WildBrain to launch new series ‘Badjelly’ and spotlight shortform hit ‘Storybooth’ at MIPCOM 2024
Skwigly
WildBrain, a global leader in kids’ and family entertainment, is headed to MIPJunior and MIPCOM this October with a fantastic slate featuring everything from wicked witches and shape-shifting seals to dopey dragons and wonderous wells. Headlining the roster is the hilarious new animated series Badjelly, inspired by the original Spike Milligan book and starring Miriam Margolyes and Rhys Darby, with Ava Diakhaby and rising star Malachi Hall. The exciting new mythical family drama, Secrets at Red Rocks, based on the bestselling children’s novel by Rachael King, leads the live-action lineup. Also on tap for the market is the impactful animated shortform series Storybooth, plus new seasons of family favourites Malory Towers, Ruby and the Well, Boy & Dragon, Fireman Sam and Polly Pocket.
We have a packed slate of amazing kids’ and family content coming to market this fall. We’re especially excited to be unveiling Badjelly, which showcases all the humour you’d expect from Spike Milligan’s original story with pitch-perfect performances from Miriam, Rhys and the rest of the stand-out cast. We’re also thrilled to be debuting Secrets at Red Rocks, a compelling live-action series with exhilarating adventure for the whole family set against the dramatic and stunning backdrop of New Zealand’s Wellington coastline, as well as the shortform series, Storybooth, which features real stories submitted by real kids. We look forward to connecting with buyers to share these terrific shows and much, much more from our extensive catalogue of beloved content.
Badjelly (13 x 22’)
Based on the beloved kids’ book, Badjelly the Witch: A Fairy Story, by renowned comedian Spike Milligan, Badjelly delivers a fresh take on this classic for today’s kids, all while preserving the crazy humour, bizarre situations and quirky characters from the original tale.
Distributed globally by WildBrain (excluding ANZ), Badjelly tells the exciting and hilarious story of two curious kids whose future is in the balance after their beloved cow is cow-napped. Will they be made into boy/girl soup to rehydrate the desiccated has-been, Badjelly? Or will they enlist the help of a paranoid sausage-hatted tree goblin, a rusty metal lion, an inhumanly strong worm and an ex-banana mouse to defeat evil and win a bonus giant?
Badjelly (Image via WildBrain)
Renowned BAFTA-winning stage and screen actor Miriam Margolyes OBE (Harry Potter, Hilda, Doctor Who) stars as the voice of the enigmatic Badjelly, alongside Rhys Darby (Trolls, Jumanji: The Next Level, Carmen Sandiego) as the mischievous Binklebonk, Ava Diakhaby (Shortland Street) as the charming and brave Rose, and rising star Malachi Hall (The Flatshare) as the fearless Tim. The series also features a sweeping original orchestral score composed by Emmy Award-nominee Guy Michelmore (Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes).
Commissioned by New Zealand’s TVNZ and WildBrain Television’s Family Channel in Canada, Badjelly is produced 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 has also acquired the series for their platforms.
Storybooth (243 x 3’)
Aimed at tweens, teens and families, Storybooth is an inspirational, heart-wrenching anthology series featuring real stories submitted by real kids from all over the world. The series offers a glimpse into the daily trials and tribulations of real kids and teens, from dealing with friendships and family, overcoming challenges at home and at school, to navigating social media and discovering self-worth. Storybooth’s shortform videos provide a platform for young voices to be heard and understood, fostering empathy and understanding among viewers of all ages.
Storybooth (Image via WildBrain)
Distributed globally by WildBrain and created by Marcy Kaye, with Adam F. Goldberg (The Goldbergs, The Muppets Mayhem) as executive producer, Storybooth began as a YouTube channel, which has since amassed over 4.6 million subscribers and over a billion views to date.
Brand-new seasons and newly available content
WildBrain is debuting season four of hit series Boy and Dragon (23 x 2’), which has amassed millions of views across WildBrain’s YouTube network since its release in 2019, along with new seasons of Mattel favourites Fireman Sam (S16 – 26 x 10’) and Polly Pocket (S6 – 38 x 11’).
Visit WildBrain at MIP stand #R8.C18 to learn more about these and other exciting shows