Children participate in the drawing contest at Kerala Samajam Model School. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, Nov. 7: Toon stars Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Tom and Jerry might soon see competition in Motu, Chotu and Lambu ? characters created by kids for an upcoming animation film.

Students of the steel city are coming up with their own cartoon characters, thanks to Toonbox Animations, a city-based institution into animation-filmmaking.

The best creations will make it into an animation film, Nukkad, which the institution has decided to make.

Toonbox Animations today organised a sit-and-draw competition on the campus of Kerala Samjam Model School, giving an opportunity to students to sketch cartoon characters.

About 150 children from 16 schools, including Jamshedpur Public School, Loyola School, DBMS English School, Kerala Samajam Model School, Kerala Public School, Kadma and DAV Patelnagar came up with their toon creations.

The participants were asked to sketch and write about their own characters based on the theme, ?Street Children?. The contest was divided into three, Classes 3-5, Classes 6-8 and Classes 9-12. The best three characters in every group would make it into a film. The winners would also receive credit line in the film.

According to Toonbox Animations officials, the nine best characters would be introduced in the film. The results of the contest would be declared on November 28 at a function during which the promo of the film would also be screened.

Sharat Chandran, director of Toonbox Animations, said it was the first time that such a contest had been held in the city. The initiative had been taken to grab the imagination of children. He added that the contest would not only help children showcase their creativity but also help create awareness about animated films.

The film would portray street children?s fight for survival, their joys, sorrows and tireless enthusiasm. ?We had made a number of animated films earlier but it is the first time that a film on characters created by students would be made,? Chandran said.