Melissa Vega
In only eighteen months since its launch, Folivari International has established itself as a key player in European animation distribution. Melissa Vega, Co-Founder and Head of Distribution and Acquisition, affirms that the strength of the catalog lies in the authenticity of the stories and in the way the company connects with audiences through digital strategies and solid partnerships with broadcasters.
One of the titles that best reflects this vision is “Samuel”, recently recognized as one of France’s major animation IPs. For Vega, its success lies in its target audience: “’Samuel’ reaches a very underexplored target — preteens — but it also connects with millennials and young adults. It’s a co-viewing show that brings families together,” she explained. Vega also emphasized the project’s authenticity and digital-first roots. The creator began by uploading shorts on TikTok and Instagram before being discovered by a producer in that ecosystem. “’Samuel’ is digital-first; it was born in the kids’ world and speaks their same language,” she pointed out.
Broadcasters’ support was equally decisive. ARTE France, Catalonia’s TV3, and Clan TVE backed the project from the very beginning, co-producing and designing a transmedia strategy that combined television and digital platforms. “They are very valuable partners who made its success possible,” Vega stressed, noting that this model will be the foundation for distribution in other territories.
Among its newest titles, Folivari International is preparing “The Adventures of Pil”, an animated series derived from the feature film released in 2021. The story follows Pil, a young heroine who protects her medieval village with her friends. The kingdom faces unusual challenges, such as the spell that turns its king into a “chickat” (half-chicken, half-cat) whenever he gets stressed. Combining adventure and comedy, the series already has three episodes available. The first 26 episodes will be ready in December, followed by 26 more in June 2026.
Another project in development is “Nino Dino”, co-produced with Belgium’s Take Five, renowned for their work on “Flow”. The series has the backing of VRT Ketnet and RTBF in Belgium, along with France Télévisions in France. “We are looking for more partners to pre-buy and apply for media funding in December. We want to add letters of interest and close pre-sales,” Vega revealed.
BALANCE AND FUTURE VISION
In just 18 months on the market, Folivari International has positioned several IPs internationally. For Vega, the outcome is positive and proves that the key lies in a clear editorial focus. “Our approach is creator-driven, with a very strong emphasis on the creative side, supporting creators throughout development. From the start, we think about how to reach audiences, including digital strategies,” she said.
The executive emphasized that every piece of content finds its audience when it is developed collaboratively: “Every project has an audience. That’s why we need to work hand-in-hand with broadcasters and producers from the development stage, to think about the best way to position each project.”