Legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk is taking his passion for the sport to new heights with the development of “Skatebirds,” an animated TV series aimed at children aged 6-11. In an exclusive partnership with Montreal’s Laughing Dragon Studios, Hawk is bringing his iconic “Birdman” nickname to life through a feathered cast of skateboarding enthusiasts.
Inspired by the tight-knit community and adventurous spirit of skateboarding, “Skatebirds” will revolve around “a group of young skateboard enthusiasts, who just happen to be birds, who flock together to support their hometown and show the world that when they put their feathers together, they can do anything they set their minds to.”
The series aims to celebrate the playful yet determined nature of the skateboarding world, while emphasizing core values such as teamwork, friendship, and community – elements that have been integral to Hawk’s storied career and philanthropic efforts.
“I’m excited to partner up with Laughing Dragon Studios for this unique series,” said Hawk. “Skateboarding unites communities, gets kids active and builds a sense of self-confidence while providing opportunities that can be limitless. Keep an eye out for our show, which will be entertaining for a global audience… regardless of whether they skate or not.”
With 11-minute episodes planned, “Skatebirds” will not only air as a traditional TV series but will also expand its reach through shorter-form content on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, tapping into the diverse ways kids consume media.
Hawk’s involvement in the project serves as a natural extension of his efforts to promote skateboarding and its positive impact. Through his Skatepark Project, the iconic skater has helped fund the construction of public skateparks across the United States and beyond, fostering the growth of the sport and providing safe spaces for communities to come together.
For Laughing Dragon Studios, a full-service 2D animation studio known for projects like Apple TV+’s “Central Park” and Disney’s “Disenchanted,” the collaboration with Hawk is a dream come true.
“There’s a list of people that I hoped to create an animated series with somewhere in a drawer of a home I no longer live in. At the very top of that list is Tony Hawk,” said Ryan Sohmer, CEO of Laughing Dragon. “I could not be more thrilled to have Tony leading the way on ‘Skatebirds’ and introducing this community to a whole new generation.”
With Hawk’s unparalleled expertise and Laughing Dragon’s animation prowess, “Skatebirds” promises to be a unique and engaging series that captures the essence of skateboarding culture while inspiring young viewers to embrace its values of perseverance, camaraderie, and self-expression.
