An island at the farthest point of Europe, an island that smoked and bubbled. Europe´s animation industry found itself on a volcano full of luxurious vegetation.
We had over 117 investors, including 73 broadcasters. The Forum had found its rhythm, and had become THE unmissable meeting place of the year.
Among the 60 projects presented, there was «64 Zoo Lane» directed by An Vrombaut, a fi nalist for the Cartoon d´Or the previous year, «Carland Cross» from Odec Kid Cartoons, «Les Animaux des Quatre Saisons» from Cartoon Forum Açores pictureMarlou Films, «Ma petite Planète chérie» from Folimage, and «Tous sur Orbite!» from Fantôme Animation.
The Forum was held in a villa surrounded by huge trees and fragrant fl owers. Many business meetings were held outside with producers and broadcasters stretched out on the grass.
Nick Park´s «The Wrong Trousers» was inevitably the winner of the Cartoon d´Or, but the Portuguese film «Os Salteadores» by Abi Feijo was so extraordinary that the jury awarded it a special prize.
José de Guimaraes´ poster with its lively colours was a memorable feature of this Forum.
Troubled moments
The Forum sometimes has its own special problems. During one presentation, a chairperson found himself alone to face the people in the room because the writer and the producer had had an argument about the script. In front of an incredulous audience, they got up and left the room!
That year too, about 30 participants got undressed and floated in a pool of warm sulphurous water, savouring a glass of passion fruit liqueur, whilst a musical parade entertained the guests by the pool.
Eve Baron-Charlton, Head of Youth Department, France 3
When I think of the Cartoon Forum in the Azores my fi rst memory is of the wonderful banks of pink and blue hydrangea spanning the fi elds at the foot of the hills, and stretching as far as the eye could see. I remember too the impression of being on an ‘island of gardens’ where even the wild flowers looked as if they had been cultivated.
Then there was the visit to an old villa and its botanical garden, ending with a wonderful night swim in the warm spa beside the house. We fl oated, glasses in hand, lit by hundreds of candles.
I am sure that I’m not the only one to remember that! One of the great strengths of the Forum is to leave you with unique and rare photos in your mind – images that would have never been found elsewhere.
The animation that year was also first class. We had several lovely series, that have since become classics on our screens. «64 Zoo Lane», «Les Contes de la rue Broca», «Ma petite Planète chérie», «Tous sur orbite!», «Les Jules», «Alix», «Dodo», «Les Animaux des Quatre Saisons». All these series were fi nanced thanks to the Forum. What a dream too!
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