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‘Edmond and Lucy' Returns With Season 2 From MIAM! Animation: Feature Adaptation in Development

‘Edmond and Lucy' Returns With Season 2 From MIAM! Animation: Feature Adaptation in Development

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Paris-based MIAM! Animation is bringing back its popular preschool series 'Edmond and Lucy' for a second season. Following the success of Season 1, which has been sold in over 150 countries and won the 2023 Unifrance Export Award for best-selling French animated series of the year , the new season will consist of 26 episodes, each 12 minutes long.
The CG-animated series is based on the books by Astrid Desbordes and Marc Boutavant, published by Nathan. It follows the adventures of Edmond the squirrel and Lucy the bear cub, who live in a majestic tree in the heart of a large forest. The show blends humor, nature, and friendship, and stands out for its commitment to ecological values and digital innovation.
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Season 2's greenlight was announced at Annecy on Wednesday during a France Télévisions press conference.
Valérie Expert, CEO and producer at MIAM! Animation, shared her enthusiasm regarding the renewal, saying: 'We're delighted to announce a second season of 'Edmond and Lucy.' The success of the first season confirmed the show's ability to resonate with families worldwide. We're proud to bring more stories that inspire curiosity and respect for nature.'
The new season is co-produced with France Télévisions, supported by the Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine and the Département de la Charente. MIAM! Animation also announced the development of a feature film and a digital platform that will extend the 'Edmond and Lucy' experience beyond television.
The animation for Season 2 is being produced at MIAM's studio in Angoulême, reinforcing the region's reputation as a hub for animation.
Season 2 of 'Edmund and Lucy' is set to premiere later this year.
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Sentient Acorns, Badass Grandmas and Underwater Knights Feature Among MIFA's 2025 Feature Pitches
Sentient Acorns, Badass Grandmas and Underwater Knights Feature Among MIFA's 2025 Feature Pitches

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Sentient Acorns, Badass Grandmas and Underwater Knights Feature Among MIFA's 2025 Feature Pitches

Annecy Animation Festival is filled with unmissable events, ranging from global premieres to niche boutique screenings. Near or at the top of that list are the MIFA Pitches, showcasing what indie directors and producers from all over the world have planned for the future of animation. An event carefully monitored by nearly every Annecy attendee, the sessions have more often than not proven to be the birthplace of true animated gems. More from Variety Key Latin America Animation Titles to Come Under the Spotlight at Annecy-MIFA's La Liga Focus 'Edmond and Lucy' Returns With Season 2 From MIAM! Animation: Feature Adaptation in Development Netflix Shares 'Stranger Things: Tales From '85,' 'In Your Dreams' First Looks in Annecy Initially split into four categories—feature Films, Short Films, TV Series & Specials, and Immersive Experiences—MIFA's 40th birthday also celebrates the addition of a fifth category dedicated to animated documentaries. 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Miyu Backs Bittersweet Coming-of-Age Tale ‘We Are Aliens' From Music Video Maestro Kohei Kadowaki (EXCLUSIVE)
Miyu Backs Bittersweet Coming-of-Age Tale ‘We Are Aliens' From Music Video Maestro Kohei Kadowaki (EXCLUSIVE)

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Miyu Backs Bittersweet Coming-of-Age Tale ‘We Are Aliens' From Music Video Maestro Kohei Kadowaki (EXCLUSIVE)

French animation powerhouse Miyu Productions has teamed with Tokyo-based upstart Nothing New to co-produce 'We Are Aliens,' a coming-of-age tale now in development, and slated for completion by March 2026. The project marks the first animated feature from 28-year-old director Kohei Kadowaki, best known for his visually striking music videos for chart-topping acts like Yoasobi and for his experimental blend of live-action and animation. More from Variety 'Odd Taxi's' Baku Kinoshita on His Melancholic Feature Debut 'The Last Blossom,' Premiering in Annecy Sentient Acorns, Badass Grandmas and Underwater Knights Feature Among MIFA's 2025 Feature Pitches Key Latin America Animation Titles to Come Under the Spotlight at Annecy-MIFA's La Liga Focus 'We Are Aliens' tells the story of two boys, Tsubasa and Gyotaro. Tsubasa is quiet and serious, while Gyotaro is a cheerful genius. As kids, they were close friends, but jealousy and misunderstandings drove them apart. Years later, their lives have gone in different directions—but when memories from the past come back, both must face what happened between them. 'This film turns the spotlight on the half of adolescence anime rarely touches,' says director Kohei Kadowaki, promising a bittersweet film redolent in both pain and joy. 'Through children's quarrels and first loves—small events in a small place—the film poses universal questions: What does it mean to grow old? What is happiness? By affirming the Tsubasa and Gyotaro that dwell in every heart, it aims to become a story cherished across time and borders.' 'We are constantly seeking bold, singular voices in animation,' add Miyu producers Emmanuel-Alain Raynal and Pierre Baussaron. 'From the moment we saw the first images of 'We Are Aliens,' we were convinced of the strength of the project—and that we were witnessing the emergence of a major new voice in global animation.' Miyu Productions previously collaborated with Tokyo-based Shin-Ei Animation on 'Ghost Cat Anzu,' which premiered out of Directors' Fortnight at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Miyu's new partnership with Nothing New was born of that same trip down the Croisette, where the two companies connected over a shared commitment to ambitious, director-driven animation. 'We met our like-minded partners during the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and have since held detailed discussions,' says Nothing New producer Kentaro Hayashi. 'It is an honor to announce our collaboration at this juncture, and we will continue working together to deliver this film to the widest possible audience. [Director] Kohei combines breathtaking visuals with delicate storytelling. With his distinctive style—unlike anything in Japanese animation to date—we intend to set a new benchmark for coming-of-age cinema.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar

‘No Soy Sauce!': Anthony Bourdain's ‘Get Jiro' Introduces Future Where Chefs Have the Most Power – and a Brand New Catchphrase
‘No Soy Sauce!': Anthony Bourdain's ‘Get Jiro' Introduces Future Where Chefs Have the Most Power – and a Brand New Catchphrase

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‘No Soy Sauce!': Anthony Bourdain's ‘Get Jiro' Introduces Future Where Chefs Have the Most Power – and a Brand New Catchphrase

Based on Anthony Bourdain's graphic novel, the upcoming animated series 'Get Jiro' welcomes the audience into a world where people will literally kill themselves to get into good restaurants. 'The only thing they actually enjoy anymore is eating, so chefs in the future have the most power. They're like influencers, warlords and drug dealers – all the good things together,' said Peter Girardi, EVP at Warner Bros. Animation at an Annecy Festival presentation. More from Variety Sébastien Laudenbach's 'Viva Carmen' Reimagines Bizet's Opera for Contemporary Young Audiences 'Anime is Niche No More': Crunchyroll EVP Mitch Berger Teases 2025 Slate at Annecy Kid Koala Talks Processing Grief Through 'Space Cadet' as His Debut Feature Sells Wide: 'People Keep Telling Me it Made Them Cry' (EXCLUSIVE) Beloved chef, author and host, Bourdain passed away in 2018. He wrote 'Get Jiro!' with Joel Rose, with art by Langdon Foss. 'Tony was a huge fan of Japanese film and television, manga, anime and all the big directors, like Ozu and most importantly, Kurosawa,' added Girardi, presenting the show at Annecy. In the series, overseen by Adult Swim, sushi chef Jiro will need to face two very different villains: Bob and Rose. 'Rose is a vegan, in case you can't tell from her outfit, and Tony had some big thoughts about vegans,' laughed Girardi. In his book 'Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly,' Bourdain described vegans as a 'Hezbollah-like splinter faction, the enemy of everything good and decent in the human spirit.' 'Early on, I said to Tony: 'Why did you give Rose that crazy hat?' He said: I don't like vegans.' This is really a big commentary on Anthony's view of the culinary world, which got pretty dark at times.' While the team played with various references, from Kurosawa's 'Yojimbo' to 'Mindgame,' Golgo 13, 'Scavengers Reign,' Moebius, Geof Darrow and classic Westerns, they decided to go into a more grounded direction. 'We love the graphic novel, but we wanted to change some of the forms [and opt for] more realistic proportions. The kinds of stories we're telling are very emotional, it's a real character arc and there's real consequences to the violence,' explained Girardi. They also ended up with a 'more grizzled and world-wearier' Jiro, said director Rick Morales, with Girardi adding: 'Tony was still around for this and agreed. Jiro's not Batman. He's just this in-shape sushi chef. We all know one of those.' Introducing new characters and expanding the universe where 'cuisines are like cartels' was intriguing: 'They had to demolish LA to rebuild it into this food ring mecca thing,' said art director Jonathan Hoekstra. But it's not a 'Blade Runner' future, assured Girardi. 'At that point, Tony was no longer alive, so we went to Joel. It's dystopian, but not a lot, although the haves and the have-nots are much more separated. There's an inner ring where all the fancy restaurants are, and people will murder each other to get a reservation. Then there's a middle ring, with restaurants like Olive Garden – my grandmother would kick me in the shins if she heard me say that name – and then on the outer ring, it's a wasteland. That's where Jiro's at.' Still, getting the food right was their biggest goal. 'We worked on developing food styles as hard as we did on character designs,' admitted Morales. 'I've never worked on a show that incorporated cooking in any real way, but my wife and I are watching a lot of Food Network. It felt interesting to combine this samurai chef with real cooking elements.' Girardi observed: 'Tony said that all the stuff in the kitchen and the way the food is prepared had to be right. It had to be the right kind of spoon, the right pot. If we were going to prepare sushi in the show, people should be able to use that as a recipe. It was a skill we had to learn.' They also worked with culinary consultants, including Matt Goulding, who collaborated with Bourdain on his shows. 'We would have something in the script about food preparation and he would do a review, checking if our technique was proper. He would tell us how to twirl noodles before you put them on a plate or how a real sushi chef wouldn't have blood on his cutting board. This is the Anthony Bourdain show. The food had to be accurate,' said Morales. While Hoekstra snuck into actual kitchens to take photos, real-life chefs will be featured as well. That includes Eric Ripert, David Chang and José Andrés cast as 'villains, friends or people getting murdered,' explained Girardi. 'We are doing it to honor Tony's memory, too,' he added, before treating the audience to the very first footage and a new catchphrase that might rival 'I am not drinking any fucking Merlot!' from 'Sideways.' Turns out, there's only one thing chef Jiro has absolutely no tolerance for: 'No soy sauce!' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar

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