Millimages to Shop Kids Animated Series ‘Bin Buddies’ This Fall

Paris-based, independent animation house Millimages is a tenured staple of children’s entertainment, known for popular animated series like the multi-award-nominated “Molang” and the preschool series “Mouk.” Their newest series, “Bin Buddies,” has been announced as part of the official selection at this month’s upcoming Cartoon Forum, taking place in Toulouse over Sept. 16-19.

As well as being a part of Cartoon Forum, the series will also feature at Mipcom in Cannes the following month.

The series looks to carry the spirit of the label’s previous successes through its focus on ordinary, everyday life (but with a touch more color). “Bin Buddies” is noted as being “the first upper preschool CG animated series to place bin men in a starring role” – a rather refreshing change of pace for children’s shows surrounding a fantastical depiction of blue-collar work.

Created by Fabrice Ravier and set for 52 seven-minute episodes, “Bin Buddies” works in deliberate contrast to other popular contemporaries in kid’s animation, and producer Bonnie Lener proudly underlines that aspect.

“I was immediately attracted to the potential of ‘Bin Buddies’ because it is not your typical rescue or vehicle show that turns a regular job into some sort of fantasy superhero scenario,” Lener explained. “Instead, it takes an ordinary (but somewhat overlooked) everyday job and shows its value to the community through fun and adventurous stories. We’re looking forward to pitching and discussing international partnerships with our friends at Cartoon Forum and Mipcom.”

“Bin Buddies” is aimed at children between the ages of five and seven; its adventures set in “Nicelittletown,” a place where trash collectors are celebrated by children in the same way that a fireman might be. Each of the series’s episodes will follow the escapades of Maddy the Ostrich, Rodrigo the Lion, and Turbo the Raccoon – “partners in grime” on a mission to clean up their town in their “fabulous one-of-a-kind garbage mobile” – that transport being but one way the show makes a lighthearted adventure out of refuse collection.

“Bin Buddies” will pitch at Cartoon Forum on Sept. 17. The trailer, a full bible and two scripts will later be presented at Mipcom by Bonnie Lener, producer and head of development at Millimages.