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Paris, July 2nd September 2024
France/Germany – Monday 2nd September 2024 – Premium kids content producer Cottonwood Media, along with ZDF, ZDF Studios, France Télévisions, and in partnership with Opéra national de Paris, are delighted to announce that the 3D CGI kids animated drama series 20 DANCE STREET (26 x 26’) has been greenlit for production, with pre-production starting this fall.
Greenlit by broadcasters ZDF and France Télévisions (the latter as part of a pre-sale), 20 DANCE STREET was first unveiled when in development during Cartoon Forum 2023. The series has also pre-sold to RTBF (Belgium).
With over twenty novels published to date since 2016, the new series is a TV adaptation of the hit French children’s book series published across Europe: “20 allée de la danse” by Elizabeth Barféty.
20 DANCE STREET (which targets the 6-11 year old demo) centres around 11-year-old Maya who leaves the Caribbean to join the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet School, unaware her destiny is about to change 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 series blends drama and comedy with a serialized arc that follows Maya during her first year at the ballet school.
Standout qualities of this unique production include compelling CGI which incorporates ultra-realistic dance scenes performed in motion capture by professional dancers, as well as the emotive storylines that create an immersive unique experience for kids on a par with some live-action drama series.
Federation Kids & Family (key distributor of Cottonwood Media content) and ZDF Studios are handling worldwide sales.
Co-founders of Cottonwood Media, David Michel, Cécile Laurenson, and Zoé Carrera Allaix said: “It’s such a pleasure to have joined forces with ZDF and France Télévisions on yet another exciting series. 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. As the story evolves, many relatable themes unfold such as friendship, abandonment, joys of life, betrayal and more, that will have viewers hooked.”
Nicole Keeb, Head of International Co-productions and Acquisitions, Children and Youth programs, ZDF, commented: “We are delighted to be part of this new, exciting, and deeply moving ballet adventure – once again collaborating with Cottonwood and ZDF Studios. 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!”
Arne Lohmann, VP Junior at ZDF Studios 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. We are confident that children all over the world will fall in love with 20 DANCE STREET just as we have, and that it will become an international success.”
20 DANCE STREET is written and developed by Christel Gonnard, and directed by Romy Yao. Designs are by David François.ies.
About Cottonwood Media:
Cottonwood Media (a subsidiary of Federation Studios and part of its kids’ division Federation Kids & Family) was founded by David Michel, Zoé Carrera Allaix and Cécile Laurenson. Cottonwood Media creates, produces, and invests in premium talent-driven content with a focus on bringing together North American and European audiences on both linear and non-linear platforms. In 2015 Cottonwood Media partnered with Federation Studios (formerly Federation Entertainment) to create Federation Kids & Family, a global distribution division which distributes original content as well as third party acquisitions. Based in Paris and Berlin, with offices in Los Angeles and Toronto, Cottonwood’s productions include premium live-action series such as Circuit Breakers (sci-fi for Apple TV), Spellbound (ballet/witchcraft themed), Theodosia (period Egyptology/adventure), Find Me in Paris (time-travelling ballet themed) with 3 seasons, the animated feature film Around the World in 80 Days distributed by Studio Canal (#1 French movie in Box office international in 2021), and animated series such as 20 Dance Street (dramedy/ballet themed), The Ollie and Moon Show (pre-school), and the wacky kids comedy Squish (6-10 yrs). https://cottonwood.tv/
About ZDF (Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen):
ZDF is Germany’s national public television broadcaster and has been broadcasting since 1st April 1963. It also operates two thematic channels ZDFneo and ZDFInfo. In partnership with other public broadcasters, ZDF jointly operates the internet-only offer funk, the German channels PHOENIX and KIKA, and the European channels 3sat and ARTE. The corporation has a permanent staff of 3,600 plus a similar number of freelancers. Since March 2022, ZDF has been headed by Director-General Norbert Himmler. ZDF is based in Mainz, but also maintains permanent bureaus in the 16 Länder capitals as well as special editorial and production facilities in Berlin. For international coverage, ZDF has foreign correspondents operating in 19 permanent bureaus worldwide. ZDF offers full-range generalist programming with a mix of information, education, arts, entertainment and sports. Its coverage provides both a broad view on the world and a comprehensive picture of Germany and, in this way, ZDF strives to offer the highest possible public service value. www.zdf.de
About Federation Kids & Family:
Federation Kids & Family is a global kids’ content producer and distributor, and a division of Federation Studios, a leading global media powerhouse specializing in high-end international programming. Federation Kids & Family distributes premium original content featuring animated series and specials, as well as talent-driven live action drama series. Titles include LIVE ACTION tween series such as the K-pop inspired coming-of-age dramedy Gangnam Project, the global hit Find Me in Paris (ballet/time travel), Spellbound (witchcraft/ballet), Theodosia (period Egyptology-themed), ANIMATION series such Simon Super Rabbit (hit preschool long-running series), Monster Shaker, The New Adventures of the Triplets, The Ollie and Moon Show, Squish, Presto! School of Magic, and DOCU-STYLE series Let’s Dance, to name a few. Federation Kids & Family also focuses on building strategic partnerships and alliances with major international companies and broadcasters. https://federationstudios.com/genre/kids/
About ZDF Studios
ZDF Studios is a commercial subsidiary of ZDF, one of the largest TV broadcasters in Europe. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Mainz, Germany, the ZDF Studios Group operates more than 30 direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates in Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom spanning TV production, distribution and services. The parent company, ZDF Studios, is responsible for global programme distribution, realisation of international co-productions, acquisition of licences and merchandising of successful programme brands under its own name, for ZDF and third parties. ZDF Studios has the largest German-language programme inventory in the world and a constantly growing range of international productions, consisting of series and mini-series, television films, documentaries and children’s programmes. The companies of the ZDF Studios Group cover the entire value chain from the development of scripted and unscripted TV content to production, marketing and monetizing, including TV and streaming licences as well as merchandising and online rights. The positioning of ZDF Studios as an integrated media company enables the development of innovative, outstanding and high-quality programmes and makes the Group an attractive workplace for German and international talent to flourish in a very inspiring and creative environment.www.zdf-studios.com
