In its first year, the competition drew a total of 5159 entries, with activations implemented in over 200 schools in Nigeria, which resulted in inspiring the creativity of 18 056 learners.

Cartoon Network Imagination Studios provided a sneak-peek into the “real” Cartoon Network Studios and the initiative encouraged children aged nine to 14 years-old to explore their artistic talents via an online website, giving children insight into the making of their favourite cartoons, encouraging imaginative, unfiltered, creative thinking and providing the perfect constructive entertainment to combat boredom, while also having lots of fun!

“The website is an important milestone in the network’s commitment to helping children learn and develop their skills online – using the channel’s affinity with young audiences to do so”, says Pierre Branco, vice president, Southern Europe and Africa for Turner International. “With Cartoon Network Imagination Studios, Cartoon Network would like to provide children with the unique opportunity to express their creativity through whichever medium they like best.”

After finding inspiration on the Cartoon Network Imagination Studios website, children had the opportunity to enter their very own original, unique creations following a comedy and humour theme – be it a new character drawing, storyboard or animation into the Cartoon Network Imagination Studios competition, which had three different categories: Drawings, Stories or Films.

The overall winners from this year’s first Cartoon Network Imagination Studios competition were 10-year-old Tiffany Obasohan from Nigeria, who came out tops in the Drawing category; Nyasha Mazarura, an 11-year-old from South Africa who was the overall winner in the Movie category and lastly 11-year-old, Onyamaechi Christian Yobo from Nigeria, who swept the winners title in the Storyboard category.

“I found the inspiration to draw my character called Natallie Gelato from the Gelato store near my house where I love to eat”, says Obasohan. “Natalie is a villain, with super brain powers and drawn in the shape of an ice cream cone. She comes across as a very sweet girl, who is friends with Gumball’s sister Anais, but all the while she wants to take over Elmore with her evil powers.”

Mazarura says that her characters called “PB and J”, two Peanut Butter and Jelly superhero toasties, try to keep the evil, bad guy, Mr. Pepper-shaker, at bay in Veggie-ville, whilst he profusely tries to over win them by making them sneeze.

Yobo illustrated a Spider Monkey vs Lion Lord, two extravagant characters fighting in a boxing ring, whilst Ben10 is in the audience watching the fight.

The winners in each of the categories walked away with some amazing prizes, some of which are a Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1. As part of their prize package the winner’s illustrations will be fully transformed, while getting the opportunity to see their creations come to life, as each winning project will be aired on Cartoon Network, channel 301 on DStv across Africa in mid August

For more information, visit the website. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook or on Twitter.