Animation South Africa on Wednesday announced that Turner International was an official partner for the inaugural Animation Lounge at Discop Johannesburg 2016.

The non-profit company representing South Africa’s animation industry added that Turner – the international television company whose brands include CNN, Cartoon Network and Turner Classic Movies – would host the Turner Kids’ Animation Pitching Competition at the event, which acts as a marketplace for African content.

For this competition African producers and storytellers are being invited to pitch children’s programming properties that are currently in development to a panel of local and international industry experts, buyers and commissioning editors.

Prize money totals $3 000 and all entrants will have the opportunity to take part in a feedback session with Turner.

“This partnership with Turner is indicative of the bargaining power of the collective and is validation for the efforts of all the volunteers at Animation South Africa over the years,” said Nick Wilson of Animation South Africa.

“Our mandate is to grow the animation industry in South Africa and there is no better way to do that than in dialogue with one of the biggest players in global animation.”

Turner International, a Time Warner company, has 190 channels showcasing 38 brands in more than 200 countries, including 49 in Africa. In addition to its flagship children’s channels, Cartoon Network and Boomerang, Turner launched the channel Boing Africa at Discop 2015.

Pierre Branco, Turner’s vice president for Southern Europe and Africa, said the agreement was “a demonstration of how we are strengthening our presence across the continent, and building our local production strategy to create content that is both relevant and engaging for our African audiences”.

Discop, the largest African content market, provides an opportunity for local producers to network with influential broadcasters and investors. This year’s event will take place in Johannesburg from November 2 to 4 at the Sandton Convention Centre.