Paris animation studio Cyber Group is teaming up with Russian studio Soyuzmultfilm to launch a joint production partnership focused on making new preschool series for the Russian market.

The two companies will combine their resources to create 2D-animated series under the new label Cyber Soyuz Junior. The label has already started production on the new preschool series Orange Moo Cow (pictured). In the 52 x seven-minute show an energetic six-year-old cow, along with her family and animal friends, embarks on adventures to learn.

Cyber Soyuz Junior also has several projects in development, including Squared Zebra, a 78 x seven-minute comedy about animals who learn to overcome their differences while exploring their island.

Both shows have already been picked up Russian broadcaster Channel 1, with no broadcast dates announced yet.

Cyber Group partnered with Soyuzmultfilm to plant a flag in the Russian kids market. Working with a local studio allows Cyber Group to tap into styles and stories familiar to that audience, says Cyber Group CEO Pierre Sissman.

Soyuzmultfilm, which is owned by the Ministry for Culture of Russia, has produced a large catalogue of animated film and TV for kids and families, including shows such as Mr Theo, Cat and Dog, Captain Kraken and His Crew and Pirate School.

Cyber Group, the studio behind Taffy and Gigantosaurus, has been busy growing its reach across regions and categories in recent years. It recently promoted former head of production Caroline Audebert as its first studios deputy director, and it launched Gigantosaurus in China at the end of 2019 across Alibaba Group’s Youku and on pubcaster CCTV. The studio also secured more sales last year for several of its shows, including Droners to Disney Channel in Western Europe and Sadie Sparks to ABC Australia.