12-year-old Josephine loves animals and has a special bond with them through her tortoise, Törtle. Josephine’s mother is a vet in Muddlemere and taught her how to care for animals. The idyllic village on Muddlemere Lake borders a forest and is therefore home to many different animals. When one of them gets into trouble, it is Josephine who comes to the rescue. Her detective instincts lead her to the all-too-often man-made cause of the incident. With her big heart and tenacious dedication, she makes sure it never happens again.
The series Josephine is a spin-off of the series Törtle, which is based on the children’s book series of the same name by Wieland Freund.
Format:
20 x 12′
Genre/Subgenre:
Junior/Animation
Target Audience:
Kids 6–9
Technique:
2D Animation
Key Words:
Comedy, Culture Clash, Animals & Humans
Spin-Off:
of the series Törtle: https://zdf-studios-presents.com/toertle
Josephine Budak (12) – is a spirited, kind-hearted 12-year-old girl with a deep love for animals and a passion for the environment. Her empathetic nature makes her a trusted friend to both humans and animals. She cares for neighbors‘ pets and nurses injured birds back to health. An adventurer at heart, she enjoys nature through biking and swimming. She courageously advocates for animal rights and environmental protection. Her special bond with her tortoise Törtle helps her find solutions. She dreams of becoming a veterinarian.
TÖRTLE the TORTOISE – is an excellent listener with a great „animal-human understanding“, making him an ideal mediator between the two worlds. Törtle has a special relationship with Josephine. She likes to tell him what’s on her mind and Törtle’s calm manner puts her at ease. This often helps her to find a solution.
ANTON the Labrador – is the pet of the two Budak children Josephine and Paul. He is well behaved and only barks when he is happy. He is a bit jealous of Törtle, as the slow reptile is very popular with Josephine and Paul.
PAUL BUDAK (9) – is Josephine’s brother. The siblings are lively, bright kids who spend most of their free time outdoors. Sporty Josephine is the reigning swimming champion in her age group, while Paul is better at school, which often annoys his sister. Paul also finds Josephine’s love of animals a bit exaggerated.
MARIO BUDAK (42) – Josephine’s and Paul’s father fled Croatia with his family when he was a boy and has since lived in Muddlemere, where he works in the local building authority. Together with his wife Anna, he is involved in animal welfare and is an active member of ISEGRIM association for the protection of wolves, which are a thorn in the side of many local residents.
Anna Budak (38) – Josephine’s and Paul’s mother is a compassionate and skilled veterinarian. Her practice at home intertwines her personal and professional lives, reflecting her love for animals. Intelligent and organized, she’s a trusted figure in her community. Anna sets practical boundaries regarding animal welfare and balances support with her daughter’s passions. Her close friendship with Fritzie Vogel strengthens her connection to nature.
WENDY the VIXEN – lives with TÖRTLE in an abandoned garden shed. She is a thoughtful,but also very curious character. She is also smart and clever, but can be a bit sneaky and is always looking out for her own advantage. If someone talks nonsense, she tells them so. As a result, Wendy often comes across as stuck-up to others.
Fritzie Vogel (32) – is the spirited and passionate forester of Muddlemere. At 1.60 meters, her petite frame contrasts with her vibrant personality and determination. She combines charm and authority. Fritzie is the go-to person for animal and nature matters, confidently enforcing environmental laws. She enjoys mentoring passionate individuals like Josephine and is a vital part of the Muddlemere community. Anna Budak is a close friend.
Based on:
The original books „Törtel“ by Wieland Freund
Executive Producers:
Gabriele M. Walther, Marcus Hamann
Producer:
Karen Mitrega
Producer ZDF:
Catharina Martin, Götz Brandt
Director:
Hubert Weiland
A production of:
Caligari Film, Traffix Entertainment, ZDF and Beside Productions
Produced with the support of:
The Belgian Tax Shelter system of the Belgian Federal Government via Beside Tax Shelter
© Caligari Film 2024
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