TV KIDS SCREENINGS FESTIVAL 2024

From best-selling book adaptations to returning hits to breakthrough new ideas, there’s plenty to sample in our latest edition of the TV Kids Screenings Festival. Clicking on each show title below will take you directly to the trailer.

Mediawan Kids & Family is rolling out a wealth of new animated content in Cannes, including the preschool musical comedy Maddie + Triggs, about a vision-impaired girl and her playful dog. “Maddie + Triggs is a celebration of diversity and inclusion,” says Julien Borde, the company’s president. “Through musical storytelling, unique animation and relatable family dynamics, the show immerses viewers in a vibrant world, offering an inspiring and engaging experience that highlights the beauty of diverse perspectives.”

Also in the preschool space, a second season of Supertato is among the lead offerings for BBC Studios Kids & Family following the breakout success of season one. “The ratings for the show are so strong that it was one of the fastest greenlights we’ve had,” says Katharina Pietzsch, VP of content sales. “The new series promises even more slapstick silliness, and there are new fruit and veggie characters.” Skewing older, BBC Studios Kids & Family is also unveiling The Primrose Railway Children, a feature-length family drama based on Jacqueline Wilson’s novel of the same name. “Starring Kevin McKidd (Grey’s Anatomy), this cinematic drama is filmed in and around Glasgow and against the backdrop of the stunning Scottish Highlands and heritage railways,” Pietzsch says.

CAKE arrives in Cannes with an expanded lineup following its takeover of the Jetpack brand. “We have doubled the size of our catalog to 3,200 half-hours of high-quality kids’ and family content,” says CEO Ed Galton. Among the highlights is the non-dialogue animated series Cracké Family Scramble from Canadian studio Squeeze Productions, “based on the original shorts that aired in 210 territories on leading channels, including Disney, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Teletoon, Tencent and CANAL+,” Galton says. CAKE is also rolling out the preschool comedy Lucas The Spider, based on the worldwide viral YouTube hit. The series, Galton notes, “brings to life Lucas’s innocent and endearing perspective of the world while retaining the authenticity of the original shorts through longer narratives, new characters and an expanded universe.” The CAKE team will also be showcasing a second season of Mush-Mush and the Mushables.

Branscome International’s Catherine Branscome, executive producer, is excited to introduce her clients to season two of the upper preschool comedy ROBOTIK. “ROBOTIK’s digital short-form season one is enjoying incredible organic growth on YouTube, while broadcasters and VOD platforms pick up on our brand momentum as we expand to longer episode stories in season two,” she says.

Green Gold Animation will be in Cannes with its flagship preschool show Mighty Little Bheem, about a toddler with superhuman strength and boundless curiosity in a small Indian town. “Mighty Little Bheem captures the innocence and wonder of early childhood, making it relatable to families worldwide,” says Rajiv Chilaka, CEO. “Its dialogue-free storytelling transcends language barriers, focusing on universal themes like curiosity and imagination. This allows the show to engage diverse international audiences, resonating deeply with both parents and children.”

Preschool also toplines the new offerings at Serious Kids. Happy Town is centered around teaching young ones about the importance of community. “We instantly fell in love with this adorable show,” says Leila Ouledcheikh, senior VP of global distribution. “Narrated by Mel B, Happy Town has powerful stories with universal messaging about kindness and community.” The show is a commission for Sky and is slated for a 2025 launch. Ouledcheikh will also be pitching to her clients Team Nuggets, “an adorable comedy that will engage all kids aged 4-plus with fun and emotional moments reflective of real life at school.”

France’s MIAM! distribution is highlighting a slate targeting multiple demos, including the new preschool series The Tinies, set in a world built by toys. “The Tinies tells the story of a community of toys living in a town built from familiar packaging, where each day brings new challenges to overcome together,” says Hanna Mouchez, CEO and executive producer. “With heroes that look like realistic toys, this series invites children to explore friendship and creativity while promoting DIY projects and building self-confidence through crafting.” For family viewing, meanwhile, there’s the six-part Our Summer of Freedom, “which explores how children can transcend community differences,” says Mélanie Errea, head of sales and acquisitions. “With its high artistic ambitions, strong stories and a co-viewing audience, we are proud to bring this series to the international market.”