ANIMEST and PROTV Launch the Second Edition of TOON SCRIPTS: The Animation Series Script Competition

TOON SCRIPTS, the animated series screenwriting competition organized by the Animest Association with support from PRO TV is back for its second edition during Animest.20.

Despite their worldwide popularity, producing animated series is an underdeveloped niche in Romania. Not for long, though! Through TOON SCRIPTS, Animest aims to contribute to the growth of the industry in Romania by offering screenwriters visibility and networking opportunities: important steps in attracting support and funding for their shows.

The first edition of TOON SCRIPTS boasts impressive results: 36 applications leading to six finalists. The winning project, Filip Columbeanu’s SAMCA, a coming-of-age story bringing Romanian folklore into contemporary spaces, is currently in development at PRO TV.

TOON SCRIPTS is open to screenwriters (who may find an animator partner during the process) and screenwriter-animator teams, be they experienced or making their debut. Applying auteurs should be aged 18 or over and hold Romanian nationality or work in Romania. Submit your script ideas in Romanian for an animated TV miniseries of six or eight 20 to 25-minute episodes for your preferred target audience.

Register by September 7, 2025 by filling out this online form: https://bit.ly/ToonScripts2025.
Application is free of charge, and all finalists will receive free access to Animest.20 Festival events during October 3-12, 2025 (Bucharest, Romania). A jury selected by the Animest Association and PRO TV will choose finalist projects; the selected artists will then be invited to a practical workshop on project development facilitated by Gabriela Iacob, Head of Scripted Content Development at PRO TV.

“Ţup, the first animated series produced in Romania in the past 35 years, proves what we can achieve when we invest in local talent. Our partnership with Animest is aimed at developing the next generation of Romanian screenwriters, whom we are offering support to grow their skills, as well as a platform for stories that resonate with local audiences. This collaboration offers emerging animators and screenwriters a real opportunity to develop their ideas and concepts. We’re trying to build a creative community that can bring as-yet-untold stories and protagonists to life,” explained PRO TV’s Gabriela Iacob.

The TOON SCRIPTS winner will sign a development contract worth EUR 5000 before tax for the pilot episode and the show bible, with mentoring from experienced TV producers, and a 12-month exclusivity contract with PRO TV for the entire project. The winner will benefit from personalized mentoring with the PRO TV team for six-eight months and take part in guaranteed internal pitching before production.

The TOON SCRIPTS winning project will be announced at the Animest International Animation Film Festival’s Closing Gala on October 12, 2025. 

Full competition rules: https://www.animest.ro/regulament-toon-scripts