Market dates: 19–21 November
Applications closed Wednesday 31 July
Screen Queensland has opened mentoring and market grants for Queensland producers to attend the Asian Animation Summit (AAS) in Taiwan this November.
Queensland producers will receive mentoring to prepare their animated children’s series pitches for the summit and market grants to support flights and accommodation of up to $3,500 for an individual and $5,000 for a team of two per project.
The AAS is a unique showcase for producers of new animated children’s series seeking finance and production partners in the Asia-Pacific region. The event has been the launchpad for a number of Australian animated series including Queensland series Balloon Barnyard, The Strange Chores and Bluey.
The selected participants will receive:
- six private mentoring sessions with Michael Carrington (August to October)
- travel and accommodation fees up to $3,500 for an individual and $5,000 for a team to attend AAS 2024 and the AAS Connections program from 19 to 21 November in Taipei, Taiwan
- complimentary registration to AAS 2024 for two people per project
- six 15-minute in-person pitch meetings with buyers/investors
- one-page profile feature in the AAS 2024 Delegate Book to promote their project.
ABOUT THE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Beginning in late August, the selected participants will undertake:
- 3 x 90-minute mentoring sessions to review materials and plan their project presentation
- 3 x 60-minute sessions to review and improve the presentation.
The mentor program will be delivered by Michael Carrington who is Founder and Executive Producer at Carrington Media. He is best known as a commissioner of world-class animated series and films from his years living and working in the UK. He has helped leading companies in children’s television and digital media gain success across many countries. Programs like Charlie & Lola, Ethelbert the Tiger, Little Robots, The Amazing World of Gumball, Bob the Builder, 100% Wolf, Kangaroo Beach, and most recently Bluey have triumphed. Before devoting his work full-time to Carrington Media, Michael served as Director of Content at ABC Australia.
WHO CAN APPLY?
To be eligible, projects must meet the following criteria:
- the project must be an animated series for children up to 15, intended for market partners such as broadcast, free-to-air or subscription television; SVOD or other internet platforms.
- episodes can be of any length, provided the series represents at least 60 minutes of screen time in total.
- animation must represent more than 50% of the total screen time of the series.
- projects that have commenced pre-production are eligible, but not if more than one episode is completed.
Priority will be given to the selection of projects that have one of the following:
- development investment
- a letter of interest from market partners.
- a distributor or investor providing more than 15% of the production budget.
The following projects are ineligible:
- projects that represent a second series of an existing series
- fully financed projects.
Ideal projects for showcase at the Asian Animation Summit include:
- a clear defined concept that is simple to understand
- characters and stories with a heart
- standout visuals
- international market appeal
- suitable opportunity for co-production.
For further project criteria, including what materials are required, please go to AAS eligibility.
HOW CAN I APPLY?
Applications will be accepted through our SmartyGrants platform. You can fill out the form here.
