Today at the Annecy Animation Festival, renowned French animation studio Fortiche – famous for the hit series “Arcane” – unveiled plans to create their own intellectual property with an upcoming miniseries titled “Miss Saturne.” This 10-episode project, each lasting 10 minutes, is being developed in partnership with ARTE France and Les Storygraphes.
Originally proposed as a full-length feature film, “Miss Saturne” was showcased at Cartoon Movie in 2017. However, it’s now being developed as a series of ten, 10-minute episodes to cater better to modern viewing trends and digital platforms. The exact connection to the original concept isn’t specified yet, but they’re labeling it as a “fiction spanning generations with a music-infused narrative.
Titled “Miss Saturne,” this upcoming animated series is inspired by Barbara Israël’s novel and designed with teenagers and young adults in mind. It features a distinctive 2D visual style and an immersive 1980s pop ambiance. The production team aims to begin work on it in 2026, with the show set to air in 2027. The narrative centers around Mercy, a 16-year-old girl, and her friend Tom as they escape their past while traveling on a night train out of Nice. As the story progresses, it reveals itself through flashbacks triggered by a New Wave music mix, exploring themes such as growing up, loss, and self-discovery.
Screenwriter Louise Silverio, recognized for her work on “Happiness” and “Ceux qui rougissent,” is heading up the writing team. Anne Raffin, a graduate of “Arcane” and numerous music videos, has joined as both art director and director. Israel and Vincent Tavier are also involved in the project, with Israel contributing to the script based on his original novel that forms the basis for the series.
Louise Silverio is serving as the main screenwriter, while Anne Raffin has joined the team as both art director and director. Israel and Vincent Tavier are also working on the project, with Israel using his original novel to create the foundation for the series.)
Miss Saturne” is an exceptional undertaking, one that, though grounded in the ’80s, vividly portrays adolescence with a musical and emotional depth that transcends generations,” said Annelyse Vieilledent, co-producer at Les Storygraphes. “Given the current trend of young people revisiting the retro music from that era, I’m confident that this liberated, instinctive, and undeniably pop narrative will strongly resonate with them.
Jérôme Combe, co-founder of Fortiche, stated: “In ‘Miss Saturne,’ we’ve discovered a team that aligns perfectly with our artistic vision. Louise Silverio, renowned for her knack for coming-of-age tales, having worked on the acclaimed series ‘Happiness’ and ‘Ceuxqui rougissent,’ shares our passion for expressing today’s youth through a powerful aesthetic. Anne Raffin, who has contributed to ‘Arcane’ and music videos, also echoes this ambition from her work with us. This venture presents an exciting chance for us to delve into independent animation tailored to the new generation.
In its drive for growth, Fortiche is actively looking for global collaborators, including broadcasters, distributors, and partners specializing in young adult animation. Financing has been secured from Région Occitanie and Pictanovo. The production process is being managed by Fortiche Films (led by Jérôme Combe and Hervé Dupont), with Les Storygraphes and ARTE France serving as co-producers.
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2025-06-10 17:16