CBBC, BBCWW flies Anim8 pilot

CBBC in the UK has launched its first animation pilot scheme with commercial arm BBC Worldwide (BBCWW) in a bid to uncover the next generation of creatives.

Alice Webb

Anim8 will offer UK producers the chance to pitch for funded development and aims to develop ideas that can then air on the UK kids’ channel. CBBC will work with BBCWW to focus on comedy series that have global appeal.

The scheme is now inviting pitches from individuals, studios and companies that are “character-driven, funny, energetic, unpredictable and upbeat with a unique take on contemporary life.”

CBBC said it wanted ideas that “look to push visual boundaries” and would accept all animation styles and techniques, including mixed media.

Initial submissions must be in by January 22, with entrants then taken through a multi-stage development process culminating in a project being taken to pilot in April.

Alice Webb, director of BBC Children’s, said: “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.”

Henrietta Hurford-Jones, director of Children’s at BBCWW, said Anim8’s 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.”

Entrants are required to have a minimum of two broadcast, published or digital credits for commissioned work. For further details click here.