Back in the Real World

No Time for Hibernation: Guiseppe, a charming preschool co-pro between La Boîte Prod. (Belgium), Les Films du Nord (France) and Nadasdy Film (Switzerland) is one of 86 animated projects unspooling at Cartoon Forum this month.

France’s Cartoon Forum is one of the frst fall animation events that will not be virtual.

Although we’re now accustomed to many of our favorite animation festivals and markets existing only in the virtual realm, France’s popular Cartoon Forum will become one of the frst events to go back to a real-world format this month. The 31st edition will be showcasing 86 new animated series from 24 European countries in Toulouse, Sept. 14 thru 17.

The organizers are promising that the event will be held under a strict biosafety protocol. Annick Maes, Cartoon Forum’s general director tells Animation Magazine, “Our decision follows the authorization of the French government to organize events with less than 5,000 participants and to open the borders within Europe. We will of course follow all health safety rules imposed by both the French government and by WHO to avoid any spread of the virus and any rebound of the epidemic. Participants are expected to follow social distancing rules, wear masks and clean their hands as often as necessary.”

Maes says she hopes that the 2020 edition will embody the return to a world where in-person meetings are the norm. “The theme of this edition is ‘Business First,’ because it has been our anchor for making what we hope will be the right and appropriate decisions,” she explains. “At the Cartoon Forum, projects come frst, since it’s around these presentations prepared with care and determination by the producers that our entire event revolves and must focus. A successful Cartoon Forum means new TV series will be created which have found fnancing or that are driven by strong European co- production. This success is the result of professionals meeting, working together, and producing the extraordinary creativity of the animation industry.”

Patterns of Growth

The Forum will be spotlighting 86 animated projects from 24 European countries with a total budget of 381 million euros (and a proposed 521 hours of content). As Maes mentions, the overview refects the growth of animation throughout Europe, with France continuing to

Cartoon Forum at a Glance 86 Number of Projects 30 Total Number of Participating Countries 357 Mil. € Total Budget for All Projects 41% Percentage of Shows for Children 6-11 66% Percentage of 2D Shows 4.1 Mil. € Average Cost of Show 12,240 € Average Cost per Minute

take the lead with 34 projects, followed by Ireland with eight, Denmark and Spain with six, the U.K. with four and Belgium, Finland and Germany with three shows each.

She adds, “The projects selected tend to present more and more female protagonists (Finula Gilhooley, Goat Girl, Femmes and Fame, Princess Arabella, Gemma & The Defenders, for example). Also, an important number of projects promotes inclusiveness and the acceptance of differences and disabilities (See Baldies, Foreverly Friends, Moo and Roo Take the World). We also have fve projects from previous Cartoon Springboard editions, which is an event organized for young talent.”

According to the director, series targeting kids and families stay the main focus of European animation production. Among those, there are comedies and adventures that try to teach fundamental values such as inclusion, diversity, empathy, solidarity, the importance of friendship and family bonds, but there are also stories that, with humor and endearing characters, tackle more complex and sensitive issues like cancer, grief, bullying, ecology and the waste of natural resources.

Pitches from the Pros

Attendees will be able to sample new shows from some of Europe’s best-known animation companies, including France’s Folimage (Anuki), Xilam Animation (Gemma’s Quest), Millimages (The Springs), Dandelooo (The Upside Down River), Cyber Group Studios (Monster in My Pocket), Ellipsanime Productions (Wonder Waï), Vivement Lundi! (Super-Lucha) and Autour de Minuit (Two Little Birds), among others. The line-up also includes new series by Belgium’s Lunanime (Tommy Pepper), Denmark’s Copenhagen Bombay (Rabarbar), Ireland’s Dream Logic (The Ghastly Ghoul), Spain’s Motion Pictures (Agus & Monsters),

Extra Earthlings (La Station U.K.’s Paper Owl Films (Mr. Dog) and Animation, France) Italy’s Gertie Production (Relè). Maes points out that new talent represented by producers and directors working on their frst projects hold a special place in Cartoon Forum’s lineup. Some of these newcomers include Hanna & Nana (Jam Media, Ireland), Baldies (Coflm, Czech Rep.), The Very Hairy Alphabet (Eagle Eye, Germany), Blue Figures (Laidak Films, France), and Felix! He Can Explain Everything (Sacrebleu Production, France). These projects were launched at Cartoon’s pitching event for young talent.

As Maes and her team put the fnishing touches to their annual gathering of European content creators, she says she is looking forward to spotlighting all these amazing new projects. “They are the real stars of the Cartoon Forum,” she believes. “European producers dare to innovate by incorporating modern and unusual graphic styles, and by creating intelligent, clever and entertaining content for children as well as reaching new older target groups. We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Forum in September.” ◆

To learn more, visit cartoon-media.eu.

Daisy and Dot (KEDD Animation, Hungary)

Fram the Polar Bear (Duo Animation & Deveo Media, Romania)