Cartoon Forum Welcomes Back UK Animation

Cartoon Forum - Toulouse 18-21 September 2023

The European film agency "Cartoon", organisers of "Cartoon Forum" and "Cartoon Movie", has announced that UK animation will return to Cartoon Forum this year in a special initiative titled "Animated UK Meets Europe", led by Animation UK, and supported by the BBC, Disney, and other major UK Partners. 

Back To Europe

Since Brexit, UK Animation has been unable to participate fully at "Cartoon" events, except as a minority partner.  UK production companies are not eligible to pitch ideas in which they hold a majority stake, and may only participate as part of EU co-productions.  This was a result of the UK’s withdrawal from Creative Europe Media, which the UK left after leaving the European Union.

In 2023, for the first time in several years, the UK will return to Cartoon Forum, which takes place in Toulouse, France from 18-21 September 2023.  The new "special initiative" is titled "Animated UK Meets Europe", and is led by Animation UK in partnership with the BBC, Disney, Warner Bros, Discovery and SKY.  It is supported by UK agencies including Northern Ireland Screen, Screen Scotland, Creative Wales and Film London.

Animated UK Meets Europe

Kate O'Connor, Chair of Animation UK

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
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."

For more on the experience of studying at Bucks New University, come and visit us at one of our Open Days, take a virtual tour of one of our animation studios, check out what our students think of our course, and see why we're ranked in the top 12 creative universities in the UK.