Cartoon makers seek funds as industry grows

Neither a fair nor a festival, the 13th international ‘Cartoon Movie’ is a forum for European cartoon producers to promote their films – and try to secure crucial finance and distribution deals.
 
It has just taken place in Lyon, France for the third year running. 
 
More than 5,000 industry professionals signed a petition calling on the EU to safeguard its ‘Media’ fund for cinema, believed to be under threat.
 
The forum has showcased more than 50 projects at various stages of completion. The animated films industry has grown significantly over the past decade.
 
“There have been a lot of changes, certainly when it comes to film distribution,“ said Annick Maes, Cartoon Movie’s director. “Today distributors are getting involved with projects much earlier but when it comes to marketing and merchandising, they still have some way to go.”
 
Many of the cartoons target young adults. The hero of the French film ‘Phantom Boy’ is an 11-year-old tackling his own illness as well as the forces of evil.
 
Animated films have increasingly been highlighting serious themes, illustrated by the success of cartoons such as ‘Waltz with Bashir’ and ‘Persepolis’.
 
Reporting from the event, euronews’ correspondent Wolfgang Spindler concluded: “The industry has long realised that more can be achieved with everyone working together. For anyone wanting to release an animated film in the cinema, the Cartoon Movie forum has become a must.”

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