Film / a productions
Award for ‘authentic’ children’s animation
A Bristol-based production company is part of the team behind a pioneering show that scooped an award for the best mixed-media series at the 2022 Kidscreen Awards.
CBeebies show, JoJo & Gran Gran, was created by BBC Studios Kids & Family Productions, in collaboration with A Productions.
The show celebrates the special relationship between a grandparent and child and is inspired by characters created by Laura Henry-Allain MBE. It is also the first UK pre-school animation to centre around a Black British family.
A Productions undertook extensive research and interviews in Bristol to shape the show, creating a panel made up of a range of voices from local communities that worked closely with the creative team.
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The Kidscreen Awards are a high-profile celebration of excellence in children’s content, paying tribute to outstanding television and digital media work that keeps children and families entertained.
Hundreds of entries are received from around the world each year.
Discussing the show’s success, Tony Reed, genre lead on animation and puppetry at BBC Studios Kids & Family Productions, said: “We are thrilled to have picked up this award for JoJo & Gran Gran, which continues to strike a chord with its audience and represents an authentic slice of life in the UK.”
Patricia Hidalgo, director at BBC Children’s and Education, agreed, saying: “JoJo & Gran Gran is one of our tent-pole preschool series on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer, and a much loved title by families across the UK. We are really happy to see it resonating internationally with this Kidscreen award.”
A Productions works towards animation and children’s television, and is known for handling beloved characters such as the Tweenies and Elmo.
The multi-discipline animation production studio is located between Colston Street and Old Market.
Main image: BBC
Read more: Meet two women breaking down barriers in the animation industry
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