Three New Deals For It’s A Wild Life

Following on from the incredible global success of Masha and the Bear, Ink Global will be showcasing a brand new property on stand A136 at the 2015 Licensing Expo in Las Vegas – Zafari.

Zafari is the brainchild of David Dozoretz – an animation visionary who worked on the Star Wars prequels and contributed to major movies such as Jurassic Park, Forrest Gump and Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. With a multi-million euro budget in place, this sumptuous animation tells the story of a group of animal friends who live together in Zafari – a land that’s home to a collection of unique inhabitants who have all been magically born with the skin of other animals. The series follows the adventures of Zoomba – a little elephant with zebra stripes – as he explores and makes sense of the world. Zafari concentrates on the themes of inclusivity and friendship, showing kids that everybody is unique in some way and that differences should be celebrated.

Vegas visitors will also get the chance to find out more about Masha and the Bear. The global hit comprises 52 x 7 minute episodes (with 12 episodes more planned by mid-2017) and 26 x 5.5min Masha Tales, all of which chronicle the adventures of a little girl called Masha and the bear who becomes her reluctant playmate. The cartoon is the work of leading Russian animation studio Animaccord and was named best animation in the Creative Talent category at the 2015 Kidscreen Awards. Licensees have been quick to tap into the brand’s popularity, which is bolstered by a strong presence on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, and the property boasts hundreds of partners across Europe.

“These two brands capture the essence of what we’re doing at Ink Global, as they offer originality and fresh storytelling combined with licensing potential,” says Ink Director Claus Tømming. “We want to talk to partners who are ready to capitalise on this and offer something truly different to consumers.”