Two of Europe’s largest TV companies, Germany’s ZDF and France Televisions, both public broadcasters, have signed on to produce the CGI animated comedy-drama ’20 Dance Street’.
France Televisions has purchased the series in advance. In another deal, Belgian public broadcaster RTBF has picked up the series for Belgium.
Cottonwood Media’s newest show from Federation Studios, “20 Dance Street,” is being handled for international distribution by Federation Kids & Family and ZDF Studios. It will be presented to buyers at both this week’s Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Le Havre and next month’s Mipcom show in Cannes. With 26 half-hour episodes, it will be one of the heaviest new European premium animated series to reach these markets.
The series is one of the few shows pitched at the Cartoon Forum last September to be greenlit for production, as producers face a tough animation commissioning environment, with state TVs in Europe coming last in placement of regular orders.
With pre-production beginning this fall, ’20 Dance Street’ is made in collaboration with the Paris National Opera, putting it in direct line with ‘Find Me in Paris’ and ‘Spellbound’, supported by Cottonwood, ZDF and ZDF studios. ’20 Dance Street’ is aimed at a young demo aged 6 to 11 and builds on the elements of diversity in ‘Spellbound’.
The series centers on 11-year-old Maya, who leaves the Caribbean to join the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet School. This move will change her fate forever. “Her resilience and altruism emerge as she is immersed in the unknown far from home, moving through joy and sorrow, guided by a single dream, to become a prima ballerina,” the synopsis reads.
The main storyline of ’20 Dance Street’, which combines drama and comedy, runs through the series and follows Maya during her first year at ballet school.
“We believe ’20 Dance Street’ will strike a universal chord with children, as our resilient protagonist has overcome many of life’s trials, yet still exemplifies a young person who takes everything in stride,” said David , co-founders of Cottonwood Media. Michel, Cécile Laurenson and Zoé Carrera Allaix. “As the story develops, many relatable themes unfold, such as friendship, abandonment, joie de vivre, betrayal and more, that viewers will be hooked on.”
“20 Dance Street” is an adaptation of the popular French children’s book series published throughout Europe: “20 allée de la danse”, written by Elizabeth Barféty. The fact that she has published twenty books since 2016 should give the series a modern sensibility.
“Ballet used to be very elite/upper class. It has only recently opened up to diversity, led by the US. The idea of the show is to broaden the base of its appeal,” Michel said. Variety.
“20 Dance Street” was written and developed by Christel Gonnard, who co-wrote the hit animated series “Heidi” in 2015. The film is directed by Romy Yao, an animator of Paramount Animation’s “Funan” and “Sherlock Gnomes.” Designs are by David François.
“6-11 years is crucial for the older age group for children’s entertainment,” Michel noted. This allows the series’ creators to highlight the ultra-realism of dance scenes performed in motion capture by dancers from the Paris Opera. The emotional storylines create a compelling, unique experience for children that rivals that of some live-action drama series, the series’ backers noted in a written statement Monday.
“20 Dance Street” is a “new, exciting and deeply moving ballet adventure,” says Nicole Keeb, head of international co-productions and acquisitions, children and youth programs, ZDF. “After the success of ‘Find Me in Paris’ and ‘Spellbound’, our seminal live-action series, we felt it was time to explore the world of ballet through animation, reaching a slightly younger audience. And voilà!” she added.
“We were immediately fascinated by the story of Maya and her friends and by the way Elizabeth Barféty’s books will be adapted for the big screen,” said Arne Lohmann, VP Junior at ZDF Studios.