Kids
Nelvana Home Ent inks non-theatrical deal with Criterion Pictures
MUMBAI: Nelvana Home Entertainment and Criterion Pictures have inked a five-year agreement for the non-theatrical distribution of titles from Nelvana’s library of animated programming.
Under the terms of the deal, Criterion Pictures picks up distribution rights to Anatole (episodes 1 to 26); Babar (episodes 1 to 78), The Berenstain Bears (episodes 1 to 40), Corduroy (episodes 1 to 13), Franklin (episodes 1 to 78), Little Bear (episodes 1 to 52) and Elliot Moose (episodes 1 to 13), with other titles under consideration.
Available in both English and French, the shows will be offered to all major non-theatrical channels including schools/school boards, daycare centres, libraries and museums.
“This deal is consistent with Nelvana Home Entertainment’s long-term plan to operate in all distribution channels, working with the experts in those areas. Nelvana endeavours to strike a balance between educational curriculum and entertaining programming, which has made our library long sought-after in educational markets. We have finally entered this burgeoning market with a partner that continues to set the benchmark for content distribution and emerging technologies,” said Nelvana vice president home entertainment and retail distribution Peter Maule.
“Criterion Pictures, and Visual Education Centre, an associated company, is the principal provider of audiovisual learning resources to Canadian schools, representing many of the most respected producers from around the world. We are proud to have this opportunity to make Nelvana’s children’s programs available to schools and libraries throughout the country. We are confident that this collection will make an invaluable contribution to the educational community because of their sensitivity to Canadian cultural and learning themes, and their world-class production values,” said Criterion Pictures president and CEO John Fisher.
Kids
Mukta Arts and Green Gold ink MOU to animate iconic film IPs
Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan to spawn animated shows plus features.
MUMBAI: When classic hindi movie meets animation, the result is a fresh reel of nostalgia with a cartoon twist. Mukta Arts Ltd. and Green Gold Animation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on animated shows and feature films drawn from Mukta Arts’ four-decade treasure trove of iconic IPs. The partnership taps Mukta’s SGM Animation Studio launched in 2025 as its dedicated animation and games arm and Green Gold’s proven track record in building scalable, homegrown franchises. Creative teams from both sides have already kicked off discussions, with the first project currently in development.
The slate will draw inspiration from landmark Mukta films including Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan, Khalnayak, Saudagar and Iqbal, plus character-led spin-offs from those universes. The aim is to reimagine these stories for today’s young, global audiences while preserving their emotional core.
Green Gold Animation (home of Chhota Bheem) founder and CEO Rajiv Chilaka said, “This partnership with SGM Studios allows us to apply our experience in building long-lasting animation IPs to a truly iconic film catalogue. Together, we aim to create animated worlds that are rooted in these legendary stories, yet designed to connect with today’s young, global audiences.”
Mukta Arts Ltd. filmmaker and founder Subhash Ghai added, “Mukta Arts has always believed in creating stories with lasting emotional value. Through animation, we are extending our IP into a new medium for the next generation.”
In an industry where timeless tales never go out of fashion, this collaboration promises to bring beloved characters back to life with a modern, animated glow proving that some stories are too good to stay in live-action. Stay tuned for the first animated frame to drop.
