Czech animator Bretislav Pojar dies

A picture released by the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival shows Czech animator and puppeteer Bretislav Pojar as he attends the 42nd Karlovy Vary Film Festival in 2007. The two-time Cannes winner known for his short films starring a teddy bear duo, died in Prague at the age of 89

Czech animator and puppeteer Bretislav Pojar, a two-time Cannes winner known for his short films starring a teddy bear duo, died in Prague at the age of 89, the CTK news agency said Saturday. Pojar, who died Friday, became a household name in the Czech Republic for the "Hey Mister, Let's Play" series he created in the 1960s and 1970s featuring one rather clever bear and his naive sidekick. Born in the southwestern town of Susice in 1923, Pojar was author of around 70 animated films and recipient of several awards, including two "best short film" prizes at the Cannes Film Festival. In 2007, he received a crystal globe award for his contributions to world cinema at the Czech Republic's Karlovy Vary international film festival.