Mediatoon Distribution, a subsidiary of European media group Média-Participations, has announced an expansion of its partnership with Ankama Animations by acquiring international sales rights for the upcoming animated series "Montclair & The Mechanical Mysteries." The announcement marks a strategic move for both companies as they deepen ties to strengthen their respective global distribution footprints.
Morgann Favennec, Deputy Manager at Mediatoon Distribution, commented: “We couldn’t be more excited about Ankama’s latest top-tier production. Every new visual and script reveals a Paris full of surprises—familiar in some ways, but with a magical twist that makes you see it differently. The creative team is bursting with ideas, and it really shows in this fresh and exciting take on the city.”
Patricia Robert, Director of Audiovisual at Ankama Animations, added: “We are delighted to continue our collaboration with Mediatoon Distribution on 'Montclair & The Mechanical Mysteries.' Their expertise and international reach are valuable assets in supporting this ambitious series. This partnership marks a promising new chapter for Ankama Animations.”
Currently in production and slated for full delivery in Spring 2026, "Montclair & The Mechanical Mysteries" comprises 26 episodes of 22 minutes each and targets children aged 6 to 9. The fantasy-adventure series has been commissioned by France Télévisions and has already secured a presale with TV5Monde. The project is co-produced by Pictanovo and Belvision, the latter being a sister company of Mediatoon.
Set in a fantastical early 20th-century Paris, the series follows the inventive young Montclair as he confronts outlandish challenges posed by the clumsy villain Hector de la Tour. From animated gargoyles at Notre-Dame to haunted artifacts in the Louvre, Hector’s absurd schemes push Montclair to design increasingly creative inventions to thwart disaster. Supporting him on these adventures are Abigail, a ghost from a Scottish castle, and his neighbors Lison and Emile. Together, they explore iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre while solving mechanical mysteries with ingenuity and teamwork.
The series is adapted from "Les Aventures Fantastiques de Sacré-Cœur," a 16-volume French book collection published by Petit Lézard and Gallimard. The screen adaptation expands the original universe with new antagonists, settings, and plots, anchored in a spirit of invention and creativity. This creative vision has even inspired illustrator Laurent Audouin to launch a related traveling exhibition featuring craft workshops for children.
This deal comes on the heels of recent Mediatoon Distribution partnerships with Bayard, Moukda, and Primal Shape. The distributor’s extensive catalogue includes over 10,000 half-hours of animated content—including classics such as "Garfield," "Tintin," and *"Trotro"—making it one of Europe’s leading Kids & Family IP managers. The company also boasts a robust digital footprint, operating over 200 YouTube channels and generating more than one billion social media views annually.
The partnership with Ankama signals continued investment in premium kids’ content with international appeal, leveraging Mediatoon’s strong distribution infrastructure and Ankama’s creative storytelling legacy.
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