Kavaleer Productions has closed finance for another 26 episodes of their hit RTEjr show ‘Wildernuts’. The new episodes will bring to 52 the adventures of Cap’n Quilty and his intrepid crew as they scour the four corners of their island home for Treasures of Nature.
The new episodes will be directed by Aidan McAteer (‘Peppa Pig’), whose forthcoming short ‘Deadly’ premieres at the Galway Film Fleadh next month and will be produced by Jackie Leonard (‘Granny O’Grimm’) with Gary Timpson (‘Boj’, ‘Abadas’) and the show’s creator Andrew Kavanagh (‘Garth & Bev’) reprising their executive producer roles. The series received funding from RTÉ, the BAI, Irish Film Board and Section 481.
‘We are delighted to be making more Wildernuts stories,’ said Kavanagh. ‘Ireland’s ecology is such a rich subject matter and working on a show that celebrates our biodiversity is not only great fun but very rewarding as well.’
‘It’s truly encouraging for us to have the ongoing support of RTE, the Irish Film Board and the BAI on this little gem,’ added Timpson. ‘We always had faith in this show and for us to have such a strong support base in Ireland will really help us launch this property internationally.’
Wildernuts’ quirky take on Irish wildlife and habitats was an instant favourite when it launched on RTE’s dedicated children’s channel in January. It was snatched up for international distribution by the newly launched Tricon Kids & Family at MIPCOM 2013. Kavaleer also brought the series to the Annecy International Film Festival earlier this month. ‘Wildernuts’ was selected as part of the International Panorama for the Cartoons On The Bay International Television and Cross-Media Animation Festival, which took place in Venice last March.
The new episodes are currently in pre-production, with animation slated to kick off in September for air dates in 2015.
Kavaleer also launches a new show ‘Boj’ on RTEjr today, airing on weekdays at midday and 4:10.
