Two finalists will present their projects to over 350 industry buyers and financiers; winner to receive $5,000 cash and other prizes.
The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF), which runs September 25-29, has just announced this year’s Pitch This! Contest is open for submissions. A highlight of the festival’s industry forum, TAC, for over 15 years, Pitch This! provides two finalists the opportunity to pitch their new project to a room of influential industry decision-makers and win a prize package courtesy of contest partners.
Pitch This! 2019 is open to Canadian projects only, and pitched series should be aimed at children ages 2-11. All project submissions must be received by August 15, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. EST.
Ten semi-finalists will be partnered with a seasoned industry mentor to help perfect their concept for the big pitch and give them invaluable feedback on their project. “This is a solid opportunity to bring your magic to a room filled with industry professionals and creatives,” notes Sylvie Rochon, a former mentor and contest jury member who is currently a content producer for the competition’s presenting partner, Digital Dimension. “Don’t stress out – this is not Shark Tank. Pitching in front of a crowd might sound daunting, so just focus on telling your story in your own unique way. This audience is longing for engaging storytelling. If your story resonates with them, you will make connections. Start here.”
The ten selections go head to head on Wednesday, September 25 during TAC, where each contestant must impress a small committee of experts in under 10 minutes. The two candidates that nailed their presentations in round one will be selected for the official event on Thursday, September 26. Finalists pitch to a panel of platform executives, and the entire TAC audience – that includes over 350 potential buyers and financiers within the industry.
Azarin Sohrabkhani, director of industry programming at the OIAF, commented, “The OIAF can’t wait to see the fresh, Canadian ideas that come to this year’s Pitch This! We’ve partnered with Digital Dimension, a Montreal-based studio that is providing the successful pitch with a $5,000 cash prize, as well as software and legal services from returning partners. This package is designed to provide the successful pitch with all the ingredients to get their idea off the ground.”
Send your Pitch This! proposals to: presentations@animationfestival.ca.
Source: Ottawa International Animation Festival
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
