ZDF Studios sealed a raft of sales for award-winning children’s series "Sam and Julia"

Two adorable mice, "Sam and Julia," will take their Mouse Mansion on the road as broadcasters across Europe snap up the multi-award-winning animated series. ZDF Studios has licensed the children’s title to Czech TV and RTV in Slovenia and Slovakia, along with AMC and MTVA in Hungary. Produced by Cielo Films and Superswiss Red in coproduction with ZDF, ZDF Studios, France Télévisions, Caribara and M.A.R.K.13, the series is currently airing in France (France Télévisions & Okoo) and the Netherlands (AVROTROS / Zappelin) and will launch in early 2025 in Germany (ZDF/KIKA).

The TV series, launched this year, has won two prestigious awards. The BolognaRagazzi Cross Media Award (2024), which honors outstanding projects that have successfully transitioned from traditional publishing to other platforms such as television, cinema, and video games, chose "Sam and Julia" for its meticulous craftsmanship, sustainable approach, and captivating portrayal of childhood. The show also won the Pulcinella Award at Cartoons on the Bay (2024) and was shortlisted at the Annecy Festival (2024). Arne Lohmann, VP JUNIOR, ZDF Studios said: “Lovable, captivating, enchanting are words I would use to describe this animated series. At the heart of it are very strong values, promoting sustainability and inspiring families to be creative, welcoming, and kind. A worthy winner of impressive awards, I look forward to Sam and Julia setting up The Mouse Mansion in even more territories in the near future.”

"Sam and Julia" is based on the books by Dutch author Karina Schaapman. The 22 original titles have been translated into 27 languages and have sold over 1 million copies worldwide. Tying in with the books is a unique range of plush and arts & crafts products that recently earned a nomination at Germany’s Top 10 Toy Awards (2024). Julia, a cute and speedy little she-mouse, has moved from a distant island to a residential building, ‘The Mouse Mansion’, made of cardboard boxes, waste material, and vintage fabrics. A stranger to this place, she is delighted to meet Sam who also lives there and is a welcoming and crafty little he-mouse. Julia has only her mam, while Sam comes from a large family, but despite their different characters, the two become firm friends. The funny, entertaining adventures they experience in and around The Mouse Mansion help Julia integrate into this new environment where she feels more at home day after day, surrounded by her new neighbors and friends.