Animated UK Meets Europe

The Cartoon Forum played an essential role in the structuring of the European market, by creating a true network of transborder cooperation.

Cartoon is happy to announce that UK animation will be making a return to Cartoon Forum this year in a special initiative ‘Animated UK Meets Europe’, spearheaded by Animation UK in partnership with the BBC, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery and SKY and supported by agencies across the UK including Northern Ireland Screen, Screen Scotland, Creative Wales and Film London.

As the UK is globally renowned for its expertise in animation with a world-class talent pool of highly skilled and trained creatives, it is important to continue to include their animation industry within the European industry, and therefore within Cartoon Forum. They have a long track record in working with colleagues in Europe which can’t be ignored, and deserve our support.

The initiative

A total of five new projects in development from UK creative voices will be pitched together with a UK broadcast partner in a 90-minute session. Each new project will be actively looking for collaboration with a European co-production partner.
This session will be in addition to the official European project-pitching sessions program.

“We are delighted that the UK animation industry is being provided the opportunity to profile our highly regarded sector known for its creative excellence, innovation, storytelling, iconic characters and humour. We look forward to showcasing new projects supported by our partners and we are actively looking for European co-production partners for all of our animated projects which will range from preschool to family and adult.“
Kate O’Connor, Executive Chair of Animation UK

“We could not be happier to be returning to Cartoon Forum this year. Working with Animation UK and our partners to launch ‘Animated UK Meets Europe’ will enable us to showcase some very exciting British talent. Animation is a key priority for BBC Children’s which is why we launched the BBC Ignite initiative last year – the projects we are showcasing originated from this initiative and we are now excited to be able to share them in Toulouse in order to find potential European co-production partners.”

Patricia Hidalgo, Director BBC Children’s and Education

“Warner Bros. Discovery are delighted to support the return of UK animation to Cartoon Forum. We believe it’s essential that kids and their families in the UK and Europe, can see characters and stories that reflect their culture and lived experience. This is why we continue to invest in original animation from our region as a priority, but we need European partners to do this. We’re looking forward to championing a UK project this year at Cartoon Forum, one we believe will inspire and excite pre-schoolers, and we hope will also spark interest from other potential European collaborators.”

Zia Sands, Leads Acquisitions, Partnerships & Co-productions EMEA at Warner Bros. Discovery

“Animation is rightly loved by children and animated characters become an important part of their lives. At Sky, we are proud to invest in original animation and support the creativity and passion of the European animation community. We are delighted to be attending Cartoon Forum with Animation UK to present an exciting project we hope we can partner on with our European colleagues.”

Lucy Murphy, Director of Kids Content, Sky UK & ROI