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Bethlehem, PA – February 10, 2020 – Watermelon Magic has been selected as a finalist in the Prix Jeunesse International Festival in the category of “Up to 6 Years Non Fiction.” The Prix Jeunesse International Festival is the oldest children and youth television festival worldwide and the most prestigious. Watermelon Magic was directed, written and produced by Richard Power Hoffmann and executive produced by Howard Blumenthal. PBS39 is proud to have been the presenting telecaster.
Watermelon Magic was chosen as a finalist from a field of almost 400 entries. Only one in five will be screened and judged at the festival in Munich, Germany in June 2020.
“Prix Jeunesse has always represented the pinnacle of quality children’s television programming around the world. We are thrilled that Watermelon Magic will be considered alongside the world’s best children’s programming from countries and cultures world,” said Executive Producer Howard Blumenthal, who previously co-created and produced Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
“The ultimate goal of Watermelon Magic is to help children get excited about connecting with the earth and broaden the awareness of our role on this planet. Growing things is a way for us to be aware of nature. Plants grow very slowly, so from their perspective, the world of people moves very quickly. Watching things grow is a magical process” said Richard Hoffmann.
In addition to being a finalist for the 2020 Prix Jeunesse Festival, Watermelon Magic will also be featured in the festival catalogue 2019/2020 “Quality in Children’s TV Worldwide.”
“We are excited because Watermelon Magic was designed for an international audience. The fact that it’s going to an international festival gives us another platform for more kids around the globe to see it.”
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Information provided to TVL by:
Victoria Scialfa
Marketing and Public Relations Manager
Lehigh Valley Public Media