Kids
Six kids’ productions shotrtlisted by BBC Worldwide Channels, Australasia
MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide Channels Australasia has shortlisted six local children‘s productions for its inaugural CBeebies Production Initiative, in association with CBeebies in the UK. Finalists are invited to a formal pitch session in Sydney on 8 July.
BBC Worldwide Channels Australasia invited applicants to pitch an upbeat, humourous television series that bridges the gap between four and six year olds for its pre-school channel, CBeebies, a locally managed subscription version of the UK‘s most successful free-to air digital pre-school channel. The shortlist was selected from over 100 entries. The finalists are Dayne Dreamable from Steam, Go Johnny Go from Beyond Productions, Lester C Leggs from Jumpfront P/L & Animazing Productions P/L, Penelope K (by the way) by Blink Films, The Giggle Club from Buster Dandy Productions and The Greatest Show on Earth from Beyond Productions/The Content Agency.
The successful producer will receive funding of up to $250,000 per programming hour from BBC Worldwide Channels Australasia.
The commissioned production will premiere on CBeebies in Australia and the UK and on CBeebies‘ other channels around the world (India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Poland, Africa, Latin America and the US Hispanic market).
CBeebies controller Michael Carrington says, “We were inundated with submissions and each one exhibited quality and enthusiasm and a thoroughness in addressing the brief.
“This was a great advantage in helping me grasp the core concept of each proposition – but it didn‘t make choosing the shortlist any easier! I‘m excited about the formal pitch session and the opportunity to delve further into each proposal”.
Unsuccessful applicants are invited to attend a presentation and a Q&A session on 7 July to provide feedback and insights into how to improve their chances of a successful commission with CBeebies in the future.
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.
