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Kiri and Lou - the critically acclaimed children's cartoon that calls Ōtautahi home

Emily Ansell
Kiri and Lou titles
Kiri and Lou titles  Fiona Copland

It's won Best Animated Short at the Los Angeles International Film Festival, and Best Pre-school and Children’s Programme at both the Asian Television Awards and New Zealand Television Awards twice.

And its made right here in central Christchurch.

A stop-motion show exploring empathy, Kiri and Lou has been captivating children and adults all over the globe. The charming clay animation has been streamed in Canada, the UK, Australia, Sweden, Finland, Mexico – to name just a few.

And with the show’s creators now in discussions with a major US broadcaster, Kiri and Lou is moving from strength to strength.

The show is set in a prehistoric paper forest inspired by our own native bush. Each episode follows best friends Kiri and Lou as they navigate the ups and downs of relationships with other characters and each other.  Its unique Kiwi flare and sense of humour helps to deliver important messages to children around how to be kind, and deal with those bigger emotions.

...We need more stories for people of all ages that model functional social behaviour. Kiri and Lou is one of my top examples of this.
The other day I watched ""The Bravest Thing"", then watched it again and cried both times. It was beautiful and necessary... - UK

The show’s team features several Kiwi household and industry names.

It's written by Harry Sinclair, produced by Fiona Copland, and features music by Don McGlashan.

The latest season features New Zealand musicians Tami Nielson, Marlon Williams and Anika Moa.

A number of well-known Kiwi actors are also involved, including Jemaine Clement, Jaquie Brown, Olivia Tennet, Josh Thomson, and Rima Te Wiata.

Antony Elworthy - whose body of work includes Isle of Dogs, Coroline, and My Life as a Courgette – is the programme's animation director.

Elworthy’s acclaim attracts stop motion animators from all over the world to the project.

“It was a massive draw coming to New Zealand to work with Ant here in Christchurch,” says Animator James Carlisle.

“He’s just brilliant to work with… he’s just got such an insight and such a knowledge of it all, such clear direction.”

Untitled design v19
Kiri and Lou animation studio in Ferrymead Emily Ansell

One episode takes seven animators two-and-a-half weeks to make. The final five minute product can take up to six months to complete. But the time invested is reflected in the pace of the show, something Elworthy says it's one of its many successes.

“It’s a gentle show that is in contrast to a lot of the faster paced, louder kids TV shows that are out there… and I think that’s part of the success, because that’s the show that thinking parents would prefer their children watched at the end of the day.”

Kiri and Lou is mine and my sons favourite show. Must have watched every episode at least 3 times. Small is an absolute legend. - Sweden

Those countries with strong public service television, and a focus on children’s shows such as the BBC, have seen Kiri and Lou receive high ratings. However, it is yet to have the same effect in its country of origin.

But with production on series three wrapping up, and a potential feature film on the way, there’s still time for Kiwis to jump on board and be entertained by the globally renowned show made in their very own backyard.