02/10/2002

780 industry operators took part in the 13th Cartoon Forum in Eryri, Wales from 18-21 September. The event was organised with funding by the EU’s MEDIA Programme to develop and inform the animated film and audiovisual industry on how to access funding and develop their projects.
Investors were informed about some 80 new projects (most of which British) from 15 countries and the Forum was instrumental in guaranteeing the producers between 50 per cent and 70 per cent of each project’s budget.
This year’s novelties included the inclusion of Iceland and the return of Irish state broadcaster RTE, a well-needed injection of enthusiasm for the Irish republic’s numerous animation studios.
The Golden Cartoon award – sponsored by S4C – went to Robert Bradbrook for a short film entitled Home Road Movies. The award includes a cash prize of Euros25,000 from the MEDIA Programme, which will enable Bradbrook to finance the pre-production phase of either a feature or TV special.
The 14th edition of the Cartoon Forum will take place in Varese, Italy on 18-21 September 2003 after first stopping off – from 13-15 March 2003 – in Potsdam in Germany, where Europe’s latest animated features will be screened.