Luxembourg-based production company ZEILT productions has announced the signing of a coproduction deal with Tencent Video for the series project "Le Fond du Bocal" (Deep in the Bowl).
With this signing, Tencent Video, China's leading online video streaming platform, confirmed its investment in the programme. The deal is part of the platform’s efforts to open up internationally.
Tencent Video also signed coproduction deals with two other European studios for children's shows: Sixteen South (Belfast, Northern Ireland) and Silvergate Media (London / New York). The three deals mark the start of the Chinese platform’s multi-year strategy to partner with major international studios across Europe in mutually beneficial coproduction agreements that will see the children’s shows air as originals on Tencent Video’s popular children’s platform, Tencent Kids, in China.
"Deep in the Bowl" will be one of Tencent Video’s first coproductions with European animation producers and is set for release in 2022. This 52 x 5 minute episodes series, also financed by Film Fund Luxembourg, is the adaptation of Nicolas Poupon's comic book "Le Fond du Bocal". Integrating CG animation with live action, the show depicts aquariums with a fantastic fishy cast whose experiences mirror those of children’s daily lives. The show is aimed at children aged 8-12 and is already in production. ZEILT Productions and Tencent Video are currently looking for distribution partners for the series.
Luxembourgish filmmaker, Academy Award winner and founder of ZEILT Productions, Laurent Witz, commented: “Zeilt Productions is honoured and proud to co-produce the series Deep in the Bowl with Tencent Video. We are convinced that this first collaboration will be the beginning of a long adventure between our two companies. The combination of our respective strengths will allow us to create an international series of high artistic and technical quality”.
Selina She, Editor in Chief at Tencent Video Kids Channel, added: “International co-production is an important part of Tencent Kids’ strategy. We are delighted to have formed these exciting partnerships with ZEILT Productions, Sixteen South and Silvergate Media and look forward to working with these prestigious companies. We are actively looking for new opportunities to acquire outstanding content and to form partnerships to develop and create high-quality content for both domestic and global audiences".
