Kids content producer Cottonwood Media, along with ZDF, ZDF Studios, France Télévisions, and in partnership with Opéra national de Paris, announced that the 3D CGI kids animated drama series "20 Dance Street" (26 x 26’) has been greenlit for production, with pre-production starting this fall.
Greenlit by broadcasters ZDF and France Télévisions (the latter as part of a pre-sale), "20 Dance Street" was first unveiled when in development during Cartoon Forum 2023. The series has also pre-sold to RTBF (Belgium). With over twenty novels published to date since 2016, the new series is a TV adaptation of the hit French children’s book series published across Europe: “20 allée de la danse” by Elizabeth Barféty. "20 Dance Street" is written and developed by Christel Gonnard, and directed by Romy Yao. Designs are by David François.
"20 Dance Street" (which targets the 6-11 year old demo) centers around 11-year-old Maya who leaves the Caribbean to join the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet School, unaware her destiny is about to change forever. Her resilience and altruism shine through as she is plunged into the unknown far from home, while moving forward through joys and sorrows, guided by a single dream, to become a prima ballerina. The series blends drama and comedy with a serialized arc that follows Maya during her first year at the ballet school.
The production include compelling CGI, which incorporates ultra-realistic dance scenes performed in motion capture by professional dancers, as well as the emotive storylines that create an immersive, unique experience for kids on a par with some live-action drama series. Federation Kids & Family (key distributor of Cottonwood Media content) and ZDF Studios are handling worldwide sales.
Co-founders of Cottonwood Media, David Michel, Cécile Laurenson, and Zoé Carrera Allaix referred to the values promoted by the title: “It’s such a pleasure to have joined forces with ZDF and France Télévisions on yet another exciting series. We believe '20 Dance Street' will strike a universal chord with kids as our resilient main character has overcome many ordeals in life, yet is still exemplary of a young person who takes everything in her stride. As the story evolves, many relatable themes unfold such as friendship, abandonment, joys of life, betrayal and more, that will have viewers hooked.”
On her part, Nicole Keeb, Head of International Co-productions and Acquisitions, Children and Youth programs at ZDF, praised their partners: “We are delighted to be part of this new, exciting, and deeply moving ballet adventure – once again collaborating with Cottonwood and ZDF Studios. Following the success of ‘Find Me in Paris’ and ‘Spellbound,’ our high-profile live-action series, we felt it was time to explore the world of ballet through animation, reaching a slightly younger audience. Et voilà!;" commented.
FInally, Arne Lohmann, VP Junior at ZDF Studios was confident about the impact that the title will have: “We were immediately captivated by the story of Maya and her friends, and by how Elizabeth Barféty’s books will be adapted for the screen. We are confident that children all over the world will fall in love with '20 Dance Street' just as we have, and that it will become an international success," noted.