A new Czech animated series is drawing international attention well before entering full production, marking a rare early success for a domestic project in the competitive global animation market. Alma & Kory, a children’s series developed by Prague-based studio Krutart, has already secured pre-sales across multiple European territories despite existing only in early development materials.
The project, aimed at young audiences but designed with broader thematic appeal, reflects a growing ambition within the Czech animation sector to create globally competitive content. With a reported budget of more than CZK 60 million, it is among the most expensive animated series ever developed in the country, underscoring both its scale and its international aspirations.
Early international interest signals shifting strategy
According to producer Martin Jůza, the early pre-sales represent a significant milestone for a Czech-originated series. Broadcasters and platforms in France and Italy have already acquired rights, while public broadcasters in Estonia, Switzerland, and Slovenia, as well as a commercial television partner in Slovakia, have also signed on.
“For us, pre-sale abroad is a signal that there is interest in Alma and Kory,” Jůza told CzechCrunch. “In the Czech Republic, most television projects are created on behalf of the broadcaster. We went the route of producing an independent work over which we want to have full control.”
This independent financing model contrasts with traditional Czech television production, where broadcasters typically commission projects and retain significant editorial influence. By pursuing pre-sales and co-production partnerships instead, Krutart aims to maintain creative autonomy while building a broader financing base.
The strategy, however, comes with challenges. While early deals validate the concept, they currently cover only a small portion of the overall budget. The producers are now seeking one or two major co-production partners—either broadcasters or streaming platforms—to secure a substantial share of financing and enable full-scale production.
The project has been presented at several key European industry platforms, including Cartoon Forum, Animation Production Days, M:Brane, and the Cinekid Junior co-production market. It has also been developed through the CEE Animation Workshop and supported by the Czech Audiovisual Fund and the EU’s Creative Europe MEDIA program, reflecting a layered funding and development approach typical of European animation.
Story blends humor with social themes
Set in the fictional town of Napville, Alma & Kory centers on a young wolverine girl and a dinosaur who challenges long-held societal myths. The town’s residents—anthropomorphic animals—have been raised to fear dinosaurs, believed to be dangerous creatures banished to a nearby mountain generations earlier.
That narrative is disrupted when Kory, a gentle dinosaur preserved in ice for millions of years, unexpectedly arrives in the community. Alma, described as adventurous and curious, becomes his ally, helping him navigate unfamiliar social norms while encouraging others to reconsider their deeply rooted prejudices.
The premise combines comedic elements with broader social messaging, particularly around tolerance and the questioning of inherited beliefs. According to the producers, the series is designed for children around the age of six but aims to resonate with parents through its thematic depth.
Key art from Alma & Kory © Krutart
Jůza described the development process as extensive and informed by international market research. “We know what the competition is like, we know what is missing,” he told CzechCrunch. “At the same time, we know what a series must have in order to be broadcastable at all.”
The creative team includes showrunner Klára Jůzová, director Jan Míka, and art director Noemi Valentíny, with scripts by Steve Middleton. The series is structured as 26 episodes of seven minutes each, a format tailored for both broadcast and digital platforms.
Krutart, which co-produces the series with Italian company POPCult, has previously focused on globally oriented animation projects, including content for planetariums distributed in more than 30 countries. The studio positions itself as internationally focused, with ambitions extending beyond the domestic market.
The early success of Alma & Kory highlights both the opportunities and limitations facing Czech animation. While the country has a strong artistic tradition, few recent projects have achieved significant global reach. By securing international partners early and prioritizing export potential, Krutart is attempting to position the series as a rare Czech entry into the global children’s content market.
Production is expected to continue through the coming years, with a potential premiere targeted for 2029.
