9 October, 2006
Fireworks International has announced the launch of the new kids’ comedy series YOUNG DRACULA at MIPCOM 2006. Produced by the BBC, this acquisition caps a prolific year for the UK-based distributor, now celebrating its first year under ContentFilm ownership. The year began with the simultaneous launch of two Canadian-produced series; WHISTLER and THE JANE SHOW; and more recently, the global launch of the new digital entertainment brand, HEAVY Worldwide.
YOUNG DRACULA, 14 x 30 minutes, is a comedy about two boys who just don’t fit in. One was born rebellious and the other… well, not to put too fine a point on it, he’s from a family of vampires. Vladimir Dracula was born in a castle in Transylvania and he is the only normal person in a family that includes a vampish teenage sister, a servant who smells of mouse droppings, a talking stuffed wolf for a family pet, an absentee mum who has run off with a werewolf, and the perfect paternal role model – Count Dracula. The forced relocation to Britain from Transylvania has been traumatic and the Dracula family is hoping to fit in nicely with suburbia so they won’t have to move again. Luckily for Vlad, he finds a friend and ally in Robin Branagh. Robin doesn’t live in a castle, but wishes he did. He doesn’t have to wear a cloak, but he does anyway. And he doesn’t have to drink blood but – okay — he hasn’t gone that far yet! Amidst this chaos, Vlad and Robin try to keep the somewhat anti-social preferences of Vlad’s family hidden from the public; and most of all, from the self-styled vampire slayer, Van Helsing, who has a day job as the school woodwork teacher.
Will Vlad get to grow up as a normal boy – albeit in a rather dysfunctional family – and avoid the vampiric tradition of growing fangs and turning into a fully-fledged vampire when he reaches sixteen? Or will Van Helsing expose them all for the garlic-fearing, coffin-sleeping vampires that they are, before Vlad even finishes the school term?
YOUNG DRACULA is a quirky, stylish and extremely funny look at a young boy who just wants to be like other kids. The everyday family-life dramas that are part of all families, suburban or otherwise, will resonate with everyone.
Commenting on the acquisition of YOUNG DRACULA, Greg Phillips, President, Fireworks International says: “We are continuing to commit to kids’ comedy and drama series, and the fact that our first UK acquisition is a BBC–produced kids’ comedy is perfect. We love the fact that the humour in YOUNG DRACULA will appeal right across the board.”
Zoë Lawrence, Commercial Manager, BBC Children’s, says: “We are absolutely thrilled to be working with Fireworks on YOUNG DRACULA and share their excitement about the commercial appeal of this fantastic series. We hope this will be the first of many successful partnerships between BBC and Content Film.”
Contact Information:
For the BBC Francesca Sostero, Assistant Publicist, BBC Marketing and Communications
00 44 208 576 9486
For Fireworks International
Samantha Witters, Director of Marketing
00 44 207 851 6518
www.contentfilm.com
About Fireworks International
Fireworks International, a division of the UK’s ContentFilm plc, acquires and distributes an extensive slate of television programs and feature films throughout the world. Fireworks’ library of over 2000 hours of programming includes the new comedic and animated series’ and library from HEAVY Worldwide, the new comedy series THE JANE SHOW, the mystery drama series WHISTLER, drama series ZOE BUSIEK: WILD CARD, action/adventure series Gene Roddenberry’s ANDROMEDA, MUTANT X, RELIC HUNTER, and THE COLLECTOR; children’s programs BLACK HOLE HIGH, 100 DEEDS FOR EDDIE MCDOWD, CAITLIN’S WAY and STREETSMARTZ, plus over 200 US network miniseries and TV movies of the week including BLONDE for CBS and A WRINKLE IN TIME for ABC, along with some 100 feature films.
