Kids

Mediawan Kids & Family, Submarine (a Mediawan company), and Canada’s Sinking Ship Entertainment have announced a strategic co-production partnership to develop a feature film adaptation of "Hilo", the internationally best-selling graphic novel series created by Judd Winick. The series has sold over one million copies worldwide and has been a New York Times bestseller since 2015.

The collaboration aims to adapt "Hilo" into a premium animated feature film produced in high-end 3D animation for family audiences, with the long-term vision of developing a global franchise. The project combines Mediawan and Submarine’s European leadership in storytelling and international IP development with Sinking Ship’s expertise in award-winning animation and visual effects.

Julien Borde, President of Mediawan Kids & Family, commented: "We have always been big fans of Sinking Ship. We love their ambition for content and permanent quest for innovation. By joining our forces, we are bringing together complementary creative and production strengths to translate the world of the book Hilo to screens and new audiences. Submarine’s bold editorial vision and experience in premium animation, combined with Sinking Ship’s exceptional ability to bring characters to life, make them ideal partners for this ambitious project.”

Matt Bishop, Partner and Executive Producer at Sinking Ship Entertainment, added: "Bringing Judd Winick’s 'Hilo' to the screen requires a unique blend of heart, humor, and high-end visual spectacle, exactly the kind of challenge our Emmy Awarding winning team thrives on. We are thrilled to apply the technical expertise and innovation we’ve honed on projects like 'SpongeBob Saving Bikini Bottom' and Apple TV+’s 'Jane' to this massive universe. Partnering with Mediawan and Submarine allows us to push our creative boundaries and build a franchise that will resonate globally.”

Bruno Felix, Co-Founder of Submarine, noted the strategic importance of the alliance: "What makes this partnership particularly compelling is the shared ambition to build Hilo as a long-term brand. Mediawan’s experience in developing multiple globally appealing IPS including 'Miraculous', 'The Little Prince' and 'The Three Musketeers' into global franchises demonstrates a truly international approach to IP creation. Together with Sinking Ship’s creative and technical expertise, our goal is not only to produce a feature film, but to develop a rich universe that can grow across formats and generations.”