What is Cartoon Forum? - every animator should know the answer

Cartoon Forum - in Toulouse this September

Cartoon Forum is an institution that should be on every animator's radar. It takes place somewhere in Europe every year, and describes itself as the place "where projects come to life". This year it is being held from 17-20 September in Toulouse - in Midi-Pyrénées. But don't be put off - you don't have to speak French! The Forum is bilingual and English is the main language spoken.

Cartoon Forum is the place to pitch your animated TV series. If you've got an idea for the next Wombles, or Teletubbies, or Magic Roundabout - this is the place to do it.
Cartoon Forum is the TV cousin of Cartoon Movie, the March pitch-fest in Lyon where film-makers and animators get to pitch ideas for feature films to assorted co-producers, distributors, broadcasters, financiers and sales agents.

The big difference between the two is that, at Cartoon Movie, you can pitch in concept, meaning that you are basically selling an idea. You don't need a script - or even any animation (though it helps). At Cartoon Forum, you must be in development, which means you will need at the very least some polished animation and a "bible" to show what your project will look like.

So, with that in mind, what can you submit? The answer is: A TV series, a TV special, or a "transmedia project" in development.

Why submit? What is it all for? It all depends on what you need. You might want co-producers, to help you access national development funds, and help to get it made. You might be looking for financiers, so-called "business angels" who will give you seed capital and take an equity stake in the project. You might want to interest broadcasters (like the BBC) so you have a potential platform to get your series out to an audience.

If your project gets selected, you get to pitch it to around 800 animation professionals at Cartoon Forum.

Here's how to submit your project:

• Check out the application documents on the Cartoon website
• Download the vade-mecum (explanatory document - tells you what to do)
• Have a look at the regulations.

For some information on video, watch the report by C21: Why do they attend Cartoon Forum


Contact Details:
forum@cartoon-media.eu
Tel: +32 2 242 93 43
www.cartoon-media.eu

Good luck! The deadline for submission is 23 April 2013. You have 2 weeks.

---Alex