Pro­gramme

Speakers: Alexandre Cornu (President at SudAnim - FR), Chrystel Poncet (SudAnim – FR), Thomas Demachy (SudAnim – FR) & Sami Chlagou (CEO & Founder of Cross the Ages – FR)

Description: Discover what’s next on the horizon in this ever-growing eco-system and go behind the scenes of Marseille-based Cross The Ages, constantly pushing the boundaries, ingeniously connecting multi-dimensional video games, novels, virtual and physical collectibles and now, live events, all set in the compelling dystopian, fantasy world they’ve created. The block-chain powered cross-media studio boasts a dynamic team of X creative minds, to bring their universe of Cross The Ages to life, with the valuable input of their fans and partners. Where will the future bring?

Speaker: Coralie Boitrelle-Laigle (Head of Kids Content at Gulli M6 - FR)

Description: In a keynote with the Director of Youth Channels, Coralie Boitrelle-Laigle talks about the rapid changes in audience behaviour, prompting new ways of working and fresh cross media strategies. Find out what’s coming next and what opportunities the future might hold for producers and other potential partners.

Speakers: Evan Opperman (Senior Client Director at The Gang Sweden - SE) & Matt Sheppard (Senior Product Manager at The Gang Sweden - SE)

Description: Their motto is “Shaping the Future of Games.” Cartoon Next reveals why - if it’s cool - The Gang is often the ones behind it. They’re at the cutting edge of Roblox, Fortnite, Meta Horizon Worlds and more. Discover about the Future of UGC Gaming and what can be learned from their experience and expertise.

Speakers: Audrey Schomer (Media Analyst & Research Editor at Luminate Intelligence - US) in Blue Button, Marianne Carpentier (Director of Innovation & New Tech at TF1 - FR) & Cathal Gaffney (Chief Innovation Officer at Brown Bag Films – IE)

Description: As AI continues to divide the industry, in a Special 2-parter, Cartoon Next explores what’s next for jobs in animation – both those more vulnerable to change and the new jobs which might be created in the future. Part 1 explores attitudes and approaches to Gen Ai, as animation confronts disruption in production and workflows, with insights drawn from data and expert interviews by Audrey Schomer of entertainment market research provider, Luminate Intelligence. Marianne Carpentier reveals the outcome of their exploration into AI at Studio TF1. While safeguarding creativity, how it might affect future content and production pipelines. While Cathal Gaffney from award-winning Studio, Brown Bag, talks about their plans to integrate AI into their operation, with the collaboration of their workforce. And what new range of tech tools they might be offering to buyers and partners.

Speakers: Elena Sinel (Founder & CEO of Teens in AI – PT/UK) & Michelle Connolly (Founder of Educational Voice - IE)

Description: Hear the vision of how the market will change, thanks to AI, and the importance of developing new skills and expertise, from Michelle Connolly, author of “AI Animation & Job Displacement: The Future of Work!” And discover the ground-breaking mission of Elena Sinel, Founder and CEO of Teens in AI, launched at the United Nations AI for Good Summit, putting training into action and creating the next generation of ethical AI leaders, shaping the world of tomorrow.

Speaker: Taieb Ben Amor (Director Production & Business Affairs at Ubisoft - FR)

Description: Discover what’s Next for Ubisoft’s TV and Film division as they forge ahead with an exciting slate of projects and promising opportunities! Leveraging their unique video games roots, we discover how they choose the format for their projects, to deliver unexpected and engaging experiences, for gaming and broader audiences worldwide.

Speakers: Angélica Lares (General Director of International Centre of Animation at Taller del Chucho Studio - MX), Sarah Cox (Chief Creative Director at Aardman Animations - UK), Kerdi Kuusik-Oengo (Producer at Nukufilm - EE)

Description: Discover how stop motion is enjoying an exciting chapter in its history, experimenting with creativity and tech, forging new partnerships and future opportunities. Cartoon Next talks to three leaders of the industry. From British legend, Aardman, with their new “Shaun The Sheep” movie and ground-breaking ventures with Pokemon and LEGO, Taller Del Chucho, the Mexican studio, beloved of stop motion master, Guillermo Del Toro, with their innovative collaboration with toy company, Bandai, and the world’s oldest stop motion studio in Estonia, Nukufilm, with new productions and testing Ai in its pipeline.

Speakers: Alyssa Ibanez (FR) & Samuel Brault (FR)

Description: Alyssa Ibanez and Samuel Brault present their project “Regarde Les Danser”, exploring the provocative question: Can art save the world? The session will include live music, making it an inspiring lead-in to "What’s Next and New in Music for TV, Film, and Gaming.”

Speakers: Thibault Kientz-Agyman (Composer at Twentykeys - FR), P.T Adamczyk (Composer & Music Producer at CD PROJEKT RED - PL) & Laurence Ripoll (Production Manager at Festival International Music & Cinema Marseille – FR)

Description: Enjoy a front row seat as we explore the skillful work of the world class composers, shaping and transforming magical animated worlds and providing new 360 experiences beyond the screen. With insights from Projekt Red’s P.T. Adamczyk, and Thibaut Kientz-Agyeman, into the unique artistic and technical challenges of composing for animation and, especially games, along with the evolving tools and techniques which could redefine this spell-binding craft in the future. CartoonNext also celebrates the work of Marseille’s International Festival of Music and Cinema.

Speakers: Hayato Inoue (COO of Tokyo Epic – JP) & Olivia Papini (CEO of La Méduse Violette – FR)

Description: The content revolves around short, serialised, episodes with dramatic cliffhangers, and increasingly produced using AI tools. CartoonNext delves into this innovation and talks to Japanese Studio, TOKYO EPIC, at the forefront of the trend, specifically targeting anime content, and now venturing into the European market, as part of its expansion plans. We talk to the COO, Hayato Inoue, of Tokyo Epic, and the France Country Manager, Olivia Papini, about their approach and what can be learned from the process.

Speakers: Kelly Vero (Founder of NAK3D & Game, Brand and IP Developer - CH) & Ruth Lemmen (Co-founder & Ambassador at Womenize! Games and Tech – DE)

Description: While women make up almost half of the global gaming community, they still hold only a small fraction of executive roles in leading games companies. What’s holding women back from the top jobs, and more importantly, what needs to change? CartoonNext brings together two leading industry voices for a candid, forward-looking conversation. Ruth Lemmen, a driving force behind the growth and profile of the German games industry and co-founder & ambassador of Womenize! Games and Tech, empowering women and under-represented talent across games and technology. She’s joined by Kelly Vero, a games stawart with more than 30 years’ experience across design, code, technical art and digital production. Kelly is the author of “Breaking Through Bytes”, which highlights women working in technical roles across the digital world. Together they will explore how the industry has evolved, where real progress is happening, and what practical steps studios, leaders and future talent can take to build a more inclusive and innovative games sector.

Speakers: Annelyse Vieilledent (Producer at Fortiche – FR) & Marianne Lévy-Leblond (Director of the Digital Creations Unit at ARTE – FR)

Description: Discover the compelling story behind this highly- original animated series, designed innovatively to be released across the digital eco-system. Miss Saturne has been created by Fortiche Films and Les Storygraphiques, based on a novel by Barbara Israel, and developed and co-produced by Arte France, in the 1980s, this coming-of-age story explores the complex emotions of adolescence within a nocturnal, pop, and resolutely New Wave atmosphere. Join Annelyse Vieilledent and Marianne Lévy-Leblond for an exclusive presentation of this 2D production, featuring its distinctive visual style, 80s soundtrack, and choreography.

Speaker: Irene Iborra Rizo (Citoplasmas Stop Motion Animation Studio – ES)

Description: A heartwarming, stop motion film, about a family facing the harsh realities of being evicted from their home. A 7-year labour of love for Spanish Director, Irene Iborra Rizo, from signing the book rights to realising her vision on screen, and a feat of ingenuity, working with co-production partners from across five countries. We hear about the behind-the-scenes challenges and creative rewards, of bringing to life the story of 12-year-old Olivia as she conjures up a cinematic universe to protect her young brother from the family hardships.

Speakers: Gabrielle d’Andrimont (Producer at Bobbypills - FR) & David Mirailles (Director at Bobbypills – FR)

Description: A success story born at CARTOON’s events! From the Coaching Programme at Cartoon Forum (designed for young talents) to pitching at CartoonNext and then at Cartoon Forum itself. "The Broos" is the latest irreverent project from Bobbypills, certainly "not your usual animation studio", set to launch as a series on ARTE (later) this year. Come explore how "The Broos”, forged ahead from its original conception to development and production. The director, David Mirailles and the producer Gabrielle d’Andrimont, will share insights into their creative process, the challenges they overcame, and the bold choices that shaped the series. Along the way, they will take us behind the scenes, sharing exclusive stories and a few surprises that show how "The Broos" came to life!