Overview
A new animated series, Flix, commissioned by RTE and produced in Kerry, brings to life a children’s book by artist Tomi Ungerer, one of the 20th century’s leading children’s authors. The series was commissioned by RTÉ and produced in Tralee, Co. Kerry by Pictor Productions in partnership with Avalon Films. The show was co-developed with Eye Present in the UK and is being distributed by Serious Kids. The original book, Flix, is published by Diogenes Verlag.
The series is a comedy adventure about Flix, the only dog growing up in Cat Town, and his two best cat friends Tabi and Munchkin. The series is light-hearted and quirky but carries a serious message about the importance of celebrating being the odd one out.
Flix was a book created by Tomi Ungerer in 1996 and following its release, Tomi was awarded the coveted Hans Christian Anderson Award, often referred to as the Nobel Prize of Children’s Books. In the words of Tomi: “Flix is about making the best of your differences – we are all equal and we are all different. Everyone has something to offer. Flix shows us that with a sense of humour you can overcome every dogstacle.”
Tomi Ungerer lived and worked from Ireland since moving here in 1976 until his death in 2019. Two of his books have been made into feature films (The Three Robbers and Moon Man) but Flix is the first to be made into a TV show.
Flix was produced in Ireland by Tomi’s daughter, Aria Ungerer (Pictor) and Executive Produced by Deirdre Barry (Avalon). Commenting on the series, Aria said: “Developing and producing Flix has been a real labour of love. We had the great good fortune to begin the process working directly with Tomi on adapting the original designs from the book. Seeing these come to life is just an incredible feeling. I know that he would be thrilled! So many fantastic people have worked on the show – from the production team to the artists and writers and it’s been amazing to see how each person has been able to flex their own creative muscles whilst also staying true to the DNA of the original property. Flix doesn’t really look like any other shows out there – when you watch it you really have the sense of a book come to life in the best possible way. It’s also important to me, as a first generation Irish person, to see a show that really celebrates being different – I think this message is exactly what we need, especially now when the subject of immigration is so divisive. Flix shows kids that not only is it ok to not be like everyone else, but that actually everyone has their own quirks and by embracing those things that make you unique, that is where you find your strength too.”
Tomi Ungerer has sold over 16 million books worldwide and been translated into over 40 languages. His books are taught in French and German schools. He worked tirelessly throughout his life for children’s rights and was named as the first ever European Council Ambassador for Childhood and Education. In 2007 the Tomi Ungerer Museum in Strasbourg opened its doors, becoming the first ever public museum in France to be dedicated to the work of a living artist. In 2014, Tomi was awarded one of the most distinguished honours in France, Commandeur de l’Order National du Mérite, given in recognition of his continued lifelong struggle against artistic and political prejudice, and in acknowledgement of his work for improved Franco-German relations. In 2018 he was promoted to Commandeur de la Légion d’Honneur in recognition of his services to culture and art.
RTÉ 2
Eps 1-5 (27th – 31st March) @ 09:20
Eps 6-13 (3rd -12th April) @ 08.45
Flix: Episode Synopses:
- SUPER FLIX SYNOPSIS
At school, some of the cats aren’t all that impressed that Flix is a dog, so he emBARKS on a mission to prove he’s not just a regular mutt – he tries to find his true super power, and turns himself into Super Flix!
- SUBSTITUTE COLZA SYNOPSIS
At school, Flix is ready to live it up while the teachers are on an away day at Rulestock (a convention about boring school rules). But a substitute teacher arrives to look after Flix and the cat students. And the substitute teacher is Colza, Flix’s mum!
- SLEEPOVER Synopsis
Flix’s parents, Colza and Zeno, are treating themselves to a special night out at a cattery hotel, so Flix invites his best friends Tabi and Munchkin over to his house for their first ever SOLO sleepover. But Flix’s sleepover plans are busted when he finds out that Felina, his big sister, is going to babysit them.
- CLOCKTOWER Synopsis
It’s National Dog Day and Flix wants to celebrate in style by going to Dog Town. But he finds out that his family’s name is cat litter in Dog Town.
- SCHOOL SMELLS Synopsis
Disaster! Flix has lost his sense of smell! Flix is devastated. Having a great sense of smell is one of THE perks of being a dog. So Flix does the most sensible thing he can think of: he tries TO FIND his sense of smell.
- DOGGONE DETENTION
After the disaster of the ‘School Smells’ episode, Flix, Tabi, Munchkin, and their bully rival Burma Fang, find themselves in detention. But Flix is surprised when they’re also joined by Felina, Flix’s sister. What could she possibly have done to get in detention??
- FUR BALLS OF FURY Synopsis
Flix is determined to see Fur Balls of Fury, the latest cinematic masterpiece starring Flix’s favourite hero, Mac Cat.
- FOREVER ELEVENTEEN Synopsis
Flix hatches an elaborate plan to get inside the store Forever Eleventeen to buy a Mac Cat jacket without his mom realising who is protesting outside about the store’s mean treatment of its staff.
- TROOP WILDCATS
Flix is trying to find something that he and his dad, Zeno, can enjoy doing together. When he discovers that Zeno was the Ultimate Outdoor Cat in a scout group called Troop Wildcats, Flix is eager to live up to his dad’s reputation AND prove that he could be the Ultimate Outdoor Cat, too.
- TABI’S GOT TALENT Synopsis
Flix and Munchkin devote themselves to helping Tabi find her voice again and overcome her stage fright at a school talent show.
- DOG DIPLOMACY Synopsis
A Great Dane called Greta visits Flix’s school as a part of official Dog/Cat Summit Relations. Flix positions himself as Greta’s chaperone for the week – after all, who better than another friendly dog like Flix to help another dog navigate the crazy kitten school.
- BEST BUDDY BURMA Synopsis
As part of a school presentation, Flix and Burma are challenged to overcome their differences, and see if they can be friends. Flix is well up for it – he sees it as a great opportunity to find out what Burma’s really like, and maybe Burma will stop bullying him, Tabi and Munchkin at school.
- TIGER MILK PARTY Synopsis
Flix is eager to hang out and help out Munchkin at the Tiger Milk Café, when Munchkins parents leave him in charge for a few hours. However, Flix’s enthusiastic efforts to help backfire, so he decides to up his game and hold a surprise party for Munchkin at the Tiger Milk Café instead!
