Grom Social Enterprises, Inc. today announced that its original content division Curiosity Ink Media and international animation producer/distributor Toon2Tango GmbH & Co. KG will begin production later this year on their previously announced animated holiday special, Santa.com (working title). This feature film gift will be unwrapped in theaters in Fall 2025.
The two companies, which have also partnered on the preschool series Hey Fuzzy Yellow! and Baldwin, have nearly completed financing for the film and will jointly oversee the development of all three projects concurrently. Today’s announcement was made by Curiosity Ink Media’s Chief Executive Officer, Jared Wolfson, and Toon2Tango Chief Executive Officer, Ulli Stoef.
Santa.com takes place in a world where Santa’s Workshop has undergone a technological revolution. Magic and tradition have been replaced with automation and efficiency. Even Santa himself has seemingly retired, leaving his workshop operations in the hands of a new generation of tech-savvy elves. But when a grinchy computer hacker takes control of Santa’s Workshop and threatens to destroy Christmas unless Santa is handed over, Yoyo, a lovable but naïve, homeschooled elf unexpectedly becomes the North Pole’s last hope at saving the day. Fortunately, Yoyo isn’t alone. Along with his cynical HR elf colleague, his loyal reindeer pup, and a misfit packaging drone, Yoyo sets off on a wild and heartwarming mission to find Santa, all while helping everyone rediscover the true magic of Christmas.
“The response to Santa.com’s original plot and unique angle on Christmas adventure has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Wolfson. “The world is long overdue for a contemporary Christmas classic, and Curiosity Ink Media is thrilled to team up with the incredibly talented team at Toon2Tango to bring this film to audiences around the globe. Our sights are squarely set on a mission to craft and deliver an iconic and enduring holiday classic that kids and families will enjoy together year after year.”
Stoef agrees, “Christmas is a brand on its own and with Santa.com we intend to produce a worldwide hit franchise that is just the beginning! We intend to bring joy to families around the world for many years to come and are thrilled to partner with the fantastic team of Grom and Curiosity Ink Media.”
In January, Toon2Tango and Curiosity Ink entered into a co-production relationship, with an equity stake in Hey Fuzzy Yellow!, a preschool series that will serve as a launchpad for an intended entertainment franchise property. The series has secured financial backing and distribution agreements with several international programming services. Curiosity and Toon2Tango will jointly co-produce the series which blends original music, accessible comedy and an edutainment curriculum for preschoolers that imparts important life lessons while encouraging critical thinking skills through exploration and play.
Curiosity Ink and Toon2Tango will be showcasing Santa.com and Hey Fuzzy Yellow! as well as ancillary revenue opportunities for the properties at the Kidscreen Summit in Miami this month.
