The “KidVid” market has proven to be immensely successful for producers, distributors and retailers, with countless titles already in the marketplace. As an established company, ThinkFilm is in an ideal position to penetrate the market. The division will be focused on learning and educational product, certain to please both parents and children. ThinkFilm Kids is starting with two budding series: BRAINCANDY and MY FIRST DAY.
BRAINCANDY is the next generation in innovative, interactive DVD titles aimed at children nine months to five years. In BRAINCANDY children use their five senses to experiment with their environment learning more about themselves and the world around them. BRAINCANDY believes children learn best through “active play.” Rather than teaching children to memorize a few facts, BRAINCANDY motivates children to interact with the imagery they see on the screen, thereby laying the foundation for independent thinking and creativity. This makes BRAINCANDY unlike anything else in the category aimed at very young children.
BRAINCANDY features funny puppets representing the five senses, “real” kids engaged in captivating, sensory activities, and innovative animations illustrating how the senses work. With charming, “kidified,” multi-genre music, BRAINCANDY is unlike anything else in the category. BRAINCANDY: MY 5 SENSES, is the first title in the series. Future releases will include FINGERCANDY and EYECANDY.
BRAINCANDY: MY 5 SENSES recently received the Award of Excellence from the Film Advisory Board, a Preferred Choice Award from the Top Creative Toy Awards, and the highest-possible rating, “Five Doves,” from the Dove Foundation, a non-profit organization established to encourage and promote the creation, production, and distribution of wholesome family entertainment.
BRAINCANDY was created by husband and wife team Sam Reich-Dagnen and Johnny Dagnen, who were inspired by the birth of their twins. “At BRAINCANDY, we’re providing content that challenges young children to learn and think critically about their world,” said Sam Reich-Dagnen, Co-Founder and Principal of BRAINCANDY. “We know ThinkFilm supports our vision and is committed to bringing the best in children’s DVD titles to market.”
MY FIRST DAY, exclusive to the home entertainment market, focuses on the exciting first-time events all children encounter. The series prepares young children for these events by recreating situations to demonstrate what children can expect. Each episode stars Buddy Bear, a friendly and furry talking bear, who experiences the first-time events along with his child friends. The first title to be released will be MY FIRST DAY AT PRESCHOOL (Summer, 2005). The summer release date positions it as the “must-have” DVD for the Back-To-School season. Other episodes in the series include MY FIRST DAY AT THE DOCTOR, MY FIRST DAY AT THE ZOO, and MY FIRST SIBLING.
MY FIRST DAY AT PRESCHOOL has already received significant awards recognition from many respected outlets. Parent & Child Magazine selected it as the Teachers’ Pick: Best of 2004 Best Video, Parenting Magazine selected it as a Video of the Year (2003), and it has been “Family Approved” by the Dove Foundation.
MY FIRST DAY creator and executive producer John Aguirre was thrilled at the opportunity to work with ThinkFilm. “We’re working with an established company and helping to launch a new line. This is really the best of both worlds.”
Marc Hirshberg, ThinkFilm Senior Vice President of Finance and Operations, has envisioned this move for a while. “As a father of two, it became very clear to me that KidVid was a business Think needed to get into. With MY FIRST DAY and BRAINCANDY, we launch our own KidVid brand and two series in one shot. This will give us a significant foot into the market.”
Sackman has his eyes clearly set on the future. “ThinkFilm Kids is on the look-out for more niche product and will release additional titles in the KidVid market as we continue to expand this division.”
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY THINKFILM
