Summary Bullets:

– WildBrain, a guru in juvenile and family amusement, is off to MIPJunior and MIPCOM in October with a splendid panoply of shows – witches, seals, dragons, wells, and all!
– The animated series ‘Badjelly’, starring the theatrical Miriam Margolyes and fashioned after Spike Milligan’s original book, is the marquee headline.
– In addition to ‘Badjelly’, WildBrain also plans to highlight the successful shortform hit ‘Storybooth’ at MIPCOM 2024.

Assistant’s Hot Take:

In a feat of animation spectacles, WildBrain is off to MIPJunior and MIPCOM with what seems like Narnia’s entire mythical creature population lined up for their showcase! They’re bringing in everything from comical cauldron stirrers to whimsical water sources. And trust me, if you thought seals only bounce balls and dragons just breathe fire, well, buckle up for a reality shift! Topping this spooky and sprightly sundae is the cherry of ‘Badjelly.’ It’s cobbled together from Spike Milligan’s inventive whimsy and deftly delivered by the classy Miriam Margolyes – a true serving of ‘hilarity with a side of wit’!

And just when you thought the magic show was over, enter ‘Storybooth,’ the shortform spectacle indeed proving that good things come in small packages! So, are you ready to dive down the animation rabbit hole with WildBrain at MIPCOM 2024? Because I surely am excited to see what these wizards of animation badjelly-whip up!

The Animated Circus Is in Town: WildBrain at MIPCOM 2024!

WildBrain, a titan in children’s and family entertainment, is taking its impressive show roster to MIPJunior and MIPCOM this autumn featuring a range from mischievous witches and shape-shifting seals, to lovable dragons and magical wells. Leading the list is the rib-tickling animated series Badjelly, based on Spike Milligan’s original book and featuring the voices of Miriam Margolyes and Rhys Darby, alongside Ava Diakhaby and up-and-coming star Malachi Hall. Topping the live-action list is the thrilling new mythical family drama, Secrets at Red Rocks, adapted from the bestselling children’s book by Rachael King. The market will also see the impactful animated shortform series Storybooth,, and new seasons of family favourites like Malory Towers, Ruby and the Well, Boy & Dragon, Fireman Sam, and Polly Pocket.

This autumn, we have a rich line-up of inspiring children and family content. We’re pumped to introduce Badjelly, which encapsulates all the humour of Spike Milligan’s original story with impeccable performances from Miriam, Rhys and our extraordinary cast. We’re equally excited to present the debut of Secrets at Red Rocks, a captivating live-action series providing an exhilarating family adventure set against New Zealand’s breathtaking Wellington coastline. Equally noteworthy, is the shortform series, Storybooth, which boasts real stories from real kids. We eagerly anticipate connecting with buyers to share these fantastic shows and more from our vast catalogue of loved content.

-Katie Wilson, VP Global Sales and Acquisitions at WildBrain

Badjelly (13 x 22′) – a sidesplitting animated children’s journey

Inspired by the popular children’s book, Badjelly the Witch: A Fairy Story, by legendary comedian Spike Milligan, Badjelly provides a quirky modern version of this classic story, still crammed with wacky humour, absurd situations and eccentric characters of the original.

Global distributor WildBrain (excluding ANZ) presents Badjelly, the engaging and hilarious tale of two eager kids on an adventure when their cherished cow gets cow-napped. Will they be turned into boy/girl soup by the shriveled has-been, Badjelly? Or can they rally a paranoid tree goblin with a sausage hat, a rusty metal lion, a super-strong worm, and a former banana mouse to defeat evil and claim an extra giant?

Badjelly (Image courtesy of WildBrain)

Award-winning actress, Miriam Margolyes OBE (Harry Potter, Hilda, Doctor Who), voices the enigmatic Badjelly, while Rhys Darby (Trolls, Jumanji: The Next Level, Carmen Sandiego) stars as the playful Binklebonk. Joining them is Ava Diakhaby (of Shortland Street fame) as brave Rose, and emerging star Malachi Hall from The Flatshare as daring Tim. Showcasing an original orchestral score by Emmy Award-nominated composer Guy Michelmore (Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes).

New Zealand’s TVNZ and WildBrain Television’s Family Channel in Canada commissioned Badjelly. The show is a creation by New Zealand’s Mukpuddy Animation, Canada’s Sphere Animation and the UK’s Cantilever Media in association with Te Puna Kairangi Premium Productions for International Audiences Fund, NZ On Air and UK Global Screen Fund. ABC Australia also acquired the series for their platforms.

Storybooth (243 x 3′)– a touching shortform animation

Targeted at tweens, teens and families, Storybooth is a poignant anthology that shares real stories hailed from real kids worldwide. The series sheds light on the everyday challenges of youngsters, covering friendship issues, family dynamics, overcoming difficulties at school and home, navigating the social media world, and self-esteem. Short videos from Storybooth give a voice to the youth, fostering empathy and understanding among audiences of all ages.

Storybooth (Image courtesy of WildBrain)

Available worldwide through WildBrain and created by Marcy Kaye, Storybooth started as a YouTube channel with Adam F. Goldberg (The Goldbergs, The Muppets Mayhem) serving as the executive producer. To date, it has over 4.6 million subscribers and over a billion views.

New seasons and recently available content across animated and live-action genres

Debuting at WildBrain is the fourth season of the hit series Boy and Dragon (23 x 2′), which has attracted millions of views on YouTube since its premiere in 2019, alongside new seasons of Mattel favourites Fireman Sam (S16 – 26 x 10′) and Polly Pocket (S6 – 38 x 11′).

Discover these exciting shows and more at WildBrain’s MIP stand #R8.C18

Original article: https://www.skwigly.co.uk/wildbrain-mipcom-2024/