Tim Mostert’s a€˜Speedy’ which made it into this year’s MIPCOM Junior licensing challenge may not have won but Mostert’s presentation had the audience and the jury rolling with laughter. Stan Clutton, senior vice-president licensing, new business, Fisher-Price (US), said it was “very entertaining”. a€˜Speedy’ is based on Mostert’s very successful cartoon strip in the Daily Sun about the daily life of a taxi driver and the township people he transports.
Screen Africa learnt that a€˜Speedy’ was a close runner up to the winner, a€˜The Imp’, presented by BRB Inernacional’s head of licensing, Jesus Diaz. The Imp is a comedy series of black-and-white shorts in which an evil but incompetent imp wrangles with his long-suffering, house proud brother. The programme was commended for its uniqueness, potential for licensing and suitability for its target audience. The prize for the developers includes complimentary tickets to next year’s MIPCOM Junior, a free stand at the well known 2007 Licensing show and a mentoring meeting with a jury member.
The excellent reception a€˜Speedy’ received at MIPCOM Junior bodes well for the future of this SA animated cartoon strip in other world territories.
