At the recent Unifrance Rendez-vous in Le Havre, the French production company Les Valseurs made a significant announcement: Folivari International has been appointed as the exclusive global sales agent for their hit animated series Samuel. This move is poised to bring the series, already a television phenomenon in France, Germany, and Spain, to a broader international audience.
Samuel has captivated viewers across Europe, accumulating over 35 million views on arte.tv and social media platforms. The series resonates deeply with audiences due to its exploration of universal themes such as small-town adolescent life. Its minimalist yet expressive animation style has struck a chord with young adults and teenagers, making it a standout in both traditional television and digital landscapes.
Produced by Les Valseurs, Samuel was developed in a unique format that bridges the gap between linear broadcasting and social media, allowing it to thrive on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. The series’ success in these spaces underscores its appeal and potential for global expansion.
Mélissa Vega, Head of Sales and Acquisitions at Folivari International, expressed her excitement about representing Samuel on the global stage. ‘We are thrilled to represent such an innovative and creative series as Samuel’, said Vega. ‘The success of Samuel in Europe highlights its international potential, and we are excited to work with Les Valseurs to bring it to an even wider audience’.
Founded in 2013 by Damien Megherbi and Justin Pechberty, Les Valseurs has established itself as a significant player in the animation industry, producing award-winning short films recognized at major festivals. Notable achievements include winning the Best Animated Short César and the Annecy Jury Prize for Wicked Girl. With Samuel, Les Valseurs is making its first foray into animated series production, signaling a new phase of growth for the studio as it expands into feature films and series.
The series has already made its mark on linear and digital platforms in France and Germany through Arte, as well as in Spain on RTVE and the regional Catalan channel TV3. Notably, it is the first animated series from these channels to be showcased on TikTok, reflecting its modern approach to distribution and audience engagement.
Damien Megherbi, Co-Founder of Les Valseurs, emphasized the significance of partnering with Folivari International. ‘We chose Folivari International because we feel closely aligned with Folivari’s DNA and trust their team to unlock the international potential of a unique program like Samuel’, said Megherbi. ‘This partnership marks a crucial step in developing a new kind of animated series that will lead to the creation of new IPs with international reach’.
Looking ahead, Folivari International plans to present Samuel at major international markets in 2024, with a tailored launch strategy for each territory. This approach will include careful localization and a comprehensive transmedia plan designed to maximize the series’ appeal across different regions. The series, which has already demonstrated its universal appeal in Europe, is now setting its sights on new markets, particularly in North America and Latin America, to strengthen its global presence.
‘With Samuel, we have the opportunity to promote high-quality content capable of growing over multiple seasons’, added Vega. ‘We firmly believe in Samuel’s potential to become a key transmedia franchise on the global stage’.
