Kids
EdizPiemme looking to outsource 3D animation to Indian studios
CANNES: Italy based kids books publisher EdizPiemme plans to create a 3D feature around its popular character Geronimo Stilton and is here at Mipcom Junior looking for European co-production partners. Interestingly the publisher plans to outsource a part of its animation production work to India. Geronimo Stilton – created by a “secret” author working with EdizPiemme five years ago – has featured in more than 100 titles (128 pages each) which have sold more than 10 million copies in Italy alone. The titles have been translated into 33 languages the world over. |
Geronimo is an academic-looking mouse, who, like a kind teacher guides and tutors children through the illustrated book, teaching them everything from how diamonds are created to how a rainbow is formed. Says International Characters (a company which is helping EdizPiemme‘s in its international expansion) Pietro Marietti, “We are looking to produce an animated feature around Geronimo for a global audience, because we believe that the character lends itself very well to animation too.” He adds, “We plan to co-produce Geronimo with European partners and will outsource part of the work to Asia and probably India if they can give us outstanding 3D quality. India is on our radar because we are aware that a lot of animation production work from Italy and France is already being done there.” Marietti says the company would like to publish Geronimo in Hindi and is looking to tie up with Indian book distributors for the same. “We are looking to attend the biggest book fair in India,” he says. With Disney‘s Mickey Mouse increasingly scurrying around in India thanks to the launch of the Disney Channel, will we see another mouse also looking for the Indian cheese? Who knows? If Marietti could have his way and he finds the right connection, Geronimo might actually enjoy a lot more than that. |
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.
