NEWS: Kickstart Entertainment announces close of ten-million-dollar revolving fund with Media Capital Group to support mission driven content.
Animated Children's Series, I AM, Executive Produced by Academy Award® Winning Actor Geena Davis, Set to be First Project to Receive Funding.
The Latest Initiative Will Be Spearheaded By Newly Appointed, Head of Inclusion - Talent and Content, Wendy Guerrero.
Feb 3 2021 - Kickstart Entertainment, the international animation and live-action production company behind the hit Netflix kids series Starbeam and Amazon’s success The Boys, today announced the close of a ten-million-dollar deal of revolving funds allowing co-investments into mission-driven content. The funds have been made possible through Media Capital Group, a decade-long partner to Kickstart that has provided production financing to multiple television series created by the studio, including Angry Birds: Summer Madness and Starbeam. Kickstart will use these funds to support both kids and non kids programming.
The first Kickstart Entertainment project to receive this funding will be the children's animated series, titled I AM, centering around 7 year old Marta who believes wholeheartedly that if she can SEE it in her mind she can BE it in real life. The series, executive produced by Academy Award® winner Geena Davis, is designed to be a force of empowerment for girls ages 4-7.
“It’s been a dream to work on I AM, and I’m thrilled that this project will receive support from Kickstart, who has been the producing partner of the Bentonville Film Festival over the last six years,” said Geena Davis. “It is exciting to see a new and diverse series for girls receiving funding and a greenlight for development.”
I AM is currently in development and is Kickstart Entertainment’s first major initiative since appointing Wendy Guerrero as head of inclusion for talent and content.
“This is an incredibly exciting time for Kickstart and our entire team, as we actively seek out and receive submissions from storytellers with inclusive and creative projects” said Wendy Guerrero. “Across the board, our developmental slate represents a drive to better serve our audiences through mission-driven content and industry accountability. This fund makes it possible for us to help filmmakers and storytellers that want to make a difference. It represents the tip of the iceberg when it comes to diversity in entertainment.”
“We are confident that I AM will set the stage and tone for future Kickstart projects fortunate enough to receive funding from Media Capital Group,” said Kickstart Entertainment Founder and CEO, Jason Netter.
“This show deserves to recognize its full potential, and to inspire its young audience to reach theirs.” Media Capital Group has been very fortunate to work with the Kickstart team over many years and fully support their ongoing commitment to bring high quality content to audiences around the world," said Ross Mrazek, Managing Director. "We recognize that storytelling comes from many perspectives and we know that Kickstart’s experience in developing and encouraging under-represented creators will bring forward many new opportunities for talent to shine.”
About Kickstart Entertainment
Founded in 1999, Kickstart Entertainment is a proven animation and live action production company with locations in Vancouver, Los Angeles, Arkansas, Toronto, Hong Kong and China. Working in all formats to create content for global audiences, it has produced over 600 episodes of television and 20feature films. It is a company of passionate storytellers and designers who are committed to inclusion both in front of and behind the camera. For more information visit www.kickstartent.com
About Media Capital Group
Media Capital Group provides specialized production financing solutions and advisory services to the media and entertainment industry. With a primary focus on providing tailored interim production financing to borrowers in the film and television production sector, the Company also provides advisory services to banks, private equity groups, family offices, investment managers as well as media companies looking to enhance their businesses. Media Capital Group has structured and funded hundreds of loans to clients that include a wide variety of independent film and television producers and works closely with domestic and foreign sales agents, distribution companies, studios, streamers and broadcasters as partners in arranging financing programs. With broad experience, wide industry networks and dependable funding sources, Media Capital Group works closely with their clients to provide the necessary financing to get their productions on the screen. Media Capital Group Ltd. was established in 2007 and is based in Vancouver, Canada. Visit us at www.mediacapitalgrp.com.
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