ZDF, France Televisions Approve Cottonwood Media’s ’20 Dance Street’ Ballet Series

Two major European TV broadcasters, Germany’s ZDF and France Televisions, have joined forces on the CGI animated comedy-drama “20 Dance Street,” which has received the green light for production. This collaboration between the public broadcasters marks an exciting development in children’s animation.

France Televisions has already secured the series in a pre-sale deal. Additionally, Belgium’s public broadcaster RTBF has acquired the series for Belgium, demonstrating a strong interest in the show’s potential appeal across Europe.

“20 Dance Street,” produced by Federation Studios’ Cottonwood Media, is being handled for international distribution by Federation Kids & Family and ZDF Studios. It will be showcased to potential buyers at upcoming events like Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Le Havre this week and the Cannes Mipcom trade fair next month. Consisting of 26 half-hour episodes, it stands out as one of the significant new European animated series.

The series’ journey to production has been noteworthy, especially considering the challenging commissioning landscape for animation. This success underscores the crucial role of state-owned TVs in Europe in continuing to support such projects.

Pre-production of “20 Dance Street” will commence this fall, in partnership with the prestigious Paris National Opera. This collaboration places the series in line with other successful Cottonwood projects like “Find Me in Paris” and “Spellbound.” Targeted at children aged 6-11, “20 Dance Street” emphasizes diversity, building on elements introduced in “Spellbound.”

The story revolves around Maya, an 11-year-old girl from the Caribbean who moves to Paris to join the Paris Opera Ballet School. The move significantly alters her life’s path. According to the show’s synopsis, Maya’s resilience and altruism guide her through the challenges and joys of her new life as she pursues her dream of becoming a prima ballerina.

Combining drama and comedy, “20 Dance Street” follows Maya’s first year at ballet school, providing a central narrative arc that unfolds over the series. The creators are confident that Maya’s journey will resonate with young viewers. Cottonwood Media’s co-founders David Michel, Cécile Laurenson, and Zoé Carrera Allaix noted that the series addresses relatable themes such as friendship, abandonment, joy, and betrayal, ensuring it captivates its audience.

The series is based on the French children’s book series “20 allée de la danse” by Elizabeth Barféty, which has been widely published across Europe. Since 2016, Barféty has released 20 books, bringing a modern sensibility and rich source material to the animated adaptation.

In a conversation with Variety, Michel commented on the broadening appeal of ballet, noting that while historically it was seen as elite, it has recently become more inclusive, especially in the U.S. “20 Dance Street” aims to reflect this shift and widen its attraction.

The show’s development has been led by Christel Gonnard, co-writer of the animated TV hit “Heidi,” and directed by Romy Yao, known for work on “Funan” and “Sherlock Gnomes.” The character designs are by David François.

Targeting the older children’s age group of 6-11 allows “20 Dance Street” to explore more sophisticated themes and employ ultra-realistic dance scenes, created through motion capture by Paris Opera dancers. This approach aims to deliver an immersive experience comparable to live-action drama series.

Nicole Keeb, Head of International Co-productions and Acquisitions, Children and Youth programs at ZDF, expressed excitement about the project. She described “20 Dance Street” as a new and deeply moving adventure following the success of their earlier high-profile live-action series, “Find Me in Paris” and “Spellbound.”

Arne Lohmann, VP Junior at ZDF Studios, shared similar enthusiasm, stating that they were immediately captivated by Maya’s story and the adaptation of Elizabeth Barféty’s books for the screen.

Source: Variety