Top projects discovered at Cartoon Movie 2010
The 12th edition of Cartoon Movie drew to a close on 5 March in Lyon. The steady growth of stereoscopic 3D, the release of new films by top directors, the high quality of the projects presented and the record number of participants were the highlights of the event.
The upbeat event had a record number of over 630 participants (a 5% increase since the previous edition which had already had a 20% increase). In particular, the number of distributors has risen by 30% (from 70 to 90)...
Participants had the chance to preview 51 films, many of which will be released in the next few years. With a total budget of some 300 million EUR, the projects reflected the diversity and graphic richness that characterise European animation.
The ability of European producers to quickly adapt to new technologies was also noticeable at the event. A quarter of the projects presented in Lyon were developed or conceived in stereoscopic 3D (versus 6 percent in 2009), a technology which is boosting cinema attendance all over Europe.
Participants were particularly enthusiastic about new projects by well-known directors such as Ari Folman (“The Congress”), Sylvain Chomet (“The Illusionist”), Ben Stassen (“Around the World in 50 Years” aka “Sammy’s Adventures”) and Patrice Leconte, who will make his debut in animation with “Le Magasin des Suicides”.
New talent also had a chance to make its presence at Cartoon Movie. Among other consipcuous projects: « Approved for Adoption » (Mosaïque Films / Artemis Production), « Of Hares and Hedgehogs » (Toons ‘n’ Tales), « Project Chopin - The Flying Machine » (Denis Friedman Productions / BreakThru Films), « Metropia » (Atmo Metro) and « Crabwalk» (Metronomic).
Cartoon Movie's 13th edition will be held in Lyon from 2 - 4 March 2011.
Have a look at the gallery.
Cartoon Movie 2010 Tributes : Belgium and France swipe the 3 awards
- Stéphane Aubier & Vincent Patar for « Panique au Village » (BE)
- Wild Bunch Distribution (FR)
- nWave Pictures for « Around the World in 50 Years » (BE)
Download the picture. From left to right: Ben Stassen (nWave), Philippe Kauffmann & Vincent Tavier (La [Parti] Prod.), Marie-Pierre Vallé (Wild Bunch), Marc Vandeweyer (CARTOON)
Or have a look at the gallery.
True 3D technology for an impressive immersive experience: Ben Stassen pitched his new film
Europeans have nothing to envy to Americans when it comes to stereoscopic 3D, as the “pope of 3D” is considered to be Belgian director and producer Ben Stassen. He gave us an enlightening example of what true 3D is - and not "2.5"D as many other films - with his “Around the World in 50 Years” (aka “Sammy’s Adventures”). According to Ben Stassen, 3D can be a real revolution if the whole film is thought in stereoscopy from the beginning, and not if 3D is just an additional gimmick. In any case, the screening was convincing!
Gallery: have a look at the first pictures of the event!
Cartoon Movie started with a strong creative project presented by "Waltz with Bashir" director
Cartoon Movie’s pitching sessions started today with a very strong and original project brightly presented by its director Ari Folman. After the success of his animated documentary “Waltz with Bashir”, Folman seems again to create a new dimension for animated films with his new project "The Congress": the first 40 minutes of the movie start in fiction then turn into animation. Adapted from “The futurological Congress” by Stanislaw Lem, the film follows the life of actress Robin Wright, then enters into a science fiction world of illusion, drugs and psychological doubts.
Cartoon Movie's first day: intensity and quality
Among other hit projects presented today, we can pin out “Le magasin des suicides” by renowned director Patrice Leconte (FR), a surprising musical full of black humour; “Metropia” by Tarik Saleh (SE), a thriller about a huge conspiracy set in a not-so-distant future; and the interesting “Project Chopin – The Flying Machine” by Martin Clapp, a nice puppet animation film about a mysterious flying piano following Chopin’s music and life.
Cartoon Movie kicks off tonight with Czech opening film “In the Attic: Who Has a Birthday today?”
Animation professionals from all over Europe will meet tonight in Lyon. Cartoon Movie’s 12th edition will start with the beautiful opening film “In the Attic: Who Has a Birthday today?”, presented by its director Jiří Barta. Produced by Czech company Bio Illusion, this stop-motion film full of humor, poetry and imagination is an adventure fairy tale where forgotten toys magically transform themselves in a mysterious attic. Jiří Barta is a legendary Czech director of animated films known for awarded films such as “The Pied Piper” and “The Extinct World of Gloves”.
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About Cartoon
CARTOON is an international non-profit association based in Brussels.
CARTOON’s remit is to support the European animation industry and for more than 20 years, it has received financial support from the MEDIA Programme of the European Union to run its activities, which concentrate on 4 areas: Cartoon Masters, Cartoon Forum, Cartoon Movie and Cartoon Connection.
European Training Network
ETNA is a European training network for animation academics and students.
Initiated by CARTOON with the support of the MEDIA programme, it comprises twenty-six of the most prestigious animation schools and universities in Europe. A new website – online interactive platform – is created, compiling information about all these schools. Have a look!





