Dandelooo will produce animated series ‘Max & Rabbit’ for Canal+

Canal+ has commissioned French animation house Dandelooo to produce a new 2D animated series for three to five year olds, entitled ‘Max & Rabbit’.

Based on the best-selling children’s book series by French author Astrid Desbordes, illustrated by Pauline Martin, the show follows the protagonists through their daily routine.

Told from Max’s perspective, the show features unique and clever tools to teach young viewers how to manage emotions, be a better listener, verbalize and find solutions to everyday problems children may face.

Animation of the series will be carried out from Dandelooo’s Ooolala studio in Cartoucherie, Valence from next month. The episodes are directed by Clément Céard, whose animator credits include the Oscar-nominated “Persepolis,” the popular adult animated series “Lastman” and 2D sequences in Jim Capobianco and Pierre-Luc Granjon’s “The Inventor.”

Dandelooo and Canal+ share a fruitful history of collaboration. The first is currently in production for ‘The Upside-Down River’, a series based on the novel of the same name by Jean Claude Mourlevat, commissioned by the broadcaster. The company also produced the award-winning short film ‘Mum is Pouring Rain’ for Canal+, which won a jury prize in Annecy in 2021.

Dandelooo Producer & Head of International Emmanuèle Pétry: “With this new assignment, we are delighted to continue the creative collaboration for this beautiful IP with Canal+’s Nathalie Leffray and Christine Cauquelin, building on the great teamwork established during the production of the serialized fantasy series ‘The Upside Down River.’”

“Canal+ is delighted to enter into a new partnership with the Dandelooo team,” said Christine Cauquelin, director of programs and channels for documentaries, youth and animation at the French broadcaster. “The books ‘Max & Rabbit’ by Astrid Desbordes and Pauline Martin have won our hearts thanks to their modern appearance, the soft ironic tone that brings humor. We believe that the series will fully reflect our desire to tell stories to the little ones, because the characters are kind, smart and a little mischievous. We have no doubt that our audiences will love this new series.”

Dandelooo will handle international distribution with delivery of the series scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025.