Got an Animated Series Idea?
by Staff
(July 10, 2019 – Ottawa, ON) The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF), North America’s leading animated film festival, returns this September with its special Pitch This! competition. A highlight of The Animation Conference (TAC), the OIAF’s industry forum that runs September 25-27, 2019, Pitch This! selects two finalists who will get the rare opportunity to pitch their new project to a room of influential industry decision-makers, and win a prize package courtesy of Pitch This! partners.
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. Sylvie Rochon is a former mentor and jury member for Pitch This!, as well as a Content Producer for the competition’s presenting partner, Digital Dimension.
“This is a solid opportunity to bring your magic to a room filled with industry professionals and creatives. Don’t stress out – this is not Shark Tank,” said Rochon. “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.
“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,” said Azarin Sohrabkhani, Director of Industry Programming at the OIAF. “This package is designed to provide the successful pitch with all the ingredients to get their idea off the ground.”
NOTE: Pitch This! 2019 is open to Canadian projects only, and pitched series should be aimed at children ages 2-11. The deadline for Pitch This! is August 15, 2019 at 5 PM EST. Email your Pitch This! proposals to: presentations@animationfestival.ca
The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) is one of the world’s leading animation events providing screenings, exhibits, workshops and entertainment since 1976. The OIAF is an annual five-day event bringing art and industry together in a vibrant hub, attracting more than 28,000 artists, producers, students and animation fans from around the world.
