The 29th edition of Cartoon Forum will take place in Toulouse, France from Sept. 10-13, offering up 83 new animation projects from across Europe in a an exciting series of pitches to roughly 950 producers, investors, distributors, buyers, SVOD/VOD platforms.
(Read more about this year’s event in our feature story from the September issue.)
The event will also see the presentation of the 2018 Cartoon Tributes — professional awards bestowed on the most positive and influential broadcasters, producers and investors/distributors in animation. Winners will be voted on by professionals attending the Cartoon Forum and announced on Sept. 13.
And the nominees are…
Broadcaster of the Year
- Hopster [UK] Hopster helps kids to learn through the shows they love, striking the perfect balance between learning and fun. Hopster subscribers get access to all the best kids shows made even better with academically-vetted learning games, available in over 100 countries on App Store and Apple TV. Offerings include Animanimals, The Treehouse Stories and Cloudbabies.
- DEAKids [Italy] In 20018, De Agostini launched DEAKids, its main kids pay TV channel, followed in 2012 by DeaJunior, its brand-new pay TV preschool-focused channel on the Sky platform. It uses original formats to bring kids closer to the worlds of science, music, animals and knowledge, with titles such as I, Elvis Riboldi, Jamie’s Got Tentacles and Little People.
- Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) Finnish-speaking YLE TV2 airs over 1,000 hours of programming for two- to 12-year olds. Pikku Kakkonenmagazine is one of the biggest brands at YLE, aimed at preschoolers. For kids seven to 12, YLE has an interactive brand named Galaxi. BUU-klubben is aired by the Swedish-language channel YLE Fem. TV series from YLE found at Cartoon Forum include Animanimals, The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales, Brewster the Rooster, Snowsnaps, Pikkuli and Puffin Rock.
- Netflix [USA] Netflix is the world’s leading internet entertainment service with 125 million memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films across a wide variety of genres and languages. Netflix is more and more investing in animation, including European animation, such as Gigantosaurus, Lily’s Driftwood Bay, Magoo, Pablo, Paprika, Puffin Rock and Boj.
- TF1 Unité Jeunesse [France] TF1 Unité Jeunesse broadcasts about 750 hours of programs every year. Content ranges from animated series, short programs and magazines to games and special events. The TF1 group has developed a large range of complementary businesses for young viewers, such as TFOUMax (SVOD platform reaching 700 000 subscribers) and MYTF1 (the catchup and AVOD platform), licensing, games, music, partwork, musical shows, etc., at TF1 Entertainment. Their titles include Mirette Investigates, The Day Henry Met…, Zorro, the Chronicles, Banki & Forst: la banquise en petard and Ariol.
Investor/Distributor of the Year
- 9 Story Distribution International [Ireland] A content creator and distributor of kids & family focused intellectual property, recognized around the world for best-in-class brands such as Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood, Wild Kratts, Numb Chucks and Peg + Cat. 9 Story represents over 2,500 half hours of animated and live-action programming.
- ConnecToon [Italy] ConnecToon was founded in June 2009. It originates from the union of the best operators in the field, who boast decades of experience. It is an international distribution and producing company specialising in sales, pre-sales and co-production of animated series and feature films. Its experience ranges from television distribution to licensing deals. Titles include Galactik Kid, and Balloopo.
- Gaumont Distribution TV [France] Formed in 1895, Gaumont is the first and oldest film company in the world, with offices in Paris and Los Angeles. Its film library encompasses over 1,100 titles and recently includes The Intouchables, the highest-grossing French language film ever. Its animated catalogue comprises over 800 half-hours, broadcast in 130+ countries. Current productions include Noddy, Trulli Tales, Belle & Sebastian and Furiki Wheels.
- MIAM! Animation [France] Founded in 2016, MIAM! Animation is a production and a distribution company. MIAM! has a distribution catalogue with exclusive worldwide media distribution rights for nine series, all produced by talented French producers: Carton, No-No, Petit Malabar, and others.
Producer of the Year
- Akkord Film Produktion [Germany] Akkord Film produces feature films and series for animated family entertainment, with titles including Raven the Little Rascal (2012), The Big Race (2015) and a 52 x 12′ TV series produced with 2 Minutes based on the adventures of Little Raven (2016). More series are in development. Their latest project, Rabbit Academy, will be pitched at the Cartoon Forum this year.
- Ánima Kitchent Media [Spain] A company incorporated in Spain by Mexico’s Ánima Estudios, with offices in Madrid and Gran Canaria. Ánima combines creative skills and production abilities with a strategic vision, turning content into international brands. With more than 17 years of experience, Ánima’s catalogue includes shows such as Cleo & Cuquin, Piny or Jelly Jamm. This year, Ánima Kitchent Media will pitch its new project Flo and the Intrepids at the Cartoon Forum.
- Folimage [France] Folimage studio focuses on creating stop-motion TV series, shorts and feature films. They are currently producing second seasons for their series Ariol and Don’t Die Dumb (broadcast by Arte in fall 2015). At the Cartoon Forum this year, its project Looking for Santa will be pitched, as well as two co-production projects: Maëlys Mysteries and We Are the Artists.
- The Illuminated Film Company [UK] Illuminated Film is an animation studio created 25 years ago. Producer Iain Harvey formed the company in 1993 and has since build up a vast catalogue of programs, including The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Stories, animated special War Game, and children’s favorite Little Princess. This year, they will pitch at Cartoon Forum their latest project A Bear Named Wojtek.
- Ink and Light [Finland/Ireland] Ink and Light produces original content to engage and entertain children and families everywhere. Their previous shows have been picked up by broadcasters including RTÉjr, YLE, Disney CMEA and SRC. Its TV series project “Happy Go Hopscotch” is in production and has been pitched at Cartoon Forum 2016. Its project “Harry and Bip – Summer Season” will be pitched at Cartoon Forum 2018.
