Goro Miyazaki's Ronja, The Robber's Daughter Acquired from Serious Kids for UK

CBBC has acquired the broadcast rights to 'Ronja, the Robber's Daughter' from UK distributor Serious Kids, joining BBC Alba who are transmitting a Gaelic version of the serial. The property is based on the well-loved 1981 novel, Ronja, The Robber's Daughter, by acclaimed writer Astrid Lindgren.

The original version of the animated series aired in Japan on NHK to great public and critical acclaim. Serious Kids, Studio Ghibli and The Astrid Lindgren Company then oversaw the creation of the English version which won the International Emmy Kids Awards for best animated series in 2017.

'We are delighted to conclude this deal with CBBC. This is the third epic serialized title that CBBC has acquired from Serious Kids (following The New Legends of Monkey, Girls of Olympus) which to us signifies the increased importance of this format in children's lives as well as adult's and we hope to acquire more content in this genre.” Says Genevieve Dexter Founder & CEO of Serious Kids

'Ronja is a household name in Germany and the Nordics, and we hope that the title will now be enjoyed by a wider public in the UK, through the CBBC platforms for kids content in the UK.” Says Hans Jagerholm from the Astrid Lindgren Company.

'I am delighted to see Ronja on CBBC. With Ronja, the Robber's Daughter, the great old dame Astrid seems to be telling children to believe in their own power to grow… all the while telling both children and adults alike to respect each other and to attain freedom in the true sense of the word. Nothing will bring me more pleasure than having those same messages played to the CBBC audience.' said Goro Miyazaki, Director.

The series was produced by NHK, NHK Enterprises and Dwango in collaboration with Studio Ghibli and The Astrid Lindgren Company, with animation created by renowned animation studio Polygon Pictures. Serious Kids holds worldwide distribution rights outside of Japan and the Nordics.

STORY

'Ronja, the Robber's Daughter' is the 26-part story of a 10-year-old girl born on a stormy night in a mountain fort, surrounded by her parents and a loving band of robbers. She grows to be a strong and active girl, and discovers that the forest around her is both beautiful and a frightening place inhabited by strange creatures. She befriends the son of her father's rival and so begins the drama of her friendship and family loyalties. We watch as she explores and understands these key factors in her life, and discovers that seemingly irresolvable choices can finally be made with the help of love and understanding.

COMPANY INFORMATION

The Astrid Lindgren Company, owns and manages the rights associated with Astrid Lindgren and her works. One of the most beloved and read children's authors in the world, Astrid Lindgren's literary career started in 1945 with the publication of Pippi Longstocking, and spanned half a century. Other works include Emil in Lönneberga, The Brothers Lionheart, The World's Best Karlsson, The Children of Noisy Village, Mardie, and Rasmus and the Tramp. Hundreds of millions of children and adults all over the world love the characters she created, and feel at home in Villa Villekulla, Nangiyala and the toolshed in Katthult.

Studio Ghibli was founded in 1985 by animated film directors Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki, and has produced twenty-four feature-length films, including Goro Miyazaki's TALES FROM EARTHSEA (2006) and FROM UP ON POPPY HILL (2011). Most Studio Ghibli films have ranked number one at the box office in Japan in the year in which they were released. The studio's SPIRITED AWAY (2001), HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE (2004), and PRINCESS MONONOKE (1997) are among Japan's top 10 grossing films. Studio Ghibli films have garnered numerous awards and critical acclaim from critics and animation specialists around the world. SPIRITED AWAY was awarded the Golden Bear for Best Feature Film at the 2002 Berlin International Film Festival and won the Oscar® for Best Animated Feature at the 2003 U.S. Academy Awards®. In October 2001, Studio Ghibli, in conjunction with The Tokuma Memorial Cultural Foundation for Animation, founded the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka, designed by Hayao Miyazaki. THE WIND RISES (2013), THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA (2013), WHEN MARNIE WAS THERE (2014), and THE RED TURTLE (2016) have earned the studio four consecutive nominations for the Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature Film. The studio's latest film, EARWIG AND THE WITCH, directed by Goro Miyazaki, was an official selection for the 2020 Cannes Film Festival.

About Serious Kids
Serious Kids is a London based boutique distribution company headed up by Founder & C.E.O Genevieve Dexter and Leila Ouledcheikh, SVP Global Distribution & Commercial Development. Established in 2011, the company represents a select catalogue of award winning children's and family programmes from Eagle vs Bat, Studio Ghibli, Maverick, Hat Trick, Dot to Dot, Gigglebug, Comma Studios, See-Saw and Platinum Films. www.seriouskids.com. Please contact [email protected] for any further information.