Cartoon Network today announced a joint agreement with Singapore’s Media Development Authority (MDA) to launch SNAPTOONS (Short New Asia Pacific Cartoons), an initiative that calls for creative pitches for original series from professional and budding animators.
Press Release from Cartoon Network
SINGAPORE (June 30, 2011) – Cartoon Network today announced a joint agreement with Singapore’s Media Development Authority (MDA) to launch SNAPTOONS (Short New Asia Pacific Cartoons), an initiative that calls for creative pitches for original series from professional and budding animators.
The SNAPTOONS project aims to connect Cartoon Network with new creative talent from Singapore, with the end plan of investing in and developing fresh animated ideas appealing to kids, reflecting the Cartoon Network brand’s promise of fun, funny, surprising and fearless.
“It is important to us at Cartoon Network to find and nurture home-grown talent from around the Asia Pacific region,” said Silas Hickey, Creative Director of Animation, Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc. “Singapore has long been known as a hub for creativity, particularly within the arts, and with the support of MDA we hope to showcase this talent on an international platform while animating kids’ lives with the best in homegrown entertainment.”
SNAPTOONS invites animation industry professionals, individual animators and animation studios from Singapore to send in their pitches, with the potential to see their ideas eventually come to life alongside the Channel’s line-up of iconic characters such as Ben 10, Chowder, The Powerpuff Girls, Generator Rex and Johnny Bravo. Up to ten pitches will be shortlisted, based on their development potential, with up to five eventually created into broadcast quality shorts.
Mr Yeo Chun Cheng, Director of Broadcast, Animation, Film and Music, MDA said: “We are pleased to partner with Cartoon Network on SNAPTOONS. Our collaboration provides opportunities for Singapore content creators especially budding animators to create original and creative content for the international market. We look forward to receiving many interesting pitches and have some of the best ideas developed into shorts or even a full series.”
This is Singapore’s second collaboration with Cartoon Network. In March this year, Cartoon Network and Singapore’s home-grown animation studio, Scrawl Studios announced a multi-year agreement to develop, produce and distribute high quality content on the channel across the Asia Pacific Region. Cartoon Network’s latest partnership with Singapore marks Cartoon Network’s ongoing commitment to nurture creative talent across Asia Pacific and has previously launched SNAPTOONS in India, Malaysia and Australia. As a result, Cartoon Network has produced or is in production on a variety of projects including Kul Veera (India), Johnny Bravo Goes To Bollywood (India), Hi-So Hillbilly (Thailand) and Exchange Student Zero (Australia).
Entry for SNAPTOONS Singapore is open to all inventive and visionary industry professionals. Concepts should appeal to kids, be inspiring, smart and surprising but, above all, they should be funny.
For more information on the program, interested parties can visit the SNAPTOONS site at www.snaptoons.org. Submissions are open from now to 30 September, 2011.
About Cartoon NetworkLaunched in Asia Pacific in 1994, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s (TBS) Cartoon Network offers the best in animated entertainment. Drawing from the world’s largest cartoon library of Warner Bros., MGM and Hanna-Barbera titles, the Network also showcases original series including Ben 10, Ben 10 Alien Force, Generator Rex, Chowder, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, The Powerpuff Girls and The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack. Located at Channel 616 on Star, Cartoon Network is the number one channel for kids in Asia Pacific and is currently seen in over 63 million cable homes in the region. Online, Cartoon Network reaches nearly four million unique visitors a month in Asia Pacific.
TBS Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.
About Media Development Authority (MDA)The Media Development Authority of Singapore (www.mda.gov.sg) promotes the growth of globally competitive film, television, radio, publishing, music, games, animation and interactive digital media industries. It also regulates the media sector to safeguard the interests of consumers, and promotes a connected society.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
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