Keynotes, pan­els & case studies

Speakers: Jan Hameeuw, Founder of ThePack (Belgium) & Sébastien Dohogne, Studio Manager at Waooh! (Belgium)

Moderator: Christophe Erbes

With a focus on two enlightening case studies, unveiling cool, new technical advances & efficient business practices, fuelling innovation in creativity and production. What are the insights the animation industry, across platforms, can takeaway from these local commercial initiatives?

Speakers: Cecilia Persson, Managing Director at BBC Studios Kids & Family (United Kingdom)
Moderator: John Lomas-Bullivant

A behind-the-scenes look at how content powerhouse, BBC Studios, is blending creative innovation with commercial strategy to grow the next generation of global animated hits. Whether you're a creator with a fresh idea or an IP owner seeking to scale, this keynote from Cecilia Persson, MD of BBC Studios Kids & Family, will unpack what BBC Studios has to offer.

Speakers: David Kleeman, SVP Global Trends at Dubit (US)
Moderator: Emmanuèle Pétry

User-generated content (UGC) on gaming platforms like Roblox has evolved from kids’ games to powerful business tools. With a diverse, growing user base and wide-ranging new and known IP, these universes now support brand activations, fandom-building, and real-world commerce. This Cartoon Business session will use Dubit research and game-building case studies to explore how animation studios, producers and creators can test or launch IP, expand storytelling, invite fans to interact with content, host in-game events, and sell “verchandise.” There are untapped opportunities on platforms many still underestimate!

Speakers: Nicolas Fisch, Producer Digital First at Mediawan (France)
Moderator: Christian Davin

Discover the leading kids and family company’s exciting new strategy deployed by Mediawan Kids & Family to partner up with up-and-coming talent from the creator economy and develop original transmedia projects. The first with the Claynosaurz NFT brand. Imaginatively created by 3 artists using Web3 technology and then shortform videos, it’s now attracting over 450 million views and 200 million impressions across digital platforms, as well as an online community of over 530,000 subscribers. Digital First Producer Nicolas Fisch, specialising in partnering with the creator economy, explains how they’re scaling the IP & financing a series of 39 x 7.

Speakers: Kristine Knudsen, CEO and co-founder of Knudsen Pictures (Germany) and Den siste skilling (Norway), Marta Alonso Lisbona, Co-founder and Producer at Teidees Audiovisuals (Spain) & Perrine Gauthier, Producer and Founder at La Cabane (France) / Thuristar (Belgium)
Moderator: Emmanuèle Pétry

Cartoon Business celebrates the female founders and female entrepreneurs, who are shaping our animation industry. We hear how they started out, how they finance their companies, the challenges and the opportunities, with their advice for those looking to follow in their inspiring footsteps.

Speakers: Charles Courcier, Founder of Soupir (France) and Lucia Dubravay Trautenberger, Managing Director & Project Manager of the Animation Hub (Slovakia)
Moderator: Christophe Erbes

Cartoon Business explores the latest distribution models being employed today and the increasing importance of digital, complimenting traditional methods, as part of a company’s tool kit. We talk to Charles Courcier, co-founder and commercial director of Soupir Distribution, about their strategies and the software / the technological tools they’ve developed to showcase IP owner’s content on YouTube and across other platforms, grow audiences and maximise revenues. And we hear how an innovative and ambitious Animation HUB, with new business tools to service content, distribution, and sales, is being launched in CEE, with the support of Creative Media Europe.

Speakers: Tom Box & Adam Shaw, Co-Founders of Blue Zoo Animation (United Kingdom) & Oli Hyatt, Owner of Blue Zoo Animation (United Kingdom)

Moderator: Emmanuèle Pétry

Discover how the business has grown into creating multi-Emmy & Bafta award-winning, character-driven content, diversifying into successful digital content, games, brand licensing and much more! Founded by three friends from University, Blue Zoo prides itself on constantly experimenting, exploring & being entrepreneurial, with a motto ‘Animation as a Force for Good’, in the way they foster a positive work environment. Hear how they’re riding the present market challenges, producing top-performing shows like Mojo Swoptops, and creating franchises from the Alphablocks & Numberblocks edutainment series.

Speakers: Pierre Siracusa ,Animation & Young Audience Director / Animation Director at France Télévisions (France) & Ellen Ramstad, Executive Editor for Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (Norway)

Moderator: John Lomas-Bullivant

This year there’s news from France Télévision and RAI about the importance of offering content for teenagers and beyond, joined by a new strategy from YLE to engage with young adults, Cartoon Business asks what kind of initiatives might be deployed and what opportunities might this present for producers and other content creators. France Télévisions has already experienced success with Slash for the 18–30-year-olds, Pierre Siracusa explains more about their forthcoming strategy, and we hear about a break-out animated hit from NRK, which has taken the channel by storm. Developed by 2 influencers, it’s edgy, cool, and funny - constantly pushing the boundaries.

Speakers: Nicky Coyle, Head of Funding for Northern Ireland Screen (Ireland), Melissa Feddis, Senior Client Advisor for Enterprise Ireland (Ireland) & Kevin Davoren, VP Content & Technology for IDA Ireland (Ireland)

Moderator: Christian Davin

As strong promoters & investors in animation, across TV, Film, Gaming & Tech, Cartoon Business highlights the grants, training and mentoring available in the Island of Ireland, from enlightened organisations, such as Enterprise Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen. They’ve helped the sector grow exponentially and provided valuable opportunities also for European co-producers looking to work with their local talent. But that’s not all, there’s support for overseas animation studios and gaming businesses to set up in Ireland, thanks to organisations like the Foreign Direct Investment Agency, the IDA. There’s much to take away from their inspiring work & exciting opportunities too!

Speakers: Joe McCulloch, Producer at BBC (United-Kingdom) & Telidja Klaï, Content Manager at VRT-Ketnet (Belgium)
Moderator: John Lomas-Bullivant

Learn how key broadcasters are serving their needs and why there’s a growth in successful content to address this critical market. Joe McCulloch, Producer at the BBC will take us on a journey through their innovative Edutainment offerings, starting with CBeebies for pre-schoolers and their CBeebies Parenting initiative, helping little ones learn and grow through play; to CBBC and Bitesize, for school children up until their late teens, entertaining and supporting both children and their parents through each stage of their development. Meanwhile Telidja Klaï, Content Manager & Developmental Pyschologist at VRT-Ketnet, will inspire with their strategy to”Stimulate & To Inspire the Dreams of the Do-ers of tomorrow.” Supporting & nourishing the development of children from pre-school to teens, with entertaining shows that add value & include implicit educational benefits. Find out what kind of content works & what opportunities might exist.

Speaker: Samy Therain, CEO of Sekai (France)

Moderator: Emmanuèle Pétry

Discover how an inspiring French entrepreneur & start-up company secured a licensing agreement with one of the biggest of anime franchises, NARUTO. Stand by for entertaining & interactive mobile apps & experiences! At a time when the value of known IP is at its highest and with a market more risk averse, Samy Therain, from Sekai, reveals how he and his team persuaded the NARUTO IP owners to entrust them with a license, to develop and produce new interactive products, based on the 27- year-old cult IP. With Sekai’s mission to create great entertainment experiences for anime fans around the world, this is a must for anybody looking to work in the Japanese market and learn how to work with a cult IP.

Speakers: Alfonso de Ascanio, Operations Director at Amuse Studios (Spain), Jiella Esmat, CEO of 8 Lions Entertainment (United Kingdom) & Charles Courcier, Founder of Soupir (France)
Moderator: John Lamos-Bullivant

Many producers today see YouTube as the “Holy Grail”. More companies than ever before are talking about pivoting to shortform and digital first, YouTube content. But are they too late to the party and, importantly, do they have the wherewithal, the resources, the skills and the flexibility to adapt to this new production and distribution model? YouTube has grown exponentially and some of the original paradigms are under examination. We debate the business of YouTube with leading exponents and specialists in the digital and YouTube space, with valuable takeaways for producers and others, looking to move onto the platform.

Speakers: Jiri Mika, Partner & Producer at PFX (Czech Republic), Jakub Karwowski, CEO of Letko (Poland) & Olga Cherepanova (Ukraine)
Moderator: Emmanuèle Pétry

Cartoon Business talks to some of the inspiring Founders and CEO’s as they forge ahead with new strategies, new approaches to financing, and tangible examples of success. We ask what can be learned from their experience. Jiri Mika from PFX in the Czech Republic, talks about his business expansion via acquisition of complimentary companies, across Europe and further afield. Jakub Karwowski of Letko, Poland, shares his company vision, resulting in an award-winning pre-school IP & successful co-production, followed by a new show, fully financed out of Poland. And Olga Cherepanova explains how she is launching a new business venture from the Ukraine, building on her experience in animation, publishing, and advertising, with a focus on growing new-generation multi-media projects for children, both B2C and B2B, with innovative approaches to formats, monetisation and distribution.

Speaker: Alissa Aubenque, Director of Operations & International at Ecoprod (France)

Moderator: Christophe Erbes

Cartoon Business discovers why sustainability is not just important for the environment, but for your company & the industry. Increasingly, Animation Studios will need to demonstrate sustainable practices. To comply with regulations; To satisfy broadcasters and even their banks. We talk to the taskforce behind the Green Animation Standards. Find out what’s being done to reach unified, international sustainability guidelines; how eco initiatives will impact your businesses and how they can save you money, in the long run. With expert insights into strategy and implementation.

Speaker: Bruno Felix, Managing Director for Submarine Animation (Netherlands)

Moderator: Christian Davin

Now part of the Mediawan group, thanks to a majority acquisition in 2023, we explore the strategy behind the creative and business development of the company, the process of being acquired, & what the investment means for the running of the business & the opportunities it can bring. Co-founder, Bruno Felix, also shares his insights into the present market conditions.

Moderator: John Lomas-Bullivant

An entertaining and informative “End of the Show” Round Table, with surprising questions and revealing answers from a cross section of Cartoon Business’ eminent speakers. With audience participation and Q&A.