Good news for Dublin animation studio Brown Bag Films
Disney EMEA today announced that it has green lit a new Irish animated pre-school series, The Happy Hugglemonsters which was developed with funding from Bord Scannán na hÉireann / the Irish Film Board (IFB) will be produced by twice Oscar-nominated animation studio, Brown Bag Films in Dublin.
Brown Bag Films developed the series from the book “I’m A Happy Hugglewug” created by award-winning Irish author and illustrator Niamh Sharkey, published by Walker Books. Set to premiere on Disney Junior from autumn 2012 and air in more than 150 countries worldwide, the series follows the adventures of fun-loving, five-year-old Henry Hugglemonster, the middle child in a happy, wacky close-knit monster family – The Hugglemonsters.
Commenting on the news James Hickey Bord Scannán na hÉireann / the Irish Film Board Chief Executive said:
“Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board are delighted that ‘The Hugglemonsters’, which was developed from on a children’s book by Irish author Niamh Sharkey, with funding from the IFB, will now go into production with Disney and Brown Bag Films. IFB investment in projects of this nature allows Irish companies to develop Irish talent which contributes to the long-term stability of Irish companies, creating jobs and enabling these companies to compete and flourish in the international market place”.
Meanwhile the author Niamh Sharkey, whose illustrated picturebook ‘I’m A Happy Hugglewug’ was published in 2006, said, “I am thrilled to be working with Brown Bag Films to bring my characters to life; the creativity, enthusiasm and care they bring to the project is mind blowing. Making this show for Disney Channel is a dream come true, and to be able to create this show in Ireland together is the icing on the cake. I know my monster family is in safe hands!”