March Entertainment and Playmobil have teamed to coproduce a series of interactive DVDs. The Toronto production house, along with XLT and Toonz, will turn out the movies, aimed at children five and up, to be distributed by Sony Pictures Television International.

The first, The Secret of Pirate Island, will be followed by one release per year. Knight’s Adventure: Quest for the Golden Scepter is currently in production and is based on the Playmobil ‘knights’ playset. The series will combine fantasy worlds, adventure and comedy and musical numbers.

Meanwhile, March will release a full-length prequel to its adventure series Dex Hamilton: Alien Entomologist. Dex Hamilton: Fire and Ice, along with the series, will begin airing on almost every continent this winter. The 2D and cel-shaded 3D animated movie delves into the back story of the title character.

It will premiere on the CBC late this month, followed by the series in early 2010. Targeting boys and girls six to 12, the movie will also see limited theatrical release and will be out on DVD next year. The franchise will continue its expansion next spring with an interactive browser-based game called Dex Quest.

From Kidscreen Online