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Little Engine Drives Full Steam Ahead Taking a creator-driven approach, Little Engine Moving Pictures specializes in the development, production, financing and distribution of live-action CGI-blended series for an international audience. Its programming is targeted to young (and young-at-heart) viewers, with curated kids’, family and young adult content that features characters ranging from talking puppies to puppets, adventurers and aliens to artists and astronauts. Maria Kennedy is owner and co-founder of Little Engine and oversees the company’s international business and sales strategy. Her expertise lies in the financing and presales of new series and digital content. Since 2014, she has secured $5 million for the production and distribution of the Little Engine shows Cutie Pugs, Starseeker, Canada Crew and Now You Know, which have been sold into more than 100 countries.
Co-founder Ben Mazzotta, as head of creative, manages Little Engine’s full-time, part-time and contract teams of over 70 development, production, post and VFX creatives, delivering world-class stories with humor and heart that have been recognized around the world. While delivering Cutie Pugs ABC, its first 2D animated series, in the middle of the pandemic, the Toronto-based Little Engine quickly shifted its focus to development. Through a nationwide preschool pitching initiative that resulted in over 70 creator submissions from across the globe, the company optioned three pitches: Happy Trails (in development with CBC), Tiny and Tall and Camp Coup, which Little Engine is bringing to market. In this video interview, Kennedy speaks with Kyle Perez, distribution coordinator at Little Engine Moving Pictures, about the company ethos, its strong business relationships and highlights from its catalog. The company’s mission, she says, is to entertain, enlighten, educate and engage kids around the world. “We want kids to be transformed after watching our shows, for them to be more aware of and open to concepts of diversity and inclusion.” Indeed, diversity, inclusion, equity and exploring the deeper “why” in children’s programming is important to Little Engine. The company is constantly looking to push the envelope with bold, innovative and uplifting storytelling that is impactful in a positive way for young audiences and fosters a deeper awareness of the world we live in. Kennedy calls Little Engine a one-stop-shop. “We’re open to different strategies and models of producing new content with partners. What’s important to know is that our company is equally exceptional at development all the way through to delivery and distribution.” She cites among the company’s competitive advantages that it’s a nimble, boutique outfit that produces global content with world-class creators on board. “We operate like a family but we offer great bang for your budget because we’re bringing amazing creative combined with domestic financing to the table.” See Little Engine Moving Pictures’ Spring 2021 Showcase here. More from Little Engine Moving Pictures Cutie Pugs Cutie Pugs ABC Now You Know Canada Crew Starseeker Laugh Therapy The Picco Incident The Limits Little Engine’s Sizzle Reel Visit Little Engine Moving Pictures’ Screening Room
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(Preschool 2-5 live action, 26x7 min.) Transforms simple childhood play into grand learning adventures, seen through the eyes of a little girl and her talking puppies.
(Preschool 2-5 2D, 30x2 min.) The Cutie Pugs learn their ABCs, simple first words and seasons of the year in a series of fun, educational and accessible animated shorts.
(Bridge 4-6 live-action hybrid, 78x7 min.) Follow an imaginative 5-year-old boy and his hilarious non-verbal monkey best friend through a series of adventures linked to a different question each episode.
(Bridge 4-7 live-action hybrid, 26x7 min.) Join Bebe the Beaver, Mo the Moose and Gavin the Canada Goose on a playful cross-Canada tour sharing adventures, incredible sights and “fun facts.”
(Kids 8-12 live-action space adventure comedy, 26x22 min.) The story of three dissimilar kids who “zap” between everyday life at home and school on Earth and explore the farthest reaches of the universe.
(Adults 22-45 comedy, 52x22 min.) Follows the day-to-day life of Maggie, an uncertified therapist, her dysfunctional family, misfit friends and over-the-top online clientele as they emerge from lockdown.
(YA live-action sci-fi mystery thriller, 26x30 min.) When a shadowy government agency investigating a plane crash interrogates the Picco family, Jack and his parents must conceal the survivor that has crashed on their farm.
(YA drama/thriller, 1x90 min.) Four troubled individuals find refuge at a motel where their lives collide in a chain reaction that affects them all in different ways.
A showcase of the wonder and imagination that is Little Engine Moving Pictures, highlighting the best the company has to offer.