OIAF, Television Animation Conference: Pitch This! deadline, August 15th

Press release form the OIAF and TAC:

Animation Producers to give their best pitch at TAC

Producers find out if they have what it takes to create a hit series in the über-competitive world of animation at the fifth annual Pitch THIS!

The Television Animation Conference (TAC), taking place on October 14 and 15, will present Pitch THIS!  At the historic Chateau Laurier Hotel in Ottawa, Canada as part of this year’s Ottawa International Animation Festival.  Pitch This! is presented this year by Toronto’s 9 Story Entertainment.

One of the most popular events at the conference, Pitch THIS! is just one of several TAC events which give delegates an amazing opportunity to learn what today’s broadcasters are looking for in new animated series. Pitch THIS! is also the only pitching competition in Canada geared specifically to animation producers.

“If you’re looking to really get noticed in the industry, Pitch THIS! gives you that chance!” says TAC Director Azarin Sohrabkhani.  “Take advantage of this opportunity to show off animation’s next big hit!”

Two intrepid producers will step up to the plate on Thursday, October 15th and have 10 minutes to pitch their projects to a panel of the world’s leading animation broadcasters. Not enough pressure? An audience of over 300 buyers, financiers, partners and industry gurus will also be hanging on your every word!

Following the pitches, representatives from various networks will respond with detailed insights, assessing each project’s creative and financial elements and analyzing its marketability and appeal to each broadcaster.  Along with this invaluable feedback, each participating producer gains the type of industry exposure that can lead to future success.

“If you have a great idea for an animated television show and work hard to package and pitch it, then coming to the Ottawa International Animation Festival and TAC could change your life,” says Al Bohl, creator of    “It changed mine.  Not only did I make a development deal with 9 Story Entertainment, but I met people who can make things happen.  If you are serious about cartoons, you need to find a way to bring your dreams to the festival.”

For Pitch THIS! consideration, producers should submit their proposals for an original adult or children’s animation series and must include a project bible, sample episode synopsis, concept art and biographies of the key creative team.

Submissions may be sent to tac@animationfestival.ca or by regular post to 2 Daly Avenue, Suite 120, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6E2. Please mark Attention: TAC Pitch THIS!  No more than two submissions per production company will be accepted.  Deadline for submissions is August 14, 2009.

For additional information on Pitch THIS! , TAC and the Ottawa International Animation Festival please call 613-232-8769 or visit www.animationfestival.ca

About TAC
The Television Animation Conference is Canada’s only animation business forum designed for professionals in content creation, development, production, distribution and marketing. TAC brings together key players in North America and international markets and provides a forum for active networking, practical information exchange, and trade in a comfortable and intimate environment.  TAC ‘09 will be held October 14-15 in Ottawa.  For more information about TAC, please visit www.animationfestival.ca

About OIAF
The Ottawa International Animation Festival is one of the world’s leading animation events, providing first-class screenings, exhibits, workshops and entertainment since 1976.  The annual five-day event brings art, industry and inspiration together in a vibrant hub that attracts artists, production executives, students and animation fans from across Canada and around the world. In 2008, more than 1700 industry delegates flocked to the capital to take part in the festival.  A similar crowd is expected to attend OIAF ’09, which will be held from October 14-18 in Ottawa.  For more information and to experience OIAF online, please visit www.animationfestival.ca.

About 9 Story Entertainment
9 Story Entertainment is an Emmy Award® winning animation studio and production company. Established in 2001, 9 Story creates, produces and distributes children’s and family entertainment, from concept stage to delivery.
Please visit www.9story.com for more information.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Lindsay Wellwood
Media Coordinator
Ottawa International Animation Festival
(613) 232-8769
media@animationfestival.ca

For Television Animation Conference and/or Pitch THIS! enquiries, please contact:
Azarin Sohrabkhani
Director
Television Animation Conference
(613) 232-8769
azarin@animationfestival.ca