Germany’s KiKA & Israel’s Zoom land on Mars-set teen series

DreaMars artwork. Pic credit: SHiKA architecture

Israeli and German networks have greenlit DreaMars, a new live-action sci-fi show about eight teenagers who fly to Mars for a critical mission.  

Aimed at older children and teens, the 20 x 22-minute series is set to debut on German channel KiKA, and Israeli broadcaster HOT’s kids channel Zoom in 2023. It is a co-production between production outfits STORYZ Productions, SKLAN&KA, SAMKA and German broadcasters NDR, HR, SWR and RBB, with Jetpack Distribution taking international sales rights.

Created by Sivan Shiknaji, Haim Avihail, Miki Yosef and Shuli Sheindel, with Rani Saar attached to direct, the series follows the teens as they prepare for settlement on the Red Planet. Upon arrival, however, they discover that they have landed in the wrong place, and are cut from communication with Earth, with only a few hours before the electricity in their space suits runs out and everyone dies.

DreaMars is filmed in the advanced research facility known as the “Habitat”, established by the Israeli Space Agency in the Ramon Crater area, it is the first space simulation centre in Israel, which replicates settlements on Mars.

Dominic Gardiner, Jetpack Distribution, commented: “This ground-breaking series strongly appeals to both teens and space enthusiasts. We know space missions are of interest to kids globally right now, and the production teams have created something to build intrigue around – and cultivate – that interest.”