Credit: Cottonwood Media
Two of the biggest TV companies in Europe, Germany’s ZDF and France Televisions, both public broadcasters, have boarded CGI animated comedy drama “20 Dance Street,” which has been greenlit for production.
France Televisions has acquired the series as a pre-sale. In another deal, Belgium public broadcaster RTBF has picked up the series for Belgium.
The latest show from Federation Studios’ Cottonwood Media, “20 Dance Street,” is being handled for international distribution by Federation Kids & Family and ZDF Studios. It will be introduced to buyers at both this week’s Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Le Havre and Cannes Mipcom trade fair next month. At 26 half-hour episodes, it will be one of the weightiest new European premium animated series hitting these markets.
The series marks one of the few shows pitched at last September’s Cartoon Forum to be greenlit for production as producers face a tough commissioning environment for animation, with state-owned TVs in Europe emerging as the last men standing in terms of placing regular orders.
With pre-production set to begin this fall, “20 Dance Street” is being made in partnership with the Paris National Opera, placing it in a direct line with “Find Me in Paris” and “Spellbound,” backed by Cottonwood, ZDF and ZDF Studios. Targeting a young 6-11 demo, “20 Dance Street” also builds on the elements of diversity in “Spellbound.”
The series turns on 11-year-old Maya, who leaves the Caribbean to join the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet School. The move will change her destiny forever. “Her resilience and altruism shine through as she is plunged into the unknown far from home, whilst moving forward through joys and sorrows, guided by a single dream, to become a prima ballerina,” the synopsis runs.
Melding drama and comedy, “20 Dance Street’s” main narrative arc runs throughout the series and follows Maya during her first year at ballet school.
“We believe ’20 Dance Street’ will strike a universal chord with kids as our resilient main character has overcome many ordeals in life, yet is still exemplary of a young person who takes everything in her stride,” said Cottonwood Media co-founders David Michel, Cécile Laurenson, and Zoé Carrera Allaix. “As the story evolves, many relatable themes unfold such as friendship, abandonment, joys of life, betrayal and more, that will have viewers hooked.”
“20 Dance Street” adapts hit French children’s book series published across Europe: “20 allée de la danse” written by Elizabeth Barféty. The fact she has published 20 books since 2016 should lend a modern sensibility to the series.
“Ballet used to be very elite/upper class. It has only quite recently opened up to diversity, led by the U.S. The idea of the show is to broaden the base of its attraction,” Michel told Variety.
“20 Dance Street” is written and developed by Christel Gonnard, who co-wrote the 2015 hit animated TV series “Heidi.” It will be directed by Romy Yao, an animator on “Funan” and Paramount Animation’s “Sherlock Gnomes.” Designs are by David François.
“6-11 is crucially an older age group for kids’ animation,” Michel observed. That allow the series makers to push the ultra-realism of dance scenes performed in motion capture by Paris Opera dancers. The emotive storylines create an immersive unique experience for kids on a par with some live-action drama series, the series backers observed Monday in a written statement.
“20 Dance Street” is a “new, exciting, and deeply moving ballet adventure,” said Nicole Keeb, Head of International Co-productions and Acquisitions, Children and Youth programs, ZDF. “Following the success of ‘Find Me in Paris’ and ‘Spellbound,’ our high-profile live-action series, we felt it was time to explore the world of ballet through animation, reaching a slightly younger audience. Et voilà!” she added.
“We were immediately captivated by the story of Maya and her friends and by how Elizabeth Barféty’s books will be adapted for the screen,” commented Arne Lohmann, VP Junior at ZDF Studios.
Variety's John Hopewell contributed to this post.
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