Cheyenne Curtis wins Pitch THIS! 2026 with King Baby Snail

OTTAWA, Ont. — Cheyenne Curtis has won Pitch THIS! 2026, the flagship pitching competition of the Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) industry event, The Animation Conference (TAC).

Curtis’ project King Baby Snail was selected by the Pitch THIS! finale jury following presentations by the two finalists at TAC 2026. Gino Baldeon, who pitched tiny BIG adventure, was named runner-up.

This year’s finale jury consisted of Mike Barth, Director of 2D Creative and RnD, Jam Filled Entertainment; Lisa Cinelli, Executive in Charge of Production, CBC; Tanya Green, SVP Development & Current Series, Mainframe Studios; and Kirsten Hurd, Commissioning Editor, TVOkids.

Selected from more than 100 applications, the two finalists advanced to the finale after presenting their projects alongside six other Canadian animation creators and teams during the Pitch THIS! semifinals on September 23.

“For its clear vision, heart, charming visuals and unapologetic love of snails, King Baby Snail is this year’s winner. This project has a solid story engine with endless potential. Congratulations to Cheyenne Curtis and we look forward to seeing where this project goes,” said the jury.

“This project was really a love letter to my family, and to myself,” said Curtis. “I’m really thankful to the Pitch THIS! jury for selecting my project as the winning pitch and for connecting with my story.”

As the 2026 Pitch THIS! winner, Curtis receives a grand prize package valued at $11,300 CAD. The prize includes a $5,000 CAD cash prize from presenting partner the Canada Media Fund (CMF); a $2,500 CAD cash prize from 2024 Pitch THIS! winners Tarun Padmakumar and Joanna Fishbein of Hare of High Park; a Harmony Premium Annual licence and online training from Toon Boom Animation; $1,000 CAD in legal services courtesy of Edwards Creative Law; and two passes to OIAF and TAC 2027.

Baldeon receives the Pitch THIS! runner-up prize, which includes a free one-hour legal consultation from Edwards Creative Law.

House of Cool Studios Inc. provided $400 CAD travel bursaries for each semifinalist creator or team to support their participation in person at TAC.

Since 2005, Pitch THIS! has connected emerging animation talent with industry mentors and jurors, helping creators pitch directly to producers at TAC. The 2026 competition was presented by CMF alongside OIAF’s 50th anniversary celebration.

About the Ottawa International Animation Festival

The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) is one of the world’s leading animation events and North America’s oldest animation festival. It has presented screenings, exhibits, workshops, and entertainment since 1976. Attracting artists, producers, students and animation fans from around the globe, the OIAF brings together art and industry to experience world-class animated works. OIAF’s 50th celebration runs from September 23 to September 27 at venues throughout downtown Ottawa. Festival passes and tickets are on sale now at animationfestival.ca.