The Animation Conference (TAC), in collaboration with 9 Story Entertainment, is once again offering PITCH THIS!, a specialised programme dedicated to providing producers with pitching opportunities. The TAC committee is currently accepting submissions and will soon select two ideas to be presented at this year’s conference in Ottawa, in September 2015.
Selected presenters will have ten minutes each to pitch their ideas to over 250 potential buyers, financiers, partners, and industry professionals, as well as a panel of today’s top influencers (last year’s panel included representatives from Nickolodeon, TELETOON, Amazon, and PBS). A kids jury will also provide feedback to presenters in real time in front of a live audience.
“PITCH THIS! gives everyone (in the TAC audience) a chance to see a producer deliver their concept while industry professionals react in a very raw and spontaneous way,” says Athena Georgakalis, director of content for TELETOON and former PITCH THIS! panelist. “For the pitchee, the exposure is excellent. They pitch not only to the panelists but to everyone in the room and opportunities have been created because of moments like these.”
Georgakalis was a PITCH THIS! panelist in 2010 when Mike Geiger pitched his idea for a series called Winston Steinberger and Sir Dudley Ding Dong. “I was so impressed that TELETOON put the show into development shortly after and it is now in production,” she says.
The TAC committee will be accepting proposals until the 15 July deadline. Those interested are encouraged to submit proposals via e-mail to presentations@animationfestival.ca.
Project proposals should be geared for children ages six to twelve and must include a synopsis, bios of key project executives, a short paragraph detailing the project’s current stage of development, and two to three samples of concept art.
Selected presenters will receive an all-access pass and three nights’ accommodation during the Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) and TAC. The OIAF is a major animation event which takes place each September.
For more information visit the OIAF website.
