The death of the independent animation deal, and what to do about it.
For decades, animation creatives have flocked to film, TV, and animation markets armed with portfolios, pitch decks, show bibles, and the dream that a single meeting with the right person could change their career.And for many years, such dreams came true.
But the recent Annecy MIFA and Kidscreen Summit confirm that era is over.At Annecy 2025, the MIFA appeared active — until you noticed the imbalance: dozens of educational providers recruiting students, but very few studio recruiters offering actual jobs.The rest? Panelist commiseration, expensive networking, and the buzz of disruption replacing deals.
Kidscreen 2025 was similar.While the networking lounges and cocktail receptions were active, deal-making consisted of a handful of modest co-production announcements — small ripples in an ocean of hopeful meetings.The truth is unavoidable: film and TV festivals are still valid as forums for collegial connection and commiseration — but effectively dead as deal-making destinations.
Studios are holding their wallets tight, broadcasters are hedging bets, and streamers are commissioning less than ever.“Nobody’s buying” has gone from cynical quip to operating reality.So, what’s an independent animation creator to do? BUILD instead of beg In a risk-averse landscape, waiting for external financing to validate your idea is no longer viable.
Actively bootstrapping your IP is more important than ever.The “BUILD instead of beg” model replaces the old hope-for-a-deal approach with a virtuous cycle of self-sustaining development: Start lean: Begin with a “mini bible”: basic transmedia approach and lean business plan.This binary combination represents the IP as startup philosophy — validating the creative and market potential early without large budgets.
Create to pitch, pitch to create: Producing a teaser or visual asset early in the cycle supports both focus group feedback and social media traction.These efforts validate the concept in the public eye before external investment, and help to attract the latter.Looping toward a deal: The deal at the center (if there ever is one) isn’t merely about funding — it’s the nexus of creative proof, market validation, legal clarity, and pitch readiness.
This is where your proactivity, preparation and planning come to fruition… on your terms.Plan and proceed as though there is no financing cavalry The following points underscore the bootstrap imperative given current market realities: Creative autonomy: Creators must prototype and test their visions without waiting for permission.If you can’t make a polished teaser, make an animatic or even a mood board.
If you can’t hire a studio, recruit collaborators or leverage AI tools.Business independence: Develop a business plan and IP stack as if no one will fund you — because initially, they won’t.That forces clarity, discipline, and innovation.
Proof is the new pitch: Only when you’ve built something with traction (social, creative, strategic) does outside financing come into play — and often on better terms.By actively bootstrapping your IP, you retain autonomy, build proof of market, and keep your project alive in the public eye — long before anyone writes you a check.Six Survival Strategies for the Post-Market Era Direct-to-Audience Pipelines: Crowdfunding is now a proof-of-market engine.
Launch on Kickstarter, Seed&Spark, or Bilibili with your IP in hand, then keep the momentum with Patreon or Substack.Consider serial releases to maintain engagement without massive upfront costs.Micro-Market Targeting: Skip the mega-markets for smaller, curated spaces where prospective buyers are more focused, motivated and decision-ready.
Work-In-Kind Co-Productions: Trade services, facilities, or creative work for equity or backend participation.This builds production value while preserving IP ownership.Soft Launches & Proof-of-Concept Drops: Release a teaser, pilot, or vertical slice online.
Tangible audience response to produced content reduces buyer fear far more than pitch deck proposals.Corporate & NGO Partnerships: Align your IP with tech brands, tourism boards, or advocacy groups who can fund in exchange for brand or thematic integration — bypassing traditional broadcaster pre-sales.Data-Driven Packaging: Bring hard numbers — social engagement, merch pre-orders, audience surveys.
In a nervous market, data is your weapon.Demo or die.Conclusion The recent Annecy and Kidscreen markets confirmed what many suspected: the independent animation market as we knew it is dead.
But the ability to connect, inspire, and build momentum is still very much alive.So, stop burning time, money, and jet fuel hoping for a miracle.BUILD instead of beg.
Create original work that grows under its own power, fueled by autonomy, sustained by community, and already thriving when distributors finally remember how — and why — to buy.By the time they remember how to sign a check, you’ll be too busy running your own game to care.Kevin is the author of AWN's Reality Bites blog, his musings on the art, technology and business of immersive media (AR, VR, MR) and AI.
You can find Kevin's website at www.kevingeiger.com and he can be reached at [email protected].
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