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An India-UK financing partnership has been secured for Love The Earth with Julian Lennon & Friends, an upcoming animated series based on Julian Lennon and Bart Davis’s New York Times bestselling Touch the Earth book trilogy.
Announced at the inaugural Experience Design Summit (EDS) 2026 in Jaipur on October 23, the partnership will see E-Factor Experiences Ltd provide production finance for the Compassionate Studios-led series. Samit Garg, Co-Founder and Managing Director of E-Factor Experiences Ltd, joins the project as an executive producer.
Created and written by British filmmaker Jean-Paul Mertinez and produced by Meena Khera, the series adapts Julian Lennon’s illustrated books into a hybrid animation format. Julian, son of legendary musician John Lennon, serves as executive producer, narrator, co-writer and creator of original music for the series. The adaptation will feature new characters and adventures centred on nature, discovery, cultural diversity and mindfulness. The project draws on Lennon’s environmental advocacy through his White Feather Foundation.
Indigenous Lakota actor Mo Brings Plenty, known for his roles in Yellowstone and Marshals, lends his voice to an animated character in the series.
"We’re delighted to join Julian, Jean-Paul, Meena and the wider team in bringing Love The Earth to life through this production partnership," said Garg. "Our intention is to help build more than a series. We want to create a much-loved global entertainment brand that inspires families, honours the natural world, celebrates creativity and brings cultures together."
The partnership was unveiled alongside an India-focused debut experience at EDS. The opening-night programme featured a 30-minute segment called Love The Earth Experience, with exclusive previews introducing the characters Lilly-Lou and the Strawberry Tiger from Assam. Contemporary folk-fusion duo Maati Baani performed at the event, while folk musician and producer Poonacha, from Karnataka’s Kodagu (Coorg) community, opened proceedings with a traditional song honouring the River Kaveri.
A special India-focused episode is in development for the series.
"Love The Earth is about creating a new storytelling world for children and families to immerse themselves in, filled with delightful, funny and engaging characters, and a healthy dose of joy, original music, imagination, purpose and adventure," said Mertinez. "We’re thrilled to be bringing together Indigenous storytellers and creative voices from around the world to create something really special, with many wonderful stories to come in the first season."
Khera expressed excitement for bringing the narrative to the animation format. "We want to spread the message: love yourself, love each other and love the Earth. By combining music, storytelling and beautiful animation with simple, effective mindfulness techniques, we hope to help children and families connect with themselves, one another and our beautiful planet in a joyous, hopeful way."
The project was first unveiled internationally at SXSW London. The India announcement marks the next phase of development for the show’s first season.