Submissions for the Pitch the Project Award are open until April 15, while entries for the Book Trailer Award will be accepted until April 21.
The Sharjah Animation Conference (SAC), a global platform for animation industry professionals and emerging creative talents, has opened submissions for its awards programme in its third edition.
Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the four-day event will take place from May 1 to 4 at Expo Center Sharjah. It invites animators and creatives worldwide to participate in two award categories: the ‘Pitch the Project Award’ and the ‘Book Trailer Award.’
With a total prize fund of $20,000, winners in each category will share a $10,000 prize pool. Beyond monetary rewards, winners will gain valuable exposure, access to industry leaders and opportunities to network with peers in the evolving animation sector.
Submissions for the Pitch the Project Award are open until April 15, while the Book Trailer Award entries will be accepted until April 21. Winners will be revealed at the SAC closing ceremony on May 4.
The Pitch the Project Award welcomes artists, producers and writers to develop a pitch for an animated series tailored for preschoolers or young children. Inspired by the region’s cultural heritage, the competition promotes storytelling innovation in children’s animation. Prizes include $5,000 for first place, $3,000 for second, and $2,000 for third place. Participants must submit a PDF pitch (max 15 slides, 20MB) featuring a title, concept, character descriptions, narrative outline, and episode breakdown. Optional materials such as sketches and mood boards may be included to enhance the submission.
The Book Trailer Award recognises excellence in visual storytelling through book promotion, highlighting creative professionals who bring literature to life through engaging short videos. Inspired by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi’s vision, the award reinforces Sharjah’s standing as a cultural hub and a leader in the publishing industry. This year, participants must create a promotional video for ‘Dooq Dooq’ by Shereen Sabbagh, published by Hachette Antoine. The book explores hearing impairment, helping children understand and appreciate physical differences.
The Sharjah Animation Conference serves as a global gathering for content creators, professionals and animation enthusiasts. Over four days, attendees can engage in workshops, discussions, film screenings, and exhibitions led by award-winning artists and industry experts, fostering creativity, professional growth, and collaboration within the animation industry.
