A deep respect for storytelling and a commitment to quality, imagination, and emotional resonance drive Magic Light Pictures' approach to selecting stories or books to adapt. The production and distribution company has been adapting Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's books with great success and plans to continue doing so. "We look for source material with strong narrative integrity, richly drawn characters, and themes that speak to both children and families," explained Marc Ollington, Co-Managing Director at the company. "Our creative vision is to bring timeless, visually distinctive stories to life in a way that feels authentic to the original work while translating beautifully to the screen. We're particularly drawn to books that offer warmth, humour, and a sense of wonder, qualities central to our adaptations of works like The Gruffalo, Tiddler, and Zog," he added, stating that collaboration is also key. "We work closely with the authors, illustrators, and our creative teams to ensure every adaptation remains faithful to the spirit of the original while taking advantage of the unique storytelling opportunities that animation offers. Ultimately, our editorial direction is guided by a passion for stories that inspire, entertain, and endure."
What matters most to Magic Light is that the story remains at the centre of everything they do. "We're always clear on why we want to tell it," asserted producer Barney Goodland. "The challenge is to balance the creative technique with the budget, but putting the time into the story helps with that and gives us the best chance to appeal to a wide audience," he said.
Another key priority is sustainability and ethical production, which have always been foundational principles for Magic Light, both in developing and building brands and in their film and television production practices. "We have an internal green group that meets bi-monthly to discuss sustainability initiatives across the company and provide a forum to share ideas and new thinking," underlined Associate Producer Stefano Dunne. "More broadly, we as an industry need to take more drastic steps and find innovative solutions to reduce our carbon footprint, particularly in data rendering," he added.
UPCOMING PROJECTS
Magic Light constantly explores new ideas to develop its existing IPs and connect with young audiences across linear and digital platforms, always emphasizing quality over quantity. "We are currently in production on 'Zog', a series of 52x11' animated episodes for 4–6-year-olds, commissioned by BBC and ZDF. The series derives from the two half-hour specials we previously made, based on the wonderful books by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler," commented Michael Rose, Joint CEO of the company. "We also have a new Christmas special in production, set to premiere on BBC One, with others in development," he added.
Having achieved significant international success, global distribution is pivotal in Magic Light Pictures' ongoing growth strategy. "From the beginning, we've focused on creating high-quality animated specials and series that resonate with audiences worldwide," noted Muriel Thomas, Distribution Director. "Our stories have a timeless, universal appeal that transcends language and cultural barriers, making them ideal for global distribution," she added. Over the years, Magic Light has built a carefully curated catalog of award-winning specials, including 'The Gruffalo', 'Zog', 'The Snail and the Whale', and more recently 'Tiddler', as well as series like 'Pip and Posy'. "These films continue to perform exceptionally well internationally across traditional broadcast, on-demand platforms, and even in cinemas," Thomas said. "Buyers consistently respond to the high production values, distinctive storytelling, and depth of the characters. There is a strong ongoing appetite for content that parents and children can enjoy together, and our slate speaks directly to that need," she noted.
As the market evolves, Magic Light is actively exploring all relevant distribution channels, from free TV to premium VOD, and partnering with platforms recognizing the enduring value of quality family content. "This flexible, audience-first approach allows us to tailor our strategy to each territory while continuing to expand our international footprint," she concluded.