HBO Acquires First 3D Series on African Culture

Home Box Office (HBO) acquired MAGIC CELLAR, the first animated series to be based on African culture, for broadcast in the United States. This acquisition of an African animated television program is a first, thereby making HBO's move a historic sale. The multi-award winning 3D animated series is based on 20 folk tales, including interviews with elders from villages in Africa.

MAGIC CELLAR will be shown on HBO Family in the U.S. and Bermuda. The first episode premieres Saturday, June 23. Each episode will first air Saturday and repeat on Thursday.

MAGIC CELLAR is a joint venture between South Africa and Canada, commissioned by the South African Broadcasting Corporation and is a production of Chocolate Moose Media Inc. of Ottawa, Canada and Morula Pictures of Johannesburg, South Africa. MAGIC CELLAR is directed by multi-award winning Canadian producer and director Firdaus Kharas, a specialist in inter-cultural communications. Kharas commented: “We are extremely pleased to partner with HBO Family, a channel known for bringing very high quality programming to American families. I see this sale as another indication of the thirst for high quality multicultural programming.”

The series won two international recognitions in the 2006-2007 period. These include Gold and Silver World Medals at the New York Festivals, Best Animated TV Series at the Chicago International Children’s Festival (CICFF), Platinum REMI Award at WorldFest Houston, Best Animation Film at the Independent Black Film festival, two Telly Awards, Grand Festival Award at Berkeley, two Aegis Awards, two Aurora Awards, a Silver Plaque at Chicago Intercom, two Davey Awards, aSilver Globe at the World Media Festival, and two Certificates of Excellence from US International’s Silver Screen.