The Ottawa International Animation Festival’s industry event TAC is now accepting proposals for its 2011 Pitch THIS! Program, presented by 9 Story Entertainment. This year’s event will be held at the Fairmont Château Laurier on September 21 and 22, the first two days of the Festival.

"Nothing beats pitching to industry execs in front of hundreds of people to bring the potential of your project quickly into focus! For us it was the confidence boost we needed to go after the opportunities that arose from attending TAC." - Warren Brown, Producer of BIGBOX SINGSONG (Pitch THIS! 2009)

Pitch THIS! gives two producers the opportunity to steal everybody’s attention by revealing their new project to everyone in the TAC audience, which includes over 350 potential buyers, financiers, partners and industry leaders. Two of the most promising ideas will be selected by the TAC committee for a chance to WOW the conference’s panel of broadcasters and industry leaders for 10 minutes. Both producers and audience members alike will receive valuable feedback from a panel of broadcasters.

SPONSORSHIP COORDINATOR
Deadline December 13

Be part of a fun work environment and help support the art of cinema and animation as the Sponsorship Coordinator for the Canadian Film Institute and its major event, the Ottawa International Animation Festival.

The Canadian Film Institute presents a regular public programme of contemporary, historical, and international cinema in the National Capital region, presented in the Auditorium of the Library and Archives Canada. http://www.cfi-icf.ca/

TOY STORY 3

DIRECTOR: LEE UNKRICH

Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Michael Keaton, Don Rickles, John Ratzenberger

Toy Story 3 welcomes Woody (voice of Tom Hanks), Buzz (voice of Tim Allen) and the whole gang back as Andy prepares to depart for college and his loyal toys find themselves in… day care! These untamed tots with their sticky little fingers do not play nice, so it’s all for one and one for all as plans for the great escape get underway. More than a few new faces—some plastic, some plush—join the adventure, including iconic swinging bachelor and Barbie’s counterpart Ken (voice of Michael Keaton), a thespian hedgehog named Mr. Pricklepants (voice of Timothy Dalton) and a pink, strawberry-scented teddy bear called Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear (voice of Ned Beatty). Directed by Lee Unkrich (co-director of Toy Story 2 and Finding Nemo), produced by Pixar veteran Darla K. Anderson (Cars, Monsters, Inc.) and written by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Michael Arndt (Little Miss Sunshine), Toy Story 3 is a comical new adventure!

GENRE: ANIMATION
FORMAT: DVD & BLU-RAY
RUNTIME: 103 MINS
RATED: G

Animation Festival Announces Kids Jury Contest
Kids to judge films and TV shows made for them
Ottawa, Ont. (August 24, 2010)--The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) is inviting local kids to enter its annual Kids Jury contest.  Ten animation enthusiasts, ranging from the ages of 9 to 14 years old, will be chosen to judge this year’s competition of short films or TV series made for kids.
To be chosen for the jury, local kids are invited to write a one-pager describing why their favourite animated character is the best cartoon ever.  Ten lucky winners will be whisked away to the Canadian Museum of Civilization on Saturday, October 23, 2010 to watch either short animated films or TV series made for children.  They will pick their favourite films or TV shows and award prizes on stage to the winning filmmakers on Sunday, October 24, 2010.
“We are always delighted to read kids’ perspectives on their favourite cartoon characters.  Writing an essay gives these kids an opportunity to put their thoughts down on paper and gain a better understanding of a jury’s role when judging a film or TV show,” said OIAF Managing Director Kelly Neall.  “Why sit at home watching cartoons, when you can sit at a spectacular venue like the Canadian Museum of Civilization and watch cartoons there!” added Neall.
To enter the OIAF’s Kids Jury contest, the one-pagers must be submitted by e-mail: info@animationfestival.ca, by fax: (613) 232-6315, or by regular mail: Ottawa International Animation Festival, 2 Daly Avenue, Suite 120, Ottawa, K1N 6E2.  The kids must include their name, age and an e-mail address or phone number where they can be reached.
The contest deadline is 4:00 p.m. on September 24, 2010.  The winners will be announced at the OIAF News Conference to be held during the first week of October.
The OIAF is also offering other activities for kids and teens at this year’s Festival including: free animation workshops and special screenings.  Kids and teens can get more information by visiting the OIAF’s Toon Apprentice website: www.toonapprentice.ca.  Toon Apprentice is an educational resource aimed at teaching kids, teens, their parents and their teachers about the world of animation.
About OIAF
The Ottawa International Animation Festival is one of the world’s leading animation events, providing screenings, exhibits, workshops and entertainment since 1976.  The annual five-day event brings art and industry together in a vibrant hub that attracts more than 27,000 artists, production executives, students and animation fans from across Canada and around the world.  OIAF 2010 will be held in Ottawa, Ontario from October 20 to 24.  For more information, please visit: www.animationfestival.ca.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Mylene Sayo
Media and Marketing
Ottawa International Animation Festival
(613) 232-8769
media@animationfestival.ca