Oct 2, 2024

Cartoon Forum 2024: 5 Outstanding Pitches on French Animated Series

Last month, the 35th Cartoon Forum took place in Toulouse, France, bringing together producers, investors, distributors and broadcasters from across Europe.

The Cartoon Forum is Europe's leading pitching event for animated television series, providing opportunities for both compelling niche series and established franchises and soon-to-be blockbusters from major producers.

This year, 75 projects from 20 countries were pitched over three days. France is the country that consistently attracts the most participants at the event due to its strong institutional support for series productions and co-productions.

This article examines five of the French pitches that stood out due to their particular approach, the reputation of their production teams, or simply the overall quality of their visual concept art and trailers.

Country France, Belgium

Studio La Cabane Productions, Thuristar

Audience Family

Format 30-minute TV special

Technique: 3D/2D digital

Eight years after bringing Monsieur Monsieur and Monsieur Bulls together at the Cartoon Forum, producer Perrine Gauthier and director Joely Christian took the stage again to present their first original TV special, Lamb Stew. Having captivated the audience at the Forum, the world they unveiled was much bigger than the short film.

The project showed their trademark family-friendly and inclusive approach in a world where Billy, a young lamb determined to prove that sheep are just as brave as other animals, lures a big bad wolf into a trap, only to discover that the wolf is not the monster she thought he was. shown in the world, discovering that he is not the monster she thought he was. Gauthier and Christiane have created a palpable and delightful world filled with CG anthropomorphized wonder animals; the 3D animation enriches the sheep and wolf's fur with stop-motion textures.

“Wool of the Sheep” was written and directed by Christiane. Claire Paoletti (“Shoom's Odyssey”) and Julia Smuts Lou (“The Smeds and the Smoos,” “Star Wars Visions: Aau's Song”) assisted as story consultants. This short film aims to challenge stereotypes with a simple, universal story of tolerance and seeing beyond appearances. Gauthier and Christiane already have plans to expand this project to a broader IP. From the depth of the material they have presented, one can only wonder what will stop Billy from winning the hearts and minds of children in the coming years.

Country France

Studio TeamTO

Audience demographics H.O.M.E. is a science fiction comedy based on the humorous graphic novel by French authors Hervé Bouris and Rudy Spierre, about Ariane, Arthur, Ursula, Philippe an irreverent mixed-race family of four move into a suburban dream house, unaware that their new home is actually a decommissioned intergalactic war robot.

H.O.M.E. stands for Humanoid Outdated Metagalactic Electronic, the protagonist and locale of this Rick and Morty-style intergalactic kids' adventure series. In this witty, fast-paced, ambitious show, avoiding room-cleaning duties may result in facing a giant alien-eating vacuum cleaner on an alien planet.

Turning Spiessert's pop-comic world into CG animation could have altered its originality, but French studio TeamTO has created a beautifully reminiscent of the style of The Mitchells vs. the Machines, with The quirky animated teaser has been released and seems to fit the tone of the series perfectly; H.O.M.E.'s future survival may depend on the support of international partners and streamers. But with its rich worldview and strong inspiration, one can only hope that this imaginative, silly yet touching, overly positive family show will be adopted after the Cartoon Forum pitch.

Country France

Studio Andalta Pictures

Audience: children 6-9 years old

Number of episodes: 8 x 26'

Technique: 2D computer

Over the last 7 years Andalta Pictures has grown from a local 2D animation Andalta Pictures has grown over the past seven years from a local 2D animation studio to a major player in the European animation scene. Located in “La Cartoucherie,” the third largest animation production center in France, Andalta has already established itself in France with its adaptation of the French young adult sensation Ewilan's Quest.

Meanwhile, CEO Sophie Saget and her team are partnering with French-American authors Marc and Alexis Siegel and graphic artists Xanthe Bouma, Boya Sun, and Matt Rockefeller to animate the best-selling “5 worlds.” Described by co-creator Siegel as “a mix between Star Wars and The Last Airbender,” 5 worlds is a space opera odyssey in which sundancers attempt to awaken forgotten gods while evil threatens peace among already fragile planets. In this setting, three unlikely heroes, led by 12-year-old Una, are the key to saving five worlds from the brink of extinction.

Boosted by a stunning teaser and backed by American producer Kane Lee, “Five Worlds” has the potential and fan base to become the next big hit in European animation.

Country France, Luxembourg, Cameroon, Senegal

Studio Special Touch Studio, Creative Touch Studio, African Touch Studio, Distributed by Paul Tirges, Ozemnia

Audience: children 6-9

Episodes: 52 x 13'

Technology: 2D digital/3D computer

French-speaking African animation, thanks to many talented artists and producers, including French producer Sebastien Onomo, It has become a growing industry. Onomo, who founded three companies to achieve his ambition of bringing new voices and talent to the animation industry, presented “Mia Moke” at the Cartoon Forum.

The project, planned to be co-produced in four countries, is already a 10-year-old IP that is being tested in African schools through comic book and picture book formats. Mia Moke is the story of a kind-hearted young girl who, with the help of her friends Cuko and Diko, is on a mission to protect the nature surrounding her village, which is threatened by the construction of a brick factory.

“It's important to create everyday heroes that African children can relate to,” says Mia Moke's team. We believe that these strong, relatable characters will strike a chord with viewers not only in Africa, but around the world.” While French-speaking African animation still has some catching up to do with English-speaking animation, which boasts projects such as “Iwaju,” “Mama K's Team 4,” and “Kizaj Motoko,” Onomo's efforts, including “Mia Moke,” have a bright future ahead.

Country France

Studio XBO Films

Audience demographics Episode: 52 x 3'30”

Technique: 2D digital, drawing, live action

Developing his 2018 short film ‘Amimaginaire,’ French with the same dedication and tenderness,

Our Lil' Adventures is about the adventures and problems of modern children. What may be a minor problem or challenge to an adult is a big step and a mountain to climb for a 2-4 year old. To help children overcome their fears and hesitations, 2D animated imaginary friends accompany them on their little adventures in a soft, gentle, and playful environment. Finding a tempo that would keep the children engaged was essential for us.” To help the young actors get into the story, there was always a puppeteer on set to manipulate their realistic portrayal of the characters.”

With the support of the regional film foundation and the French producers' association Procirep-Angoa, XBO Films presented a full pilot at the Cartoon Forum, demonstrating the potential of the project.