Kids round-up: Federation adds Auschwitz animation; Nick unpacks YouTube deal; Cosmos-Maya’s ‘Gandhi’ show

Federation picks up Auschwitz animation

The Star of Andra and Tati

Federation Kids & Family has completed a deal with Rai Com, the sales arm of Italian public broadcaster RAI, to acquire worldwide distribution rights outside of Italy to animated TV special The Star of Andra and Tati.

The 1 x 26-minute show tells the true story of two sisters who as children were deported to Auschwitz during World War II and thanks to their smarts and the kindness of others, survived and were eventually reunited with their parents in Italy.

The Star of Andra and Tati is produced by Rai Ragazzi and Larcadarte in cooperation with the Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Research (Miur) and directed by Rosalba Vitellaro and Alessandro Belli.

CKN stars Calvin and Kaison

Nickelodeon unpacks CKN Toys deal

Nickelodeon has struck an exclusive multi-territory agreement with YouTube brand CKN Toys to develop original content for the kids’ company’s linear and digital platforms.

The agreement was created and brokered by Haven Global, CKN’s worldwide licensing agent, which will partner with Viacom Nickelodeon Consumer Products across multiple territories.

CKN Toys features a seven-year-old boy, who has more than 13 million YouTube subscribers and over 12 billion views, as he road tests and unboxes toys from around the world.

The Viacom-backed kids firm said it would develop and produce an exclusive original short-form pre-school series for Nickelodeon and Nick Jr.-branded linear and digital platforms. The yet-to-be-named original series will be produced by Nickelodeon Australia and feature both Calvin and his three-year-old brother, Kaison.

Jules Borkent, EVP of content & network strategy at Nickelodeon International, said: “We’re looking forward to developing content that taps into all the things fans already love about CKN Toys and giving it a distinct Nickelodeon look and feel.”

Cosmos-Maya unveils animated series Gandhi

Gandhi

Disney in India is preparing to air an animated series inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, which is beind produced by Singapore-based studio Cosmos-Maya.

Gandhi, which is being released to coincide with the 150th anniversary of his birth, is aimed primarily at 4-11 year olds and is described as “entertainment for the whole family.”

The 52 x 11’ episode series is available in all major languages worldwide and follows the lives of people living in a diverse, contemporary community where Gandhi is a wise elder who helps teach kids right from wrong.

Ricky Zoom lands on Canada’s Treehouse

Ricky Zoom

Corus Entertainment’s Treehouse in Canada has picked up rights to Entertainment One’s (eOne) pre-school animated property Ricky Zoom.

The show will debut on the Canuck network on 5 October, joining a raft of international networks to have acquired the show including Nickelodeon in the US, Nick Jr and Channel 5’s Milkshake in the UK and Gulli in France.

“eOne has an unparalleled track record of award-winning preschool properties which is why we’re revved up to add Ricky Zoom to the Treehouse schedule and deliver another soon-to-be family favourite to Canadian audiences,” said Daniel Eves, SVP of TV networks at Corus.

“Kids will love this vibrant, action-packed series and parents will love how it is rooted in story-telling and relatable lessons about growing up and helping others.”

Studio 100 visits Doctor Space with China’s Fantawild

Doctor Space

China’s Fantawild Animation and Studio 100 Media have started work on an animated comedy project for kids aged 4 to 7.

Doctor Space‘s pilot has been written by Billy Lopez (The Wonder Pets) and is the first new series to be created by Josh Selig since his New York-based studio, Little Airplane, was acquired by Studio 100.

The show follows the misadventures of a brilliant nine-year-old doctor who runs the galaxy’s first and only floating alien emergency room. The series will be introduced at MIPJunior and MIPCOM later this month.