ANIMATED UK MEETS EUROPE! – UK to return to Cartoon this September
Cartoon, the organisation that presented Cartoon Forum, Cartoon Movie and other events has announced 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.
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.
Kate O’Connor, Executive Chair of Animation UK said:
“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.
Cartoon has previously announced that UK production companies would not be eligible to pitch ideas that they had the majority share of in any of its events, leaving them only able to present as part of co-productions from eligible nations with majority share. This is due to the UK’s withdrawal from Creative Europe Media, which the UK left as a consequence of leaving the European Union.
This upcoming collaboration is a welcome olive branch and recognition of the valuable contribution to European and world culture. We at Skwigly hope that it leads to some fruitful partnerships!
Cartoon Forum returns to 18 – 21 September 2023. Register here.