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FOX-Aniboom Holiday Animation Challenge Aims to Find Next FOX Special

Press Release from Fox

Fox Broadcasting Company and 20th Century Fox Television have partnered with Aniboom, the world's first virtual animation studio, to launch the FOX-Aniboom Holiday Animation Challenge, an animation contest to find the next great FOX holiday TV special. The contest, which kicks off on May 27, 2009, invites talented, creative up-and-coming animators worldwide to enter their original holiday-inspired animated shorts for the opportunity to win cash prizes and a FOX development deal. Submissions should present an original idea for a holiday special and feature the irreverent, edgy and uniquely FOX animation spirit that has made such shows as THE SIMPSONS, FAMILY GUY and AMERICAN DAD hits for the network.

"FOX has long been the sole primetime animation powerhouse, and we're searching for a fresh new animated holiday special that could potentially become an instant classic and maybe even a weekly series," said President, Entertainment for Fox Broadcasting Company, Kevin Reilly. "By tapping into Aniboom's community of undiscovered talent, we hope to find the next original hit holiday concept like THE SIMPSONS' TREEHOUSE OF HORROR or A VERY SPECIAL FAMILY GUY FREAKIN' CHRISTMAS."

"Our success in creating blockbuster primetime animated hits is one of the cornerstones of this studio, and we're always on the lookout for the next great talent in this genre," remarked Twentieth Century Fox Chairmen Gary Newman and Dana Walden. "We're excited to partner with Aniboom and FBC on this contest. We can't wait to see what comes in."

"Aniboom is the studio for thousands of talented, passionate and undiscovered animators from over 70 countries around the globe, and every one of them reveres the innovation and creativity of FOX's animated programming," said Founder and President of Aniboom, Uri Shinar. "With this competition, FOX and Aniboom will introduce viewers to the next great superstars of animation -- and quite likely, a brand new vision of what primetime television programming will be like five years from now."

The FOX-Aniboom Holiday Animation Challenge is open to animators who have reached the age of majority in their state or country of residence. To be eligible to win, entries should be two to four minutes in length and must be holiday-themed -- from Halloween to Thanksgiving to Christmas -- or any other holiday observed in the U.S. Animators can submit their shorts online by uploading them directly to the Aniboom website at www.aniboom.com/fox. The contest kicks off at 12:01 AM PT on May 27, 2009 and the deadline for submissions is at 11:59PM PT on August 31, 2009. Viewers can watch and comment on the videos as soon as they are posted. A voting period will take place from September 1 through September 30, in which viewers have the opportunity to rate their favorite submissions. FOX and Aniboom will reveal the five contest finalists on or about November 3, and then announce the grand prize winner in mid-November.

Each of the five finalists will receive a prize of $5,000. A panel comprised of FOX executives will select four of these finalists, while one "Viewer's Choice" finalist will be chosen based upon the audience response on the contest's website. The grand prize winner will receive the $5,000 plus an additional $10,000 and a FOX development deal, with the potential to air their winning work on FOX, FOX.com, and other FOX-affiliated websites.

Since its inception, Aniboom has successfully executed many short-form animation contests, whose winners have gone on to create animation for large corporations and media outlets. The Aniboom Awards is an annual short-form animation contest that, in past years, has received over 1,000 video submissions. In March 2008, Aniboom teamed with TBD Records to host the Radiohead Animated Music Video Competition, whose winning submission went on to serve as the music video for the band's hit "Reckoner" from the IN RAINBOWS album.

For complete official rules, eligibility restrictions and other information, please visit www.aniboom.com/fox.