Frima and Groupe Média TFO launch MaXi, the very first Canadian animated series for young people, formatted and designed first for smartphones and tablets

QUÉBEC CITY, Oct. 26, 2016 /CNW/ - At Pixel Animation/Cartoon Connection, the greatest gathering of the industry of animation in Canada, the digital entertainment studio Frima and Groupe Média TFO, the leader in educational and innovative content in French in North America, will launch MaXi, a brand-new animation series for young people designed first for smartphones and tablets.

MaXi reinvents industry practices by offering young people a new immersive entertainment experience on smartphones and tablets. MaXi will be available for iOS and Android, as well as in linear format for television through 26 episodes, each 11 minutes long. MaXi is slated for release in Spring 2017.

A series formatted for the consumption habits of the new generation

Unique and gripping, the series has been formatted to respond to the transformation of the consumption habits of children aged 9 to 12 in their use of smartphones and tablets. The MaXi mobile experience, which is rich and immersive, will enable users to explore the series' wacky universe, particularly by unlocking multiple content when viewing it and by creating interactive cartoons they can share with friends.

A 100% Canadian production aimed at conquering the planet

MaXi is a 100% French-language production, born of the expertise of Groupe Média TFO and Frima in producing innovative educational, cultural and technological content. The two partners have begun to deploy a strategy to distribute their productions throughout the world, which will extend the reputation of our creative team internationally.

Financed by the Canada Media Fund and the Bell Fund, the series also has an original Franco-Ontario and Québec cast, including Sarah-Jeanne Labrosse, Nicolas Charbonneaux, Mathieu Pichette, Martin Watier and Annie Girard.

An innovative and original series, designed to charm the entire family

MaXi's approach is simultaneously educational, subtle, fun and ecological, while making the public aware of the impacts of human activity on the environment. Adventures both original and contemporary have been fashioned to charm the enire family and promote participation by children along with their parents.

The series will transport girls and boys into the incredible adventures of Mara and Xilo (MaXi), as the part-time Siamese teens explore the fantasy world of Vakarma, where music, the environment, humour and games intermingle.

The series stars a generous young girl, who asserts her leadership and convictions, all in a strong musical setting. In that fantasy universe, MaXi highlights dialogue, exploration and the promotion of the differences of each person by spurring 9-to-12-year-olds to get to know others.

An ambitious production inspired by a common vision

"We are proud to support French-language innovation in the production of content for young people aged 9 to 12. The production of a series designed first for smartphones and tablets is in keeping with the digital shift we have begun at Groupe TFO. We hope to make use of these platforms in an innovative manner to serve the learning public in Ontario, Canada and elsewhere in the world", said Groupe Média TFO´s President and CEO, Glenn O'Farrell.

"In developing our first animation series with original content, we could not have found a better partner than Groupe Média TFO, which shares our vision of innovation in the production of interactive content and products. MaXi embodies Frima's transmedia vision in creating intellectual property and incorporates the knowledge developed by our teams of the digital entertainment preferences of our publics. We now hope to spread this Franco-Canadian production through a distribution strategy in North America and internationally", Valérie Hénaire, Frima Originals' Vice-President, Intellectual Property, stated.

A turning point this fall for Groupe Media TFO – PBS and LUV

MaXi comes in the wake of strategic achievements by Groupe Média TFO:

• the signing with PBS Learning Media of an historic partnership, on October 17, to distribute its educational content on the platforms in 55 states and territories, and
• the creation of a brand-new production process, LUV (Laboratoire d´Univers Virtuel), which will be unveiled tomorrow, in Toronto.

The initiatives of Groupe Média TFO testify to its culture of bold innovation, in keeping with its mission to provide public educational media in a digital environment.

About Frima
Frima (www.frimastudio.com) is a leader in the entertainment and innovation industry. Since its creation in 2003, the company has developed a wide range of digital products, from video games to visual effects to animation. Frima's know-how also includes virtual reality, augmented reality, and connected toys. In addition to working in close collaboration with such prominent partners as LEGO, Mattel, Oddworld, Zynga, Ubisoft, Hasbro, and Electronic Arts, Frima's original property division has released several hit titles, the likes of Chariot, Nun Attack, Talent not included and FATED. With close to 400 industry professionals on-board, the studio launches high-quality products that stand out both artistically and technologically.

About Groupe Média TFO
Groupe Média TFO is a premium destination for audiences seeking educational and cultural content in French. It offers stimulating experiences and award-winning content, always at the forefront of digital learning. It operates the number one French-language YouTube Channel in Canada. TFO has received awards and accolades from Austin and Amsterdam (Kidscreen Awards, Gémeaux, Cassies, IBC Awards, SXSW Film Design Awards and more). Proud of its public heritage, it celebrates "la Francophonie" in Ontario and elsewhere in the world. More information about Groupe Media TFO is available at www.groupemediatfo.org or by following TFO on Groupe Media TFO on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Groupe Média TFO

[ Back To Mobile World Congress's Homepage ]