Hana’s Magic World is the first commission for the second round of BBC Children’s and Education’s Ignite initiative to expand its slate of homegrown animation.
Patricia Hidalgo, director of BBC Children’s and Education, commented, “In a media landscape that is increasingly complex for children to navigate, it is more important than ever that the BBC continues to create and deliver high-quality content for young audiences. Our Ignite program has played a vital role in bringing fresh, original voices into U.K. animation and transforming these ideas into trusted content that truly resonates with children both in the UK and around the world.
The Underglow, the final commission from the first round of the Ignite animation program, is now in production. The preschool project hails from Gigglebug and A Productions with support from YLE. “The Underglow is a fantastic example of that ambition, full of warmth, humor, and imagination, and its move into production demonstrates the real impact of Ignite,” Hidalgo said.
Anttu Harlin, EP and co-founder of Gigglebug, added, “What I love about The Underglow is that it makes space for wonder. In a world where so much is explained, there’s real value in letting children sit with mystery and ask ‘what if?’. Creators Sam Morrison and Tanya Scott’s distinctly British preschool style, combined with our Nordic sensibility of blending heart, humor, and meaning, made this a natural creative match, and we’re proud to help nurture and bring that original vision to life.”
Katherine McQueen, MD of A Productions, noted, “This creator-driven project brings together an incredibly talented group of people, promising to deliver plenty of heart, humor and adventure.”
Ignite 2 is underway with its first commission, Hana’s Magic World. The CG-animated preschool series weaves British Sign Language (BSL) into its storytelling. It is produced by Triggerfish UK and created by Leto S Meade.
“The Ignite process was an invaluable opportunity to work directly with commissioners who supported my vision every step of the way, trusted my instincts, and allowed me to stay true to the show’s creative heart,” Meade said. “Ignite helped me build an incredible team who have elevated the quality of this project to something I am truly proud of. As it moves towards commission with the BBC, I’m hugely grateful for the opportunity to bring it to children who deserve to see themselves represented on screen, as well as those inspired by imaginative storytelling.”
Natalie Adams, SVP of business development at Triggerfish, added, “Hana’s Magic World reflects what we value at Triggerfish, championing new directors and bold, meaningful storytelling. It’s imaginative, original, and full of authentic representation, with deaf characters and sign language at its heart. Working with the BBC Ignite team and Leto has been a joy, creating something fresh and distinctive for preschool audiences.”
