Starz Digital Launches Animation Video Site

NEW YORK: ABE Toons is a new online video site, launched by Starz Digital Media at ABEToons.com, that serves as a destination for animated shorts.  

The portal launches with a special ABE Toons Talent Search, which looks for the next great animator. The ABE Toons Talent Search contest will give the grand-prize winner a $4,000 cash prize and the chance to direct the production of an animated series based on their entry. The series production value will be up to $25,000. Additional cash prizes of $1,000 and $500 will be given to the second and third place submissions, respectively. An additional $500 will be awarded to the most popular video, based on number of viewers. The Talent Search runs through August 31. The winner will also have the opportunity for the entry to be distributed across the sites of Starz Digital Media partners.

Videos on ABEToons.com are classified by genre, with featured channels such as "American Manga," "Comic Classics," "Sick & Twisted," "The Underground" and "Wisecrackers." Starz Digital Media will continue to add new content to the site in the months ahead, including video from the ABE Toons Talent Search winners.

"ABE Toons is a natural addition to Starz Media’s growing number of digital initiatives," said Marc DeBevoise, the senior VP of digital media, business development and strategy for Starz Media. "Combined with our other ad-supported broadband channels built around large niches, including Manga.com and StarzBunnies.com, we are looking to take advantage of our large library across multiple media platforms and genres with professionally produced content —some of which will come from yet-to-be-discovered and alternative talent submitting entries in our search for the next animation star."