Several Nordic broadcasters have gotten on board a new 2D-animated fantasy/adventure series called Ormhildur the Brave from Reykjavik-based studio Compass Films. 

NDR and KiKA (Germany), RÚV (Iceland), DR (Denmark), YLE (Finland), SVT (Sweden) and NRK (Norway) have all joined the project as co-producers, rounding out a team that already includes Projects (Iceland), Animation Studio Iceland and Letko (Poland).

Aimed at kids ages seven and up, this 26 x 22-minute toon is set in the future, when all of Earth’s glaciers have melted, releasing ancient mythical creatures from the ice. Not knowing right away that they are his kin, young Ormhildur teams up with them to cast a powerful spell and restore their frozen habitat. 

Ormhildur the Brave features a mix of episodic stories and an overarching serialized plot in which Ormhildur protects his newfound friends from hunters and stands up against villains trying to exploit the environment. Animator and writer Thorey Mjallhvit created the series, inspired by her anxiety about climate change. 

Production is almost complete on 20 episodes, and the full season should be delivered by end of year to premiere in Q1 2026, says Heather Millard, a producer at Compass Films. 

Projects (Iceland), Animation Studio Iceland and Letko (Poland) are co-producing the series that blends a fantasy story with enviornmental themes.

NDR was drawn to the project because it tackles environmental themes, encourages empathy and has a humorous undercurrent, says Holger Hermesmeyer, NDR’s commissioning editor. “There’s one important message in Ormhildur’s adventures: No one is your enemy just because they look or live differently. With a big heart and empathy, Ormhildur overcomes confrontations and hostility and shows how, together, we can make the world a better place.” 

Compass Films is also just starting production on a short-form series in which Ormhildur learns about human things like cooking, gardening and crafting in five-minute eps, as well as financing a Christmas special that’s slated to start production in 2026. The company is attending Annecy next week in hopes of moving all three projects forward.