22nd June 2012 / Sydney, Australia – Cartoon Network’s The Amazing World of Gumball, the smash-hit debut series from Turner Broadcasting’s London-based European development studio, has claimed a prestigious ASTRA Award for ‘Most Outstanding Children’s Program or Event’.
The 10th Annual ASTRA Awards ceremony took place on Thursday 21st June 2012 at the Sydney Theatre Company and The Amazing World of Gumball beat off stiff competition, trumping Camp Orange: Wrong Town and Move It Mobb Style®.
This is the ninth award win for the series since launching in the US in May 2012. In June 2011, The Amazing World of Gumball scooped a feted Cristal Award for ‘Best Television Production’ at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. The show went on to win two awards at the British Academy Children’s Awards (Kids’ BAFTA), for ‘Best Animation’ and ‘Best Writer’ in November 2011. In February 2012, the series won three Kidscreen Awards for ‘Best Children’s Program – Viewers Choice’, ‘Best Animation – Programming’ and ‘Best Animated Series – Kids’. Later the same month at the 39th Annual Annie Awards, the series won ‘Best Animated Television Production Children’. Earlier this month, the series was also recognised for ‘Excellence in Programming Kids 2-11 – Comedy’ at the first annual Cynopsis Kids !magination Awards held in new York.
The Amazing World of Gumball’s award wins at these International awards ceremonies confirm that the series is gaining serious industry recognition and are a testament to the creative talent and production innovation behind the groundbreaking 2D, 3D and live action series.
Turner Broadcasting’s London-based studio is headed up by Daniel Lennard, Vice President of Original Series & Development, who is responsible for the development of in-house and wholly-owned original series on Cartoon Network. Daniel is executive producer of The Amazing World of Gumball and has nurtured the series and its show creator Ben Bocquelet since its inception. A second series of The Amazing World of Gumball is currently in production.
The Amazing World of Gumball follows the misadventures of twelve-year-old Gumball, an average boy who happens to be a blue cat with a giant head. He faces the ups and downs of the average 12-year-old, like being chased by a T-Rex or dressing like a cheerleader to impress the girl he admires. Other than that, Gumball lives a regular suburban life in the town of Elmore with his Dad, who is a giant pink rabbit, and his Mom, who works in a rainbow factory. He’s got a 4-year-old genius sister and a pet goldfish, which happens to have legs.
Robi Stanton, General Manager and Vice President, Turner International Australia says: “We are so proud of Cartoon Network’s The Amazing World of Gumball. The series is truly amazing and an ASTRA Award win means the world to us! Cartoon Network ‘tooners have really embraced our newest hero, Gumball. Behind the scenes, it’s all down to the production team Cartoon Network Europe and our partners, Dandelion Productions, Boulder Media, and Studio Soi, who all work tirelessly to make The Amazing World of Gumball the outstanding show it is.”
The Amazing World of Gumball is available exclusively on FOXTEL, every Saturday @ 9am. The second season will premiere in Summer 2012.