Hanna Mouchez
Founded in 2016 by Hanna Mouchez, MIAM! is a Paris-based independent and integrated group of three companies active in the development, production, and international distribution of high-quality animated and hybrid programs. MIAM! Animation is in charge of the development, financing, production, and co-production of animated series such as "Edmond & Lucy"; "The Tinies"; and "Goat Girl." Then, MIAM! Distribution controls the global distribution of those series. "We currently work with 21 independent production companies, all led by talented producers whom we are very proud to work with", highlighted Hanna Mouchez, CEO & Executive Producer. Finally, MIAM! Studio is where they handle the line production of their real-time CG animated series. "Since 2019, we have started developing an innovative and sustainable real-time 3D production pipeline. Our goal is to be able to produce top-quality animation series while reducing their carbon footprint and controlling production costs and timelines," explained Mouchez.
The executive mentioned that the animation industry is facing the same significant challenges as all other content genres: how to keep on producing while there are wars in Europe, while essential resources are scarce, the number of potential broadcasting partners is fewer, and their budgets are globally being reduced, and, most of all, while worldwide global biodiversity is at risk challenging the possibility to keep on living on this planet. "Yet, to face the situation lucidly, the first step is to build a battle plan. We work in the animation industry, and our job is to tell stories and spread them worldwide to kids and families. What an opportunity to bring hope, joy, and meaningful content to trigger an impact on behaviors," Mouchez expressed. "The animation industry, just like any other, is GHG productive. We can have a positive impact on such GHG by adapting our production pipeline. As managers and decision-makers, we need to train ourselves to understand the priorities of action. We also need to train our teams. The positive element is that the European regulation and most broadcasters and financing partners, such as the French CNC, are aligned to support sustainable productions and inclusion and diversity within production teams. Producers, studios, and distributors have also joined forces to anticipate the situation, adapt our work patterns and studio facilities to reduce our carbon impact, and train our talents. It's the beginning of a greater change, and the first seeds are very promising," she completed.
NEW PRODUCTIONS
MIAM! studio is producing "The Tinies," its newest preschool sitcom comedy in co-production with Panique! and Lunanime, and commissioned by Canal+ in France and VRT in Belgium. "With 'The Tinies,' we aim to offer children a different way of buying toys by suggesting they do the same as their idols, meaning collecting the packaging that has been put in the recycling bin and playing at reusing it, giving it a new purpose and therefore reducing the quantity of plastic and cardboard on Earth," commented Mouchez. "The Tinies" is a comedy about empathy, creativity, and self-confidence, and the first episode will be available on Mipcom. On the other hand. MIAM! Animation is also producing "Goat Girl" (26x11') in co-production with Daily Madness and Thuristar. It is a 2D animated quirky comedy (6-10 yo) led by a hero who tackles every challenge with a goat-like stubbornness and strength. "Gigi's journey is about being comfortable in her skin, being happy being herself, and embracing differences and even her peculiarities," Mouchez said.
MIAM! Distribution is bringing "Our Summer of Freedom" (6x26') to MIFA in competition at the Annecy Festival. Darjeeling produces the show in a co-production with Belgium's Panique!, Lunanime, and broadcasters RTBF and VRT. The series, through the adventure of four children in Algiers in 1955, deals with topics like cohabitation among different communities, social justice, and intergenerational dialogue. "Five European broadcasters are already on board: RTBF, VRT, France Télévisions DR and RTS, as well as TV5 monde," Mouchez mentioned. "The show is about universal themes. It explores how children can transcend community differences, advocating for justice and understanding across communities. The series nurtures a dialogue across generations, ensuring that history is not just what we learned from books but shared within families and schools, shaping our collective future," Mouchez concluded.
By Romina Rodríguez