CAKE and Kickstart team up with Cloud9World on emotional awareness series, Kiwi Island
Leading kids’ entertainment specialist CAKE and international animation and live action producer Kickstart Entertainment are to partner with Cloud9World on Kiwi Island, a new CG animated series for young viewers which explores emotional awareness.
Aimed at 3-7 year olds, this 52 x 11 minute series shows children how to recognise emotions in themselves and others and how they affect the people around them. Kiwi Island will be produced by Kickstart Entertainment with design work from Colombian animation production company ZincoTools Entertainment, exec produced by former Netflix Kids and Family Senior Manager Josh Fisher and exec produced and distributed internationally by CAKE, who will be presenting the project at Annecy. Scripts will be written by Corey Powell (Do, Re, Mi, Doc McStuffins).
Kiwi Island is a tropical paradise full of Kiwi birds, who live and play together but don’t always see, feel or experience things in the same way. Each Kiwi inhabitant represents a recognisable emotion and when Sunny, Gloomy, Fraidy or Antsy are feeling their big feelings, their island surroundings reflect those emotions. Each adventure on Kiwi Island shows that no feelings are bad and even with the occasional emotional storm, every Kiwi is valued as our characters learn to express a wide range of emotions while understanding one another through fun and entertaining stories.
Kiwi Island is based on Cloud9World’s in-school social learning program Let’s Learn about Emotions with Kiwi which focuses on emotional intelligence strategies and has been adopted by schools in 17 countries, including in the US. A series of interactive games, books, videos and plush dolls accompany the program.
Ed Galton, CEO at CAKE said, “We are excited to work with Cloud9World and Kickstart on Kiwi Island and look forward to introducing this relatable animated comedy helping children develop relationship skills, to our partners at Annecy next week.”
Jason Netter, CEO at Kickstart said, “We are thrilled to be working with the CAKE team and Cloud9World to bring their successful school program of charming Kiwi characters to a bigger worldwide audience with this TV series. We believe in the importance of emotional learning for young audiences and the positive impact it can have now and as they grow.”
Andrea Nachtigall, CEO at Cloud9World, said, “Our in-school program has succeeded in large part because it is driven by characters to which children relate. Bringing these adorable characters into a fully dimensional, animated world shaped by story and fun, in partnership with Kickstart and CAKE, will heighten the experience - and the learning - for young children around the world.”
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About CAKE:
CAKE is a leading independent entertainment company specialising in the production, distribution, development, financing and brand development of kids’ and family properties. CAKE Distribution Ltd distributes over 1600 half hours of animation and live-action content, working with renowned producers including Rovio Entertainment, Fresh TV, Channel X, Kickstart and Ragdoll Productions on the worldwide roll out of their brands.
CAKE Productions Ltd drives CAKE’s development and production activities on shared and originated projects. With over 13 properties in development, productions include Angry Birds: Summer Madness for Netflix; Supa Team 4 with Triggerfish Animation for Netflix; Angelo Rules with TeamTO for France Télévisions, Canal+ and Super RTL, Space Chickens in Space with Anima Estudios for Disney EMEA; Pablo with Paper Owl for CBeebies and Mush-Mush & The Mushables with La Cabane and Thuristar currently premiering internationally on Boomerang. An award-winning company, CAKE is based in London, with offices in Berlin, Los Angeles and Toronto.
About Kickstart Entertainment:
Proudly celebrating its 25th year of business, Kickstart Entertainment delivers excellence and innovation as a proven animation and live action production company, marking a quarter-century of dedication, growth, and success. With studios in Vancouver, Hong Kong, Suzhou and Mumbai, Kickstart is well-positioned to continue creating and producing global content for the current market environment. Kickstart is a trusted producer for some of the world’s biggest brands such as Barbie, Hot Wheels Monster Trucks, Brown & Friends, and in the non-kids space The Boys and Preacher, and continues to produce the Bentonville Film Festival, founded by Geena Davis and celebrating its 10th anniversary in June 2024. Working in all formats to create content for global audiences, Kickstart has produced over 600 episodes of television and 20 feature films. It is a company of passionate storytellers and designers who are committed to inclusion both in front of and behind the camera.
About Cloud9World:
Cloud9World is an international education company fostering emotional intelligence and character development across the Pre-K to 12 th - grade spectrum. With a foundation in research and evidence-based practices, Cloud9World integrates emotional and academic learning to create a comprehensive experience.
Its flagship program’s Learn About Emotions with Kiwi teaches young learners vital skills in emotional recognition and regulation such as empathy, conflict resolution, and problem-solving.
Cloud9World’s solutions include a robust wellness suite that addresses critical issues like mental health and internet safety, empowering students to make informed decisions and adopt healthy habits. The platform also emphasizes strong parental involvement and provides a user friendly, adaptable interface that fits seamlessly into diverse educational settings, whether in-person, hybrid, or remote. By nurturing a generation of well-rounded individuals, Cloud9World aims to prepare students with the skills necessary for success in both personal and academic success.