Sep 2, 2021

Cartoon Forum: 5 Promising European series Pitched

Cartoon Forum, Europe's most important pitching platform for animated series, is returning on September 20–23. All being well, it will take place onsite in its usual host city Toulouse, in France.

This year's lineup of 84 projects comprises the usual mix of adult and kids' series, ranging from whimsical fantasy shows to hot-button social documentaries. Some are made by established studios, some by newcomers. Every technique from hand-drawn animation to live-action hybrid is represented.

Below, we've spotlighted five projects that stand out to us, whether because of the subject matter, design, or talent involved. Explore the full lineup here.

Director: Pavel JindraProduction company: Barebear Production (Czech Republic)Format: 26 x 11 min

Surely few series at this year's event can boast humbler origins than this one. Some years back, Czech graphic designer Petr Václavek started assembling figures from acorns and other natural materials for his children. When he posted photos of the characters online, they swiftly found a fandom; stylish merchandising followed, and now this. It isn't clear exactly what techniques will be used to animate the characters - the show's program entry specifies “3d computer, painting, live action.”

Director: Luis Da Matta AlmeidaProduction company: Sparkle Animation (Portugal); co-producer: Abano Producións (Spain)Format: 26 x 7 min

Biriki, a bird drawn with symbolic purity and colored like the Italian flag, has appeared in a variety of educational contexts, including an Amnesty-sponsored animated short. Her creator Bruna Ferrazzini has teamed up with writer Ilaria Turba to develop more animated outings for the character, which will encourage children to pay attention to nature. In a kids' market saturated with loud colors and brash designs, the simplicity of this project stands out.

Directors: Victorien Tardif, Oscar Aubry, Mickael DupréProduction company: Lardux Films (France); co-producer: Neos Films (France)Format: 10 x 5 min

While the U.S. inches toward full decriminalization, France retains some of the harshest cannabis laws in Europe. But it is also among the continent's biggest consumers of the drug. Against this backdrop, Lardux and Neos are developing a documentary series that profiles a sample of dealers in the country, ranging from a teenager to an ex-convict. Cartoon Forum selects a few social-issue series for older audiences each year, but we don't remember this subject being tackled at the event before.

Director: tbcProduction company: The Magical Society (France)Format: 52 x 11 min 2 sec

It may not yet have a director, but its creative pedigree means Mister Crocodile has a good chance of making it to production. The series is based on a kids' comic by Joann Sfar (Little Vampire), a popular filmmaker and cartoonist with a track record in animation. He has paired with Simon Nicholson, head writer of European hit PJ Masks, to write the script, which follows the odd-couple adventures of a girl and her crocodile friend.

Director: Nicolas DeveauxProduction company: Cube Creative Productions (France)Format: 52 x 11 min

French filmmaker Deveaux has carved out a curious niche in cg animation, directing films in which realistically rendered animals do decidedly unrealistic things, to comic effect: think elephants trampolining, snails dancing balletically, etc. Having already applied this concept to one series, Athleticus, he's back with Wild Life City, which appears to have a stronger narrative through line.