Boutique French animation production and distribution company Dandelooo has announced to have signed a major deal with China’s leading digital distribution and IP management company Jesten Huashi.
Jesten Huashi has acquired the format rights for the preschool live action and 2D animation series, The Treehouse Stories (La Cabane a Histoires), based on the International Emmy Award winning series.
Commenting on the deal Dandelooo producer Emmanuèle Pétry Sirvin said, “We are thrilled with the format being created by Jesten Huashi and are so excited to see the new casting of young Chinese actors and a real treehouse being built locally. We look forward to discovering the new episodes featuring our own animation. It is a wonderful opportunity to share our passion of books, with millions of Chinese children and we wish The Treehouse Stories and our partner Jesten Huashi every success”.
Produced in France for Canal+, seasons one and two (49 x 7’) of the successful pre-school series, has been distributed to more than 60 new media platforms in China including iQIYI, Youku, Tencent and to IPTV and OTT digital TV mobile operators. During China’s Golden Week in October 2018, the series enjoyed huge success and high ratings when it was broadcasted on CCTV Kids.
Looking to expand the popularity of the original version of the French series The Treehouse Stories (seasons one and two) in China since its introduction in 2016, Jetsen Huashi will create their own series based on Dandelooo’s concept and brand. Building their own wooden treehouse in Chimelong and with a cast of Chinese children, the company will use Dandelooo’s animation footage to create their own 30 episodes.
The Treehouse Stories General Producer of the Chinese version and Jetsen Huashi general manager of Kids Animations and Entertainment Tracey Cui added, “The Treehouse Stories can not only lead children to love reading and find answers from books but also stimulate their potential in art and painting. In the Chinese version that we are now producing, with Chinese child actors, it is aligned for the Chinese audience and therefore easier to gain approval and support. In addition, we have developed strong partnerships with Chimelong, the world’s sixth largest theme park and Youku Kids, MahuaFun Age Troupe for kids and more, which will fully expose the Chinese version of The Treehouse Stories through various online and offline channels and promote it to the maximum.”
On board as co-production partner is Chinese VOD platform Youku Kids who will also widely expose the Chinese version of The Treehouse Stories on all ports of Youku through promotion and publicity.
The first season of The Treehouse Stories will premiere during primetime over the summer vacation on Youku Kids and in the second half of 2019, it will air on major new media and TV stations across China, including CCTV.
Sponsored by the Chimelong Group, one of China’s leading amusement park operators, shooting of the series takes place in Chimelong, Guangzhou. The treehouse used in the filming will also become a popular sightseeing spot in Chimelong Safari Park for children to enjoy and have fun.
Chimelong Group chief operation officer Vincent Wang noted, “The Treehouse Stories is concerned about children’s growth just as we are. We transmit the knowledge of science to children through fairy tales and we share many common beliefs with each other, which has contributed to this deep cooperation with Jetsen Huashi.”
Targeted at four to seven year olds, The Treehouse Stories is a mix of live action and 2D animation. Friends meet in a secret treehouse to share their favourite books and each episode dives into one story through a different design with top children’s books from around the world.