EXCLUSIVE: Kartoon Studios, a global producer and distributor of children’s and family entertainment, has partnered with the full-service entertainment studio AETH Entertainment to launch TaleSphere Studios, a joint venture that will produce live-action youth and family-focused entertainment.
The companies aim to service the family and children film genre, as it’s currently among the best performing in entertainment. In 2024, nearly one in three U.S. films that earned more than $100 million at the box office came from this genre, an increase from 20 percent in 2022, according to a recent study from Celluloid Junkie.
“This marks an exciting venture into live action films in keeping with our commitment to positive youth targeted content,” said Kartoon Studios’ founder and CEO, Andy Heyward. “We couldn’t have found a better partner in AETH Entertainment. They are a leader in profitably producing great entertainment.”
AETH has produced over 150 films to date, including Christmas with the Campbells, Crushed, Magic Carpet Rides, and Looking Through Water. Their co-founder and president, Carla Woods, told us, “Kartoon Studios and AETH Entertainment are perfectly aligned in vision and passion, and together our complementary strengths will bring bold, inspiring live-action features to today’s youth and families.”
Already, TaleSphere Studios is in development on its first feature, Real Santa, based on the bestselling novel of the same name by William Hazelgrove. The film follows a devoted father who goes to extraordinary lengths to keep his daughter’s belief in Santa alive. It’ll be executive produced by Hazelgrove and Allan Grafman, President and CEO of All Media Ventures.
Prior to Kartoon Studios, Heyward founded DIC Entertainment, the animation studio behind hits like Inspector Gadget, Strawberry Shortcake, Real Ghostbusters, Captain Planet and Sonic the Hedgehog.
AETH is repped by Gersh.
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