Portfolio Lines Up Jury for Animation Contest

TORONTO: Portfolio Entertainment has slated a diverse pool of jurors to select the winner and runner-up of its recently launched In Toon With Tweens animation contest.

On the panel are Carole Bonneau, the VP of programming TELETOON Canada; Marc Buhaj, the senior VP of original programming for Disney Channels EMEA; Rick Clodfelter, the director of acquisitions and co-productions at Cartoon Network; and Jocelyn Hamilton, the VP of programming and production at Corus Kids. Also on the roster are Linda Simensky, the VP of children’s programming for PBS KIDS; Andra Sheffer, the executive director for Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund; and Shari Cohen, a program consultant for Ontario Media Development Corporation.

Contest prizes total C$10,000 in cash as part of option and development agreements. The winners will be notified on September 15.

“We are thrilled to have such a diverse group of industry experts involved with our inaugural animation contest. Each juror was chosen for their extraordinary background in kids entertainment as well as their valuable understanding of the market,” said Lisa Olfman, Portfolio Entertainment’s co-founders and presidents. “We want animators and creators to know that we want to encourage them by providing this opportunity to unleash their creative talents, articulate their distinct visions and gain unprecedented access to the insights of our judges.”