Fast Track 

Sept 24 – 25, 2025

 

Speed-pitching sessions for animation professionals.

Available exclusively to TAC AnimaPass and TAC Only Pass holders.

 

What is Fast Track at TAC?

If you plan to pitch a project, find the perfect production company for your ideas, and establish important relationships, Fast Track will help you get there! Fast Track gives you the opportunity to meet with each of your sought-after contacts for classic speed-pitching or development strategy meetings.

Fast Track allows producers, platforms, and distributors from around the world to meet with animation professionals, creative talent, and emerging storytellers for classic one-on-one speed pitching or development strategy meetings. The participating executives reflect a wide range of production interests and expectations, and will be looking for:

  • Series, shorts, features, and VR/AR projects
  • Target audiences ranging from preschool to adult
  • Development stages from concepts to completed projects
  • Content from any market (worldwide)
Buyers / Executives
Animators / Creators
List of Participants

Executives or Buyers looking to take meetings:

To be eligible to pitch at Fast Track, executives must be in a senior development, acquisition, or programming role at a production, broadcast, or distribution company that is actively seeking animated content. During Fast Track, you must participate in a minimum of two separate 1-hour sessions. 

Buyers, producers, and development executives looking to take pitches at Fast Track: 

  1. Apply now: complete the ‘TAC 2025: Buyer Accreditation Form’ by August 1, 2025, at 11:59 PM EDT. 
  2. Approval from OIAF staff is pending; you will receive a follow-up message in late May or early June.
  3. Log in to the Meeting Planner portal and set availability by August 20, 2025. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch with Vanessa, the Industry Events Coordinator: tac@animationfestival.ca

Fast Track Disclaimer:

  • The OIAF cannot guarantee that Fast Track pitches will result in deals or second meetings after the initial pitch.
  • All attendees in pitch meetings must hold a valid TAC pass. Business partners or additional team members are not allowed to attend Fast Track meetings unless they hold a valid TAC pass registered in their name.  
  • Per the Festival’s Code of Conduct, Harassment or aggressive behaviour towards fellow passholders, executives, OIAF staff, and volunteers will not be tolerated.

Animation Professionals looking to pitch or request meetings:

Fast Track is available exclusively to eligible fully registered TAC passholders. TAC passholders must complete a brief pre-screening questionnaire, which will be used to determine eligibility for Fast Track and to match your project (s) with the right executives. 

 

📣 Important Dates: 

  • The Fast Track application form closes on August 20, 2025, at 11:59 PM EDT. After pass purchase, it is available through the OIAF Box Office, which is open now! 
  • The Meeting Planner portal to request meetings will open on September 3, 2025, at 11:00 AM EDT.
  • The Meeting Planner portal will close on September 10, 2025, at 11:59 PM EDT.
Buy your TAC Pass!
Fast Track Session Types
Pitch Requirements
Support for First Timers

Pitching Requirements:

Pitchers must have all of the following elements included in a pitch deck/bible to participate in a ‘Fast Track: Classic’ meeting:

    1. Project info: title, genre, demographic, format
    2. Logline and synopsis
    3. Character descriptions/biographies
    4. Concept Art
    5. At least one episode synopsis (if pitching a series)
    6. Key creator biographies

If you do not have all of these elements before the festival, you can register to participate in the ‘Fast Track: Pitch Development’ session.

Preparing for Fast Track: 

If you plan to pitch a project, find the perfect production company for your ideas, and establish meaningful relationships, Fast Track can help you get there!

There are two types of Fast Track sessions: 

Classic speed-pitching session(s)

    • Each ‘Classic’ session consists of four 12-minute meeting slots
    • This session is a standard pitching session, giving creators one-on-one access to pitch animated projects to leading executives.

Pitch Development meeting session

    • The ‘Development’ session consists of three 17-minute meetings
    • This session provides creators with projects in earlier stages of development to receive valuable feedback from experienced executives on their pitch bible and presentation

Please note: Confirmed speed-pitch meetings do not guarantee a sale or deal; rather, they are an opportunity to pitch, receive feedback, connect with potential collaborators and create business opportunities.

Fast Track Disclaimer:

  • The OIAF cannot guarantee that Fast Track pitches will result in deals or second meetings after the initial pitch.
  • All attendees in pitch meetings must hold a valid TAC pass. Business partners or additional team members are not allowed to attend Fast Track meetings unless they hold a valid TAC pass registered in their name. 
  • Per the Festival’s Code of Conduct, Harassment or aggressive behaviour towards fellow passholders, executives, OIAF staff, and volunteers will not be tolerated.
  •  

Support for Emerging Creators:

As TAC heads into its 21st edition, here are some tips for Fast Track first-timers or emerging creators:

  • Pitching a project is a multi-step process that can take a few years to progress to the next stage.
  • The OIAF does not guarantee participants a set number of meetings. The Industry Events Coordinator will match you with the most appropriate executive based on your project(s). 
  • There is a rush line on-site each day outside the Fast Track meeting room; it’s highly recommended to introduce yourself and see if you can get an impromptu meeting. 
  • Use this experience to develop and refine your pitching and networking skills. Take advantage of the Pitch Development sessions to alleviate the pressure and receive feedback and advice from experienced professionals. 
  • Make the most of your TAC pass purchase by attending professional development panels and workshops, joining networking events (like the legendary Boat Cruise), and using the ‘Who Is Here’ delegate guide to arrange an on-site meet-up or follow-up.
Learn more: OIAF’s Beginner’s Guide to Pitching at TAC

 

 

Whether you’re new to the industry or just new to pitching, Fast Track is a great opportunity to present your project to seasoned animation professionals.

What to Expect

Fast Track is a two-day event featuring pre-scheduled, one-on-one meetings between TAC pass holders and development executives from studios, broadcasters, and distributors. The meetings take place in an open event space set up with 20–30 small tables, each equipped with 2–3 chairs and spaced to allow for a degree of privacy. Each table is clearly numbered, and executives are identified with name and title cards. OIAF staff and volunteers will be at the registration desk to welcome participants, manage room access, and provide time signals during sessions.

Pre-registered participants are:

  • Pre-screened based on their pre-prepared pitch materials to ensure they meet the minimum pitching criteria 
  • Placed in the Classic speed-pitching session(s) and/or Pitch Development meeting session to be able to request meetings when the Meeting Planner request portal opens
  • Eligible for up to four 12-minute speed-pitch meetings (Classic), or one 17-minute feedback session (Pitch Development)
    A minimum number of meetings is not guaranteed.
  • Encouraged to use the Rush Line to sign up for impromptu meetings.  

Matching 

The Meeting Planner portal to request meetings will open on September 3, 2025, at 11:00 AM EDT. Consult the Meeting Planner and List of 2025 Participants to choose executives whose interests align with your project. Executives are matched based on their preferences and availability.

Why Fast Track?

This is your chance to pitch directly to decision-makers, get professional feedback, and build industry relationships. While a deal isn’t guaranteed, these meetings are a meaningful first step in developing and advancing your project.

How the Meetings Work

  • Classic speed-pitching session(s) (12 minutes): Present your project using a pitch deck; executives provide high-level feedback and may express interest.
  • Pitch Development meeting session (17 minutes): For early-stage projects, executives offer more in-depth feedback and guidance to help refine your pitch.

Meetings take place at designated tables only. Be concise—sessions are tightly timed. If there’s interest, follow-ups can happen later. 

Managing Expectations

Development is a long game. Animation projects often take years and multiple pitches at various events before moving to a second meeting, a development discussion, or receiving an offer. One pitch may not lead to a deal but could lead to valuable connections, constructive feedback, or future opportunities. Even if no direct next steps are offered, take notes, follow up professionally, and keep developing your work.

 

Pitching Terms to Know

Pitch: A brief, focused presentation of your animated project, designed to spark interest and start a conversation with potential partners.

Pitch Deck / Pitch Bible: A visual document that outlines key information about your project, which is used during pitches to guide the conversation and showcase your concept.

Project Info: Includes the title, genre (e.g., comedy, sci-fi, preschool), format (series, short, feature, VR), and target audience for your animated content.

Logline: A one-sentence hook that captures the essence of your project and makes people want to know more.

Synopsis: A short summary of your project’s plot, themes, and tone. For series, this might also include a broader season overview.

Episode Summary: Briefly describe one or more episodes in your series to demonstrate story structure, tone, and potential arcs.

Character Bios: Short profiles that describe your main characters, their personalities, roles, and how they drive the story.

Concept Art / Reference Art: Visuals that show the look and feel of your project—characters, setting, tone, or animation style.

Creator Bio: A short background on you (and your team, if applicable), including relevant experience, inspiration for the project, and your creative goals.

Executive / Buyer: An industry professional responsible for acquiring or developing new content for a studio, broadcaster, distributor, or platform.

Format: The structure and length of your content, such as a 52 x 11-minute series, a 90-minute feature film, or an interactive VR short.

Target Demographic: The primary audience your content is designed for, typically broken down into age and viewing groups:

    • Kids: Ages 6–8, 9–11
    • Tweens/Teens: Ages 12–17
    • Adults: Ages 18+
    • Family/Co-viewing: Designed for shared viewing across age groups
    • Preschool: Ages 2–5

     

If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch with Vanessa, the Industry Events Coordinator: tac@animationfestival.ca

Fast Track Participants

The list of participating executives will be updated regularly. Check back here throughout the summer for new additions.  

 

2024 Fast Track Participants:

Annick De Vries, Producer, Image-in Atlantique (Canada)

Cameron Tang, VP Development, Adult Swim/HBO Max (USA)

Catherine Branscome, Development Executive, Branscome International LLC (Canada)

Cory Morrison, CCO, Big Jump Entertainment (Canada)

Dave Padbury, Producer, Guru Studios (Canada)

Genna du Plessis, Producer, Industrial Brothers (Canada)

Ghislain Cyr, Creative Director/Executive Producer, Sphere Media (Canada)

Grégory Magné Grand, Director, Film & Series Development, Tonic DNA (Canada)

Isabel Schultz, Director of Development, Frederator (USA)

Katie Wilson, Vice President, Channels & Global Acquisitions, Wild Brain (Canada)

Kayla McNally, Senior Director, Current Series, Kids & Family, Boat Rocker (Canada)

Kirsten Hurd, Commissioning Editor, TVO Kids (Canada)

Leslea Mair, President, Zoot Pictures (Canada)

Marcio Shima, Business Developer & Executive Producer, Hype Animation (Brazil)

Margaret Crocker, Senior Director – Development & Production, Trustbridge Entertainment (USA)

Maria Kennedy, Owner, Producer, Little Engine Moving Pictures (Canada)

Melissa Vega, Head of Sales and Acquisitions, Folivari (France)

Philip Moorhead, Development Manager, 9 Story Media Group (Canada)

Rachel Lipkin, Manager, Content, Kids & Family, Boat Rocker Studios (USA)

Rodney Uhler, Director of Acquisitions and Development, GKIDS (USA)

Sam Chou, Creative Director, Cutting Class Media (Canada)

Sierra Martin-Persi, Supervising Producer, A Studio Digital / Bento Box (USA)

Stephen Sloan, Head of Animation Production, Blue Ant Studios (Canada)

Tommy Gillespie, Senior Director, Content Production, PBS Kids (USA)

Travis Williams, Development Executive – Production Manager, GAPC Entertainment Inc. (Canada)

Zlatina Pacheva, Scripted Executive, Blue Ant Studios (Canada)

2023 Fast Track Participants:

2023 Participating Executives Included:

James Belfer, Founder and CEO, Cartuna (United States)

Cara Bleskie, Senior Manager, Development, Nelvana (Canada)

Catherine Branscome-Morrissey, Executive Producer & Distribution President, Branscome International (United States)

Karen Burrows, Associate Producer/Development Executive, Vérité Films (Canada)

Lisa Cinelli, Executive in Charge of Production, CBC (Canada)

Steve Couture, CEO, Epic Storyworlds (Canada)

Carla de Jong, Executive Producer/Head of Production & Development, Sinking Ship Entertainment (Canada)

Annick De Vries, Producer, Image-in (Canada)

Aron Dunn, Chief Content Officer, Lakeside Animation (Canada)

Annie Frenette, Chargée de projet / co-programmatrice, Films Jeunesse Distribution (Canada)

Daniel Gies, Co-founder, Art + Tech Director, E.D. Films (Canada)

Tommy Gillespie, Senior Director, Content Production, PBS (United States)

Andrea Griffith, VP of Content and Development, Sphere Media (Canada)

Kirsten Hurd, Commissioning Editor, TVO Kids (Canada)

Tanya Kelen, CEO, Producer, Distributor, Kelencontent (Canada) 

Heath Kenny, CCO, Mercury Filmworks (Canada)

Bryan Korn, VP, Creative Content, Sony Pictures Television – Kids (United States)

Marianne Lambert, Director of Co-productions and Acquisitions, TFO (Canada)

Chantal Ling, VP Originals & Co-Productions, Mercury Filmworks (Canada)

Grégory Magné-Grand, Original Content Director, Tonic DNA (Canada)

Kayla McNally, Senior Director, Current Series, Kids & Family, Boat Rocker Media (Canada) 

Cory Morrison, CCO, Big Jump Entertainment (Canada)

Dave Padbury, Development Executive, Guru Studio (Canada)

Desiree Peeters, Submissions Lead (0-12), BBC Children’s (United Kingdom)

Sylvie Rochon, Creative Producer and screenwriter, Creative Producer and screenwriter (Canada)

Tammy Semen, COO, Industrial Brothers (Canada)

Martha Sepulveda, Senior Development Executive, CAKE Entertainment (Canada)

Marcio Shima, Head of Production & Business Development, Hype Animation (Brazil)

Linda Simensky, Head of Animation and Scripted Content, Duolingo (United States)

Renaud Sylvain, CEO & Producer, Happy Camper Média (Canada)

Christine Thompson, Head of Animation Production, Dark Slope (Canada)

Mustafa Uzuner, Distributor/Producer, Acephale (Canada)

Diana Yurinova, VP Global Operations, OTTera (United States) 

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