Kids
Mattel Children’s Foundation Intl. Grants Program awards grants worth more than $1 mn
MUMBAI: As part of its commitment to children and families around the world, the Mattel Children’s Foundation has awarded 42 grants in 38 countries totaling more than $1 million under its International Grants Program, including 21 grants totaling $525,000 in Europe in 2006.
The Mattel Children’s Foundation International Grants Program awards grants to charitable organizations that directly assist children in need and support Mattel’s philanthropic priorities of building literacy and educational opportunities, supporting children’s well being and building girls’ self-esteem and empowerment, informs an official release.
“The Mattel Children’s Foundation is pleased that we can bring joy to children in need throughout Europe and around the world,” said Mattel Children’s Foundation and Mattel philanthropy programs Executive Director Deidre Lind.
“It is our philanthropic mission to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children in need and we believe it is especially important to support organizations that directly serve children through our grant funding.”
The Foundation also partners with nonprofit organizations. Mattel has partnered with Special Olympics, Save the Children, the Mattel Children’s Hospital at UCLA, the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI) and the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation (CAAF), adds the release.
The Mattel Children’s Foundation is funded exclusively by cash donations from Mattel, Inc.
Kids
Mukta Arts and Green Gold ink MOU to animate iconic film IPs
Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan to spawn animated shows plus features.
MUMBAI: When classic hindi movie meets animation, the result is a fresh reel of nostalgia with a cartoon twist. Mukta Arts Ltd. and Green Gold Animation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on animated shows and feature films drawn from Mukta Arts’ four-decade treasure trove of iconic IPs. The partnership taps Mukta’s SGM Animation Studio launched in 2025 as its dedicated animation and games arm and Green Gold’s proven track record in building scalable, homegrown franchises. Creative teams from both sides have already kicked off discussions, with the first project currently in development.
The slate will draw inspiration from landmark Mukta films including Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan, Khalnayak, Saudagar and Iqbal, plus character-led spin-offs from those universes. The aim is to reimagine these stories for today’s young, global audiences while preserving their emotional core.
Green Gold Animation (home of Chhota Bheem) founder and CEO Rajiv Chilaka said, “This partnership with SGM Studios allows us to apply our experience in building long-lasting animation IPs to a truly iconic film catalogue. Together, we aim to create animated worlds that are rooted in these legendary stories, yet designed to connect with today’s young, global audiences.”
Mukta Arts Ltd. filmmaker and founder Subhash Ghai added, “Mukta Arts has always believed in creating stories with lasting emotional value. Through animation, we are extending our IP into a new medium for the next generation.”
In an industry where timeless tales never go out of fashion, this collaboration promises to bring beloved characters back to life with a modern, animated glow proving that some stories are too good to stay in live-action. Stay tuned for the first animated frame to drop.
