Italy Reels From Cartoon Forum

The 14^th annual Cartoon Forum wrapped up over the weekend. Organized by CARTOON, with the support of MEDIA, Programme of the European Union, and Italian partners such as the Varese Chamber of Commerce, the Province of Varese, the City of Varese, the Region of Lombardy and Rai Fiction, the event drew 108 broadcasters and 154 investors to Varese, Italy.

Only 7 projects were 26×26 series, the other 2/3 were short series or 10’/13’ series (14) or TV specials (3), thus proposing lower budgets.

Producers from the U.K. were out in force this year, representing 21 projects including 10 entries in the series or TV special category. One of the most attention-grabbing of them was The Illuminated Film Company’s Village People, which was pitched before 237 attendees, including 112 investors.

Also making successful showings were The Cartoon Saloon Ltd.’s Skunk (223/113), Futurikon’s Germs (215/113), Aardman Animations Ltd.’s Chop Socky Chooks (209/104), Alphanim’s Hairy Scary (206/112), Tiger Aspect Prods.’ Charlie and Lola (182/99) and Siriol Prods.’ Holly Helpline (175/96).

During the closing evening, the Cartoon d’Or 2003 was awarded to French director Sandra Desmazières for her first short film, Sans queue ni

Tête. The six and a half-minute film, produced with assistance from ENSAD (Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs), had already received the Prize Gaston Roche at the 2002 Espinho Festival. Desmazières will receive 15,000 Euro to begin work on her next project.

Cartoon Forum 2004 will take place Sept. 22-26 in Santiago de Compostelle (Galicia/Spain).