Leading French Animation studio, Xilam, announced its nomination for the 11th annual Export Awards (Animation category) for its animated series, Zig & Sharko. Providing a backdrop of stiff international competition, the Export Awards honour top program exporters who succeed in ensuring their productions have the highest sales and largest worldwide exposure.
A proven hit with family audiences, Zig & Sharko is a slapstick non-verbal comedy that recounts the insatiable and highly imaginative attempts by Zig, a famished hyena, to chomp into the beautiful, carefree mermaid, Marina. It’s no piece of cake for Zig who has to continually face off with Marina’s best friend, the mocking, muscle-bound Shark…Sharko!
Broadcasting since 2012 in more than 120 countries, from Europe to the Middle East and from Asia to South America, Zig & Sharko – Season 1 has gained outstanding ratings on leading channels around the globe: TF1 and Gulli (France), Super RTL (Germany), Boing (Italy), Cartoon Network (Middle East and Africa), Disney (South-East Asia, Japan and Latin America), Nickelodeon (India), and Netflix (Worldwide). Following this booming success on TV but also on digital platforms like YouTube, Zig & Sharko – Season 2 is currently in production at Xilam’s Paris-based animation studio.
Produced by Marc du Pontavice, created by Olivier Jean-Marie (director and screenwriter of the famous animated series Oggy and the Cockroaches) and directed by Olivier Jean-Marie and Andrčs Fernandes, this high-octane series combines a powerful mix of madcap comedy, unexpected twists, non-stop energy and emotional charge.
Xilam Animation, Founder and CEO, Marc du Pontavice said, “Zig and Sharko worldwide success continues to grow and follows in the footsteps of its older sibling, Oggy and the Cockroaches. We are delighted to be able to offer a brand new season to the millions of fans who have already fallen in love with these wacky, endearing characters.”
After the vote of a committee of international professionals from the entertainment sector, the winner of the three nominees will be named during a special ceremony held by TV France International in Paris on December 14th.