Big Bad Boo Studios was born with a clear purpose: to tell stories that reflect cultural diversity and give voice to those who rarely appear on screen. Its president and co-founder, Shabnam Rezaei, told ttvnews how a small project inspired by her Persian roots turned into a global animation studio present in over 100 countries, including across Latin America.

“After 9/11, I realized there were a lot of misconceptions about the Middle East. I wanted to change that narrative,” Rezaei explains.

“That was the initial mission. But then it evolved — once we started telling cultural stories, we saw an even bigger purpose: giving a voice to people who don’t have one. It started with culture, then moved toward women and gender equality,” she adds.

Their first project, Babak and Friends: A First Nowruz, was a short-animated film about the Persian New Year celebration. The idea was to teach American kids about other cultures — and to make Iranian and Iranian-American kids proud of who they are.

From there came shows like Mixed Nuts, and later 1001 Nights, now Big Bad Boo’s flagship series. It’s aired in over 100 countries and 15 languages — from Disney and Cartoon Network to CCTV in China.

Diversity and inclusion front and center

Over time, the studio’s mission expanded: not just to tell cultural stories, but to represent people who are often left out of mainstream media — women, LGBTQ+ families, single moms, and kids from all kinds of ethnic backgrounds.

Shows like The Bravest Knight celebrate family diversity, featuring gay, trans, and non-binary characters. In 16 Hudson, the kids live in adoptive or single-parent homes — reflecting real-world experiences.

Rezaei remembers how hard it was at first: “When I first pitched a character with two dads, some networks literally ended the meeting. But we kept going. Now we get messages from kids who finally see themselves in our stories — and that’s the best feeling ever.”

Growing presence in Latin America

Big Bad Boo operates out of Vancouver, New York, and Vienna, with its main animation studio based in Canada. Productions are made in English and French, with Spanish dubs handled through partnerships with VMA Kids and North American broadcasters, usually in Mexico.

“16 Hudson aired on Discovery Kids across Latin America, but we want to go even bigger in the region. That’s one of the reasons we’re here at MIPJunior,” Rezaei says.

1001 Nights is also available in Brazil through Gloop, with a Portuguese dub. The studio’s goal is to keep expanding its footprint across Latin America.

Education and social impact

Beyond entertainment, Big Bad Boo is deeply committed to education and social inclusion. They’ve partnered with UNICEF to bring content to conflict zones like Gaza. Their episodes include educational guides that teach kids about conflict resolution and coexistence.

The studio also runs Big Bad Boo TV on YouTube, offering full episodes and promo clips from its shows — though not all content is uploaded to maintain exclusivity for its partners.

“Our message is simple,” says Rezaei. “Everyone has something valuable to bring to the table. Differences shouldn’t just be tolerated — they should be celebrated. We want every kid, no matter where they live or who they are, to see themselves in our stories and feel proud of who they are.”