The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) has opened submissions for its 2017 Pitch THIS! competition. This year’s contest is once again being presented in partnership with Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana and Toon Boom.

The deadline for submissions is August 31, and this year’s OIAF will run from September 20 to 24 in the Canadian capital.

The animated TV series concept competition takes place at OIAF’s industry stream The Animation Conference (TAC). The winner will receive a development deal from Nelvana, and Toon Boom will provide a license for its animation software Harmony and Storyboard Pro (with training).

The fest will select 10 pitches and pair the creators with a mentor who will help them develop their idea. The pitches will be presented to a small committee of industry experts on September 20, and two candidates will then be selected to present their ideas to a panel of broadcasters and the entire audience at TAC’s Pitch THIS! event on September 21. The audience will include more than 300 potential buyers and financiers.

Pitch THIS! is open to Canadian and international creators with a project that targets kids ages two to 11. Submissions should include a project synopsis with a log line and character descriptions, one episode synopsis, concept art and biographies of the key creators. Production companies can submit a maximum of two entries and submissions should be sent to presentations@animationfestival.ca.

Last year, Australia’s Suren Perera and Thomas Duncan-Watt took home the 2016 Pitch THIS! prize for their original animated series Owl and Cloud (pictured).