In 2023 Toon2Tango announced that it had acquired the rights to adapt the hit European kids’ movie franchise NIKO – THE LITTLE REINDEER, produced by Animaker, Anima Vitae, Cinemaker, Ulysses Films, Moetion Films, and A.Film Production, into an animated TV series.
German company Toon2Tango, a LEONINE Animation Studios company, led by Hans Ulrich Stoef and Jo Daris, and French company Something Big, led by Frédéric Puech, have now signed a co-production agreement to collaborate on further development and production of Niko – the Series, a new 52x11' animated programme designed for the small screen, mixing adventure and comedy in the spirit of the original franchise. Toon2Tango is planning to start production of the TV series in 2025.
Two very successful Niko feature films have already been released. A third, ‘NIKO – Beyond the Northern Lights’, is due to hit cinemas in November/December 2024.
The TV story will follow in the footsteps of the feature films, with Niko learning his trade at an academy in the hope of becoming one of Santa's official reindeers. Viewers will be able to follow Niko throughout the year, with his close friends, rivals and some new characters created especially for the series, at school and with his family, in the heart of a lush four-season landscape where togetherness and laughter help everyone to face unexpected challenges and perils and take on new adventures.
The concept has been developed by Toon2Tango. The bible was written by Jim Nolan (The Tiny Chef Show, Hot Wheels...). A number of top animation talents, notably from France, will soon be announced.
Toon2Tango and Something Big will present this very charming project at MIFA in Annecy this June. Broadcast partners will be announced soon.
Ulli Stoef, CEO & Producer, Toon2Tango, says: “We are very happy to welcome Something Big to the team. For some while we have been working closely with the original creators of NIKO to bring these beloved characters to the small screen and we would like to thank them for their trust and support. Our partners at Leonine Studio have already distributed the home entertainment rights to the first two films successfully and will also bring the new movie “NIKO – Beyond the Northern Lights” to German-speaking cinemas – a perfect example of how we can further build the brand. We are sure that NIKO the TV series will become a huge international success.”
Frédéric Puech, Producer, Something Big, adds: "Niko's films have won over French audiences with captivating stories told by sincere, engaging heroes. We are very sensitive to the values of loyalty and courage developed in this beautiful property. It's a great pleasure to continue Niko’s adventures on television alongside Ulli Stoef and Jo Daris, and to enable these funny and charming characters to delight children all over the world.
About Something Big:
In just over 15 years, Frédéric Puech has produced 15 animated TV series and over 100 hours of programming, distributed in over 130 countries ("Bali", "Groove High", "C'est quoi l'idée", "Go Astro Boy Go", "Big Fish et Begonia"). Drawing on his experience as a producer with Planet Nemo Animation, founded in 2004 and now part of the Ankama group, Frédéric created Something Big five years ago. The company is ambitious in the editorial development of its projects, betting on bold artistic choices. We collaborate on feature films ("Kiki" with Lupus films), specials ("Lili et la légende du Nian" with Lunanime) and anime ("A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts" with Robot Playground Media), all with the shared aim of delivering high-quality visual and story content to a wide range of audiences. One year ago, Chrystel Poncet (ex-C+ buyer) joined Something Big as an independent producer through her company MaGic C.
About Toon2Tango:
Toon2Tango is a rapidly growing kids and family entertainment powerhouse specializing in IP creation, development, financing, production, distribution and brand building. The company is positioned as a worldwide operation working across all types of children’s and family entertainment IPs with a strong focus on animated content. Toon2Tango also actively engages in co-financing, acquisition and distribution of quality programming with a strong international appeal.
Toon2Tango is a LEONINE Animation Studios company
About Niko:
After the global success of the first two Niko movies, which were sold to over 120 countries, the creative team from Animaker, Anima Vitae, Ulysses Films (“The Amazing Maurice”), Moetion Films (“Ooops! Noah is gone…”) and A. Film Production (“Luis and the Aliens”) have joined together and are working on the heartwarming holiday adventure “Niko – Beyond the Northern Lights”, to be released again under the direction of Kari Juusonen with co-director Jørgen Lerdam. Part one, “Niko & the Way to the Stars”, was one of the most successful children's films in 2009 with over 750,000 tickets sold in Germany alone. The sequel, “Niko - Little Brother, Big Trouble”, released in 2012, also delighted audiences.
For further information please contact:
Sam Murray / Sian Dorrington
kilogrammedia
Tylers
1 Mallows Green Road
Manuden
Herts CM23 1DG
t + 44 ( 0 ) 1279 887 101
What kind of animation style will be used for the series? 3d or 2d?