BAFTA-winning and EMMY nominated children’s television producer Sixteen South Originals together with co-producer Letko today announced their new preschool series, Odo, has been commissioned by KiKA and Channel 5 for its multiplatform pre-school programming block Milkshake!
Odo is produced by Sixteen South and Letko and co-produced with KiKA and Milkshake! The show has been commissioned with support from the government-funded Young Audiences Content Fund (YACF), which is managed by the BFI and supports the creation of distinctive, high-quality content for young audiences, Northern Ireland Screen and the Polish Film Institute. The series is also being produced in association with Canal+ and S4C.
The 52 x 7’ hand-drawn 2.5D animation, is a co-production between Sixteen South and Polish animation studio Letko who created the look for the series based on artwork by illustrator Alena Tkatch. The show’s beautiful lighting and shading gives it a 3D feel in a 2D world – dubbed 2.5D by its creators.
Sixteen South Originals showrunner Colin Williams said, “I am thrilled to be in production with this very special show. When we created it in 2018, we were really concerned at the growing levels of anxiety and depression in children. After what our kids have been through in the last 12 months, now more than ever, this really is a show for its time. We’re thrilled to have lots of new voices in our writing team and we’re not shying away from telling stories that need to be told – stories addressing racism, welcoming the migrant, adoption, loneliness and friendship groups. Odo is a cheeky but lovable character with bags of self-belief. To have the opportunity to once again co-produce with our beloved partners at KiKA and Milkshake! is just wonderful.”
Currently in production, Odo the series aimed at kids aged three to five is set to premiere in summer 2021. It follows the adventures of Odo, the littlest owl at the Forest Camp who is determined to prove that despite his size, he is every bit as capable as all the bigger birds.
The series aims to teach young children self-efficacy and to believe in themselves to help combat the alarming rise in anxiety and depression levels in today’s children. Comedic and warm, with a genuine gender-free hero, the stories also deal with important themes such as immigration, racism, respect for others, and show kids how to deal with setbacks in a meaningful way while fostering the development of social skills.
ViacomCBS Networks UK & Ireland VP kids programming Louise Bucknole said: “Just like our pre-school audience, the young birds at Forest Camp are all growing and developing their personalities and their voices, as they discover the world around them whilst having lots of fun. The series teaches them important life lessons while being friendship focussed, inclusive and full of curious wonder. We know our viewers will really relate to Odo and his adventures and the series will soon be flying high!”
