Family-viewing, IP branch-out and bold creative-driven endeavors power Xilam, Mediawan Kids & Family and the whole French animation sector at Unifrance Rendez-Vous. Of the numerous formats impacted by budget cuts and labor shortage in the entertainment industry, animation ranks high in that rather bleak list. Yet for French production companies, distributors and sales agent who are gathering at the Unifrance Rendez-vous in Normandy’s Le Havre, hope is still a word with 24 animated fps.
For Mediawan Kids & Family global partnerships and new business director Marie Lassalle, there’s strength in unity. French creatives must continue to focus on their strengths, expertise, and the uniqueness of their universes.” To Lassalle’s point, Mediawan brings “Witch Detectives” to the Rendez-Vous. A high-end, 26 half-hour episode 3D-series featuring three inseparable BFF trainee witches, the show is a pan-European new IP, co-produced by Method Animation (part of Mediawan Group) and Toonz Media Group with TF1, Super RTL, BBC and Rai already on board.
A perfect illustration on how strong international partnerships can power ambitious projects, all the while retaining their French flavor. For Xilam Animation, the answer to the current shifts comes from both legacy franchises (“Zig & Sharko” and “Oggy and the Cockroaches” have both sold worldwide) and strong original new IPs, such as preschool hit “Piggy Builders” and the laugh-out-loud comedy series “Submarine Jim,” headlining Xilam’s slate at the Rendez-Vous. Today, making a digital hit requires both linear and digital exposure.
But even if preschool is, to my opinion, the most competitive area, animation is ranking high in the total consumption on YouTube and streaming platforms, so there’s no shortage of demand.” Lassalle also identifies family viewing as a very significant trend. At Mediawan, we therefore look for projects with multiple layers of interpretation, accessible to younger audiences while also engaging the whole family.” While Xilam prefers still to target settled demographics (preschool, kids, YA) on both linear and non-linear programming, Benazzouz acknowledges the ongoing nostalgia trend for content from the 1980/90s that adults love to watch again, sometimes with their kids. According to Lassalle, it will introduce this iconic universe to a new generation, while also appealing to parents who grew up with the character.
With Madbox, Mediawan is currently developing “Pocket Champs” (a French video game IP with 72 million players) into a transmedia franchise designed to grow with its community, with a YouTube-first launch in 2027. For us, the challenge is to have a balanced catalog capable of appealing to diverse audiences, uses, and distribution models.” The same goes for Xilam. Over the years, the company grew its production studios to cover all animation techniques from 2D hand-drawn to full CG animation capabilities.
High-quality production, matched with character-driven new IPs with original design and strong humour, is what makes our programming really stand out.” Remaining agile while maintaining high editorial and production standards seems to be the answer to navigating these shifting tides. And both companies are hungry for more, as they head to the Rendez-vous, with Mipcom just around the corner. Major European partners are on board as well, including Xilam, pushing French high-end, unique an
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