‘The Golden Cursor Animation Awards Ceremony at Mumbai’
~ Presented by Tech2 and Arena Animation in association with Aptech and CNBC-TV 18


Mumbai, March 21, 2008: Arena Animation - the Global leader in Animation Education, presented ‘The Golden Cursor Animation Awards’ along with CNBC-TV18 - India’s leading business medium, at a glittering award ceremony at Mumbai.

Mr. Tim Mostert, creator of the ‘Speedy’ comic strip in South Africa and Animation Director & Co- Founder of Spark Unlimited, Mr. Sunil Thankamushy were the chief guests for the evening. Mr. Pramod Khera , CEO & MD , Aptech Ltd. & Mr. R. Krishnan – Executive Director graced the occasion.

The Golden Cursor Animation Awards is a path breaking initiative that has been conceptualized with the objective of enhancing and shaping the future of the Indian Animation industry and to create a unique foothold in the international animation arena.

Says R. Krishnan, Global Head, Arena Animation, “The Indian Animation Industry has taken off in a big way in the past 3-4 years owing to the recognition of India’s IT expertise, creative skills & the entrepreneurial drive of companies. Arena recognized the potential of the Multimedia & Animation over a decade back & in 1996, embarked on a journey to create and train professionals to power the industry. Arena has always encouraged and honed talent & our association with the Golden Cursor Award is an initiative to give the creative professionals a recognition in the animation industry.”

While commenting on the need for the awards in this space Shilpi Singh, Senior Manager, CNBC - TV18 said, “Animation in India is currently riding on two key factors - a large base of highly skilled labour, and low cost of production. While the industry is gaining prominence steadily, several important factors such as the government's role in supporting the animation industry, producing original content locally, and the importance of training, will steer the industry to greater heights. While the industry is gaining prominence, The Golden Cursor Animation Awards, brings to light some of the best work that this industry has projected in the last few years.”

The Awards felicitated the animation developers in two major categories - professional and amateur.

The winners of these awards were chosen after a comprehensive three-stage process & judged by a panel of experts from The Cell (The network 18 graphics & animation team), Arena Animation, AnimationXpress.com & Tech2 editorial team, who short listed the entries based on the pre- determined parameters.

‘The Golden Cursor Animation Awards’ were awarded in the following categories:

Category Winner
Best Animated Feature Film Return Of Hanuman – Percept – Abhishek Nayyar
Best New Animation Style Levis Slim Fit – Famous Studios – Suresh
Best Animated PSA (Public Service Announcement) Buladi – Vaibhav Studios – Vaibhav Kumaresh
Best Animated Short Film (Student) Arjun Mahabharata – Iit – Ajay Singh Supahiya
Best Animated Character Channel V: Bai – Star India Pvt Ltd – Jenifa Rodrigues-Executive
Best Animated Channel Id / Promo Symphonick – Vaibhav Studios – Vaibhav Kumaresh
Best Animated Short Film (Professional) Printed Rainbow – Gitanjali Rao
Best Animation Sequence In A Film

Taare Zameen Par (3 X 9) – Vaibhav Studios – Vaibhav Kumaresh-Director Vaibhav Studios

Best Animated Title Sequence In A Film / TV Series Taare Zameen Par – Dhimant Vyas-Animation Film Designer
Best Animated TVC Levis Slim Fit – Famous Studios - E. Suresh Amaron 3 – Vaibhav Studios – Vaibhav Kumaresh
Best Animation Live action Combo Fevicol – Prime Focus Plus – Kunaal Saigal-Business Manager

Apart from the ‘The Golden Cursor Animation Award’ categories, a separate set of awards were instituted to spotlight people who work behind the scenes. One of the categories introduced by the CNBC expert panelist was The Hall of Fame category - a special class of award that pays tribute to some of the legendary films which are timeless classics and mark their testimony to the Indian Animation.

CNBC expert panelist awards were given in the following categories:

Category Winner
Best Animation Lyrics Maa-Aa – Animagic India – Swanand Kirkire
Best Animation Background score Return Of Hanuman – Percept – Tapas Reliya
Best Animation Music V4 – Illayaraja
Best Animation Sound Effects Hey Krishna – Big Animation – Ashish Kulkarni
Best Visual Effects in Animation Film Hey Krishna – Big Animation – Ashish Kulkarni
Hall of Fame Hanuman – Percept – VG Samant
Best 2D Animation Maa-Aa – Animagic India – Chetan Sharma
Best 3D Animation

Hey Krishna – Big Animation – Ashish Kulkarni

Special Awards - Best International Animation Feature Film Ratatouille – Pixar
Best Animation Voice Chetan Sashital – Chatter Box India – Chetan Sashital


About Arena Animation : Expertise that spans 15 countries and training that is globally respected characterize Arena. Arena Animation is a global leader in Animation and Multimedia education and trains students as well as professionals & entrepreneurs in the latest industry relevant courses. Arena's range of courses mainly comprise of training in areas such as Animation, Graphics, Gaming, Web and Interactive Multimedia among others.

Arena Animation imparts intensive training through industry relevant curriculum that prepares students for jobs with the best names in the multimedia, animation and entertainment industry thereby enhancing the Arena Animation certification confidence amongst the animation & multimedia aspirants.

For further details contact:
Delhi/Mumbai:
Sonia Narula
Vice-President,
Corporate Communications,
Aptech Limited
Telefax : 011 516 466 46(D)
E-mail : sonian@aptech.ac.in
Or

Sangita Sharma Phukan
Corporate Communications,
Aptech Limited
Telefax : 011 2465 8005(D)
E-mail : sangitas@aptech.ac.in

Kolkata:
Arpita Bhattacharjee
Corporate Communications,
Aptech Limited
Tel: 033 2465 5899
E-mail : arpitab@aptech.ac.in

Chennai:
Sudhir Kumar
Corporate Communications,
Aptech Limited
Tel: 044 6453 2718
E-mail : sudhirk@aptech.ac.in