PRESS RELEASE
The MOMOLU brand’s new flagship TV series will go straight into production with commissions from North America and Nordic channels
Finland, 10th November 2020: Ferly, the Finnish animation, publishing, and licensing studio, together with Canada-based Yellow Animation and Belgium’s Digital Graphics / Germany’s ATMOSPHERE Media today announce the commission of their new preschool show Momolu and Friends (78x7minutes) by TVOKids (Canada), Knowledge (Canada), YLE (Finland), and SRC (Société Radio Canada).
The extension of the successful Momolu brand into a series is a co-production between Ferly, Yellow Animation, and Digital Graphics, an Atmosphere Media company. The series goes straight into production in Finland, Canada and Belgium. Distribution in Germany, Austria and Switzerland will be handled by Atmosphere Media and the partners will jointly release the series on global channels from 2022.
Targeted at 2 to 4-year olds, Momolu and Friends is a 2D animated series with a diverse cast of characters. The series promotes a love of arts and crafts in young audiences, applying humour while also introducing them to important socio-emotional lessons. The IP was created by design specialist and arts educator Leena Fredriksson.
The series follows Momolu – a gentle, unassuming panda with a knack for stumbling into funny situations requiring his help. Each episode helps teach children how to problem-solve, manage challenges, and to work together to find solutions.
Laura Nevanlinna, CEO of Ferly says “The Momolu brand is one where we can let our imaginations take us to delightful places full of wonder. Obviously we love arts and crafts and we firmly believe encouraging children and families to get creative helps produce more well-rounded, self-confident people. For this series we’ve brought together some of the brightest people in the industry from Canada, Finland, and Belgium. These influences can be seen in essence of the series, but there is certainly a charming element of Nordic visual inspiration with Japanese and Asian vibes. We’re looking forward to expanding the universe of Momolu and all of the stories that will come from it.”
Peter Voelkle, CEO of ATMOSPHERE Media and Director Digital Graphics says “Momolu is a delightful, sensitive series that young kids immediately fall in love with and it is a great brand franchise in the making. The number of commissioning partners already on board and the fact that we go to production right away speaks for the momentum Momolu has already developed. We are delighted to work with our friends at Ferly and Yellow and look forward to a great time full of fun, humour and learning with our favourite panda Momolu and all his amazing friends.”
“TVOkids is proud to present programming that helps set children up for success in school and life,” says TVO’s Director of Kids TV Marney Malabar. “By modelling problem solving and teamwork, Momolu and Friends will teach kids the skills they need to make a smooth transition from home to kindergarten. We’re so excited to introduce our viewers to Momolu!”
As the latest brand extension, Momolu and Friends joins Momolu Minis, 41 episodes of short form animation visible on YouTube, Kidoodle.TV and Playkids. Also in the Momolu universe is the Momolu Learning Game, available globally on the AppStore and GooglePlay and on Nintendo Switch from 2021, as well as Momolu Minis Music on US radio network Pinna.FM, a series of Audiobook Originals with audiobook platform Storytel, and Momolu ebooks on multiple reading platforms including US-based Epic!.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Ferly
Creating Stories. Building Worlds. Adding Wonder.
Ferly creates extraordinary worlds and tells surprising wonder-filled stories to build brands and IP. Founded in 2017 by former Rovio Executives, its HQ is in Helsinki with teams working in Vancouver, LA and Stockholm.
The Ferly team of animation and brand-building experts specializes in producing beautiful content that captivates and enthrals children and adults alike. To develop stories that are inclusive, representative, and most importantly fun, the global licensing, production and publishing teams work hand-in-hand to create full multimedia franchises for its own and co-produced IP. At the heart of everything it does, Ferly showcases creatives and creators in unusual, unexpected, and wonderful ways to inspire and educate audiences worldwide.
Ferly’s work includes the Momolu & Friends brand (including Momolu Minis), Angry Birds Blues and Angry Birds Bad Piggies. Ferly also represents LOL Surprise, Angry Birds, Masha & The Bear, Molang, Cup of Therapy and more. Several projects are in development including long and short form content with gaming entertainment company Star Stable.
About Yellow Animation
Vancouver, BC, based Yellow Animation Ltd was founded in autumn 2018. The young company is comprised of an experienced team, who has worked in animation for years. The story of the team starts in 2012, when entertainment company Rovio Entertainment decided to produce its’ feature film The Angry Birds Movie in Vancouver, BC. During the years that followed, Rovio hired multiple team members to its Canadian office. Some of those team members decided to start to work with their own story world creation, leading to forming Yellow Animation Ltd.
Yellow is specialized in 360 brand building. We focus on IP development with the aim to create
multi-platform brands. The Vancouver animation industry is mainly focused on service work,
but according to our team’s experience the real value in the entertainment industry comes
from original IP creation. It’s also the most fun part of it! Creation of new story worlds is our
passion, and we have the experience and network.
About ATMOSPHERE Media and Digital Graphics
ATMOSPHERE MEDIA was launched in 2018 by Peter Voelkle, who was the founder and former CEO of kids and family programming group TV Loonland AG. As soon as 2019, Atmosphere was nominated Investor of the Year by CARTOON MEDIA. The company has quickly become a leading investor, producer and content owner in the kids and animation universe and boosts an impressive production line-up. Atmosphere develops, produces and co-finances animated series and films, and pursues strategic investments in existing companies and assets. ATMOSPHERE MEDIA is based in Berlin, Zurich and New York, and is a part of Atmosphere Group, a media and technology holding founded by Voelkle. Atmosphere is co-owner of animation and VFX studio DIGITAL GRAPHICS near Liège in Belgium. Contact: info@atmosme.com
Digital Graphics has provided animation and visual effects services for more than 80 animation and film productions, among them various Oscar and César nominations and international award winners. In 2018, ATMOSPHERE MEDIA became co-owner of DIGITAL GRAPHICS along with Christian Delvigne, original investor and president of the company. DIGITAL GRAPHICS has since increased proprietary productions and co-productions of animation series and films and has quickly become a leading Belgian producer and animation studio. Digital Graphics is an accredited producer under the Belgian tax shelter system.
About TVO Since 1970, TVO has existed to ignite the potential in everyone through the power of learning. Through impactful digital education products, in-depth current affairs, thought-provoking TVO Original documentaries, and award-winning TVOkids content, we prepare Ontarians for success in school and life. As we mark our 50th year, TVO’s ongoing evolution as a modern digital learning and media organization prepares us to serve Ontarians for generations to come. TVO is funded primarily by the Province of Ontario, and is a registered charity supported by thousands of sponsors and donors. For more information, visit tvo.org and tvokids.com.
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