Cartoon Movie 2023 Report and Podcast
For 25 years Cartoon Media’s Cartoon Movie event has been offering a co-production crystal ball to the animation landscape. An important space for people with ideas to meet people with the money and the connections to bring feature animation to the screen. It’s a great place to do business, but also a great place for Skwigly to report on the films of tomorrow.
Here are some of the highlights of the 2023 edition. To hear from some of the directors you can listen to our podcast below. If you’d like a blast from the past why not listen to our 2020 edition also?
This year the event highlights Ukrainian animation. Speaking at the opening of the festival Linoleum Programme Director Anastasiya Verlinska shared her stirring and impassioned position as one of the people safeguarding Ukranian animated culture after the invasion. “The Russian invasion has proven that culture is not beyond politics” Verlinska stated, and speaking of her colleagues “some of us went to fight and died on the battlefield, some became volunteers and sacrificed their careers to help those in need, instead of creating passionate projects, picked whatever job possible to donate, but the majority of us kept creating to be heard and to keep our culture breathing”. A bold introduction to two days of back to back pitches where culture not only breathes, but in the case of funding film ideas – is born.
Wychwood and Cartoon Saloon Pitch ‘Julián’ at Cartoon Movie 2023 (photo: Steve Henderson)
The pitches were off to a strong start with two heavy hitters up against one another. This is the cruel nature of the event! With two auditoriums in use at any one time, you miss half of the productions, so you must do your research ahead of time. Beginning the day was Mr Hublot’s Christmas, an animated adaptation of the Jacque Tati character – french comedy royalty. In the second auditorium was Julián, the new project from Irish animation royalty Cartoon Saloon.
Cartoon Saloon are no strangers to pitching for European co production money. From The Secret of Kells onwards, most of their films have been a feature of the forum in some way, shape or form. Pointing out friends and co producers in the audience Paul Young declared the film “very much a cartoon movie, movie”.
Based on the book Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love, Julián is the story of a young boy and his Dominican grandmother who he goes to visit in Brooklyn. Fascinated by the Coney Island Mermaid Parade and mesmerised by the magical influence of a Dominican sea deity, Julián takes a journey of self discovery as co-director Mark Mullery told the audience, they wish to showcase a world of children exploring without judgement. We have to wait until late 2025 to see the Louise Bagnall directed film.
A full auditorium watching pitches! © Cartoon
Though the UK can no longer pitch alone at Cartoon events, the influence of artists and creators is felt. This was the case with The Hermit and the Bear based on the John Yeoman book illustrated by Quentin Blake, the work of the inky fingered national treasure was central to the pitch which was put forward by French producers Tant Miuex and Sun Creature.
The work of Blake was translated beautifully here, which has been approved by Quentin Blake himself who declared that it was “as if his work had come alive”. This reaction is one we can certainly attest to as the scratchy designs we all know and love have been translated beautifully to the screen which is always great to see. An additional surprise came when the Hermit opened his mouth to speak and the voice of Aardman’s Peter Lord came out! Great casting for the teaser.
Cursed Children Pitch © Cartoon
Not everyone pitching at Cartoon Movie is after the same thing from the same people. Some projects are nearly complete and may be on the lookout for broadcast and distribution, whereas others might be at the beginning of their journey and could be looking for everything from a studio to animate it right the way through to publishing and distribution. The latter tend to present in the concept pitches, where ten minutes is dedicated to these fresh ideas. Highlights included Jim Queen a story which sees the ‘king of the gays’ battle against sinister forces as a mysterious disease is turning gay people into straights and destroying the world. This pitch was nothing short of a riot, with superb 2D animation accompanying a story which is both packed with laughs and purpose as the team behind the film wish to share their world in an effort to create understanding and acceptance. Other enthusiastic pitches included Cursed Children from Gravedad director Matisse González Jordán, a story about a family all burdoned with unusual and creative curses which soon spreads to Kiki, a girl in search of answers which may rest with her Grandfather, a former Bolivian dictator. The Legend of Magnus the Good was delivered with panache and warmth by Frank Mosvold who wove the tale of a young viking, usurped from his throne by a wicked uncle who time travels to seek the assistance of the Valkyries – but has to settle for drag queens in a modern day nightclub. Described as Terminator 2 meets Pricilla Queen of the Desert, this was certainly something to look forward to.
Decorado Pitch © Cartoon
Still revelling in the success of Unicorn Wars Director Alberto Vázquez returns with to pitch Decorado a title which short film fans will be familiar with. Vasquez is no stranger to taking his graphic work, filtering it through a stand alone short, before expanding the idea into a feature. Decorado is a real treat for Vázquez fans (among whom we count ourselves!) who will see the gloomy world of Arnold the Mouse and fallen star Ronald Duck fleshed out with plenty to explore. No stranger to international collaboration Brazil found itself represented with The Bird Kingdom a collaboration between Lupa Filmes and Sacrebleu. A fantasy set among the arid wasteland of the South American country, bandits can turn into birds of pray, which lifts a story of trust, adventure, companionship and adventure. The visuals, provided by director Wesley Rodrigues offer a bolt of expressive colour and energy to this tale for young adults.
Young adults have found themselves well served at this years forum – provided the films can see the light of day. Entertaining the crowd were the rubber hosed Happy End by I Want Pluto to be a Planet Again directors Marie Amachoukeli & Vladimir Mavounia Kouka, Darker and more dramatic tales came in the shape of I’m Still Alive and My Friend Gadhgadhi.
The Bird Kingdom Pitch © Cartoon
As the crystal ball that gives us a glimpse into the future of film, trends at this forum help us prempt what cinemas, streamers and festivals will be showcasing soon. 21% of the projects took on societal issues: inclusion, diversity, migration, political issues, gender, and more including Julián, The Legend of Magnus the Good, I’m Still Alive and Zako. 17% of the films had a female lead and 16% of the films presented focussed on environmental issues such as Back to Tomioka. Speaking about the trends General Director Annick Maes said “Animation stays in close connection with the changes of our society”.
Magnus the Good Pitch © Cartoon
One interesting trend was that whilst the event was attended by an impressive 282 buyers from around the world, major streamers such as Amazon and Netflix who were invited to bid alongside the rest of the world declined their invite. Netflix has recently been shedding some animated content from their upcoming catalogue, much of it European such as Ember from SPA. As streaming reaches something of a saturation point perhaps the ultimate trend of 2023 will be a resurgence of the traditional model of financing and distribution? Watch this space.
Cartoon Movie returns to Bordeaux 5-7 March 2024. More more info on the projects visit the Cartoon Movie website.