Munich-based BetaFilm just announced that it is producing three new animation projects with a combined US$50-million budget in a bid to repeat the success of Pippi Longstocking. Each of the three projects targets kids ages four to 10 with a 75-minute feature and a 26 x 24-minute series. The New Adventures of Heidi will be co-produced by Canada’s Nelvana and Germany’s TMO Film, and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 1999. Karlsson on the Roof is a co-production with Sweden’s Svensk Filmindustri and Germany’s TFC Trickompany. It is scheduled to be completed around the end of 2000. Finally, Momo, based on the popular book by Never-Ending Story author Michael Ende, will also be co-produced with TFC Trickompany, along with Italy’s La Lanterna Magica and Cecchi Gori. The Momo feature is scheduled for completion by the end of 2000, with the series following in early 2001.