PRODUCER WANTED — Animated Short Film (Festival / Awards Track)

Details

• Position
  Producer
• Start Date
  Mar 01, 2026 — Oct 01, 2026
• Location
  Los Angeles, CA, USA
• Rate
  This is a paid position. Rate is Deferred: Profit Share

Job Description

Project Title: Gabousch The Legend (Animated Short)
Format: Animated short film (narrated through poetry)
Genre/Tone: Mythic, surreal, emotional, dark-fable
Goal: High production value short with a serious festival strategy and an Oscar-qualifying pathway, targeting the 2027 Academy Awards season

LOGLINE
An old wanderer crosses surreal, myth-soaked Mexican landscapes, witnessing how greed and violence have ravaged the once-beautiful world he shared with his four loyal dogs, told through poetic narration and striking animation.

ABOUT THE ROLE
We’re seeking an experienced (or strongly emerging) Producer to help lead Gabousch The Legend from development through delivery and festival/awards rollout.

This is a hands-on producing role for someone who understands both creative protection and practical execution, someone who can build momentum, assemble the right team, and guide the film toward a high-profile festival run.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Development & Packaging
- Shape the project package (deck, lookbook, budget ranges, schedule, financing plan)
- Help define the animation approach and pipeline (2D/3D/stop-motion/hybrid depending on the team and budget)

Financing & Funding
- Identify and pursue financing sources: grants, film funds, labs, private investors, sponsorship/brand partnerships, co-pro partners
- Guide crowdfunding strategy if needed (campaign planning, rewards, timeline, marketing beats)

Production Leadership
- Build the crew and vendor team (animation studio/lead animator, sound, music, post)
- Oversee budget, contracts, deliverables, and production schedule
- Manage production logistics and ensure the project stays on track and on scope

Post & Delivery
- Supervise post-production workflow through final master
- Coordinate music/sound strategy to elevate emotional impact
- Manage final deliverables for festivals, distributors, and awards qualification
- Festivals & Awards Strategy
- Build an intentional festival plan (premiere strategy, Oscar-qualifying targets, rollout calendar)
- Coordinate submissions, materials (press kit, trailer, stills, poster), and campaign readiness

IDEAL PRODUCER PROFILE

- Strong experience producing shorts, animation, or festival-driven work (or a standout track record in adjacent fields)
- Comfortable fundraising and negotiating with partners
- Great taste and story instincts—able to protect tone and emotional clarity
- Organized, proactive, and confident, leading teams across creative + operational needs
- Familiarity with festival strategy and awards positioning (especially shorts)

What You’ll Get

- A distinctive, emotionally resonant project built for festivals
- A clear ambition: a standout short and a serious awards run
- Credit as Producer, as well as sharing any awards the film wins

(Compensation structure can include a mix of fees / deferred / backend depending on financing—details to be discussed.)

Open to structuring this in a way that’s fair and motivating, depending on your level and involvement, such as: Producer fee (deferred or paid depending on financing).
Backend participation.
Executive Producer credit options tied to financing.
Flexible deal structure based on what you bring to the project.