UK-based CAKE has picked up autism-themed preschool series Pablo for distribution. The toon is commissioned by CBeebies and produced by Ireland’s Paper Owl Films in association with Kavaleer Productions and Ingenious, with funding from Northern Ireland Screen and BAI. CAKE, serving as both the executive producer and distributor, will debut the new show at MIPCOM in Cannes, France next month.
Bowing on CBeebies and RTE Jr on October 2, 52 x 11-minute Pablo is a blend of 2D animation and live action. There are also six interactive games, developed with Manchester-based D3T, and a slate of short films being produced to accompany the series.
Pablo follows a little boy on the autism spectrum whose drawings come to life using magic crayons. The series aims to reflect what autism is really like for children and has been devised, co-written and voiced by people with autism.
Last November, Pablo was commissioned for a second season a year ahead of delivery—marking a first for CBeebies.