A growing number of distributors are involved in activities that look more like development, production and commissioning. Andy Fry investigates At its core, the primary role of a TV distributor is still to sell programmes to the international market. But these days a growing number of distributors are also involved in activities that look more […]
UK-based kids distributor Cake has appointed industry veteran Rob Doherty as its VP of production. The former Aardman Animations, Disney and ITV producer will work closely with Cake CEO and creative director Tom van Waveren and VP of creative Emily Whinnet. His duties will include working on Cake’s slate of coproductions and overseeing production partnerships […]
Former Rovio Entertainment animation boss Nick Dorra has launched his own Helsinki-based production studio. Haruworks has debuted after what Dorra (pictured) described as a “successful round of funding” from unnamed investors. Dorra has formed an advisory board including children’s entertainment experts such as Fred Seibert, Cake co-founder Tom van Waveren, eOne Family’s Nick Gawne and […]
UK-based kids company Cake and Australia’s Studio Moshi have joined forces to create an animation firm in Dublin, Ireland. Gingerbread Animation will operate as an “independent and creator-driven animation house” focused on high-quality kids toon content and original projects. It will also offer third-part production services and other solutions. Cake is best known as coproducer […]
A new animated series based on the classic Three Stooges comedy act is being put together by kids distributor Cake, Turbo Fast producer Titmouse and Stooges brand owner C3. The three will be pitching the animated version of the Larry, Moe and Curly Stooges act to potential copro and broadcast partners at the Annecy festival. […]
Netflix, the BBC and Seven Network have teamed for Bottersnikes & Gumbles, a new animated series based on the S.A. Wakefield kids books. The series will be produced by UK prodco Cheeky Little Media and Australia’s Mighty Nice. It will be distributed internationally by Cake. Hong Kong studio Kickstart will handle the animation. The 52x11mins […]
The management of UK-based kids company Cake Entertainment has bought back the 51% stake that Spain’s Zinkia previously owned. The MBO, which was privately-funded and closed yesterday, means Cake and Zinkia have ended all legal and commercial ties, including Cake’s representation of kids brand Pocoyo. This comes three years after Zinkia acquired the majority stake […]
The Fruit Ninja app is being adapted into a kids TV series. The app’s developer Halfbrick Studios acquired The People’s Republic of Animation (PRA) earlier this year and the toon studio will make the Fruit Ninja TV series. The 52x11mins project does not have a confirmed broadcaster attached, but UK-based distributor Cake will be handling […]
Kids distributor Cake has picked up international rights to a new preschool series about a space academy, Space Racers. US space agency NASA is on board as a technical consultant on the 50x11mins show. A new company has been formed specifically to produce the show, Space Race LLC. Team members include Mark Risley (Rugrats) and […]
Random House Children’s Screen Entertainment (RHCSE) has appointed Cake the distributor of its new animated series Wanda and the Alien. Cake will sell the preschool series internationally. The first episodes of the 52x10mins series will debut in Q4 2013 on UK free-to-air broadcaster Channel 5’s milkshake! The TV series also represents the first book-to-screen transfer […]
