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Groupe Média TFO Launches Minivers, the First Interactive Children's Production Powered by its Virtual Universe Laboratory (LUV)TORONTO, Sept. 27, 2017 /CNW/ - On its September 16th season launch, Groupe Média TFO (GMTFO) unveiled its brand new production, MINIVERS, aimed at children aged 2-6. The series, available to all Franco-Canadians through a multiplatform broadcasting strategy, is the first dynamic and interactive production from GMTFO using the Virtual Universe Laboratory (LUV). Consisting of 40 7-minute episodes, MINIVERS is now available on the TFO channel and online through TFO.org, IDÉLLO and even the Mini ABC YouTube channel.
MINIVERS is the natural evolution of the Mini TFO clips towards a series of short episodes. With a focus on teaching problem resolution, MINIVERS relies on its original approach to regularly ask the viewer's participation, which ensures that the skills being transmitted are validated and integrated during each episode. Through various requests for interactions, MINIVERS keeps the young viewer interested and entertained, while deepening his or her knowledge. GMTFO uses the LUV as a way to foster interaction with the audience. The Virtual Universe Laboratory is a unique incubator of educational and digital products that combine video game technology with audiovisual content production, enabling our teams to create content unrestrained by the usual physical limitations. Backgrounds, accessories and other objects can be added almost in real time, without constraints. Thanks to this technology, viewers can dive into the world of the series' characters. "Content produced in Canada is usually more traditional. It is time to foster a technology-powered revolution in order to make our content match our ambitions. We are proud to be leaders in this digital turn and to show off our ability to create prime quality educational content, in French. Lst week, the LUV won in the Content Creation category of the IBC Innovations Awards in Amsterdam, underscoring its quality," said Glenn O'Farrell, President and Chief Executive Officer of Groupe Média TFO. Two Contests Invite Viewers to Be Part of the Series During the launch, GMTFO also opened its Mini Star contest, an opportunity for kids to become the star of one episode of MINIVERS. Until October 15th, applicants must visit Groupe Média TFO's Facebook page and listen, comment and share the Facebook Live video from September 16th. The selected child will be given the chance to play his or her role in a custom production of MINIVERS. Also in October, through a mobile app that will launch on iOS and Android platforms, parents and children will get to create their own MINIVERS scenes. Through the application, they will be able to reuse characters, locations and backgrounds they loved in the series, and submit their creations through the app. Participants could win the chance of their little scenario being reused by the MINIVERS team on YouTube and the TFO TV channel. "Thanks to the LUV's technology, MINIVERS provides much greater interactivity for viewers. We wanted to push the experience even further and directly involve our audiences, by inviting them to create their own MINIVERS story. With this app, kids will be able to express their creativity by creating their own episode using accessories, music and other decorative elements of their own choosing. They will also get to tell their own story and narrate it themselves," said Nadine Dupont, Director – Multiplatform Content. Prime Quality French-Language Educational Content for Children Through MINIVERS, GMTFO continues to fulfill its mandate: provide high quality educational children's content in French to the largest audience possible. Every episode focuses on a different theme, using various approaches and varied settings, which ensures broader learning for our young viewers. The various themes offered help kids learn more and open them up to the world through positive social values. About MINIVERS Following the great success of Mini TFO clips both online and on social media, GMTFO decided to create MINIVERS. This new series will be broadcast starting September 18th on multiple platforms, including the TFO channel, the TFO.org website, as well as IDÉLLO and the Mini ABC YouTube channel. Thanks to this multiplatform broadcasting strategy, MINIVERS will be available to all Franco-Canadians. Children will recognize their favourite Mini TFO heroes, such as Josée, Lexie and Christopher, who will each be playing the main role of episodes, in turn. The cast will also welcome new faces, including: Mamie Gâteau: A good-hearted and motherly grandma who is always up for an adventure. Whether we're looking to dance, play, help our friends, cook or have fun, there's no doubt she brings good humour and delight to the table. Yéti: A sweetheart in an oaf's body, Yéti is the child in us that might have grown up too quickly. Although he only speaks in sounds, Yéti never ceases to marvel at life's little pleasures. Mr. Gédetou: Hard-of-hearing, great talker Mr. Gédetou poetically trades his innumerable goods in exchange for nursery rhymes or smiles. The show will also features other endearing characters like mischievous monkey Bisbille, quirky and clumsy alien Xux, and the animated Couclous to introduce "mini-interludes". About Groupe Média TFO Groupe Média TFO is an essential destination for audiences seeking innovative educational and cultural content in French, at the vanguard of digital learning. TFO serves two million students and 30,000 teachers in Ontario and in Canada, and hosts the number 1 French-language YouTube channel in Canada. Groupe Média TFO has earned two YouTube Silver Play Buttons and over 350 million views for its 21-channels network. Its content has earned various awards, from Austin to Amsterdam: Kidscreen Awards, Gémeaux Awards, Cassies, IBC Awards, SXSW Film Design Awards, and many more. SOURCE Ontario French Language Educational Communications Authority (TFO) 
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