The Native American Media Alliance is accepting applications for the 6th Annual Native American Animation Lab taking place Dec 2nd – 6th, 2024. This year’s lab is presented by Comcast NBCUniversal, Cherokee Film, Los Angeles County Arts and Culture and the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
The Native American Animation Lab is an intensive online workshop that develops Native American writers, filmmakers and artists with a current animation project through a virtual platform. This lab is designed to offer genuine access for Native Americans exploring the vast field of animation.
Each participant chosen for the lab will workshop an animation project through one-on-one mentoring, group sessions and creative development workshops. The program will conclude with an intensive pitching session for each participant. The purpose of the lab is to further develop the skills of the participating writers, filmmakers and artists and prepare them for employment in the animation industry.
This is an in-depth workshop for Native Americans who have a script, treatment, animated film, original comic book, or visual materials they want to develop into an animated television series or feature film.
Applicants will be accepted throughout Native American and indigenous communities from an established network of tribes, non-profit agencies, universities, guilds and media organizations. The overall goal is that the participants garner the skills necessary to obtain employment in film, television and short form animation.
The Native American Animation Lab consists of the selected participants meeting for the 5 day program over a virtual platform, receiving career guidance, learning about the animation industry and concluding with a project pitch. The lab participants will meet with working animation personnel and creative executives to offer their background, perspective, and advice.
The 6th Annual Native American Animation Lab will take place on-line with an early deadline to apply on August 30th, 2024, regular deadline is September 13th, 2024 and final deadline September 27th, 2024.
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About the Program
The week-long virtual curriculum will have daily creative discussions with experienced producers, creative executives and veterans in the animation field. These meetings will provide additional insight into professional development, exploring career opportunities and developing a project for pitching.
The workshop will culminate with each participant pitching before a panel of unscripted creative executives. This final component will have each participant receive feedback and guidance on their current animation project. Each workshop participant will have the opportunity to discuss creative development, enhance their respective materials and improve their project sample. The goal of the pitch panel is to provide Native Americans with additional opportunities and exposure.
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Application Process
How it Works:
If accepted into the program you must be willing to make a commitment to the duration of the 5 day virtual lab.
Who Should Apply:
The Native American Animation Lab is for Native Americans who have an animated film (short or feature), script, treatment, comic book, or visual materials that can be developed and pitched as an animation series or feature film. Each selected fellow must be capable of developing their materials according to the guidance provided in the lab and offer their material as a salable property.
When to Apply:
The submission period for the Native American Animation Lab is now open.
How to Apply:
Upload a completed application with a completed release form (release form available here), submit one sample of an animated short film, pilot television script, a feature film script, a treatment, an original comic book or visual materials (i.e. concept art). Please note that creative teams and lab alumni are eligible. You must be 18 or over to apply. All submitted material must be original and all rights must be wholly owned by the submitter.
Application can be found below.
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Application Deadline:
Final Deadline September 27th, 2024 11:59pm PST $60
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Sponsors
Past Fellows:
Inaugural Native American Animation Lab
2nd Annual Native American Animation Lab