends about a witch living in an ominous hilltop house. Finally, she screws up her courage and enters the spooky house. Inside, she meets a wacky but friendly old witch named Eglantine, who agrees (after lots of convincing) to become her mentor in the art of witchcraft. Together, they meet a talking cat, a ghost butler and dancing plants—all while building a bridge across generations.

Littlest Witches – Preschool

Littlest Witches

Producer: Little Moon Animation (Ireland)
Style: CG animation with virtual puppetry
Format: 52 x five minutes
Budget: Roughly US$4 million
Status: A bible, sample script, animation test, episode outlines and teaser are ready. Needed next are broadcasters, co-pro partners and distributors.
Delivery: 18 months from greenlight

This series combines a strong dose of fantasy with the relatability of a daycare setting. Set in a school known as Enchantlings—run by a quirky owl caretaker named Madame Hoot—a magical ensemble of young witches and wizards get to learn about casting spells and mixing potions (along with more universal lessons about teamwork and friendship, of course). But the students occasionally lose control of their powers, leading to comical situations like furniture coming to life, enchanted hiccups and a
pet turtle who levels up to lightning speed.

Arky Arch Adventures – 6 to 12

Arky Arch Adventures

Producers: INANIMATTI (US & Italy), Rollman Entertainment (US)
Style: CG animation
Format: 13 x 30 minutes
Budget: US$8 million
Status: A bible, script and trailer are ready.
Delivery: 2025

This story takes place in a world inhabited by inanimate objects that have come to life in a quest to fulfill an existential purpose in their community. The series stars a Roman triumphal arch named Arky, who embarks on a dangerous journey to discover his true purpose and save the world from eternal chaos, with a little help from his best friends: a funny eggbeater and an intellectual metal tower.

Wowsabout – 3 to 5

Wowsabout

Producer: The Jim Henson Company (US)
Style: Live action with puppetry
Format: 26 x 11 minutes
Budget: US$500,000 per half-hour ep
Status: The company is seeking key commissioning and co-pro partners.
Delivery: 2024/2025

In this series aimed at preschoolers learning to connect with the wonders of the outdoors, an adventurous hedgehog and a tree-loving piglet head out on some pretty epic walking journeys called “wowsabouts” (because they’re on the lookout for anything that will make them say “wow!”). The series channels kid-friendly humor, has the feel of a nature documentary, and even boasts some fashionable outfits (watch out for one character’s signature pink boots).

20 Dance Street – 6 to 11

20 Dance Street

Co-producers: Cottonwood Media and Opéra National de Paris (France)
Style: CG animation
Format: 26 x 30 minutes
Budget: US$10 million to US$12 million
Status: A bible and script are ready.
Delivery: Q1 2025

This drama revolves around an 11-year-old girl living in the Caribbean whose life changes completely when she joins the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet School. Lonely and far from home, Maya faces many challenges in pursuit of her only dream, which is to become the school’s lead ballerina. Federation Kids and Family and ZDF Studios are on board as distributors.

Riddle Runners – 6 and up

Riddle Runners

Producer: Ex Nihilo Productions (Canada)
Style: 2D animation
Format: 10 x 20 minutes
Budget: US$2.1 million
Status: A bible and two scripts are available, with a pilot episode in production for December.
Delivery: Q3 2025

The members of this ragtag detective club include a curious, puzzle-loving girl, her uncle, her loyal labradoodle, and the resident jock and gossip at her school. These amateur sleuths put their diverse skills into action as they investigate local crimes and all things eerie—that is, when they aren’t busy with homework and math tests.

This story originally appeared in Kidscreen‘s October/November 2023 magazine issue. 
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