Cake, Triggerfish To Produce African Children’s Series ‘Mama K’s Super 4’
London-based children’s entertainment company Cake is entering into partnership with South Africa’s Triggerfish Animation Studios to co-produce the comedy-action series Mama K’s Super 4.
Targeted at 6-11 year olds, Mama K’s Super 4 is set in Lusaka, Zambia, where four teenage girls are recruited by former secret agent Mama K to help save the world. According to the series description: “Fighting rich and powerful opponents with limited resources means Mama K’s Super 4 will have to be smart and resourceful in a show in which taking down the bad guys and turning in your homework is all in a day’s work.”
The series is created by Zambian writer Malenga Mulendema, who was one of eight winners in the Story Lab initiative, a 2015 African development program sponsored by Triggerfish, in partnership with the Walt Disney Company and South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry.
“Mama K’s Super 4 stood out among hundreds of tv shows that we reviewed during a continent-wide call for animated projects,” said Triggerfish’s Anthony Silverston in a press release. “In her pitch, Malenga said that, growing up, she’d never seen herself reflected on screen in an animated show, and with Cake, we’re glad to have found a bold partner who has embraced her vision for a show centered on four innovative African girls.”
Cape Town’s Triggerfish is one of South Africa’s leading animation studios, whose credits include two cg features – Adventures in Zambezia and Khumba – as well as tv specials like Stick Man and Revolting Rhymes. They’ll collaborate with Cake to develop finance, and produce 26 twenty-two minute episodes of the 2D-animated Super 4, while Cake will handle international rollout and distribution.
Below are some of character concepts for the series by Cameroonian artist Malcolm Wope. The producers say the show draws visual inspiration from retro-’90s R&B and hip hop girl groups.
