Kids
Cartoon Network bags Astra Award for ‘Monster Beach’
MUMBAI: Cartoon Network’s first Australian content commissioned for global distribution, Monster Beach, has taken home the 2015 Astra Award for ‘Most Outstanding Children’s Program.’
Cartoon Network premiered Monster Beach in Australia last Halloween. The special then aired across Asia became the number one show in its timeslot in markets including Taiwan and the Philippines, and was dubbed into several languages. Scheduled to air later this year, European audiences will be the next to enjoy the animated fun.
The original movie was commissioned by Cartoon Network and created by Melbourne-based animation studio Bogan Entertainment Solutions (BES). Monster Beach follows two siblings who visit their uncle on a secluded island for the summer, only to find the island in danger and the locals are surf-crazed monsters.
“The success of Monster Beach is a result of a collaboration between Cartoon Network’s executive production team in Hong Kong and BES in Melbourne,” said Turner International Asia Pacific chief content officer- kids content Mark Eyers. “It is a great example of how an international network can partner with Australia’s top talent to create locally-produced content that can reach audiences across the world,” he added.
Cartoon Network made Australia its first port of call in Asia Pacific last year on its international search for animation talent with Monster Beach delivering Australian flavour to international audiences with its distinctive animation style through BES’ involvement.
“Taking a project from the kitchen table through to international release has been an amazing experience. As has partnering with those whose belief in the concepts and the potential of Australian animation has been unswerving in its support,” said BES’ Monster Beach director Patrick Crawley.
“Working with Cartoon Network has meant we’ve had the opportunity to link some of the best Australian writing, design and animation talent with their contemporaries from around the world to deliver an outstanding project,” added Crawley.
Cartoon Network’s hit series Adventure Time, which is now in its sixth season, also had received a 2015 Astra Awards nomination for Most Outstanding Children’s Program.
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.
