Zodiak Rights Secures Global Rights to Little Princess

Zodiak Rights, the former rights divisions of RDF Media Group and Zodiak Entertainment, has inked an acquisition deal with THE ILLUMINATED FILM COMPANY for the hit preschool property LITTLE PRINCESS.

Press Release from Zodiak Rights

Zodiak Rights, the former rights divisions of RDF Media Group and Zodiak Entertainment, has inked an acquisition deal with THE ILLUMINATED FILM COMPANY for the hit preschool property LITTLE PRINCESS.

The Little Princess television series is based on the best-selling children’s picture books by award-winning author/illustrator Tony Ross. Three series of Little Princess have been made at The Illuminated Film Company’s studio in Hammersmith totalling 104 episodes. The series currently airs on Five’s MILKSHAKE! slot in the UK, and on numerous channels internationally.

Matthew Frank, CEO, Zodiak Rights, said: “Little Princess is already a well-known and well-loved character around the globe. We are extremely excited to be part of one of the most exciting children’s properties on the market and are confident that through our expertise we can add further value to the brand.”

Iain Harvey, Producer, The Illuminated Film Company, said: “Just as our Little Princess bounces back from every setback with a large cheeky grin, I’m delighted to be working with Zodiak Rights on taking her on further adventures and to pastures anew. With a further series of 35 episodes now ready, featuring Brian Blessed as well as Jane Horrocks and Julian Clary, Little Princess is ready for the world once again!”

Zodiak Rights holds all future international broadcast rights (excluding Japan and Korea) and all licensing and merchandising rights (excluding publishing) to Little Princess. Zodiak Rights will be announcing international TV sales of the brand new series (series 3) and new licensees for the property in due course.

About Little Princess television series:Little Princess is full of energy, charm and questions about how the world works. As with most little children she has an irrepressible curiosity and is delightfully stubborn when things don’t go her way! But however demanding Little Princess gets, you can’t stay angry for long once she puts on her big smile and tries to make it all better.

True to the spirit of Tony Ross’s original books, the positive message delivered with each story is wrapped up in a warm blend of humour and surprise. Little Princess lives in the kingdom with the King and Queen, her best friends Puss, Scruff and teddy Gilbert and other members of the household including Prime Minster, Maid, General, Admiral, Gardener and Chef. Offering a ‘child’s eye’ view of life, Little Princess’s adventures deal with everyday challenges that children and their carers face together. Along with the colourful cast of charming and endearing characters, Little Princess conquers fears, confronts new situations and learns that sometimes things don’t go quite according to plan…

About The Illuminated Film Company:The Illuminated Film Company was formed at the beginning of 1993 by Iain Harvey (who had previously executive produced FATHER CHRISTMAS, THE SNOWMAN and WHEN THE WIND BLOWS, as well as producing PRINCE CINDERS) and produced its first animated series, THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR & OTHER STORIES, in the same year. The series was a great success, winning various festival prizes.

Illuminated followed this success with T.R.A.N.S.I.T (1997), which was nominated for a British Academy Award and the Cartoon d'Or, the animated feature film CHRISTMAS CAROL – THE MOVIE, released in 2001 through Pathé in the UK, and distributed throughout the rest of the world by MGM, and a half-hour animation special entitled WAR GAME (2002), a re-working of the children’s picture book by Michael Foreman, which has won numerous awards.

Illuminated has produced three series of LITTLE PRINCESS (100 x 11 mins and 2 x 22 mins), a three times BAFTA nominated animation aimed at pre-school children and based on the highly successful picture books by Tony Ross, and is in an advanced stage of development on NOT THE END OF THE WORLD (90 mins), a feature film based on the award winning book by Geraldine McCaughrean. In addition, Illuminated is in various stages of development on a number of television projects, including a new pre school series.

About Zodiak Rights:Zodiak Rights, part of Zodiak Media Group, is the new international rights business combining RDF Rights and Zodiak Entertainment Distribution, following the acquisition of RDF Media Group by Zodiak Media Group.

The company’s highly experienced sales teams operate on both sides of the Channel, with scripted programming sales in Paris, and factual and format sales out of London. Both offices have dedicated in-house Licensing Divisions who license, acquire and distribute rights for both adult and kids properties to the global marketplace.

Zodiak Rights award-winning scripted programming includes: Being Human the supernatural hit for BBC Three and Syfy US; Wallander the BAFTA award-winning drama series for BBC One starring Kenneth Branagh; Millennium the highest grossing Scandinavian movie of all time and Singlehanded the Irish and UK coproduction about a lone police sergeant in rural Ireland.

Finished programming and format highlights include: Fort Boyard the legendary adventure game show which has celebrated its 20th anniversary; The Secret Millionaire Channel 4’s philanthropic hit; The Best Singers the new Swedish primetime format; That’s My Kid a brand new family entertainment show being produced by Zodiak production companies across the globe and Location Location Location the UK’s premier property brand.

Zodiak Rights has a dedicated Family and Children’s distribution arm with kids programming made in France sold by the Paris office and programming made in the UK sold out of the London office.

The family and children’s catalogue includes; Waybuloo the CBeebies pre-school hit; Totally Spies the international hit animation series; Rekkit Rabbit the brand new animated series for TF1; Mister Maker the ultimate arts and craft show and Gormiti the long awaited animated kids series originated from the extraordinary success of the figurine range that has achieved over 100 million sales.

For more information on Zodiak Rights and its programming please visit www.zodiakrights.com