Capelito is a new 26 x five-minute clay animation series produced by Spain’s PPM Multimedia and Estudio Rodolfo Pastor. Aimed at the two to six set, Capelito centers around a young mushroom who lives in a cabin in the forest and is able to transform his cap into any hat by pressing his nose. Capelito can therefore be a painter with a beret, or an explorer with a pith helmet. His friends are other woodland creatures.

Co-production partners Rodolfo Pastor (20 %), PPM Multimedia (10%), and Filmtel (post production) are lined up, and PPM Multimedia is expecting confirmation from NHK as a main investor. The Madrid-based prodco is also seeking other possibilities in Germany. Production is expected to last 12 months, with the series slated to air near the end of 2000. The series budget is about US$1.25 million. Broadcasters include SVT in Sweden, RTP in Portugal, YLE in Finland and RAI in Italy.

The series won first prize for pilot films at Annecy ’99. Capelito has also been selected for Cartoon Forum Cordoba 1999, a yearly meeting for presenting projects to European television animation producers and distributors.