Calling all graphic designers and animators! Tongal is partnering with Japanese video game company Koei Tecmo to reimagine the iconic 8-bit characters from Tecmo Bowl for a major motion picture, and we're looking for designers and animators who can bring them to life in 3D. This project will support the early stages of creative development to start, but in success this has the opportunity to become a longer term design engagement. Check out the brief for more details!

If you were a sports or video game fan in the 80s, chances are you know the iconic 8-bit characters from Tecmo Bowl. Fast forward to 2026, and Tongal is excited to announce that we have optioned the rights to Tecmo Bowl, and are developing a feature film adaptation. To help with some of these early conversations, we are looking for designers and animators who can reimagine the 8-bit  characters from Tecmo Bowl as 3D characters for the modern era. The intention would eventually be to incorporate these characters into a live action and CGI hybrid movie, along the lines of The Minecraft Movie. 

To start, we are looking for two teams to each develop their own version of Bo Jackson - a legendary football player and one of the most powerful players in the Tecmo Bowl game. How the original Tecmo style translates to 3D is entirely up to you, and we're open to any and all interpretations. Whatever the style, we want to ensure that the personality of the player can come through in the design. 

Two teams will receive funding to complete this character design, and from there, one team will be selected to move forward to receive additional funding to develop more characters, a logo, and background design. You can view more details about this process in the Deliverables section below. Please note that designs will be used for internal presentation purposes only at this stage as part of early creative ideation, not for any active television or film project. Should a character design ultimately be further developed for use in an active television or film project, this would be covered with additional budget under a separate production project. 

If you're interested in being considered for this project, please submit links to your past work or portfolio. We'll specifically be looking for any character designs or 3D design work you've previously completed. For any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.

DELIVERABLES & BUDGET: 

• Two teams will be selected to receive $1,000 in funding to move forward with delivering the following: 
  • One single pose character design for Bo Jackson
  • Exported as PNG, delivered at 300 dpi
• One team will then be selected to move forward to receive an additional $3,000 in funding to deliver the following additional assets: 
  • Two additional, single pose character designs (Howie Long & Lawrence Taylor) 
  • One Tecmo Bowl logo design
  • One background design
  • Exported as PNG, delivered at 300 dpi

EXPECTED TIMELINE: HERE

EXPOSURE: Internal presentation materials

TARGET AUDIENCE: Tecmo, nostalgic video game, and football fans

TONE/FEEL: Retro family fun; think along the lines of the Jumanji reboot in terms of tone

AI USAGE: You may not use AI generated visual or audio assets in your final content. However, for the purposes of your development materials, you are welcome to use generative AI to create visuals, storyboards, proofs-of-concept, etc. that might help the Sponsor understand your vision. Additionally, assistive AI tools (e.g. object removal, compositing, color grading, etc.) may be used in post-production to supplement your workflow. Please keep record of any AI usage deployed in your submissions in the event that the Sponsor requests AI disclosures. If you have questions about any specific usage or tool, please ask your Tongal producer.

By participating in this project, creators acknowledge that the Sponsor is under no obligation to greenlight a submission. Though most projects do move forward, we'll notify you in the event the Sponsor decides not to fund any submissions via the Project Forum. Regardless of the result, all submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by the Sponsor and project team.

In order to be considered, include the below materials in your submission. For examples of effective pitches, check out this gallery. All Pitches remain private, even after a Pitch is selected, and Tongal strives to have Pitch selections made by the end of the Evaluation period, but additional time may be required by the Sponsor, depending on any number of factors. Unless specifically requested, there's no need to include a budget with your submission.

• TEXT (REQUIRED): Up to 500 characters synopsizing how you plan to approach this project, previous experience in similar projects, and any other context you'd like us to know about your interest in this project. 

• LINKS (REQUIRED): To previous design or animation work.

• PORTFOLIO (Optional): Optionally include a portfolio of previous work samples as well as background on your team/studio.

The most compelling pitch will be greenlit by the Sponsor, and the responsible creator will then receive an email from Tongal producers detailing next steps. All submitters will also receive an automated email notification that a selection has been announced. To ensure you’re receiving project updates, review your email settings to check that you haven’t unsubscribed.

Creators who’ve been selected will receive funding upon completing the Winner Affidavit and the IP Assignment. Payment of the pitch funds is subject to a payment schedule determined by Tongal, typically included with the project timeline.

BUILDING YOUR TEAM: Looking for help? Post crew and production opportunities connected to Tongal projects on Backlot. Backlot includes search tools to help you find collaborators and crew by role, skill set, location, and more, for productions of any size and type. Tongal also supports inclusivity in all productions, and strongly encourages you to hire diverse talent for your team. To find additional options for staff & crew in your area, check out these resources and partners.

REVISION REQUIREMENTS & RESOURCES: Once Content has been submitted and the initial Production Phase completed, greenlit creators will enter into Revisions. Creators will perform reasonable edits on their videos according to the Sponsor's feedback. Check out our Filmmaker Resource Portal to access helpful post-production resources like Text-Safe Guides for different platforms, Project File Organization Tutorial, Export Presets, and Captioning services.

ASSET DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS & RESOURCES: You must also provide all project files, editing sequences and a 1080p .mov master file, using a ProRes, Animation, or Uncompressed Codec in order to submit final payment. You are responsible for any costs associated with the hard drive and shipping. Tongal also reserves the right to request all raw files associated with the project.

To ensure a smoother delivery, please review the Export Presets, Specifications, and Project File Organization Tutorial in our Filmmaker Resource Portal.

1. In addition to the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment, greenlit creators MUST also provide Talent, Location, Music (or other) Releases for all assets, as well as a photograph/headshot OR copy of a photo ID for all On-camera Talent releases. You must also provide all project files, editing sequences and a 1080p .mov master file, using a ProRes, Animation, or Uncompressed Codec to claim your earnings. Tongal also reserves the right to request all raw files associated with the project.
   
   
2. Unless provided otherwise, all work must be your own original creation and free of any copyrighted material. You shall provide detailed information of your work regarding the source, the creator and background information as requested by Tongal.
   
   
3. In the event you utilize any third-party materials, such as music provided by a third-party music provider not provided by Tongal, you must obtain full written license and consent from the owner of such third-party materials and provide such license and consent forms to Tongal.
   
   
4. The Sponsor will be entitled to reasonable revisions on the finished Videos without providing additional compensation. Remember it's easier to re-edit than re-shoot so try to get as much coverage as possible.
   
   
5. Preferred format for upload to the Tongal website is HD 720p and formatted for the aspect ratios listed in the Deliverables (e.g. 16x9). Acceptable file formats are .mov, .avi, .mp4, .wmv. Acceptable codecs are H.264 (MP4), MPEG-4, H.263, MPGV, WMV, DivX. Should your submission be greenlit, you will also be required to provide a 1080p .mov master file, using a ProRes, Animation, or Uncompressed Codec.
   
   
6. BY SUBMITTING A VIDEO ENTRY, YOUR SUBMISSION IMMEDIATELY BECOMES THE SOLE PROPERTY OF TONGAL OR ITS ASSIGNEES - SEE OFFICIAL RULES FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT OWNERSHIP OF ENTRIES. YOU MAY NOT PUBLICLY SHARE OR PUBLISH YOUR SUBMISSION IN ANY MANNER AND YOU MAY NOT POST OR UPLOAD YOUR SUBMISSION TO ANY WEBSITE OR VIDEO HOSTING SITE (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE OR VIMEO), WITHOUT THE PRIOR EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF TONGAL. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION OF YOUR ENTRY IN THE PROJECT.
   
   
7. You may not contact any employees or members of the Sponsor's organization, their affiliates, or any of their partners. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in disqualification of your entry in the project.
   
   
8. In addition to the judging criteria stated in the OFFICIAL RULES, Pitches will also be evaluated on that member's ability to execute the final Video based on their prior work and experience as a creator.
   
   
9. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.
   
   
10. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor, nor can Submissions contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
    
    
11. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.
    
    
12. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.
    
    
13. See OFFICIAL RULES for additional contest information, terms and conditions. If there is any conflict or inconsistency between these requirements and the Official Rules, the terms and conditions of these requirements shall prevail.