CBBC, Worldwide create toon pilot scheme

UK kids channel CBBC and its commercial cousin BBC Worldwide have launched a pilot scheme designed to identify Britain’s next generation of animators.

ANIM8 represents the first time CBBC has created a pilot scheme that will offer successful entrants development funding.

CBBC and BBCWW are inviting pitches from individuals, studios and companies for comedy projects that are “character-driven, funny, energetic, unpredictable and upbeat with a unique take on contemporary life”.

The projects should work for both the CBBC and international BBCWW audiences.

The initial submissions period launches today and is open until January 22, 2016. There will then be a multi-development stage before the project being taken forwarded is announced in April.

“The animation industry is going from strength to strength, and I am really proud that BBC Children’s are a major part of this and we have been able to work with some of the best animators in the country,” said BBC Children’s director Alice Webb (pictured) announcing the scheme an event in Manchester, UK, today.

“With this initiative, we are hoping to open our doors even wider and bring new talent into CBBC that will engage with our audience in a fresh and innovative way.”

“Our ambition is to find creatives and concepts to mirror the global success of our CBeebies titles like Sarah & Duck and Hey Duggee, but this time we’re on the look out for character-driven, fast-paced comedy that will appeal to older kids,” said BBCWW director of children’s Henrietta Hurford-Jones.