Jul 28, 2018

Cartoon Network Africa Seeks African Creators to Pitch

Cartoon Network is looking for new talent in Africa.

The Cartoon Network Africa Creative Lab is a new program aimed at bringing locally produced short-form content to the network's Africa channel and digital platforms.

Cartoon Network Africa's current programming relies almost entirely on content produced on Cartoon Network's other channels around the world, and its goal is to produce more locally relevant content that will resonate with African audiences.

To participate in the Cartoon Network Africa Creative Lab, the network invites everyone - creators, writers, graphic artists, animation students, etc. - to share their "random, irreverent, smart, contemporary humor." They are looking for ideas for one- to three-minute comedy-oriented short projects that fit Cartoon Network's values. The target audience is children ages 6-12, with boys ages 7-10 as the core target audience. Why boys are the core target - because of an unfounded theory that girls do not watch anime as much as boys, which is the same for most networks in the US.

Participants must be residents of the African continent and at least 18 years old. Editorial guidelines can be found on the Cartoon Network Africa website. Entries will be accepted until August 31.

"As a sponsor of the DISCOP 2016 Animation Pitching Program, we have been exposed to some truly exciting local animation projects," Ariane Sveg, head of programming and acquisition at Turner Kids Africa says. We were impressed by the incredible creative energy in Cape Town-based Punch Monkey Studios' award-winning film Cloud Life, and the project has gone through the Turner Group and is now in development with Turner Asia Pacific's production team! This is a great opportunity for us to invest in local content! This reinforces the need for investment in local content and our commitment to further mentor talent in the African animation industry."

Ten projects will be shortlisted in September, giving creators the opportunity to pitch their work to Cartoon Network Africa executives. The winner and two runners-up will be announced at the DISCOP Johannesburg market and co-production forum in November.

The winner and runner-up will be given the opportunity to have their work produced as a pilot for Cartoon Network Africa, which will premiere on Cartoon Network Africa and its digital platforms in 2019.