Winner of this year’s Pitch THIS! competition to receive development deal with Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana and Toon Boom animation software.
OTTAWA, ON -- The Ottawa International Animation Festival, North America’s leading animation film festival, has announced an exciting opportunity for anyone with a great idea for an animated TV series. Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana, Canada’s premiere animation company and longtime OIAF partner, is offering a development deal, in addition to Toon Boom animation software, to the winner of Pitch THIS! at the event’s industry stream TAC (The Animation Conference), September 20-24, 2017.
“Once again, Nelvana is excited to participate in the Pitch THIS! program and help foster the next generation of creative talent in the animation community,” said Scott Dyer, President, Nelvana. “Nurturing and supporting innovative ideas often brings creative gems to the forefront -- we look forward to this year’s submissions.”
TAC provides a chance for new-comers and professionals to network and keep up with industry trends while having access to the most creative, original and innovative animation out there. Every year TAC presents Pitch THIS!, a contest where two creators get the chance to pitch their new project to the TAC audience.
Not only is there a development deal on the line, but the 2017 program has added a mentorship twist as well. This year, TEN PITCHES will be selected and the creators paired with a mentor who will help them develop their idea. This is a rare opportunity for folks to work closely with a seasoned industry professional, and receive feedback on their project.
All ten pitches will be presented on Wednesday, September 20 during TAC, where each contestant has only ten minutes to impress a small committee of experts. From this group, two lucky candidates will be selected to present their idea at the official Pitch THIS! event on Thursday, September 21 to a panel of broadcasters and the entire audience at TAC, an audience that includes over 300 potential buyers and financiers within the industry.
“The OIAF and Nelvana have a longstanding relationship of working together to foster the animation industry,” says Azarin Sohrabkhani, Director of Industry Programming for OIAF. “It’s very exciting to be able to work together again this year to present this amazing opportunity for the animation community.”
Not only is Nelvana offering a development deal, but Toon Boom will award a licence for Harmony and Storyboard Pro with training to the winner.
Proposals should include:
- Project synopsis, including log line and character descriptions
- One episode synopsis
- Concept art
- Bios of key creators
- Content aimed at children ages 2-11
- Please note: no more than 2 submissions per production company
- We are accepting International submissions
Do you have what it takes? Send your Pitch THIS! proposals to: presentations@animationfestival.ca (link sends e-mail). The deadline for Pitch THIS! submissions is August 31, 2017.
Source: Ottawa International Animation Festival
Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.
