Dublin-based animation studio Geronimo Productions’ new children’s series ‘Nelly and Nora’ has been selected as one of four finalists for the MIPJunior International Pitching competition set to take place at MIPCOM in Cannes this October.
‘Nelly and Nora’ - which follows the adventures of two Irish sisters on holiday in a caravan park - also received €340,000 in funding from the BAI’s Sound & Vision Scheme this week, the fourth largest amount in this round.
Producer Gerard O’Rourke, who originated the series and developed it with writer & illustrator Emma Hogan, spoke of his delight at its MIPJunior selection as one of four children’s properties with the greatest potential for commissioning and licensing.
‘This is massive recognition for a collaboration of creative talents in Ireland - a little bit of imagination can go a very long way. It would be fantastic to have a camping holiday in Ireland as a worldwide TV series for younger children,’ he said.
Mr O’Rourke explained that the concept is ‘driven by the weather’ in that the two sisters dress for whatever Irish weather throws at them, while staying in their caravan park on a farm by the sea.
‘The project was inspired by our obsession with the weather and a typical Irish family holiday and how the weather plays such an important part in our everyday lives,’ he added.
Music for ‘Nelly and Nora’ was composed by John Walsh, with the title track ‘The Sun Is Gonna Shine’ performed by the Carnival Brothers.
Apart from the BAI, ‘Nelly and Nora’ also received funding from The Irish Film Board and RTÉjr and will feature at this month’s Cartoon Forum in Toulouse.
Geronimo Productions’ other animation credits include ‘Punky’, which is now in production on season two; ‘Planet Cosmo’, an astronomy show set to debut at Cannes; and ‘Ballybraddan’, an animated show about a school hurling championship.
