In a time of tighter budgets and growing challenges for launching new projects, Cartoon Forum remains a place of opportunity and collaboration. This year's edition has put a stronger focus than ever on networking and visibility, creating the connections that turn ideas into reality. By fostering dialogue, cooperation and solidarity, we continue to celebrate the spirit of European animation: creativity, resilience and the ability to reinvent itself, as echoed in our slogan:
You create, we connect.
TOP 10 • PRESENCE FOR EUROPEAN COPRODUCTIONS
The order reflects the number of participants in the pitching room for projects co-produced in at least 2 European countries
1. Natu Natu - Cartoon Saloon (Ireland), Superprod Animation (France) & Melusine Productions (Luxembourg)
2. This Moose Belongs to Me - Sixteen South (Ireland) & Creative Conspiracy (CC)(Belgium)
3. Action Rabbits - Blue Spirit Productions (France) & Atomic Cartoons (Canada)
4. 2142 - The World of 2142 (Serbia) & Hampa Studio (Spain)
5. VET ACADEMY - Superprod Animation (France) & Red Monk Studio (Italy)
6. Olga - Fabrique Fantastique (Belgium) & apartment11 (Canada)
7. Mort and Millie - GS Animation / Grupa Smacznego (Poland), Sphere Media (Canada) & Flickerpix (UK)
8. The Martin Family - GOOD KARMA (Italy) & SAMKA (France)
9. San Misterio - Mago Production (Spain) & Mistral Films Studio (Germany)
10. Titus, Little Prince of Rap - Submarine Animation (Netherlands) & Why Not AI (France)
TOP 15 • PRESENCE OF BUYERS IN PITCHING SESSIONS
The order reflects the number of buyers present in the pitching room.
1. Elle(s) - GO-N Productions (France)
2. Pepper - Millimages (France)
3. Temtem - Marla Studios - Kiss a Frog (France)
3. Frostheart, the Seven Hearts of Darkness - La Chouette Compagnie (France)
4.This Moose Belongs to Me - Sixteen South (Ireland)
5. Natu Natu - Cartoon Saloon (Ireland)
6. Action Rabbits - Blue Spirit Productions (France)
7. Vampirette & Me - Bayard Jeunesse Production (France)
8. The Underglow - Gigglebug Entertainment (Finland)
9. VET ACADEMY - Superprod Animation (France)
9. Alien Dunk - PGS Studios (France)
10. Yojimbot - Passion Paris Production (France)
10. Pikky & Rhino - Monello Productions (France)
11. Gnomes - De Argonauten (Belgium)
12. Terry and Olivia - Creative Conspiracy (Belgium)
13. The Zzli Brothers - Xbo films (France)
14. Sam & Watson - Piano Sano Films (France)
14. Grannies - Caïmans Productions (France)
15. Welcome Back Clara - Les Valseurs (France)
15. Meerkats in Space - SAMKA (France)
THE TRENDS OF CARTOON FORUM 2025
CEE COUNTRIES ON THE RISE. The CEE number has doubled since 2019 (from 6 to 11 in 2025), representing 15% of the selection. “Fox and Fennec” produced by Atom Art (Latvia) & co-produced by Ausma (Latvia) was pitched during the event. They are also targeting different audiences (children, young adults/adults, etc.) and tackling different topics (comedy, sci-fi, etc.). Poland (4 projects), Serbia, Czechia (2), Armenia, Bosnia, Latvia & Bulgaria (1) were representing Eastern Europe in the selected projects.
YOUNG ADULTS AND ADULTS AUDIENCES have known a slight decrease compared to last year (from 24% in 2024 to 20% in 2025). At the same time, we are witnessing a comeback from projects targeting children and families (76% in 2024 to 80% in 2025). Buyers are leaning towards projects targeting families and children as it is a safer strategy to adopt in these difficult times. “2142” produced by The World of 2142 (Serbia) & co-produced by Hampa Studio (Spain) was really successful during the Cartoon Forum.
WOMEN TO KEEP AN EYE ON IN ANIMATION. The new generation not only brings fresh perspectives but also reshapes the themes and stories being told, ensuring that their impact resonates across the industry. Talents from Cartoon Springboard were also at Cartoon Forum with “ATOMIC” by Iva Zahova, Kalina Aleksandrova and Agnes Markarian.
This year, Les Femmes s’Animent were deeply impressed by the strength of the unique, creative and powerful proposals brought forth by emerging young talents such as “Beasties”, “Welcome Back Clara” and “Ugly Neko Café”. The collective awarded the LFA 2025 Coup de Coeur to “Welcome to Happycracy” directed by Laurène Fernandez & produced by Manégann Films & Xbo films. A tribute was payed to the commitment and perseverance of producer Bara Prikaska with her project “Animalies”. In the selected projects, 23% are directed by women & 27% have a female main producer. 88% of stories told by female directors have female main characters.
THE REGION OCCITANIE represented by two projects: “The Zzli Brothers” & “Welcome to Happycracy”, respectively produced and co-produced by Xbo films. We also had the chance to celebrate the 25th anniversary of TAT productions, which has known a spectacular growth over the years. The Region Occitanie is a creative region in animation, with around 10 schools and nearly 1 million EUR invested each year in animation projects.
TALENTS IN THE INDUSTRY also had their moment at Cartoon Forum. The Coaching Programme regrouped 82 students from 13 schools and gave them the opportunity to learn from experienced producers and creators. On Thursday afternoon, a mini-pitch workshop was organized where 6 projects were pitched in front of regional experts.
THE INITIATIVES AT CARTOON FORUM 2025
As the focus of Cartoon Forum was on networking and creating future collaborations, the initiative "Animated UK Meets Europe" has built bridges between industries from the United-Kingdom and Europe. To go further, three projects from production companies that were looking for financing were pitched in front of potential future partners: "Amelia Fang" produced by CAKE Entertainment (UK) & DCM (Germany); "Let's Play in Tiger Bay" produced by Hoho Entertainment & Bumpybox (UK) and "The Adventures of Robin Robin" produced by Aardman Animations (UK).
To further emphasise the possibilities of cross-borders partnerships, a Cartoon Talk was organized to tackle the steps of building successful collaborations featuring prominent European broadcasters: Sarah Muller (BBC - UK), Vicky Schroderus (YLE - FI) and Pierre Siracusa (France Télévisions - FR).
For the second time in a row, the EBU Co-Development initiative gave the opportunity to participants to witness the evolution of last year's winner: "My Life is a Manga" (Brain Comet & Blue Spirit - FR). Highlighting the spirit of collaboration specific to European animation, the broadcasters will choose one or two projects as the winner(s) of the 2025's edition. The aim was also to further strengthen European public cooperation within the specific co-production system for animation, which will be vital for the sector in these challenging times.
SAVE THE DATE
Cartoon Forum 2026 will take place from 14 to 17 September in Toulouse.
CARTOON FORUM'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS OVER THE YEARS
Created in 1990 to boost the co-production and distribution of European animation for television and new media platforms, Cartoon Forum has, over its 36 years of existence, helped 1,017 animation series obtain financing to the tune of 3.69 billion €.