Portfolio Entertainment
The Toronto-based producer/distributor has secured new international broadcast deals for its 40 x 22-minute animated series
Hero Elementary (pictured).
Discovery Kids (LatAm), TVB (Hong Kong), City Saskatchewan (Canada) and the American Forces Radio and Television Service (global) have picked up Portfolio’s co-pro with Twin Cities PBS. Aimed at four to sevens, the superhero adventure series follows a group of kids who learn to use their powers to help others. It launched on PBS KIDS in the US last year.
Genius Brands
LA-based Genius Brands International has picked up five animated Scooby-Doo movies for Kartoon Channel!
Starting today, the OTT platform will air a weekly movie as part of its “Friday Family Fun Films” programming block that kicks off today with
Steven Wendland to head up its new US office as president.
Based in LA, Wendland officially starts today and is charged with developing and producing original content based on the company’s existing IPs, as well as building a new slate of proprietary concepts. He will also be responsible for expanding the company’s animation service capabilities across family-skewing TV, films and apps.
The US office is planning to staff up in the coming months, according to a spokesperson for the company.
Discreet Arts is primarily a work-for-hire studio specializing in 2D and 3D animation. It has collaborated with Titmouse, Technicolor and WildBrain and counts animated films like
Launching in Japan this month with shows from BBC and Serious Lunch, Meecha! is on the hunt for more content from international producers and distributors.
Lil Critter, Scribble land Epic MegaGrant
The Malaysian studios will channel the financial support into co-developing a new CG-animated series using Epic Games real-time video game engine.
February 23, 2021
Two more animation studios have joined the growing list of companies that have snagged funding from Epic Games’ US$100-million MegaGrants program.
The latest recipients Malaysia’s Lil Critter Workshop (
Hogie the Globehopper) and Scribble Studios will use the grant to co-develop a new CG-animated series called
Billy Fei and the Cloud Trials using Epic’s real-time rendering platform, Unreal Engine. Lil Critter and Scribble have not disclosed the value of their MegaGrant funding.
Mattel expands Barbie, American Girl content
The entertainment company has sold two new specials to global broadcasters and is developing a web series celebrating diverse voices.
February 19, 2021
Mattel is working on a new American Girl online series to spotlight female changemakers and has locked in several deals for two fresh Barbie specials.
Conversations for Change will launch on the American Girl website and seeks to amplify diverse voices. Available now, the first episode is called “4 Generations of Black Voices” and features Marley Dias (pictured, youth activist and author), Paris Williams (Paris Cares Foundation) and her mom Alicia Marshall, and Denise Lewis Patrick (American Girl author).