Ben Croll Cartoon Movie, the European animation sector’s flagship co-production and pitch forum, closed out its 25th edition besting pre-pandemic attendance numbers, welcoming just below 900 industry participant and noting a 40% increase in buyers.
Overall, 58 feature projects were presented (and 16 countries encompassed), and — in a testament to France’s robust animation ecosystem — Gallic outfits had a hand in nearly half of them.
The forum also reflected the enduring strength of the family market, with 59% of all projects aimed at that demographic. Here are four takeaways from this year’s session, which ran from March 7 – 9 in Bordeaux. A Marquee Event No film drew greater buzz than “Julián” (pictured above).
Led by Ireland’s Cartoon Saloon and listing Sun Creature (Denmark), Folivari (France), Aircraft Pictures (Canada) and Wychwood Media (U.K.) as co-producers, the family title benefits from the accrued pedigree of titles like “Flee,” “The Breadwinner” and “Ernest and Celestine.” Throw in Wychwood — the banner led by “Harry Potter” and “Fantastic Beasts” impresario David Yates — and you have the makings of a blockbuster development project.
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