The tyke market: Germany
Little King Macius
Producing Companies: Berlin-based Ellipse Deutschland, Kinderkanal, Leipzig's Saxonia Media, and Poland's Studio Orange.
Creatives involved: Based on the popular kids books of Polish writer Janusz Korczak.
Number and length of episodes: 26 X 12 minutes
Concept: Toon tells the story of a little prince who inherits the crown from his father. The little monarch soon realizes it's not an easy task to rule over a kingdom, especially when the military chief has his greedy eye on the throne. Series is set to be completed by summer 2002.
Selling Point: Ellipse topper Stephan Schesch says "Little King Macius" is aimed at young children and is the kind of family-oriented educational fare favored by pubcasters.
Producers' Take: "We are delighted with Ellipse's animation work and are certain that 'Macius' will become a new animation classic, and a long-standing hit among children," says Sebastian Debertin, head of acquisitions at Kinderkanal. "'Little King Macius' is the first big animation co-production under the umbrella of the Kinderkanal, and as such, is of great importance to us."
