Spanish animation is once again on the international map for children's and youth entertainment. Noty Toons, an intellectual property developed by TheBox Characters & Creatures, has been selected as one of the five finalists for MIPJunior Pitch 2026, one of the benchmark competitions for content creators targeting pre-teens and teenagers.
The announcement is significant because the final will be held during MIPJunior, an event taking place in Cannes on October 10 and 11, where the selected projects will have the opportunity to present before a panel of top-tier professionals from the international audiovisual industry.
What is MIPJunior Pitch and why does it matter
MIPJunior Pitch is an international competition aimed at identifying the next generation of intellectual properties designed for one of the fastest-growing segments in entertainment: children and teenagers aged 9 to 17.
The contest accepts both original ideas and adaptations born from social media, video games, books, or podcasts, provided they are conceived for television, digital, or streaming platforms. It is a key showcase for capturing the attention of international networks, platforms, and production companies.
The five finalist projects
Alongside the Spanish proposal, four other initiatives from different parts of the world are competing:
- Beast Guitar, produced by VEPLUSDE (Ireland).
- Big Red, produced by PVP Media Inc. (Canada).
- Murphy's Manor, produced by Fantawild Animation Inc. (China).
- Super Tree Hero and the Five Kingdoms, created by Katherina Bach (South Africa).
- Noty Toons, by TheBox Characters & Creatures (Spain).
An internationally renowned jury
The selection of the five finalists was carried out by a professional jury composed of representatives from some of the most influential companies in the global children's and youth sector.
Among them are Maud Branly, Children Acquisitions Director and International TV Channels Children Programming Director at M6/Gulli; Rick Clodfelter, Executive Director of Content Acquisitions and Partnerships at Disney Kids & Family; David Michel, President of Cottonwood Media; Sarah Muller, Senior Head of Children's Commissioning at the BBC; and Qing Fan, producer at Tencent Video.
What is Noty Toons about
Noty Toons is presented as a chaotic news program that mixes live reports with serialized adventure comedy. The story follows a team of reporters tasked with covering strange, absurd, and unexpectedly educational events around the world.
The plot kicks off when reporter Ronaldo Lape and his niece Quima are abducted by a UFO during a live broadcast. This abduction leads them to discover Etorum 8, a planet made entirely of cookies.
The Moo Trio and the global chase
After the destruction of the UFO that took them to Etorum 8, Ronaldo, Quima, and the cameraman Fredo become the so-called "Moo Trio" and embark on a frantic chase around the world.
During their escape, they are pursued by the Dark Men, agents of the secret society "Obscuretis", led by President McLiers and billionaire Lilon Sharck. The unique feature of the series is that every escape and conspiracy the trio gets involved in ends up becoming, unintentionally, a live broadcast covered by the journalists themselves.
The Moo Trio has the help of allies such as Luli Moon, Homonymus, a motley group of fellow travelers, and the Etorians, their biggest fans. Finally, they manage to defeat Obscuretis, although McLiers and Lilon manage to escape to another dimension, leaving the door open for new chases involving the protagonist trio.
An opportunity for Spanish animation
The presence of Noty Toons among the MIPJunior Pitch 2026 finalists represents an opportunity for visibility for TheBox Characters & Creatures and, in general, for the Spanish animation industry, which will be able to present its proposal to acquisition executives from global networks and platforms during the Cannes event.
Frequently asked questions
What is MIPJunior Pitch 2026?
It is an international competition that seeks original or adapted intellectual properties aimed at audiences aged 9 to 17, designed for television, digital platforms, or streaming.
When and where is the final held?
The final will take place during MIPJunior, in Cannes, on October 10 and 11.
Which Spanish project reached the final?
Noty Toons, an animation IP produced by TheBox Characters & Creatures, is the Spanish proposal among the five finalists.
Who are the other MIPJunior Pitch 2026 finalists?
Alongside Noty Toons, Beast Guitar (Ireland), Big Red (Canada), Murphy's Manor (China), and Super Tree Hero and the Five Kingdoms (South Africa) are competing.
Who is on the competition jury?
The jury is composed of Maud Branly (M6/Gulli), Rick Clodfelter (Disney Kids & Family), David Michel (Cottonwood Media), Sarah Muller (BBC), and Qing Fan (Tencent Video).
What is the Noty Toons series about?
It narrates the adventures of a team of reporters who, after an alien abduction, become the target of a secret society, mixing comedy, adventure, and a live news format.
