Fifty new titles, around 40 of which in the production phase, with the remainder currently being developed, plus numerous projects still being studied. These are the programs currently being worked on by Rai Fiction’s animation staff which, for just over a year, has been captained by Luca Milano.

Numerous Rai branded series have been nominated for “Pulcinella” awards this year, all new releases. “Le ricette di Arturo e Kiwi”, about a Neapolitan mastiff, a chef-alchemist, and Kiwi, his scullery boy assistant – pure Italian cuisine combined with flash animation techniques – is a short series for all audiences. “L’arte con Matì e Dadà “, a journey of discovery and play, which aims to encourage children to recreate, in their own way, the shapes, colors and imaginary worlds of great artists, is included in the Educational category.
The third season of “Cuccioli”, the successful Rai Due program, is in competition in the infant’s category, whilst the Children’s section includes the Italian-German co-production “Scuola di Vampiri”.
And finally, “Uffa! Che Pazienza”, for pre-schoolers, based on a cartoon by Andrea Pazienza, and “Rahan”, another cartoon, French this time, are both competing in the Best Series Pilot category.
These are the TV series in competition at Cartoons on the Bay but, as always, many others will be presented during the festival.
They will include three 3D series: “Ondino”, coming soon to Rai Tre, about a marine and terrestrial creature who, together with a pelican, a hermit crab and a small polyp, discovers and explores fascinating worlds; a multiethnic colony of birds which makes up the crew of a very special airship, “La banda volante”, always ready to run and help out in all kinds of emergencies, and “Acqua in bocca”, in which the protagonists are also fish, that marks Guido Manuli’s return to directing. From the imagination of the best Italian and European film-makers to the classics of international literature: Kipling’s masterpiece “Kim” is proposed as an animated series for the first time, and “Sandokan” returns for a third series with new scenarios and new adventures. We also make way for history in “Il torneo delle 7 meraviglie” which presents the “seven marvels” of the ancient world.

G. S.

Cinema&Video International   3/4-2007