Winners of program's pitch contest to exhibit at MIFA 2020 in France

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced last week that it will begin its "Anime Overseas Expansion Step-Up Program" that will focus on marketing anime to the foreign market. The program will include of seminars and workshops, and it will culminate in a contest for anime pitches. Prizes will be cash awards and the opportunity for the pitch to be exhibited at next year's MIFA (Marche international du film d'animation) animation market.

The seminars will run from August to October, and will focus on outlining the foreign anime market. The workshops will take place in November and focus on improving the presentation of pitches. The "Tokyo Anime Pitch Grand Prix" will begin next February and seek anime pitches. The grand prize winner will receive 1 million yen (about US$9,000), with four other winners receiving 500,000 yen (about US$4,500), and their pitches will be exhibited at MIFA 2020.

MIFA is run by and concurrently with the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.