RomânăAnimest.19 / First Edition of the TOON SCRIPTS Competition
In 2024, during its 19th edition, Animest, in collaboration with PRO TV, launched the Toon Scripts competition, an initiative aimed at nurturing talent in animated television—a genre still relatively unexplored in Romanian cinematography. The competition sought to discover fresh voices and innovative stories, encouraging Romanian screenwriters to focus on original animated series.
The jury selected six standout projects from a diverse range of submissions, each competing for the grand prize: a contract to develop a pilot episode and a show bible under the mentorship of experienced TV and animation producers, along with a cash award to support their project. The finalists participated in a workshop led by Gabriela Iacob, Head of Scripted Content Development at PRO TV, who provided expert guidance to help refine their storytelling and pitching skills.
The six finalist projects selected for the competition included:
- Samca by Filip Columbeanu – A blend of Romanian folklore and modern society in a coming-of-age story featuring fantastical characters rooted in local traditions.
- Strada dorinței / Desire Street by Tudor Om – An eclectic mix of sci-fi, satire, and neighborhood sitcom, blending genres in a humorous narrative.
- Complexul de vizavi / The Building Across the Street by Melissa Antonescu and Mădălina Sinoe – A tragicomic exploration of three detainees comparing the comforts of prison with the luxury residential complex they observe.
- Mamaia Vice by Călin Gherghevici and Vlad Stoenescu – Nostalgia for the 2000s meets 1980s American cop shows, adding a unique cultural twist.
- Un roboțel pe nume Danny / A Little Robot Called Danny by Marian Coman – A dystopian sci-fi inspired by Pinocchio, where the protagonist navigates conversations with advanced AI.
- Mi-a rămas dulapul mic / Beyond my Wardrobe by Simona Sava – A sensitive story following a glove’s adventures as it searches for its lost pair.
The winners were evaluated by an international jury of animation experts including:
Ivana Sujová (SK)
Ivana Sujová is screenwriter and festival director specializing in independent short films and TV projects for private broadcasters. After participating in the Serial Eyes program, she wrote the short animated film Rosso Papavero, which premiered at the Berlinale. Currently, she is a staff writer for a true-crime miniseries for Czech television NOVA and developing a mystery-horror series and a feel-good drama for Czech Television. As the first Slovak ambassador for the Society of Audiovisual Authors (SAA) and president of the Association of Screenwriters in Slovak Audiovisual (ASSA), Ivana also directs the International Animation Festival Fest Anča and founded the series festival Pilot in 2019.
Claudia Cazzato (IT) :
Her passion for storytelling transitioned her from the corporate world to animation. She began at Craft managing festival collaborations and later joined the VOID Animation Film Festival. Currently, as Associate Producer at Sun Creature, she works on branded content for major clients like HB and Mihoyo x Genshin Impact.
Gabriela Iacob (RO)
She is is the Head of Scripted Content Development at PRO TV and serves on the selection committee at Cinema Pendent L'Alternativa Barcelona. With a background that includes Head of Development at MediaPro Pictures and founder of a storytelling studio in Barcelona, she has extensive experience as a content developer, script doctor, and storytelling trainer, working with both established and emerging screenwriters on various project formats.
The grand prize was awarded to Samca at the Awards Ceremony on October 12, marking the close of this exciting first edition.