Cartoon Forum: Europe's biggest showcase for animation and TV series

Each September, Toulouse, in the South of France, welcomes the return of the Cartoon Forum. It is the biggest European event for the animation sector and TV series in particular. For 3 days, producers have the opportunity to pitch their project in front of 1000 broadcasters, investors and other potential partners from 40 countries.

Annick Maes, is the Gen­er­al Director Cartoon at Cartoon, which is a non-profit organisation who produced the Cartoon Forum and describes how animation has evolved from culture to  industry. 

"Animation industry in general is no longer just culture, it's really industry, it's really economic point of view, a lot of people are working in animation (sector). Today, people don't realize all kind of animation they see in their daily life and also what is very important is that animation is not just only for children."

The guest of honor this year is Spain, where animation is booming. With many European or South American co-productions like FirstsLas Primeras, about exceptional women who were the first in their field. María Peña is the CEO of ICEX Spain Trade and Investment and she speaks abouot the importance of co-productions.

"It is worth mentioning in Cartoon Forum the importance that our sector gives to co-production. Spain has more than 30 international co-production treaties with different countries and approximately 70 percent of the titles that are currently being produced in Spain; around 50 titles, throughout 2022; 70 percent are Spanish co-productions."

Each project is presented or pitched by the film team. Three full days are devoted to pitches and allow all the various prodcuers of the sector to meet. Magic Mission in Mexico is a co-production between France, Belgium and Luxembourg and