Selected from more than 100 applications, the teams present to a live industry audience and jury on September 23, with two advancing to the September 24 final; festival runs September 23-27 in Ottawa.
Eight Canadian animation teams have been named semifinalists for Pitch THIS! 2026, the pitching competition of The Animation Conference, which runs during the Ottawa International Animation Festival's 50th anniversary edition set for September 23-27 in Ottawa.
Presented by the Canada Media Fund, the competition drew more than 100 applications. The semifinalists will present their projects to a live industry audience and jury on September 23, competing for a grand prize package the valued at $11,300 CAD, including cash, software, legal services and return passes to the festival and conference in 2027. Two projects will be selected by the semifinalist jury to advance to the final on September 24, where the grand prize and runner-up winners are announced.
“It's exciting to platform original animation IP from Canadian creators during OIAF's 50th anniversary,” said Sarah Lamoureux, Pitch THIS! coordinator. “Pitch THIS! is a rare opportunity for Canadian creators to showcase new animated projects and connect with industry decision-makers. This year's cohort reflects the range of talent and ideas coming out of Canada's animation community.”
The 2026 semifinalists and their projects are Abe Hutton, Billie & Beak; Ali Kellner and Noam Sussman, Community Garden; Desirée Green, Connext; Segun Samson, Dukiya; Cheyenne Curtis, King Baby Snail; Dez Sargeant-Blair, Lost Soles; Henedy Macias and Dieter Magallan, Mambo and Domingo; and Gino Baldeon, tiny BIG adventure.
Kellner, who won Pitch THIS! in 2019, returns to the competition with Sussman. The pair also has a film in OIAF's new Platform Animation category, the TED-Ed short Can Saunas Make You Live Longer?
Source: Ottawa International Animation Festival
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
