Danish fantasy series ‘Walter’s Christmas’ finds a home on Canal+ France
A magical tale for the holiday season
APC Kids, a dynamic division of the French production-distribution powerhouse APC Studios, has successfully sold the first season of the Danish live-action fantasy family series, Walter’s Christmas: Keeper of the Forest, to Canal+ France. This marks the beginning of the series’ international journey, as APC Kids introduces it to global buyers at the Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Le Havre, Normandy.
The enchanting world of Walter
Produced by Cosmo Film for Denmark’s TV2, which has already commissioned a second season, the series consists of 24 half-hour episodes in its first season. The narrative is crafted by Jesper Fink, known for his work on “Margrete: Queen of the North,” and Thomas Porsager, a 2023 Danish Film Award winner for “Little Alien” in the best children/youth film category. Directed by Morten Boesdal Halvorsen (“A-klassen”), the series transcends its Danish roots, offering a universal story that could resonate with audiences worldwide.
A Christmas adventure like no other
The story follows Walter, who is eagerly anticipating another Christmas at his family farm, only to discover that his mother has put it up for sale. Heartbroken, he ventures into the nearby oak woods, where he encounters Tala, a shapeshifting girl and wolf from the magical Endless Forest. Tala reveals that the forest and all of nature are in peril unless Walter can restore a broken covenant between the forest creatures and humans to protect the Mother Tree, the source of all life. Together with Rita, they embark on a true Christmas adventure filled with enchanted nature, deep family secrets, elves, romance, and new friendships.
Bringing Danish magic to French screens
Lionel Marty, Managing Director of APC Kids, expressed his excitement about the series’ French debut: “Walter’s Christmas is a fun, fantastical series, and we are thrilled that children in France will experience the show on Canal+Kids this holiday season. The writing and storytelling make this Danish show accessible and relevant to kids around the world.”
A legacy of fantasy storytelling
“Walter’s Christmas” is produced by Sille Sterll and Michel Ryddeskov at Cosmo Film and follows in the footsteps of another successful fantasy live-action show for tweens, Tinka, also produced for TV2 and sold internationally by APC Kids. “Tinka” revolves around an elven girl who is half pixie, half human, and spans three seasons: “Tinka’s Tale,” “Tinka and the King’s Game,” and “Tinka and the Echo of Souls.”
APC Kids: A growing force in children’s entertainment
APC Kids is steadily building its reputation in the realm of children’s entertainment, offering international sales and gap-financing while working alongside its sister company, About Premium Content. The company’s sales slate primarily focuses on high-quality animation with notable production values.
In May, APC Kids announced its involvement in Nitso and The Very Hairy Alphabet, a new preschool edutainment series produced by Eagle Eye Filmproduktion in co-production with Kika and GS Animation. Last year, APC Kids secured international rights outside the Americas and China for the Jade Armor animated series, an action-adventure comedy produced by TeamTO.
A diverse portfolio of children’s content
APC Kids’ portfolio includes several high-profile animated series such as the preschool favorite Kid-E-Cats, the adventurous Isadora Moon, based on the Harriet Muncaster book series about a half fairy, half vampire girl, and the forest-themed Fox and Hare, a collaboration between Submarine, Walking the Dog, and DogHouse Films that has become a hit with European public broadcasters.
For cinema, TV series, and music enthusiasts, the world of children’s entertainment is ever-evolving, with new stories and characters continually emerging to captivate young audiences. The success of “Walter’s Christmas” on Canal+ France is a testament to the universal appeal of well-crafted, imaginative storytelling that transcends cultural boundaries and brings joy to families around the world.