The 2025 edition of Cartoon Next unspooled in Marseille, Provence, from 23-25 April. Here, we present details of four intriguing transmedia projects that were pitched at this year’s gathering.

Blue Figures by Nathan Otaño and David Calvet

Blue Figures – Nathan Otaño, David Calvet (France/Canada)
This transmedia project, made up of a film, a 15-minute podcast series and a 35-minute VR experience, follows Eliott, a former musician from the USA, and Inès, a student and DJ, as they fight to save a historic Paris jazz record shop from closure. The story weaves their personal struggles with the legacy of jazz, using vinyl records to explore key moments in musicians' lives. As they rebuild the shop and reconnect with their community, they find a way to preserve both the past and the future of music and relationships.

“With two protagonists of different ages and backgrounds, the project targets 18- to 35-year-olds fond of social narratives and urban culture, as well as 45-plus music lovers,” Otaño tells Cineuropa. “Blue Figures is a topical project that asks where we are, where we are going, and how we choose to live. In light of our cultural and political heritage, our story invites everyone to ‘do their best’. We were present at Cartoon Next specifically to find partners for the interactive version.” Producing are France’s Disnosc and Canada’s Figure 55.

Charlie Against the Metamorphs – Paula RS (Norway)
This original IP blends “emotional depth, comedy and action-fantasy in a vibrant coming-of-age story for kids aged six to nine,” which is “being developed with a robust cross-platform strategy that spans TV series, comic books, Roblox and YouTube web series”. Created by Spanish author Paula RS, the project is being produced by Barbara H Schmitt for Hoffs Productions. “This unique universe fosters empathy, friendship, teamwork and emotional literacy, wrapped in fast-paced storytelling and engaging humour,” adds the team, who are on the lookout for co-producers and investors. The story centres on Charlie, who is determined to become a metamorph hunter like Gin, the woman who saved her from her mother’s transformation. Despite their clumsiness and youth, Charlie teams up with her best friend Mint and persists in their quest to become the best metamorph hunters, even after being rejected by the academy led by Gin.

Ormhildur the Brave by Thorey Mjallhvit

Ormhildur the Brave – Thorey Mjallhvit (Iceland/Poland/Germany/Finland/Sweden/Norway/Denmark)
In a post-apocalyptic world, Ormhildur, a young girl, sets out to cast a powerful Restoration Spell in order to save humanity and mythical creatures. Along the way, she faces danger from a power-hungry leader and must discover her inner strength. Her journey is crucial to restoring balance and harmony to the world. This is the premise of the project, billed by producer Heather Millard as “Nordic and Scandi cool for kids”, wherein the power of storytelling, sustainability, and Nordic mythology and magic take centre stage.

“This is our first time at Cartoon Next, and we were excited to receive feedback on our expanding Ormhildur universe. With our first TV series nearing completion, it will be great to introduce it to an international audience and to share our grand plans for the future development of the IP into games, AR, VR, publishing, licensing and merchandising, and more,” Millard adds.

The project is a co-production between Icelandic outfits Compass Films (When the Light Breaks [+leggi anche:
recensione
trailer
intervista: Elín Hall
intervista: Rúnar Rúnarsson
scheda film]), Projects, and Animation Studio Iceland together with Poland’s Letko. Co-producing pubcasters are NDR, KiKA, RÚV, YLE, SVT, NRK and DR.

Echo Chamber by Juha Fiilin and Adam Cullen (© Jan Andersson for Fiilin Good Films)

Echo Chamber – Juha Fiilin, Adam Cullen (Finland/Greece/Norway/Czech Republic/Ireland)
Echo Chamber is an animated psychological horror/thriller targeting 18- to 29-year-olds, produced by Fiilin Good Films (Finland) with Animaskin (Norway), Funny Tales (Greece), PFX (Czech Republic) and Hot Drop Films (Ireland). The story begins when Haruka’s best friend Yui suffers a brain injury. Her growing paranoia turns those she distrusts into monstrous threats. As reality and delusion blur, they flee to an island from their childhood, where Haruka must confront the truth before it destroys them both.

The film, which sees Jan Andersson on board as art director, blends psychological horror with anime visuals, exploring themes of fear, trauma and guilt. Developed alongside a narrative-driven horror video game, it is aiming for a hybrid distribution strategy, targeting festivals, theatres and streaming platforms.

“We are seeking early conversations with theatrical distributors, festival programmers and strategic sales agents passionate about adult animation and psychologically intense genre films. We believe Echo Chamber stands out by offering a high-concept, emotionally resonant story with visual ambition tailored for the growing young-adult anime and dark genre markets,” Fiilin tells Cineuropa.