TwelveP Animation and Powerkids Entertainment to co-produce first international animated series from Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi-based TwelveP Animation has partnered with Singapore's Powerkids Entertainment to co-produce Adventures of Akira & Mowgli, a new spin-off of the beloved The Jungle Book animated franchise. This international collaboration marks a historic milestone as the first-ever animated co-production of its kind originating from Abu Dhabi, and one of the pioneering efforts in the UAE's animation industry.
The upcoming series introduces a fresh twist to the classic tale, with Mowgli joined by a daring new female lead, Akira. Together, they embark on thrilling jungle adventures filled with emotion, comedy, and vibrant visuals designed to resonate with global audiences.
Scriptwriting duties are in the hands of writers Jeff Sager and Eric Steinhart, known for their work on hit children's series such as PJ Masks, Super Wings, Paw Patrol, Dino Ranch and The Snoopy Show. Production is currently moving at a rapid pace, with initial episodes expected to be delivered by mid-2025.
The project has attracted a consortium of high-profile co-producers, including BeIN (Qatar), De Planeta (Latin America), Telegael (Ireland) and Wall Peep (India), further reinforcing the series' global appeal and production muscle.
Even ahead of its official release, Adventures of Akira & Mowgli is already garnering industry recognition. Powerkids CEO Manoj Mishra has been honoured with the Best Producer award at the ANN Award 24, and the series has secured a nomination for Best International Showcase at the Cartoon on the Bay Pulcinella Awards.
Speaking about the partnership and the animated series, Katerina Pshenitsyna, General Manager, TwelveP Animation, said: 'We, as TwelveP Animation, are happy to be the pioneering company from Abu Dhabi to structure an international co-production in animation based on the world standards! This puts Abu Dhabi on the map for the International Animation Society as well as allows for more future collaborations in the field. It is also a milestone for TwelveP itself as we diversify our activity from distribution to co-financing and co-producing family-friendly projects with international appeal. We believe that Akira & Mowgli has everything to become a successful global IP.'
Manoj Mishra, CEO, Powerkids Entertainment, added: 'This innovative show introduces Akira, a bold and fearless new female protagonist, who joins the beloved Mowgli in this new jungle adventure brimming with heart, humour, and stunning animation. Together, we'll share the enigmatic world of Akira and Mowgli with audiences, unfolding their story in a way that's full of adventure and excitement.'
Latifa Abdulla Al-Mana, Director of Kids Content and Channels, beIN MENA, commented: 'We are delighted to co-produce Adventures of Akira & Mowgli, and are excited to exclusively bring it to millions of children across the Middle East and North Africa. This partnership further reinforces beIN's long-standing commitment to delivering high-quality, family-friendly Arabic content to young audiences in the region through our leading kids' channels – Baraem and Jeem TV.'
Paul Cummins, CEO of Telegael, stated: 'Telegael is excited to partner with our colleagues at Powerkids Entertainment to bring the exciting adventures of Akira and Mowgli to audiences around the world. Building on the huge success of The Jungle Book series, Mowgli, Baloo, Bagheera, Sherekhan and Kaa meet the fresh energy of our new protagonist, Akira, a fearless girl from a nearby village with a strong character. Together, our heroes Akira and Mowgli outsmart mischievous foes, uncover ancient jungle secrets and learn the true meaning of friendship, courage and nature's balance.'
Carlos Biern – Content & Media Sales Director, DeAplaneta Entertainment, noted: 'At DeAPlaneta Entertainment, we are always looking for new opportunities to collaborate with leading studios worldwide, and Asia is a key region for us. This is a great moment to explore spin-offs of classic stories with universal appeal, bringing them to a global audience. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we are thrilled to work with internationally renowned and award-winning studios like Powerkids, sharing our passion for storytelling and high-quality entertainment.'
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