The competition encouraged children aged nine to 14 to explore their artistic talents via an online website, giving kids insight and behind-the-scene videos into the making and voices behind their favourite Cartoon Network characters.
Children could then get involved by submitting their artwork online in the Cartoon Network Imagination Studios gallery. After finding inspiration on the Cartoon Network Imagination Studios website, and through Cartoon Network’s duo characters such as Mordecai and Rigby from the Regular Show, Ben and Gwen from Ben 10, and Gumball and Darwin from The Amazing World of Gumball, kids had the opportunity to enter their very own original, imaginative, Cartoon Network duo characters drawing.
“The initiative is a starting block for children who aspire to work in the animation industry when they grow up,” says Pierre Branco, vice president and managing director of Turner Africa. “Imagination Studios not only helps us to provide a platform to our viewers who are interested in animation but also looks to inspire passion in future animators too. It is a great way for us to connect with our viewers, and through the Imagination Studios website, show them how some of the best-animated content is created."
The overall winners from the Cartoon Network Imagination Studios competition are eight-year-old Dida Bafor from Nigeria, Katlego Khambule, a 10-year-old from South Africa, 11-year-old Maia Janse from South Africa, and nine-year-old Zo?-Jane Mans from South Africa.
“I was inspired to draw my two pizza characters called Liz and Joe who were both new in high school,” says Bafor. “The two friends bumped into each other in the hallway. After apologising, the pizza duo became great friends who have lots of fun and great adventures together.”
Diana and Dash, created by Khambule are two artistic siblings who went to the funfair and purchased two magic pencils whose drawings come to life. “This 'doodling duo' uses their artistic talent and magical pencils to combat crime,” adds Katlego.
Pete, the Irish llama, and Mac, the Scottish llama, are two llama detectives. Janse adds, “Mac is a serious gamer, who loves dressing up in Scottish themed outfits, and his partner, Pete, the master at finding four-leaved clovers, always has a bubble pipe which helps him to think.”
Mans says, “Tekna and Robo are twin smartphones who mysteriously go into the internet and when they find an internet connection, the twins' awesome adventures together begin.”
The winners will each receive a cash prize and their animated characters will be aired on Cartoon Network in October across Africa.
You can view the winning artwork here.
For more information, visit www.imaginationstudios.cartoonnetworkhq.com. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook.