Clive Juster to receive Special Award at this month’s Children’s ceremony

left - David McKee, right - Clive Juster

Clive Juster (right) with King Rollo Films co-founder David McKee and a Mr Benn print

King Rollo Films co-founder Clive Juster is to be recognised for his work on classic children’s shows from Mr Benn to Playschool at this year’s Children’s Baftas.

Juster, who set up the children’s indie in 1978 with Mr Benn creator and illustrator David McKee and Danish animator Leo Nielsen, will receive the Special Award at this year’s ceremony.

Juster started out in the late 1960s as a film editor on the likes of Play School and Doctor Who and worked as a foley artist on Shakespeare adaptations.

He met McKee in the early 1970s on Mr Benn, where he was a sound and picture editor. After setting up King Rollo Films, the pair remained aligned to the brand until Factory Transmedia bought the business’s rights division last year.

Having worked on more than 20 children’s TV series, including Rollo productions King Rollo, Towser, Spot the Dog, Maisy Mouse and Paz, Juster continues to operate as a consultant.

Bafta children’s committee chair Helen Blakeman praised Juster’s “commitment to children’s television over the last 50 years in producing some of the most iconic children’s animations”, adding that he has “inspired childhood imaginations around the world”.

Juster said he felt “honoured but lucky”.

He added: “I’ve had some of the best people around me. In this business, it’s teamwork that gets results. But if I’ve learned anything, it’s to never give up.”

The awards take place on Sunday 25 November at London’s The Roundhouse.

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