Nelvana: local talent for export

This milestone brings important news to the company: on the one hand, an expansion of its content offer, and on the other, new partnerships with emerging talent for creation and other alliances with streaming platforms for international broadcasting. The group has three main business lines: television, production and international distribution. Regarding the first one, Pam Westman, president, defined: 'There is a greater demand for premium content from broadcasters around the world, both for their linear and broadcast platforms'.

Nelvana has been working collaboratively with global and regional partners to offer original content that 'will help them grow viewership and subscribers in their markets', she said. And she added: 'The increased number of platforms led to increased demand: platforms are buying more content even before the production greenlight in order to guarantee content for their audiences'. 

In terms of production, the company generates reference children's content in the industry, both animated and live action, where Nelvana is 'significantly' to reinforce its line up. 'The production strategy includes development + production of even more creator-driven content and collaborations with top-tier partners: with TIME Studios Kids and Family on Leela's Island, created by Fracaswell Hyman, Perez-Brown and Janice Burgess; with iconic creator Keith Chapman on Bella's Bro Bots and award-winning Indigenous writer and illustrator Kyle Charles. We continue to expand to additional content formats and styles'

Another example showing efforts to nurture local talent is Super Wish. Co-created by Vanessa Esteves and Adrian Thatcher, it is currently being produced by redknot, Nelvana's joint venture with Discovery. 'It will launch later this year on Treehouse (Canada) and Discovery Kids Latin America, and has generated tremendous interest from best-in-class broadcast partners', said Westman.

As for live action, The Hardy Boys has been very successful: 'The first season received industry-wide recognition, earning a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Young Adult Series, three Screen Award nominations for "Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series", "Best Director, Children or Youth and Best Photography", as well as two nominations for the DGC award and one nomination for the CSC award. The first season premieres internationally on Disney+, and S2 is expected on Hulu in the USA and YTV (Canada)', the executive commented.

Third, distribution. Westman: 'The team has been working closer than ever with our partners around the world. We currently produce Super Wish and Agent Binky: Pets of the Universe through redknot, and co-producing shows with Nickelodeon such as Hamsters of Hamsterdale and Zokie Sparkleby (working titles)'.

Nelvana has 'strong' relationships with major IP owners to bring new animations to life. 'A good example is our joint venture with Mattel for Thomas & Friends to 2D animation. We've also been offering key partners a first look at our content for pre-purchase opportunities that secure exclusive rights in their territories. In addition to US and global partners, we are looking for partnerships and collaborations with broadcasters in EMEA', Westman remarked.

“We have received tremendously positive feedback from our Black Write talent incubator program, which is the initiative designed to discover, support and mentor emerging black storytellers and illustrators. We are excited to continue expanding into new formats and styles of content, such as live action, and look forward to announcing many more notable partnerships and initiatives over the next year."