The competition is a unique initiative from Cartoon Network, which aims to harness the passion of their viewers and contribute something back to the local communities. It encourages their viewers to unleash their creativity by developing new fun characters which are limited by nothing but their imagination.

The campaign will target 1900 primary schools in South Africa with participating children between the ages of 6 and 14 years old. Students from all over the country are invited to enter and have the chance to win prizes. Up for grabs are iPads, BlackBerrys and iPods for the top three winners in every age group and the overall school with the most entries will receive R10 000.

The 2013 Animation Generation theme is based on the hit show, Adventure Time, students are encouraged to design a new unlikely hero or heroine, villain or villainess to join Finn, Jake, Princess Bubblegum and Lady Rainicorn as they travel though cities and towns filled with bizarre characters in need of unique assistance.

All entries must be original and as inventive as possible and judging will take place by a selected panel which will consist of both local and international representatives from Turner Broadcasting.

The overall winning entry of the three age group categories (6 to 8-years-old; 9 to 11-years-old; and 12 to 14-years-old) will also be aired on Cartoon Network, giving the lucky and talented student the thrill of having his/her artwork shown in a promo on television throughout Africa.

Tal Hewitt, VP & GM Middle East, Africa & Turkey for Turner Broadcasting System says: “Cartoon Network is proud to hold the Animation Generation competition for an eighth year. We are seeing more and more creative South African learners enter each year and the talent just keeps getting better.”

This nationwide campaign kicked off in schools on Friday, 26 April with information packs and posters being distributed to students. The closing date for entries will be on Monday, 2 September and the prize-giving will be held at the winner’s school.

For more information on the competition and the Adventure Time show, visit www.cartoonnetworkafrica.com/animationgeneration.