Mercury Filmworks and Trustbridge Entertainment to Co-Produce Animated Preschool Series, Gustavo

Mercury Filmworks (Hilda, The Lion Guard), a global independent animation studio based in Ottawa,and Trustbridge Entertainment,the NYC-based multi-screen production company developing a slate of high-quality entertainment for families around the world, have teamed upto develop, produce, and distribute Gustavo,a new 2D animated comedy series based on “The World of Gustavo” book series, including the award-winning New York Times #1 bestseller “Gustavo, The Shy Ghost” (Walker Books/Candlewick Press), a Trustbridge Global Media publishing imprint), from Mexican author-illustrator Flavia Z. Drago. 

Emmy Award-nominated Robert C. Ramirez (Mickey’s Tale of Two Witches, Minnie’s Bow-Toons, Clifford’s Really Big Movie) is on board as showrunner for the series, which will bring the monstrously fun characters and frightfully charming tales from “The World of Gustavo” books to vibrant life on-screen for preschool audiences and their families everywhere.

Set in the supernatural suburbs of Calavera Cove, Gustavo (52 x 11-minute episodes) centers on the spook-tacular adventures of Gustavo the Ghost, Leila the Witch, and Vlad the Vampire—three best friends with one-of-a-kind paranormal powers that reflect their personalities. The cute-meets-creepy world of Gustavo is steeped in friendship, kindness, and humor, as the three friends navigate challenges using their own special monster talents to save the day.  

Mercury Filmworks and Trustbridge Entertainment will debut Gustavo to the international marketplace at MIPCOM/MIPJunior, Oct 18-24, 2024, in Cannes.

“We are excited to work with Trustbridge to adapt Flavia’s zany, offbeat world of Gustavo into this new preschool series that we like to describe as the ‘paranormal Peanuts gang meets My Little Ghoulish Pony,’” stated Chantal Ling, Vice President, Original Series & Co-Productions, Mercury Filmworks. “We aim to incorporate the elements that helped make the book series so popular for young children by gently combining the spooky aspects with a sweet, humorous storyline filled with heart that also delves into feelings of bravery and loneliness with the theme of friendship always at its core.”

“We can’t wait to introduce Gustavo to fans who already know and love Flavia’s books as well as those who will be meeting Gustavo and his friends for the first time,” said Bob Higgins, President, Trustbridge Entertainment. “We are delighted to be working with Mercury Filmworks and Robert C. Ramirez on this special series full of hilariously haunted adventures that will help kids discover and celebrate their own unique talents.”

Flavia Z. Drago commented: “The amazing teams at Trustbridge and Mercury have truly outdone themselves, capturing the heart of the books and characters and bringing them to life in such a brilliant way! I’m beyond proud and thrilled to be part of this project filled with kindness, fun, and spookiness—of course. I can’t wait for more people to feel the same excitement that I do!”