Nelvana
Canadian animation studio and entertainment company
Nelvana Limited (/nɛlˈvɑːnə/; often called Nelvana Studios or simply Nelvana) is a Canadian animation studio. It was founded in 1971 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada by Michael Hirsh, Patrick Loubert, and Clive A. Smith. The company is now owned by Corus Entertainment. It is named after a local comic book superheroine of the 1940s.
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| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Animation Franchise licensing Children's entertainment |
| Predecessor | Laff Arts[1] |
| Founded | July 1971 |
| Founders | Michael Hirsh Patrick Loubert Clive A. Smith |
| Headquarters | Official office: Toronto, Ontario, Canada International offices: Paris, France Shannon, Ireland Tokyo, Japan |
Number of locations | Canada: Kitchener, Ontario London, Ontario Woodstock, New Brunswick United States: Chicago, Illinois New York City, New York Los Angeles, California |
Key people | Mellany Welsh (Head of Nelvana Enterprises) Pam Westman (President of Nelvana Limited) |
| Products | Consisting mainly of children's animation; see also list of Nelvana programs |
| Revenue | C$600 million (2001)[2] |
Number of employees | 200+ (2021)[3] |
| Parent | Corus Entertainment (2000–present) |
| Subsidiaries | Redknot (50%) |
| Website | www |
It specialises mainly in the field of child-friendly TV shows and movies.
Feature films
changeTheatrical
change- Rock & Rule (1983)
- The Care Bears Movie (1985)
- Care Bears Movie II: A New Generation (1986, co-productions with LBS Communications, Wang Film Productions and American Greetings)
- The Care Bears Adventure in Wonderland (1987)
- Burglar (1987) – live-action
- Babar: The Movie (1989, co-production with Ellipse Programme)
- Malice (1993) – live-action; uncredited
- Spaceman (1997) – live-action
- Pippi Longstocking (1997)
- Babar: King of the Elephants (1999, co-production with TMO-Loonland Film GmbH)
- Blazing Dragons: The Movie (2001, co-production with Ellipse Programme and Nickelodeon Animation Studio)
- Heidi (2005, co-production with TV-Loonland AG and Telemagination, released theatrically in Germany)
- Franklin and the Turtle Lake Treasure (2006) (co-production with StudioCanal)
Direct-to-video
change- The Legend of the North Wind (1997, English dubbed version)
- Donkey Kong Country: The Legend of the Crystal Coconut (1999) (CGI)
- Cardcaptors: The Movie (2000; English dubbed version)
- Redwall: The Movie (2000, edit of Series 1 of Redwall)
- Franklin and the Green Knight (2000)
- Franklin's Magic Christmas (2001)
- The Little Bear Movie (2001)
- Rolie Polie Olie: The Great Defender of Fun (2002) (CGI)
- Rolie Polie Olie: The Baby Bot Chase (2003) (CGI)
- Back to School with Franklin (2003)
- Rescue Heroes: The Movie (2003)
- Care Bears: Journey to Joke-a-lot (2004) (CGI)
- Beyblade: Fierce Battle (2005, English dubbed version)
- The Care Bears' Big Wish Movie (2005) (CGI)
- Mike the Knight: Journey to Dragon Mountain (2014) (with HIT Entertainment)
Other
change- Voulez-vous coucher avec God? (1972)
- 125 Rooms of Comfort (1974) – titles
- Jefferson Starship (1983) – live-action (co-production with East Media for RCA VideoDiscs)
- Grace Under Pressure Tour (1986) – rear screen films
- Three Amigos (1986) – animation
- The Return of the North Wind (1994; distribution licensing)
- Attack of the Killer B-Movies (1995) – live-action
Television specials
change- Christmas Two Step (1975) – combining live-action and animation
- A Cosmic Christmas (1977)
- The Devil and Daniel Mouse (1978)
- How We Made The Devil and Daniel Mouse (1978)
- Star Wars Holiday Special (1978) – live-action; includes animated sequence from the company
- Romie-0 and Julie-8 (1979)
- Intergalactic Thanksgiving (1979)
- Easter Fever (1980) (with Topcraft)
- Take Me Up to the Ball Game (1980)
- The Magic of Herself the Elf (1983)
- Strawberry Shortcake: Housewarming Surprise (1983)
- Strawberry Shortcake and the Baby Without a Name (1984)
- The Get Along Gang (1984) – pilot episode; co-produced with DIC Audiovisuel
- Strawberry Shortcake Meets the Berrykins (1985)
- Atkinson Film-Arts television specials (distributor):
- The Body Electric (1985)
- Rumpelstiltskin (1985)
- The Velveteen Rabbit (1985)
- For Better or For Worse: The Bestest Present (1985)
- Babar and Father Christmas (1985)
- The Tin Soldier (1986)
- The Nightingale (1987)
- The Great Heep (1986)
- Madballs: Escape from Orb! (1986)
- My Pet Monster (1986)
- The Wild Puffalumps (1987)
- The Rocket Boy (1987) – live-action (co-production for Orion Television)
- Spies, Lies & Naked Thighs (1988) – main title design
- Care Bears Nutcracker Suite (1988)
- HBO Storybook Musicals (1991) – "The Tale of Peter Rabbit"
- The Rosey and Buddy Show (1992)
- Santa's First Christmas (1992) (with EVA Entertainment, Siriol Productions, and S4C)
- The Incredible Crash Dummies (1993) (with Lamb and Company, Tyco, and Fox Kids)
- The Santa Claus Brothers (2001) – CGI
- Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Kids (2003) – CGI
- Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Friends: The Prince, the Princess and the Bee (2006) – CGI
- A Franklin and Friends Adventure: Polar Explorer (2014) – CGI
- A Franklin and Friends: Deep Sea Voyage (2014) – CGI
- Lucky Duck (2014) (with Disney Junior) – CGI
- Thomas & Friends: Race for the Sodor Cup (2021) (with Mattel Television)
- Thomas & Friends: Mystery at Lookout Mountain (2023) (with Mattel Television)
- This Was Our Pact (TBA) (with Duncan Studio and Estuary Films) - direct-to-streaming[4]
Television series
change1970s
change| Series | Year(s) | Production partner | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Star Cinema | 1974–1975 | CBC Television |
1980s
change| Series | Year(s) | Production partner | Original network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. Microchip | 1983 | CBC Television | |
| 20 Minute Workout | 1983–1985 | Orion Television | Citytv Syndication |
| Inspector Gadget (season 1) | 1983 | DIC Audiovisuel Field Communications LBS Communications |
Syndication |
| The Edison Twins | 1984–1986 | CBC Television | |
| Ewoks | 1985–1986 | Lucasfilm | ABC Global |
| Star Wars: Droids | 1985–1986 | ||
| The Care Bears Family | 1986–1988 | Those Characters from Cleveland | ABC (1986–87) Syndication (1988) Global |
| Madballs | 1986–1987 | AmToy | Direct-to-video |
| Scholastic's Blue Ribbon Storybook Video | 1986 | Scholastic Productions Karl-Lorimar Home Video |
Direct-to-video |
| Cricket's Club | 1986–1987 | Hi-Tops Video | Direct-to-video |
| My Pet Monster | 1987 | Those Characters from Cleveland | ABC Global |
| T. and T. | 1988–1990 | Hal Roach Studios/Qintex Entertainment | Syndication (1988–89) The Family Channel (1990) Global |
| Clifford the Big Red Dog | 1988 | Scholastic Productions | Direct-to-video |
| Babar | 1989–1991 2000 |
The Clifford Ross Company Ellipsanime (2000) Kodansha (2000) |
Canada
Canal+ France 3 |
| Beetlejuice | 1989–1991 | Tim Burton Inc. The Geffen Film Company Warner Bros. Television |
ABC Fox Kids Network (1991) Global |
1990s
change2000s
change2010s
change2020s
change| Series | Creator(s) / Developer(s) | Year(s) | Production partner | Original network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ollie's Pack | Pedro Eboli Graham Peterson |
2020–2021 | Corus Entertainment | YTV (Canada) Nickelodeon (United States) |
| The Dog & Pony Show | Josh Selig | 2020–2021 | Discovery Inc. Little Airplane Productions redknot |
Treehouse TV Discovery Kids (Latin America) |
| The Hardy Boys[18] | 2020–2023 | Lambur Productions | YTV (Canada) Hulu (United States) | |
| Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go | Britt Allcroft Rick Suvalle |
2021–present | Mattel Television | Cartoon Network (2021–2023) / Netflix (2024–present) (United States) Treehouse TV (Canada) |
| Super Wish[19] | Vanessa Esteves Adrian Thatcher |
2022–present | Redknot Discovery, Inc. |
YTV (Canada) Discovery Kids (Latin America) |
| Best & Bester[20] | Joonas Utti Anttu Harlin |
Gigglebug Entertainment Eye Present |
YTV[21] (Canada) Yle TV2 (Finland) Nickelodeon (United Kingdom) | |
| Builder Brothers' Dream Factory | Drew and Jonathan Scott | 2023–present | Sinking Ship Entertainment Scott Brothers Entertainment |
Treehouse TV |
| Bakugan | 2023–2024 | TMS Entertainment Spin Master Entertainment |
YTV (Canada) Disney XD (United States) | |
| Zokie of Planet Ruby[22] | Brian Morante | 2023 | Atomic Cartoons Corus Entertainment |
YTV (Canada) Amazon Prime Video (United States) |
| Geek Girl[23] | 2024–present | RubyRock Pictures Aircraft Pictures |
Netflix | |
| Barney's World[24][25][26] | Sheryl Leach Kathy Parker Dennis DeShazer |
Mattel Television | Treehouse TV/StackTV (Canada) Cartoon Network/Max (United States) | |
| Hamsters of Hamsterdale[22] | Zach Smith | Atomic Cartoons Corus Entertainment |
Treehouse TV (Canada) Amazon Prime Video (United States) |
Upcoming
change| Series | Creator(s) / Developer(s) | Year(s) | Production partner | Original network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Millie Magnificent[27] | 2025 | Treehouse TV | ||
| Piñata Smashlings[28] | Toikido | YTV | ||
| Leela's Island[29] | Maria Perez-Brown Fracaswell Hyman Janice Burgess |
Time Studios | Treehouse TV | |
| Dreamweavers[30] | TBA | Bingo Animation Studio | YTV (Canada) Tencent Video (China) | |
| Bella's Bro-Bots[31] | Keith Chapman | Spin Master Entertainment | Treehouse TV | |
| A Horse Named Steve[32] | Sixteen South | TBA |
Short films
change- Queen Street West (1973)[33]
- Apple Cider Time (1975)[34]
- Maple Spring (1977)[35]
- Nishnawbe-Aski: The People and the Land (1977) (animation)
- Shoppin' for Clothes (1988)
- Journey to the Planets (1993) (animated sequences)
- Stickin' Around (1994) (CBS interstitial series)
- The Larry Lard Show (1996) (pilot)
- Mr. Lucky (1996) (post-production)
- Jean-Luc & Dondoozat (1998) (short series; co-production with Bibo Films, Canal+ and Télétoon)
- The Most Magnificent Thing (2019)
- Toon Bops (2019–present) (short series)
Commercials
change- 7 Up (early 1990s)
- Bauer Athletic Footwear (1982)
- Cadbury's Dairy Milk (1982)
- Cap'n Crunch/Blockbuster Video (1994)
- CBC Radio (two spots)
- Chef Boyardee (early 1990s)
- CIBC (mid 1990s)
- Cow Brand
- Chuck E. Cheese (2004)
- Dellcrest Children's Center (1979) (live-action PSA)
- Garfield Ravioli (1994)
- Green Park (early 1990s)
- The Guardian
- Heinz Scarios (1980, 1982)
- Honeycomb (early 1990s)
- IBM (1993)
- Imperial Oil (1978)
- M&M's (early 1990s)
- Ocean Spray (1990s)
- Ontario Dental Association (four spots; 1994)
- Ontario Hydro (1979, 1981)
- Philishave Lift and Cut
- Planters (1981, early 1990s)
- Purina Butcher's Blend (1981, 1983)
- Purina Puppy Chow (1980)
- Raid (1982)
- RE/MAX
- Rice Krispies (early 1990s, 1994)
- Shreddies (1989, 1992)
- Stay Alert Stay Safe (1990)
- Tetley Tea (early 1980s)
- Toronto City Cycling Committee (1989)
- Toronto Star (early 1980s)
- WHSmith
- White Swan (1991)
Footnotes
changeReferences
change- ↑ Kocmarek, Ivan (October 7, 2015). "Patrick Loubert and Michael Hirsh • Comic Book Daily". Comic Book Daily. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
- ↑ Fitzgerald, James (May 1, 2001). "Nelvana's 30th Anniversary Profile". KidScreen Magazine. Retrieved July 1, 2006.
- ↑ Dudok de Wit, Alex (June 11, 2021). "Nelvana At 50: Mapping Out The Studio's Future With President Pam Westman". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
- ↑ "'This Was Our Pact' Movie in Works with Duncan Studio, Peter Dinklage's Estuary Films & Nelvana". February 8, 2021.
- ↑ Stevens, Mary (February 5, 1993). "It's Not Easy Being A Henson". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on November 8, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2012.
- ↑ "Z-squad". Nelvana.com. Archived from the original on January 31, 2012.
- ↑ "Trucktown - Lemon Sky Studios".
- ↑ "Cars, cats & creativity drive Corus Kids' 2016/17 lineup".
- ↑ Milligan, Mercedes (April 4, 2016). "Nelvana Announces MIPTV Highlights".
- ↑ "Nelvana, Sony partner on Hotel Transylvania TV series".
- ↑ Milligan, Mercedes (June 9, 2015). "Nelvana Assembles Partners for 'Mysticons'".
- ↑ "Nelvana rebrands as Corus 2016 revenues rise 44%".
- ↑ "Sesame Workshop, Nelvana partner on Esme and Roy".
- ↑ "Sonar dives into Go Away, Unicorn! production". Kidscreen. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Corus unveils 2018/19 kids programming slate".
- ↑ Foster, Elizabeth (November 14, 2017). "Nelvana greenlights D.N.Ace". kidscreen.com. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
- ↑ Jacques, Ian. "South Delta author Ashley Spires excited to see work on small screen". Delta Optimist. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
- ↑ "Hulu, YTV pick up The Hardy Boys".
- ↑ "Nelvana Makes a wish with its new show".
- ↑ "Nelvana gets in on Best & Bester".
- ↑ "Corus Entertainment Announces 35 Greenlights and Renewals for Its Iconic Portfolio of Specialty Networks".
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Nickelodeon Fuels Original Animation Content Slate With Nelvana on Two New Series Greenlights: ZJ Sparkleton and the Hamster Show". Business Wire (Press release). March 18, 2021.
- ↑ Kanter, Jake (January 20, 2023). "Netflix Adapts Geek Girl Into Series About Neurodiverse Teenager Who Becomes Model". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
- ↑ "Barney the Dinosaur Gets Relaunch from Mattel". The Hollywood Reporter. February 13, 2023.
- ↑ Petski, Denise (May 9, 2023). "'Barney's World' Animated Kids Series Heads To Cartoon Network's Cartoonito & Max". Deadline. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
- ↑ Spangler, Todd (May 9, 2023). "New Barney the Dinosaur Series Coming to Max, Cartoon Network in 2024". Variety. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
- ↑ "Nelvana Greenlights 'Millie Magnificent' Series". January 18, 2023.
- ↑ "'Piñata Smashlings' Gets Greenlight for 2D Series from Nelvana & Toikido". January 12, 2024.
- ↑ "TIME Studios partners with Nelvana for new series".
- ↑ "Dreamweavers wins first China Tales Incubator".
- ↑ "NELVANA PARTNERS WITH KEITH CHAPMAN TO DEVELOP "BELLA'S BRO-BOTS "".
- ↑ "Sixteen South & Nelvana Saddle 'A Horse Named Steve' for Series". March 28, 2023.
- ↑ Queen Street West. (Film, 1973) [WorldCat.org]. OCLC 5559509.
- ↑ Apple cider time. (Film, 1975) [WorldCat.org]. OCLC 5603204.
- ↑ Maple spring. (Film, 1978) [WorldCat.org]. OCLC 496865488.
Notes
change- ^ Bynum, Aaron H. (October 25, 2006). "Nelvana & Others Establish Development Consortium". Animation Insider. Archived from the original on May 27, 2011. Retrieved November 6, 2006.
- ^ Reeve-Crook, Antony (September 8, 2006). "Nelvana pushes Di-Gata, sets up Pearlie copro". C21 Media. Retrieved November 6, 2006.