To celebrate the launch of its new online video hub for animated shorts, ABEToons.com, Starz Digital Media is on the hunt for the next great animator via the ABE Toons Talent Search.

Running until August 31, participants are invited to submit their two-to-six minute videos to ABEToons.com, following the guidelines detailed on the contest entry page (http://www.abetoons.com/abe-toons-talent-search). The grand prize winner will walk away with US$4,000 cash, along with the chance to direct the production of an animated series based on the winning entry, with a series production value of up to US$25,000. The winner’s video will also be distributed across other Starz Digital Media partner sites.

To top it off, that winner will also have the chance to work with well-respected animation producers through Starz’s relationship with its two studios Film Roman and Starz Animation Toronto.

The top two runners-up will also receive US$1,000 and US$500, respectively, and the most popular video (based on number of views) will also take home US$500. Judging the contest will be include Marc DeBevoise, SVP, digital media, business development and strategy for Starz Media, Film Roman head of studio Jay Fukuto, Starz Animation Toronto head of studio David Steinberg and animation producer Jinko Gotoh (9, Finding Nemo).

New content will be fed into ABEToons.com in the coming months where videos are classified by genre. The site also hosts feature channels, such as American Manga, Comic Classics and Wisecrackers, to name a few.