TORONTO – August 1, 2023 – 9 Story Media Group is pleased to announce that production is underway for a new 2D animated comedy series Open Season: Call of Nature (52 x 11’), based on characters from the Sony Pictures Animation motion pictures. The series will be premiering on ABC Australia, Wildbrain (Canada), Discovery Kids (Latin America) and France Télévisions in 2024.
Open Season: Call of Nature is produced by 9 Story Media Group’s award-winning animation studio Brown Bag Films (Toronto), and directed by Mark Thornton (Total Drama Island, Corner Gas Animated, True and the Rainbow Kingdom) and Todd Kauffman (Total Drama Island, Corner Gas Animated, Grojband). Alan Keane (Space Chickens in Space, The Oddbods Show) serves as executive story editor. The series is executive produced by Sony Pictures Animation producer Rick Mischel (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs series) along with Vince Commisso, Natalie Osborne, and Blake Tohana for 9 Story.
9 Story Distribution International has worldwide distribution rights for the series and 9 Story Brands has worldwide merchandising rights. 9 Story has licensed home entertainment rights in the U.S. and master toy rights worldwide to Sony Pictures Animation.
“Open Season is a classic animated film franchise that has entertained kids all over the world since debuting in 2006,” said Vince Commisso, President & CEO of 9 Story. “We are thrilled to be working with Sony Pictures Animation to bring their beloved characters to new audiences with a brand-new action-packed comedy series.”
Created for kids 6-11, Open Season: Call of Nature follows best friends Boog, a lovable, risk-averse grizzly bear, and Elliot, a fast-talking, ‘act-first, think-later’ deer. When the pair discover an abandoned summer camp in the middle of nowhere, they embark on a brave and hilarious adventure to create a new place to live where animals get to embrace their inner wild!
About 9 Story Media Group
9 Story Media Group is a leading creator, producer, and distributor of kids and family-focused intellectual property. Its award-winning animation studio, Brown Bag Films, is recognized around the world for best-in-class brands such as Doc McStuffins, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood , Octonauts, Wild Kratts, and Blue’s Clues & You. The company’s international distribution arm, 9 Story Distribution International based in Dublin, represents 4,400 half-hours of animated and live-action programming, seen on some of the most respected international channels and platforms. Its in-house consumer products division, 9 Story Brands, builds international entertainment brands for kids, with expertise across creative, brand marketing, and licensing. 9 Story’s Creative Affairs Group creates, develops and produces award-winning branded properties using groundbreaking formative research. With facilities in Toronto, Dublin, New York and Bali, 9 Story Media Group employs over 1000 creative and corporate staff. www.9story.com
About Brown Bag Films
Brown Bag Films is one of the world’s most exciting, original, and successful creative-led animation studios. With studio locations in Dublin, Toronto, and Bali, Brown Bag Films creates cutting-edge animation for the international market. Founded in Dublin, Ireland in 1994 by Managing Director Cathal Gaffney and Creative Director Darragh O’Connell, and acquired by 9 Story Media Group in 2015, Brown Bag Films is creatively-driven with a focus on producing the highest quality, cross-platform animation with strong stories and engaging characters. The studio’s much-loved TV shows are viewed by millions of children worldwide and include Doc McStuffins, Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood, Karma’s World, Bing, Peter Rabbit, Wild Kratts, Olivia, Ada Twist, Scientist, Vampirina and Octonauts. Brown Bag Films has earned numerous awards and nominations including seventeen Emmy® Awards and two Oscar nominations. www.brownbagfilms.com