Welsh Production Company To Deliver Preschool Series For China

The Welsh Government has confirmed that Cardiff-based Cloth Cat Animation Studio is to produce a major Chinese preschool animation series for broadcast in China.

It is understood Cloth Cat will work alongside Magic Mall, part of the Beijing-based DaYe Transmedia Group, for the 15-month project. Up to 40 jobs will be supported, while the £3.2m budget will be spent in Wales thanks to £225,000 funding support from the Welsh Government and UK Animation tax credits.

Based on the popular Chinese character Luo Bao Bei, created by Magic Mall in 2008, she is known for her role as city spokesperson, road safety icon and in popular outreach programmes in elementary schools. The series will be produced by Jon Rennie, Magic Mall General Manager Grace Tian (the creator of the popular Luo Bao Bei (LLB) character), and Executive Producer Alex Chien. David Ingham also joins the production as Head Writer.

This will be Cloth Cat's first Chinese collaboration and the first series that Magic Mall will have produced outside of China. Work has already commenced at the animation studio in GloWorks, the Welsh Government's creative industries and media centre in Cardiff Bay.

The 52-episode series will be produced for Chinese broadcast in June 2017 followed by worldwide distribution on terrestrial broadcast and digital platforms.

Ken Skates, Economy Secretary, said: "Magic Mall's decision to select Cloth Cat to produce this new series for the Chinese market speaks volumes about their expertise, while the worldwide distribution of the series will be a superb promotion for Wales as a location of excellence in the highly competitive animation sector.

"China is the fastest growing media market in the world and this collaboration provides Cloth Cat with a great opportunity to enter the very lucrative Chinese and Asian markets. It is great news for Cloth Cat and for the wider animation sector in Wales and I am delighted Welsh Government support helped secure a major international project to Wales that will have a significant spend in Wales. Selling content into international markets is an important part of the sector strategy, as is supporting and growing indigenous businesses and I am pleased this project delivers both."

Jon Rennie, Managing Director of Cloth Cat, added: "We were delighted to be chosen by Magic Mall to bring Luo Bao Bei to new audiences. With the support of Welsh Government, we have been able to secure a project that will not only enrich the skill base in the Welsh animation industry but also allow Cloth Cat to build a relationship with an exciting Chinese company."

(JP/MH)