ZED TO DISTRIBUTE ITS FIRST ANIMATED SERIES LINA’S WORLD

Paris-based productor and distributor ZED will handle worldwide distribution of Lina’s World (french title: Les Voyages d’Ismaël), an original 2D animated series that explores with a bit of humour, the origins of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism through three characters, Ismaël, Lina and Némo.

Co-produced by Les Batelières Productions, Foliascope Studios and Cinemon Entertainment, this educational series questions the stereotypes linked to religion and brings reflection on its place in today’s society.

Created by Ismaël Saidi (Djihad, In the end what is really in the Koran?), directed by Hanan Kaminski and illustrated by François-Marc Baillet, Lina’s World is the first animation distributed by ZED, a specialist in documentary programming.

Composed of 10 episodes of 3’30’’, the series targets a wide audience, especially kids (10-15 years old).

The first episode will allow the viewers to discover the various streams within the three religions, along with their similarities and shared hopes. The 9 other episodes will be divided into three cycles of 3 episodes, and will explore the place of women in this different religions, interreligious relationships, and the question of violence within these religions.

Produced for France Télévisions Éducation, the first season is slated for delivery in December 2020. “ We see Lina’s World as a stand out series that promotes awareness of the common history of peoples and  the importance of living together., says Chloé Persyn-Preljocaj, Head of Sales and Distribution at ZED. We are convinced  that our broadcasters clients around the world will embrace its humorous, kid-friendly tone. We are incredibly enthusiastic about presenting the show worldwide.“

Production has begun on the series. A first trailer is now available.

ISMAËL SAIDI

Belgian of Moroccan origin, Ismaël Saidi was born in 1976 and grew up in Schaerbeek, Belgium. After fifteen years spent in the Belgium Police, Ismaël, who graduated in public affairs and social sciences, became an author, playwright and director. He truly believes in humour as a way to convey powerful messages of cohesion and brotherhood through his books, his plays or his audiovisual creations. His book, In the end what is really in the Koran? , co-authored with Rachid Benzine, humorously questions the prejudices related to Islam. Ishmael’s Journeys fits in with Ismaël’s previous works, by opening it to the three monotheistic religions, by his wish to put into context and explain religious concepts, their origins and their meanings in today’s society.

 HANAN KAMINSKI

Hanan Kaminski was born in Brussels (Belgium) and at the age of 20 he immigrated to Israel. He graduated from the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem and from the Rjksakademie in Amsterdam. In 1996, he founded the Animation Department at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem. For more than 40 years, he has been working in the field of Animation as an author, scriptwriter and director of several international TV series and seven awarded animated feature films for children, such as The Real Shlemiel, Pettson & Findus, and recently The Legend of King Solomon. In 2015, he was honored with the « Pulcinella Career Award » by Cartoons on the Bay International Television and Cross-Media Animation Festival, in Venice. Since 2018, Hanan Kaminski heads the Masters Program in Integrated Design at the Holon Institute of Technology (HIT).

ZED

An independent producer and distributor specialized in factual documentaries, the company ZED, led by Manuel Catteau, has been on the international scene for more than 20 years now, leading co-productions with major international broadcasters such as France Televisions, Canal+, ARTE, BBC, National Geographic, Discovery, PBS, ZDF, NHK or ABC Australia. Thanks to a strong team of 6 producers and the unique know-how of renowned directors and writers, ZED produces around 40 films a year, covering all genre in non-fiction: History, sciences, wildlife, investigation, current affairs and art & culture. With a catalogue of 1200 hours, ZED is also one of the major international sales companies and represents more than 130 prestigious French and foreign production companies, handling distribution of their output to broadcasters across the globe. On the strength of its audacity and the diversity of its documentaries, ZED has been nominated 5 times among the 10 Best French Producers of the Year, and has won three times the French Export Award that rewards the most well distributed programs abroad. In 2020, ZED has been nominated by Realscreen as part of the « Global 100 », the annual snapshot of the best production companies working in the non-fiction industry. Over the years, ZED has built its reputation by crafting high-end and acclaimed films, recognized in the most famous international festivals and very often garnering record audience ratings. Hitler Youth tapped into the 5 top rated programs on National Geographic US while Living Universe, a 4×52’ series about the search for the exoplanets, is currently a top performer for CuriosityStream. Its last production Hobbies was selected at the Cannes Film Festival (Short Film Palme d’Or Category).

Source：ZED