Disney remains focused on building universally appealing franchises—and Europe is playing an increasingly critical role in that strategy. During a presentation at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Orion Ross, Vice President of International Animation for Disney Kids and Family (formerly Disney Branded Television), alongside Director of Development and Current, Shamik Majumdar, outlined the company’s approach to sourcing and producing global hits out of the EMEA region.
Their message was clear: ‘Disney’s London-based team is not interested in creating niche, regional content’. Instead, they are aggressively hunting for European and African talent, studios, and intellectual property capable of anchoring Disney’s global, borderless slate.
‘Our mission and the point of us being there is to look for European and African original projects that can work for Disney Kids and Family globally’, Ross explained to a room packed with producers, creators, and artists. ‘We’re not producing a local or regional slate. We’re part of the global slate, but really looking for great ideas, great studio partners, big IP, and amazing artists who can really build global animated hits’.
Expanding the Disney Junior footprint
On the preschool front (targeting ages two to five), Disney Junior relies heavily on its massive internal IP, including Spidey and His Amazing Friends, Mickey Mouse properties, and upcoming series like Cars and Sofia the First. However, the EMEA team is actively driving original co-productions to diversify the offering, placing a strong emphasis on co-viewing to ensure parents are equally engaged.
A prime example is Magic Campers, an original series produced in France with Mikros Animation (the studio also behind Mickey Mouse Clubhouse). Launched earlier this year on Disney+, the series follows magical hybrid creatures on a lush tropical island.
The division is also venturing into premium holiday specials. Majumdar highlighted the upcoming Dasher, a 44-minute special co-produced with Boat Rocker and Brown Bag Films. Based on the New York Times bestselling children’s book by Matt Tavares, the special explores the origin story of Santa’s fastest reindeer and is slated for a Christmas release.
Serialized storytelling and genre experiments for older kids
For older kids (ages six and up) and family audiences, Disney is noticeably leaning into more complex, heavily serialized storytelling and genre experimentation—a shift driven by the changing expectations of young viewers accustomed to streaming ecosystems.
This strategy is epitomized by Dragon Striker, an epic fantasy series produced by the French studio Cyber Group Studios. The show, which recently dropped its massive 11.5-hour season on Disney+, blends sports with magic and features deep world-building and literal cliffhangers. ‘This is really kind of a genre experiment for us, but something that we really believe in’, Ross said. ‘We think audiences will really connect to deep, complex world-building and storytelling over a long story arc’.
Disney is also leaning into horror-comedy with The Doomies, an original series produced by Xilam Animation in Paris. Created by Andres Fernandez and Henry Gifford, and featuring the work of French graphic artist Pozla, the serialized show follows two best friends in a sleepy Brittany town who accidentally unleash monsters through a magical portal. Selected for the official competition at Annecy, the series plays heavily on classic horror tropes while maintaining a mystery that evolves across the entire season.
Leveraging big brands and star power
Beyond original development, Disney’s EMEA team continues to act as a strategic partner on massive established IP. The team was an early partner on the global juggernaut Miraculous Ladybug and continues to work closely with Miraculous Corporation on its upcoming sixth and seventh seasons, as well as spin-offs like Miraculous: Stella Force.
However, one of the most ambitious projects on the horizon leverages the ultimate global sports icon. Slated for next summer is Messi and the Giants, a sci-fi adventure co-produced with Sony Pictures Kids and Family, Sony Music, and the Spanish studio Atlantis Animation.
Loosely inspired by football legend Lionel Messi’s childhood experience of being the smallest kid on the team, the series transports a young Leo into a fantastical world ruled by giants. To return home, he must build a team and master a magical game called ‘orb flash’.
