'Find me in Paris' saga woos global market as series evolves into long-running IP
UK’s ITV and further broadcasters/streamers snap up 'Find me in Paris' and 'Spellbound'
France/ Germany, November 9th, 2024
Federation Kids & Family and ZDF Studios, worldwide distributors of high-profile hit live action tween series FIND ME IN PARIS and its reboot SPELLBOUND, see phenomenal demand as the standout franchise seals its global appeal with further substantial deals.
Both Federation Kids & Family and ZDF Studios have closed a number of recent sales for the saga with leading international broadcasters and platforms.
Set to enchant UK viewers, SPELLBOUND Season 1 has been acquired by broadcaster ITV for ITVX. Darren Nartey, Acquisitions Manager, ITV adds: "We're looking forward to bringing Spellbound to our ITVX Kids offering in 2025 with Federation Kids & Family and ZDF Studios. It's a special show with great themes in an incredible setting that we're sure our family viewers will be charmed by."
FIND ME IN PARIS will be available on Netflix in the US, Canada, DACH, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Benelux, Nordics, LATAM (inc. Brazil), UK/IE, India, and META.
Further clients that have also taken SPELLBOUND Season 1 include SVT (Sweden), VRT (Belgium), Videoland (Netherlands), Sia All Media (Latvia), whilst NRK (Norway) and YLE (Finland) took Season 1 and 2. Already broadcasting Season 2 are Hulu (USA), ABC (Australia), EITB (Spain), RTBF (Belgium), and Radio Canada.
Hulu has renewed FIND ME IN PARIS (for all 3 seasons), and EITB (Spain) picked up Season 3.
Produced by Cottonwood Media, and rapidly evolving into a long-standing IP, FIND ME IN PARIS first premiered in 2018. This marked the first time a teen/family series was filmed in the Paris Opera House in over 30 years. And thanks to its outstanding success, was swiftly followed by a further two seasons, bringing the series total to 78 half hour episodes three years later. The series currently airs in over 90 territories worldwide.
In 2022, the continued allure of the drama spawned a magic/ballet-themed series reboot with SPELLBOUND (2 seasons to date) totalling 39 action-packed episodes.
Monica Levy, Co-Chief of Distribution, Federation Kids & Family said: “When the Palais Garnier opera opened its doors to our TV crew, we knew the setting was exquisite for our series and we had something magical. Fast forward 6 years, and with a total 117 episodes of the saga under our belt, we continue to experience incredible demand from new broadcasters, platforms, and others renewing numerous seasons.”
Arne Lohmann, VP Junior, ZDF Studios said: “We are proud of our long-standing and excellent partnership with Cottonwood Media, and the consistently outstanding production quality of our joint co-production projects. Working with ITV on Spellbound is a natural fit, and we are very excited that the series is now set up to capture the hearts of the UK audiences. We are delighted to be able to help spread this enchanting saga around the world through our distribution activities.”
FIND ME IN PARIS and SPELLBOUND are produced by Cottonwood Media with co-production partners ZDF, ZDF Studios and Opéra national de Paris, with broadcast partners Hulu and France TV.
Set against the backdrop of the iconic Palais Garnier in Paris, FIND ME IN PARIS combines world-class ballet, modern dance, drama, and comedy. The series follows the story of Lena Grisky, a time-travelling ballerina and princess from 1905 Russia trapped in modern day Paris, and the many dilemmas she faces finding her place between two worlds.
SPELLBOUND follows a 15-year-old girl who relocates from the US to France to study at the Paris Opera Ballet School, but things turn upside down when she discovers a book of spells in her Aunt’s apothecary and unknowingly casts the antidote to a protection spell that has been hiding her identity since she was a little girl. This exciting high-concept series combines ballet, magic, witchcraft, and more, with diversity and inclusivity at the heart of the production.
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About ZDF Studios
ZDF Studios is a commercial subsidiary of ZDF, one of the largest TV broadcasters in Europe. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Mainz, Germany, the ZDF Studios Group operates more than 30 direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates in Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom spanning TV production, distribution and services. The parent company, ZDF Studios, is responsible for global programme distribution, realisation of international co-productions, acquisition of licences and merchandising of successful programme brands under its own name, for ZDF and third parties. ZDF Studios has the largest German-language programme inventory in the world and a constantly growing range of international productions, consisting of series and mini-series, television films, documentaries and children's programmes. The companies of the ZDF Studios Group cover the entire value chain from the development of scripted and unscripted TV content to production, marketing and monetizing, including TV and streaming licences as well as merchandising and online rights. The positioning of ZDF Studios as an integrated media company enables the development of innovative, outstanding and high-quality programmes and makes the Group an attractive workplace for German and international talent to flourish in a very inspiring and creative environment.
In 2024, ZDF Studios was named Investor/Distributor of the Year at Cartoon Forum.
About Federation Kids & Family
Federation Kids & Family is a global kids’ content producer and distributor, and a division of Federation Studios, a leading global media powerhouse specializing in high-end international programming. Federation Kids & Family distributes premium original content featuring animated series and specials, as well as talent-driven live action drama series. Titles include LIVE ACTION tween series such as the K-pop inspired coming-of-age dramedy Gangnam Project, the global hit Find Me in Paris (ballet/time travel), Spellbound (witchcraft/ballet), Theodosia (period Egyptology-themed), ANIMATION series such Simon Super Rabbit (hit preschool long-running series), Monster Shaker, The New Adventures of the Triplets, The Ollie and Moon Show, Squish, Presto! School of Magic, and DOCU-STYLE series Let’s Dance, to name a few. Federation Kids & Family also focuses on building strategic partnerships and alliances with major international companies and broadcasters. www.federationstudios.com/genre/kids/
For media enquiries please contact:
Federation Kids & Family
Céline Xerri-Brook: celine@magena-media.com, tel: +44 (0)7957 334228
Valérie Tailland: valerie.tailland@fedent.com, tel: +33 (6) 82 57 06 09
ZDF Studios
Christine Denilauler: christine.denilauler@zdf-studios.com, tel: +49 6131-9911130