Nick launches int’l shorts comp

Nickelodeon has launched its first worldwide animation talent hunt, and says it has already received more than 100 submissions for the programme.

The kids’ entertainment giant is at the Annecy International Film Festival receiving the final entries to the Animated Shorts Programme and said entrants came from writers, directors, artists, designers and comedians from Europe, North and South America, Africa, Asia and Australia.

Fifteen ideas will be chose as for development into shorts that could eventually run across Nick channels and websites globally, and on the Nick App.

Nick launched its 2013 US toon shorts programme last year and announced 12 finalists from more than 900 submissions. Once the international finalists are selected, they will be added to the US submissions ahead of production.

The 2012 edition of the programme led to Gary DiRaffaele’s Breadwinners being picked up for a 20-episode run.

“We know that great creative talent and ideas come from everywhere around the world, and we are committed to finding and cultivating the next generation of creative voices and giving them an opportunity,” said Russell Hicks, president, content and development, Nick. “Opening submissions on a global level brings us more fresh ideas, new characters, concepts and amazingly funny stories to our audiences everywhere.”