Chance for kids to create next cartoon alien

A SOUTH African child could become Africa's next great cartoon animator.

The challenge: to unleash one's imagination by adding another alien to the children's hit series, Ben 10's Omnitrix.

Cartoon Network is giving fans a chance to create the next alien that the cartoon hero will transform into through a drawing competition being held at more than 2000 South African schools.

The 2014 Animation Generation competition, which began this month, is targeting more than two million children.

This year's overall winner will see his or her character brought to life and aired on DStv's channel 301 throughout Africa.

The popular television show is about Ben Tennyson, who uses his Omnitrix watch to transform into different alien life forms to fight off evil aliens trying to take over the world.

The new alien should be able to take on any shape, form and gender for Ben 10's Omniverse. The competition, now in its ninth edition, aims to harness the passion of viewers and give something back to communities.

Last year, children had to design a new unlikely hero or heroine villain or villainess in Adventure Time.

Entrants are encouraged to unleash their creative power by developing new, fun characters, limited by nothing but their imagination in a colourful poster design.

An independent panel of judges will look for the most creative, innovative designs in age categories of six to eight, nine to 11 and 12 to 14 to feature in a Ben 10 TV promo.

The top three winners in each age group stand a chance to win iPads, iPods and Blackberrys.

The school with the most entries will receive R10000, the runner-up R7000 and second runner-up R5000, which goes towards improving their art facilities.

Entries close on September 2 and can be mailed online at www.cartoonnetworkafrica.com-animationgenerationor by post to HDI Youth Marketeers, Postnet Suite 331, Private Bag X 51, Bryanston, 2021. - Poppy Louw