The power of connections: great success for Cartoon Connection Canada-Europe

The city of Quebec welcomed about 150 animation professionals from 14 countries last week for the second edition of Cartoon Connection Canada-Europe. This event aimed to relaunch coproductions between Canada and Europe for animated series and feature films.

The warm atmosphere, insightful keynotes from more than 30 speakers and well-organised business "speed datings" have contributed to the efficiency of the event, highly appreciated by all the participants.

Several co-production deals should be signed as a consequence.

The next edition will take place in Quebec in 2012.

"Chico & Rita" wins Best European Animated Feature award!

Spanish/UK film "Chico & Rita" by Fernando Trueba, Javier Mariscal and Tono Errando took the prize for the best animated film at the 24th edition of the European Film Awards last Saturday 3 December in Berlin.

The directors thanked legendary Cuban pianist Bebo Valdes, 91 years old, who was the main inspiration for this epic love story set in Havana and New York at the end of 1940s. 

The other nominees were "A Cat in Paris" and "The Rabbi's Cat".

Registration for Cartoon Movie 2012 is open!

Time to register for the annual rendez-vous around animated feature films!

Around 700 animation professionals from 30 countries, 50 animated feature projects to be pitched, dinners and party... Don't miss Cartoon Movie 2012!

Registration - Video of last year - Cartoon Games

Rising turnout for Cartoon Connection in Canada

"A Cat in Paris", "Chico & Rita" and "Rabbi's Cat" nominated for the European Film Awards

Who will win the European Academy Award in the animation feature film category? Three beautiful films are nominated: "A Cat in Paris" (FR) by Jean-Loup Felicioli and Alain Gagnol; "Chico & Rita" by Javier Mariscal, Fernando Trueba & Tono Errando; and "Rabbi's Cat" by Joann Sfar & Antoine Deslevaux.

The award ceremony will take place in Berlin on 3rd December 2011. The animation category is organised by the European Film Academy in collaboration with CARTOON.

Cartoon Movie 2012: submit your feature film project by 23 November

At Cartoon Movie you can pitch a project of feature film in 4 categories: concept, development, production or completed film.

Submit your project by 23 November to have a chance to attend the event and find co-producers, distributors, sales agents and investors.

The 14th edition of Cartoon Movie will take place from 7-9 March 2012 in Lyon (France).

Application documents - Regulations - Vade-mecum (PDF): EN - FR

Angry Birds, Ubisoft and A Monster in Paris at Cartoon Feature (17-19 Oct.)

At Cartoon Feature, key speakers will share their expertise on the latest developments of the feature-length market. 

- Winning partnerships with the game industry: Rovio Entertainment (Angry Birds) and Ubisoft Motion Pictures

- Finding new ways of financing: co-producing with Germany, crowdfunding, MEDIA guarantee fund, the new web actors…

- Distribution, marketing, sales agent, promotion (Gebeka Films, Telepool)

- How to develop the best story for your film

- Films under 5M EUR and shift in target

- Learn from experience! 5 case studies ("A Monster in Paris", “The Rabbi’s Cat”, “Wrinkles”, “Marco Macaco”, “Moon Man”)

France confirms its European leadership at Cartoon Forum Polska

Although the Cartoon Forum was held on a beach this year, the pitching sessions rooms have never been so crowded. The overall quality of the projects might be a good reason for that, as according to some important investors, it is the highest of the past five years. Creativity and a large diversity of concept and design marked this year’s projects.

The Forum is going South: the French “pink city” to be host to Cartoon Forum 2012

The 23rd edition of Cartoon Forum will take place in Toulouse in France, third country in the world in terms of animation production.

Cartoon Tributes 2011: a strong Irish flavour

Studio Soi's "The Little Boy and the Beast" wins Cartoon d’Or 2011

“The Little Boy and the Beast” by Johannes Weiland and Uwe Heidschötter won the award for the best European short film of the year this Thursday 15 September at Cartoon Forum.

Produced by the acclaimed Studio Soi in Ludwigsburg and financed by Germany's public broadcaster ZDF, this touching film about a boy dealing with his parents’ divorce has already won more than 20 awards internationally.

Monica Galeriu from the MEDIA Programme had the pleasure to hand the trophy to one of the studio's co-founder, Torben Meier, representing the two directors who are busy working on the sequel of "The Gruffalo".

The five other nominees include “Mobile” by Verena Fels, “Paths of Hate” by Damian Nenow, “Pivot” by André Bergs, “The External World” by David O'Reilly, and “The Gruffalo” by Jakob Schuh & Max Lang. The jury was composed of directors/producers Stéphane Bernasconi (France), Victor Maldonado (Spain) and Tony Loeser (Germany).

More information - Picture - More pictures

A strong start for a promising Cartoon Forum

After a magical dinner on the pier last night under the moonlight, Cartoon Forum was officially opened this Wednesday by Ms. Odorowicz, General Director of the Polish Film Institute who welcomed all 700 participants to Sopot, Poland.

The first morning has been intense: crowded pitching session rooms and very interesting new projects. In particular, “Oscar and Hoo”, “Roger”, “Burny the Little Dragon” and “Hubert & Tatako” have attracted many professionals during their presentations. The first Polish project “Casparade” and the two projects for adults, “Perfect Teeth” and the crazy “Toofa Toofa”, were very successful.

Pictures' gallery

Sopot is waiting for you

Detailed programme, list of participants and restaurants guide: prepare your stay in Sopot!

The detailed programme with the Pitching Sessions Schedule is now online.

You will also find a guide of restaurants in Sopot and Gdansk. We advise you to book a table in advance as some restaurants close quite early.

Check out the Cultural and Networking events offered to all Cartoon Forum Polska to continue the negotiations in a relaxed way.

Programme - List of participants

Six nominees vying for the Cartoon d’Or 2011

Six films are in competition for the best European animation short film award:

- Mobile by Verena Fels (DE)
- Paths of Hate by Damian Nenow (PO)
- Pivot by André Bergs (NL)
- The External World by David O'Reilly (IE / DE)
- The Gruffalo by Jakob Schuh & Max Lang (UK)
- The Little Boy and the Beast by Johannes Weiland & Uwe Heidschötter (DE)

The 2011 Award Ceremony will take place during Cartoon Forum Polska on Thursday 15 September in Sopot (Poland). The jury is composed of Stéphane Bernasconi, Tony Loeser and Victor Maldonado.

More information

Next Cartoon Feature: 17-19 Oct. in Munich European seminar on animated feature films

International experts will meet in Munich to share their experience about many aspects of feature films in Europe, including:

- How to improve circulation of animated features
- Films under 5M EUR: why and how
- Shift in target: the emergence of films for young adults
- How to set up financing and co-productions
- Development and script writing

More info

Strong European delegation flying to Canada for the 2nd Cartoon Connection Europe-Canada

60 European animation broadcasters and producers will gather in Canada (5-8 Dec) to meet potential partners from all over Canada.

CANAL+, France Télévisions, CBeebies, Rai, Lagardère, Caligari Films, M6, ZDF, UFA Cinema, Les Armateurs, Timoon, Neptuno, Gruppo Alcuni are some of the participants who will create new links with the Canadian animation industry.

The objective is to encourage co-production in a relaxed environment.

Registration - List of participants - Programme

Get right inside history: special Cartoon Forum evening in the heart of Solidarnosc

After 3 days of intense business, Cartoon Forum will take its participants to a Farewell Party (16th Sept) in one of the most emblematic places of the European construction. It is indeed in the Gdansk Shipyard that the strikes of the famous trade union Solidarnosc took place in 1980, leading to the fall of Soviet communism and to the expansion of the European Union. 

Read more about Sopot and Gdansk

250 buyers, 700 participants getting ready for upcoming Cartoon Forum in Poland

All major European broadcasters, distributors and investors will attend the next Cartoon Forum in Sopot (13-16 Sept.), including  France Télévisions, BBC, CANAL+, Cartoon Network,  Super RTL, Disney Channels, Rai, RTVE, M6, MTV, Nickelodeon, NRK, SVT, TVC, TF1, ZDF... and many others.

They will be able to spot the best TV shows amongst the 66 projects to be pitched.

Participants will mix fruitful business negotiations with leisure: welcome dinner on the pier, sightseeing tour in the Hanseatic city of Gdansk, screening of the Cartoon d’Or nominees… Networking is key!

Only 1 hotel is still available! Contact us asap should you want to register.

Registration - Projects - Hotels - List of participants

Discover the 66 TV projects selected at Cartoon Forum Polska

Out of 100 projects received, 66 TV series in development from 20 countries are selected to be pitched in front of 700 broadcasters, investors and potential co-producers at Cartoon Forum Polska. The event will take place from 13 to 16 September 2011.

The host town, Sopot, is a charming city by the Baltic sea, near Gdansk, with the longest wooden pier in Europe, a beautiful sandy beach and numerous bars and restaurants.

Registration (deadline: 30 June) – Selected projects – Hotels

First cooperation agreements signed between Europe and South Korea

The 120 participants of Cartoon Connection witnessed during the first morning the signature of the worldwide distribution of the Korean series 'Kioka'. The pre-school series made by Goldilocks Studio (Seoul) has been bought by awol animation (France) and expectations are high.

Several other co-productions between Europe and South Korea are on their way under a very constructive and friendly atmosphere highlighting this second edition of Cartoon Connection in South Korea. 

Cooperation between South Korean and European animation industries

The second Cartoon Connection in South Korea is kicking off tonight where 40 European and 80 Korean participants will meet in the Sheraton of Incheon near Seoul.

For three days under the sun, they will attend keynotes about funding in Korea and Malaysia, tips for successful co-productions between Europe and Asia, and distribution of films and series in both continents. Conferences will be illustrated by case studies (“The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde”, “Kioka”…) and more specific topics such as new media in Korea and acquisition policies.

A large part of the event will be devoted to one-to-one meetings between participants from both sides in order to get to know each other and evaluate cooperation opportunities.

Programme

European Film Awards: submit your animated feature by 15 June

If you have a European animated feature released after 1 July 2010 (be it at a festival or at a regular cinema), you can submit it to compete for the European Film Awards.

You need to send the submission form with 6 DVDs, 1 press book and information about the cast and crew (nationality) by 15 June.

Submission form - Regulations

Cartoon Finance in Denmark:
Making animation an IP and Brand business

To consolidate their position, producers need to learn how to build assets, own their IP and develop brands with multiple partners from licensing and merchandising.

Cartoon Finance (28-30 June) will look into these new business models and revenue streams:

- Co-production models and budget management
- European public and private funding
- New partnerships between broadcasters and producers
- Managing brands and intellectual properties
- Writing business plans

Programme - Registration - Speakers

Registration for Cartoon Forum Polska is open!

The pulsating city of Sopot on the Baltic sea will host the 22nd Cartoon Forum from 13 to 16 September 2011.

Each year, 700 producers, broadcasters, investors and new platforms gather to discover the new projects to be pitched.

Registration (deadline: 30 June) - Hotels - Video

The digital (r)evolution

The first day of Cartoon Digital opened with key players of the digital world. After a warm introduction by our partner Victoria Fernandez Andrino from Junta de Andalucia, participants benefited from a thorough review and analysis of the new TV market: catch-up TV, (S)VOD, mobile TV, and above all, the big revolution driven by connected TV (by Sophie Girieud - IDATE).

Patricia Hidalgo and Julie Adair from Disney explained their strategies to engage audiences whether online or on mobile. “Games, that’s what kids want”. They showed sneak preview of new games to be released...

Cartoon Digital: engaging audiences with digital animation and interactive entertainment

Cartoon Digital has invited pioneers in the online, mobile and gaming industries as well as major European producers and broadcasters to discuss precisely how new digital assets can benefit animation producers.

Maximising opportunities, engaging audiences on new platforms with innovative content, and creating new partnerships and synergies with traditional and new players are the focus of this year's edition.

Programme – Speakers

Cartoon Connection Korea is postponed

Due to the exceptional events occurring in Japan, Cartoon Connection Korea will be postponed, probably to end of May.

Our thoughts are with the Japanese people who have to face the current tragedy. We have sent a letter to the Japanese association of animation to express our warmest support.

More information on Cartoon Connection Korea

Cartoon Movie 2011: highlights

The 13th Cartoon Movie in a few bullets:
- a record number of 700 participants (15% increase since last year)
- the new trend of films targeting young adults/adults (30% of the 56 projects)
- new themes in the films: more serious, ethic, political topics, and more personal, art house films
- films’ budgets are diminishing: 5-7 million per film in average
- live-action directors turn to animation: Patrice Leconte, Terry Gilliam, Fernando Trueba

Have a look at the report to have a complete view of the successful edition. You can check out the photo gallery and watch the TV report.
See you next year from 7 to 9 March 2012!

7000 signatures from the animation industry to save the MEDIA Programme!

The European Commission is considering ending the MEDIA Programme as it currently exists. This decision would have a very negative impact on all of the European audiovisual industry, which benefits from the numerous funds offered by this programme.

On behalf of the European animation industry, CARTOON and the Annecy festival have launched a petition to save the MEDIA Programme as it is. To date, about 7000 persons have signed it!

Pierre Coffin, STUDIOCANAL and France 3 Cinéma win the Cartoon Movie Tributes 2011

European professionals of the animation sector have designated three personalities/companies who have contributed to the development of the industry.

Pierre Coffin was elected Director of the Year for “Despicable Me”, entirely made in France and second highest-grossing animated film of 2010 in the United States.
STUDIOCANAL won the Distributor of the Year tribute, mainly for their achievements on “Sammy’s adventures” (1.2 million admissions in France). And France 3 Cinéma took the Producer of the Year award, having co-produced 14 animated feature films over the past year. This award recognizes their work and encourage them to further develop this way.

Next to this, the Rhônes Alpes Region gave a special trophy to the Personnality of the Year, rewarding the creative duo Jean-Loup Felicioli and Alain Gagnol ("A Cat in Paris").

Stereoscopic 2D: a new trend? Highlights of Cartoon Movie's first day - and a few pictures

Cartoon Movie was officially opened this morning by Mr Eric Garandeau, President of the CNC (Centre national du cinema et de l’image animée), who gave an inspired speech to more than 700 participants, reaffirming CNC’s interest for animation. He also reiterated the important "and truly irreplaceable" role played by the MEDIA Programme... The day

Record attendance at Cartoon Movie:
700 participants!

Cartoon Movie’s participation has increased by 15% since last year. Around 700 participants coming from 35 countries (210 buyers, 95 distributors) will meet in Lyon (Rhône-Alpes) on Wednesday 2 March to kick off Cartoon Movie.

The opening film “Chico & Rita” will warm up the attending European professionals with Cuban jazz, before starting two intense days where 56 projects of animated feature films will be pitched.

Programme – List of films

Cartoon Movie Tributes 2011: nominees announced

Professionals attending Cartoon Movie will vote for the personnality or company who has made an outstanding contribution to the European animation industry over the past year.

The names of these Cartoon Movie Tributes winners will be unveiled on Friday 4th March in Lyon.

The 9 nominees are:

- Director of the Year: Pierre Coffin for "Despicable Me" (FR / USA); Fernando Trueba, Javier Mariscal & Tono Errando for "Chico & Rita" (ES / UK); Sinem Sakaoglu & Jesper Møller for "The Sandman and the Lost Sand of Dreams" (DE / FR)

- Distributor of the Year: 6 SALES (ES); Gutek Film (PL); STUDIOCANAL (FR)

- Producer of the Year: Constantin Film for "Animals United" (DE); Copenhagen Bombay (DK); France 3 Cinéma (FR)

Have a look at the press releases for more information.

Cartoon Movie's programme is online!

Be ready for the next Cartoon Movie's edition and download the full programme with the Pitching Sessions schedule.

For two intense days on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 March, 56 films will be presented in 2 rooms simultaneously.

Registration - List of films - Updated list of participants

Cartoon Movie: 30% growth in 3 years

More than 660 participants from 35 countries will come together in Lyon next month, including 210 buyers and investors, of which 94 distributors.

The co-production and financing forum for European feature films is booming: in three years, the attendance rate has increased by 30% and the number of attending distributors by 50%!

8 completed features and 48 projects in progress will be pitched during the event from 2 to 4 March to find financing and interest international distributors.

Click here to register.

Cartoon Connection Korea: registration deadline is 11 February

Over 100 participants will take part in the second edition of Cartoon Connection on Jeju Island, South Korea from 21 to 24 March 2011. The list of European speakers and attending companies as of today is already online.

The meeting aims to further develop cooperation between European and Korean animation industries through market presentations, co-production case studies & 600 one-to-one meetings.

Deadline for registration is 11 February.
Have a look at last year’s TV report by Euronews!

"Chico & Rita" will open Cartoon Movie to the rhythm of Cuba!

Creative collaboration between Oscar-winning director Fernando Trueba and Spanish designer Javier Mariscal, “Chico & Rita” will launch Cartoon Movie on 2 March.

More than 640 animation professionals will be moved by this epic story of love and heartbreak set in Havana and New York at the end of 1940s, lifted by the music of legendary Cuban pianist Bebo Valdes

The film is a joint-production between Spain’s companies Fernando Trueba PC and Estudio Mariscal, and Britain’s Magic Light Pictures, led by Michael Rose, formerly of Aardman Animations.

Watch the trailer - Cartoon Movie registration

Cartoon Forum: deadline to submit a TV project is 27 April 2011

Do you have a TV series project in development, or a TV special? Are you looking for co-producers, financing, broadcasters? Submit it to Cartoon Forum! If it gets selected, you will have the opportunity to pitch it in front of a large panel of buyers, investors and producers!

Check out the Application documents and don't forget to read our Conditions of admission first.

Cartoon Forum Polska will take place in the seaside city of Sopot (northern Poland), from 13 to 16 Sept. 2011.

Submit a project

Good bye Deirdre...

CARTOON is sad to inform you that one of our dear chairpersons, Deirdre Simms, passed away yesterday, at the age of 63.

She was one of the first chairs of Cartoon Forum as she joined the CARTOON events in 1993 in Inverness. She was well respected, indeed loved, by many producers. She was professional, funny, and a really nice person with a smile like a crescent moon. She will be missed…

Renowned live action directors turn to animation

Cartoon Movie is growing: there was a 20% increase in projects' submission this year (90 applications received), and the number of registered participants has never been so high (660 participants, 210 buyers, including 90 distributors).

56 projects of European features from 21 countries will be pitched, of which 12 in stereoscopic 3D.

The trend this year is the rising number of adult films: 15 projects (almost 30%) target young adults / adults, against 9 in 2008.

Some renowned directors such as Terry Gilliam ("Brazil", "Twelve Monkeys", Monty Python), Patrice Leconte ("The Man on the Train", "Ridicule", "Les Bronzés") and Fernando Trueba (Oscar for "Belle Epoque") make their first steps in animation. Their projects are to be discovered at Cartoon Movie

Registration is still open.

The second Cartoon Connection in Korea

After the success of last year’s event, CARTOON organises a second Cartoon Connection in South Korea from 21 to 24 March 2011 in Jeju Island. The purpose is to further develop cooperation between the European and Korean animation industries through keynotes, co-production case studies and one-to-one meetings.

Have a look at last year’s TV report by Euronews!

More information - Registration

New year, new logo!

After 23 years, the time has come to undergo a facelift. And here’s our new logo that you will see from now on!

But don’t worry, only our logo changes, not our enthusiasm to promote European animation…

Discover the projects to be pitched at Cartoon Movie 2011!

The animated feature film industry in Europe is growing: we have received 90 projects for the call for entries of Cartoon Movie 2011, i.e. 20% increase since last year. 55 are selected to be pitched at the event taking place from 2 to 4 March in Lyon.

Selected projects - Registration