China Tales Incubator Opens Call for Entries

Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana, WeKids and Toon Boom Animation are looking for kids’ animation concept submissions for their joint talent initiative, China Tales Incubator.

China Tales Incubator seeks to discover new talent and develop, produce and distribute original, cutting-edge kids’ animation from China to global audiences. China-based animators, writers, illustrators, storytellers and artists are invited to submit their comedic, character-driven concepts for kids aged 2 to 5 and 6 to 11 via the China Tales Incubator website.

Submissions will be accepted in either Mandarin or English and must include a working title, target demo, proposed format, summary and a maximum of five illustrations. The first-round deadline is July 6, 2018. Submissions will be evaluated by September 30, 2018. The winning concept will be put into development through the partnering companies with the goal of creating a pitch bible and an animation test or trailer to take the concept to the international market for distribution, licensing and merchandising.

To kick off the initiative, Nelvana, WeKids and Toon Boom Animation will host six China Tales Incubator Workshops in Hangzhou, Suzhou, Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen from April 26  to May 11. Specialists in writing, developing and producing animation from the three companies will introduce the incubator program to attendees. Chinese animation studios, broadcasters, streaming platforms, animation academies and independent animators, writers and artists are invited to attend the workshops.

“Nelvana could not be more pleased to be moving into the next phase of our partnership with WeKids and Toon Boom Animation,” said Scott Dyer, the president of Nelvana. “China holds tremendous untapped potential in the international animation market and we’re keen to unearth new talent through the China Tales Incubator competition.”

Manman Chen, the COO of WeKids, added, “We are delighted to be working with world leaders in the animation industry to identify and bring to the Chinese and world markets animation created by the best and brightest Chinese animators, writers and illustrators. Nelvana, one of the top animation producers and distributors in the world, is the perfect partner to recognize, produce and distribute Chinese-inspired properties across the world. Toon Boom Animation, with its cutting-edge technology, will be a terrific collaborator in bringing these series to the screen. We are excited to be part of this historic partnership.”