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Big Toons is an innovative, yearlong program designed to empower budding animators, storytellers, and creatives by providing them with the resources, mentorship, and education needed to bring their animated projects to life. This initiative is a dynamic collaboration between Animania, Jamaican educational institutions, and leading producers. The programme aims to bolster the local animation industry, promote cultural storytelling, and prepare participants for global recognition.
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Big Toons operates in two phases: a pitch competition and a production incubator.
Pitch Competition (Phase 1):
In partnership with Animania, Big Toons invites submissions from aspiring animators, writers, and creatives with original concepts for animated productions.
Submissions will be evaluated by experts from the animation and entertainment industries, who will consider creativity, cultural relevance, feasibility, and market potential.
The top-selected pitches will gain entry into the yearlong production incubator.
Production Incubator (Phase 2):
The selected participants will meet monthly for guided workshops and mentorship sessions. Each session focuses on a key aspect of animation production.
Experienced professionals from Jamaican educational institutions and production houses will facilitate the workshops, ensuring academic rigour and industry relevance.
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Empower Creative Talent: Provide emerging Jamaican animators with a structured programme to develop their skills and realise their visions.
Promote Cultural Storytelling: Encourage the production of animated works that reflect Jamaican culture, heritage, and stories.
Strengthen Industry Connections: Foster collaborations between educational institutions, industry professionals, and upcoming talent.
Showcase Excellence: Present polished, original animated works at the following Animania event, positioning participants for broader opportunities.
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March: Call for Participants
May: Shortlist Notification
June: Pitch Competition
July: Team Development Workshop
August: Script Development Workshop
September: Storyboard Development Workshop
October: Audio and Animatic Development Workshop
November: Character Design Workshop
December: Background Design Workshop
January: Pitch Bible Development Workshop
February: Open Source Animation Software Workshop
May: JIPO Production Copyright Workshop
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Each team completed animated pilot episodes, short films, or project demos.
Increased visibility for Jamaican animation talent at Animania and beyond.
Strengthened collaborations between educational institutions and the local animation industry.
A pipeline of market-ready animation projects poised for further development or distribution.
An annual catalogue for Jamaican animated productions.
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Accommodation in Montego Bay, Jamaica, for shortlisted participants in the Pitch Competition
Transportation to Animania for shortlisted participants in the Pitch Competition
Cost per production
Possible Prizes
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Government grants,
Private sector sponsorships,
and international cultural organisations invested in animation and creative industries.
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Big Toons is more than a competition; it is a transformative opportunity to elevate Jamaica’s animation industry. By investing in the next generation of animators, this programme will create a lasting impact, showcasing Jamaican creativity on a global stage while fostering economic growth in the creative sector. We invite Animania, Jamaican educational institutions, and producers to join us in making Big Toons a flagship innovation, collaboration, and cultural storytelling initiative.