CARTOON's values
Code of conduct
At CARTOON, we are committed to creating events that are safe, inclusive, and respectful for everyone. Our goal is to foster a friendly, supportive, and harassment-free environment where exchanges and discussions are based on mutual respect, recognition, and equality — regardless of gender, age, sexuality, disability, physical appearance, ethnicity, skin colour, religion, beliefs, socio-economic status, caste, or any other aspect of identity. We believe in the right of every individual to self-determination. No assumptions should be made about anyone’s background, identity, or experiences. “No” always means no — consent must not be assumed in any context. Disagreements may arise, but respectful communication and mutual understanding are essential.
Unacceptable behaviour includes, but is not limited to:
- Verbal, physical or written abuse or threats;
- Harassment, discrimination or exclusionary comments;
- Sexual assault or any unwanted sexual attention or advances;
- The use of derogatory, racist, sexist or discriminatory language or gestures;
- Bullying, intimidation, or stalking;
- Persistent disruption of talks, presentations, or activities;
- Making assumptions about someone’s gender, sexuality, abilities, or beliefs;
- Any targeted comments or conduct based on gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, age, or other protected characteristics.
Everyone is responsible for their words, actions, and impact. If someone tells you that your behaviour is unwelcome, it is your responsibility to stop. A sincere apology may be appropriate and is encouraged where harm has been caused.
CARTOON takes all reports of misconduct seriously. If you witness or experience harmful behaviour, you can fill in our Harassment or Discrimination Complaint Form and send it to info@cartoon-media.eu. You can also speak to any CARTOON team member onsite. They will refer you to the person designated by CARTOON to receive and handle incident reports confidentially and appropriately.
CARTOON reserves the right to take immediate action, including denying access to venues or social activities, without prior notice, to anyone violating this Code of Conduct. This Code of Conduct applies to all CARTOON events. It applies to all participants, including staff, volunteers, attendees, speakers, partners, sponsors, and any other individuals interacting with the event in any capacity.
In Solidarity with Keep Festive
CARTOON proudly supports Keep Festive, a collective initiative that actively stands against all forms of harassment within the festival community. This movement aims to empower organisers to foster safer, more inclusive environments for all participants.
Keep Festive provides practical tools to help festivals prevent and respond to harassment, including a complaint form and clear guidelines for handling reports. These resources are designed to support organisers in taking meaningful, proactive steps to ensure everyone feels respected and protected.
If you would like to join the Keep Festive initiative and adopt their guidelines, you are warmly encouraged to visit this page or get in touch with Anastasiya Verlinska (she/her), at averlinskaya@gmail.com.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE USAGE POLICY
At CARTOON, we reaffirm our commitment to transparency and responsibility in the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Our fundamental principles are artistic integrity, the appreciation of human creativity, and transparency. We require project representatives to declare the use of AI and specify the areas it applies to, ensuring a clear understanding of the works presented and strengthening trust between creators, partners, and audiences. For further details, please refer to our AI Usage Policy.