Cartoon Network's Snaptoons to develop five animation Shorts from India

Media News

New Delhi, October 14, 2008

Cartoon Network, the number one channel for kids in India and the Asia Pacific region, continues with its intensive search for the next generation of iconic cartoons with the pioneering batch of developed concepts and ideas.

These ideas were culled from over 300 entries received for Snaptoons (Short New Asia Pacific Cartoons), the network’s pan-Asian original content development initiative. Cartoon Network’s in-house Snaptoons team has been working with the shortlisted creators in developing 10 ideas and will produce at least five completed shorts this year, with a view for further development of the most promising concepts. Of the 10 shortlisted concepts, five are from India reiterating Cartoon Network’s consistent belief in India’s rich story telling heritage and vast creative potential.

“The quality and depth of the ideas reinforces our belief that Asia Pacific is truly an unlimited source of talent that the animation world should take note of. This is an ambitious stage of Cartoon Network’s long-term commitment in development and we are very excited that we may just be working on the next generation of cartoon heroes in the league of BEN 10, The Powerpuff Girls or Johnny Bravo,” said Mark Eyers, Vice President, Content, Turner Entertainment Networks Asia, Inc.

He added, “We are looking forward to the next stage, when we can see the results of helping creators realise their vision at an international level, providing them the best creative and technical support and global exposure of their idea. Cartoon Network is investing in the creation of the shorts, for the ultimate consideration of being greenlit into a series and consumed across every platform – mobile, online, television, as well as licensing and merchandising.”

The five short-listed India projects are Kul-Veera from Graphiti Multimedia Pvt. Ltd.; Sulochana from Miditech Pvt Ltd; Johnny Goes To Bollywood from Famous House of Animation; The Firebirds from Splash! Communications and Guide to the Only Planet by Shoot at Sight. The other five are from Australia, (FWAK! Animation and Bogan Entertainment Solutions); Malaysia (Inspidea Sdn. Bhd.); Taiwan (Sofa Studio) and Thailand (Ittirit House). The commissioned entrants will have their world premiere exclusively on Cartoon Network across selected Asia Pacific feeds in 2009.

Instituted in 2006, Snaptoons is an original content development initiative that aims to connect Cartoon Network with new creative talent across its key markets in Asia. Through this initiative, the Network is looking to find new, original and groundbreaking ideas that lend well to animation, are targeted to kids and have either universal or regional appeal. The search for original ideas has not necessarily ended with the shortlisted entrants and Cartoon Network will continue to accept new concepts from animation companies or independent creators.

Maintaining their decade long lead, Turner’s Cartoon Network and POGO are the # 1 and # 2 television destinations for kids in India. Having shaped kids’ television in India, with the launch of Cartoon Network in 1995, Turner created another milestone with the launch of POGO, a multi-genre channel for kids and their families in 2004. Recognised as the resident kids’ experts with a 360-degree presence through successful on-air and on line presence, ground-events, promotional licensing, product licensing, publishing, CD ROMS, etc, Cartoon Network and POGO, with an intelligent mix of live action, movies, series and animation, offer a complete entertainment package for Indian kids.

For further information, please contact:

Turner International India Pvt. Ltd

Abha Talwar

E-mail: abha.talwar@turner.com

Tel: 011-41699117

IPAN

Anjali Malik

E-mail: anjali.malik@ipan.com

Tel: 011 42492100