Nov 16, 2018

Garbage Boy and the Trash Can" Wins Cartoon Network Africa's Creative Lab Competition

Cartoon Network Africa has announced the winners of its Creative Lab, an initiative to discover and nurture African creators who do not rely solely on Cartoon Network content produced in North America and Europe.

Nigerian Ridwan Moshood's work "Garbage Boy and Trash Can" won the grand prize. The film is about a boy who believes he has supernatural powers and fights for justice with his partner, a trash can. Ariane Sveg, head of programming and acquisitions for Turner Kids Africa, said, "Ridwan's style is a perfect fit for the channel, and the great graphism makes the show instantly endearing, unique, and full of energy."

In September, the project was also pitched at Lagos Comic-Con and was chosen as one of two projects to be presented at MIFA Pitches Animation du Monde in Annecy in 2019.

More than 250 projects were submitted to the competition. In addition to Moshud's idea, two other projects were selected as runners-up:

All three winning projects were given the opportunity to produce a pilot with Cartoon Network Africa, which will launch in 2019 with Cartoon Network Africa and premiere the short film on its digital platforms.

"We are thrilled that the Creative Lab winners and runners-up reflect the vibrant nature of the African continent and look forward to collaborating with each of them," said Svegh." We are excited to see strong African inspiration and fascinating suggestions all over the place, and to encounter works that are straight to the heart, with strong human stakes in the characters and stories."