Sep 14, 2005

FOOTHILL HOT FOOTS IT TO MIPCOM JNR

California's Foothill Entertainment, which develops and distributes children's and family entertainment, is hitting Mipcom Jnr for the first time with newly acquired programming and an eye on expansion. Jo Kavanagh-Payne, president of the company, said: “We have a nice balance of completed shows and now we really want to build up the distribution area. We are looking for someone based in Europe. We know all the players but we need someone there to be up to date with all the markets.” At Mipcom Foothill is launching the animé-influenced My Little Fox (26x30') from Seoul Movie, about an angel banished to Earth as a fox. Also, it will be seeking further deals for fast-paced 2D/3D animated film Toy Warrior (1x76’), also from Seoul Movie. Showing at Mipcom for the first time, it has recently been sold to Jetix US and Cartoon Network UK for broadcast in the autumn. The boutique operation is also in discussion with both UK and US broadcasters to enter a development deal for design-based property Iconicles, created by Eric Radomski of US firm Phuuz Entertainment and Lois Lee. Intended as a starting point for early language and literacy programmes, the concept teaches and reinforces cognitive skills, and was a big hit when Foothill introduced it at the New York Licensing Show in June. Activity around classic animated property Batfink (100x5’), meanwhile, is also heating up. Foothill has North American rights and is in advanced discussions with a major US broadcaster that it hopes to announce before Mipcom. San Francisco-based Dimensional Branding Group is handling merchandise. Jo Anne Kenny 14 Sep 2005 © C21 Media 2005 Contact: Jo KavanaghPayne Gregory B Payne 805 965 4488