For Professionals

Who Can Participate:

• This invitation is open to directors, creative artists, and filmmakers with unique story ideas who are passionate about the Indian Animation Industry

Deadline: Submit your first pitch deck by August 5th.

Requirements: Your pitch deck should include:

• A short story pitch.
• A pitch bible with details about the story arc, characters, set pieces, and visual arc.
• Original artworks representing the story.
• Background information about yourself and any team members.

Process:

1. Step 1: Submitting Pitch Deck by August 5th.
   1. Include a short story pitch, a pitch bible, original artworks, and background information.
2. Step 2: Jury Screening
   1. A 5-panel jury of experienced storytellers, including directors, writers, and studio heads, will screen the entrants based on the story idea and character descriptions.
   2. The goal is to shortlist the stories to the top 30 by scores.
3. Step 3: Animation & More Summit
   1. The top 30 selected participants will make a 10-minute presentation on their story and characters, followed by a 10-minute Q&A session.
4. Award
   1. Two stories will be selected from the 30 pitches and announced as winners, which will then be produced as short films / series / feature flim
5. Recognition
   1. Short film created by the Top Animation studios in India will be promoted on animation xpress.com and social media handles, and the short film will travel various Indian and International film Festival

For Students

Who Can Participate:

• This opportunity is open to students who are passionate about the animation industry and have unique story ideas.

Deadline: Submit your first pitch deck by August 5th.

Requirements: Your pitch deck should include:

• A short story pitch.
• A pitch bible with details about the story arc, characters, set pieces, and visual arc.
• Original artworks representing the story.
• Background information about yourself and any team members.

Process:

1. Submission :
   1. Submit your pitch deck by 5th August 2025.
2. Shortlisting :
   1. Pitches will be reviewed and shortlisted by creative mentors from the studios.
3. Development :
   1. Shortlisted students' stories will be mentored by the jury for a month.
   2. Mentors will help refine your stories, shaping characters and plotlines into compelling narratives with broad appeal.
   3. Students will develop their stories within their institute into either a short film, which can be used as their graduation film.
4. Recognition & Reward :
   1. The best two short films will receive a cash prize of ₹25,000 each.
   2. Winners will also receive official software licenses, a high-end tablet, and the opportunity to send their films to international film festivals through AnimationXpress.com, including Digicon Film Festival.