The 3DCG version of 'The Smurfs' marks the franchise's return to television 40 years after its first airing.
IMPS, the worldwide licensee for The Smurfs, has partnered with Spacetoon to bring the brand to the MENA region via the Spacetoon TV channel, branded on-ground activities, and new toys.
Through this partnership, the two parties will reintroduce the show to a young audience in MENA by broadcasting a localised, Arabic-dubbed version of The Smurfs in 3DCG animation style.
Commenting on this partnership, Kamel Weiss, Strategic Business Development Director of Spacetoon, said: “The Smurfs is a multigenerational title that has been resonating with the audience for 40 years now, and we are proud to have it back in MENA as a TV show and also as branded events. We are aiming to pull all family members together to live various entertaining experiences that suit all ages, and present values to kids and parents at the same time.”
Véronique Culliford, President of IMPS, and the daughter of Peyo, the creator of the Smurfs, added: “This new distribution deal will contribute to introduce a new generation of kids in MENA to the legacy of the Smurfs. I know there are many amazing Smurfs fans there, and it makes me so happy to know that parents and kids will continue to enjoy The Smurfs together, watching their new adventures on Spacetoon TV!”
Spacetoon also has plans to expand the presence of The Smurfs in MENA through various on-ground entertaining activities that suit all family members, as it is now the promotional licensee of the brand in the region.
The deal also includes bringing new The Smurfs toys to the MENA market, in collaboration with ToyPro, the toy distributor in the region. This new toy line by Jazwares, the new global master toy partner of The Smurfs, include action figures for The Smurfs characters, in addition to toys for all family members to enjoy.
Fawaz Abidin, Managing Director of ToyPro, stated: “We are very excited to bring The Smurfs toys to the region to deliver a full family-entertaining experience with our media partner Spacetoon TV. The Smurfs figures reflecting their distinctive personalities, the different playsets, vehicles and plush toys all will hit the shelves in the MENA market next year.”
Audience from almost all ages will be able to enjoy the adventures of Papa Smurf, Smurfette, Brainy, and Clumsy, along with all other inhabitants of The Smurfs Village in the Arabic language.
