Special Event: NATPE

Buena Vista International Television has an original new animated show to sell at NATPE 2004, DISNEYS DAVE THE BARBARIAN, which debuts at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 23, 2004 on the Disney Channel. Produced by Walt Disney Television Animation, the 21x30 comedy series was created by Doug Langdale.

Grace Animation Studios ceo Christopher Turner is assembling a production team to produce 26 new animated half-hour series of the THE AVENGING APES OF AFRICA (AAoA) for worldwide distribution. Grace will be showing a promo and first episode of the series at NATPE.

THE AVENGING APES OF AFRICA is an exciting action/adventure series for kids 6-12, where five transmuted ape brothers, and their exploration friends span the globe protecting and defending all animals of the world from the dreaded Mr. Harry B. Richborne and his worldwide band of pitiless poachers.

ValCom Inc. is presenting the 3D animation series, NEW ZOO REVUE at NATPE 2004 at booth 473. The original people-in-suits series debuted in syndication in the U.S. in 1971 and reached more than 100 million viewers.

Vince Vellardita and Barbara Atlas are co-exec producing the project with Dotan Koskas serving as animation producer and co-producton partner O Atlas Enterprises. The musical show follows the adventures of Charlie the Owl, Henrietta Hippo, Freddie the Frog, Freeda the Frog and humans like Mr Dingle, Doug and Emmy-Jo.

The National Film Board of Canada will be at NATPE this year with NOËL NOËL, an animated Christmas special narrated by Leslie Nielsen, that revives the great tradition of children's fairy tales.

The title character in this whimsical half-hour is a misguided billionaire, who falls in love with Beatrice, a bespectacled fairy who prefers words of love to rivers of diamonds. Thanks to little Zoey, her dog Snooze and a blue-eyed reindeer, Noel Noël finally realizes that money doesn't bring happiness, and that to be happy, you have to listen to your heart.

Mike Young Prods. has a strong hand of five animated shows it is holding to deal at NATPE in Las Vegas. Regis Brown, vp of international distribution thinks his ace in the hole is the captivating 3D series for young children, JAKERS! THE ADVENTURES OF PIGGLEY WINKS, which debuted to great reviews September 7, 2003 on PBS Kids in the U.S.

Studio B is heading to NATPE this year with a bagful of new shows in development, new sales deals for existing series and brand extension plans for original properties.

A newcomer to NATPE, Anime Network president Kevin Corcoran will join fellow industry leaders in a discussion on Video On Demand. He will also be looking for more product to add to the A. D. Vision catalog and shows to air on his network, at booth 1242.

CABLEreadys NATPE Food Project will mark its 11th year of community service this January 2004 by again encouraging exhibitors to donate leftover food from show booths and parties to the Community Food Bank of Clark County. This industry volunteer effort was launched in 1993 by Gary Lico, president/ceo of the international program distribution and development company, after he noticed the amount of food wasted each year at the annual convention.