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The European animation community is getting ready to present 75 new TV series and specials at this year’s Cartoon Forum event in Toulouse, France (September 15-18).
As usual, France leads the selection with 30 shows, followed by 11 from the CEE countries (Poland [three], Czechia and Serbia [two each], Armenia, Bosnia, Bulgaria and Latvia [one each]), Ireland (seven), Belgium and Spain (six each), Germany and Italy (three each), Greece and the Netherlands (two each). Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Portugal and Sweden will each present one project. Overall, shows from 27 countries are represented at this year’s event. The good news is that about 43% of the selections are already in production.
Here is a selection of projects that grabbed our interest before the show:
Animalies
The Czech tradition of creating innovative and charming animated content for young viewers continues with Animalies, a charming 2D show about six city-dwelling animal characters who attend a special summer camp. Written and directed by Marek Náprstek and Katerina Karhankova, the 26 x 13’ show is produced by Prague-based Bionaut (Rosa & Dara and Their Great Summer Adventure, Axolotls). What makes Animalies special is that the stories depict the characters as regular stubborn preteens and not just as individuals with physical disabilities. Not to mention the likable character designs and eye-popping colors.
Antón Piñón
The hilarious blue lemming star of the new Spanish show Antón Piñón is definitely not going to jump off a cliff. Based on a popular book series, the 52 x 7’ show follows the adventures of Anton, who lives with his wise and unpredictable grandma and his 27 chaotic siblings in a vibrant forest. Of course, he also has a few special friends — the playful Violeta, the athletic Modesto, the cautious Benito and the brave Beatriz — who are always ready for silly misadventures. A co-production between Spain’s Imagic TV and NHK Japan, the show is supported by the Catalan Development Fund and Televisió de Catalunya. Jordi B. Oliva (The Wawies, Josep) and Kazuhiro Iwami are producing.
ELLE(s)
Talented French animation veterans Anne de Galard and Eric Garnet are best known for popular series such as Simon, Zip Zip, Commander Clark and Monster Shaker. This year, they are introducing a highly original new show that is quite different from their other projects: ELLE(s) is based on a popular graphic novel series by Kid Toussaint (illustrated by Aveline Stokart), and it’s described as a genre-bending thrill ride about a teen girl whose emotions split into living, breathing versions of herself. As these different versions of Elle battle for dominance, the show offers a clever spin on the familiar difficulties of adolescence. Perfect for today’s fantasy-savvy tween audiences, ELLE(s) is presented by Go-N Productions, the company founded by Garnet and De Galard almost 21 years ago (and acquired by Federation in 2023). We can’t wait to see this one come to animated life.
Jam & Re
How can you resist a colorful show centered on the fun adventures of a clever jester and his beloved lute? The new 52 x 7’ preschool show Jam & Re is the brainchild of Uri Lotan and Amit Russell Gicelter (the head of Israel- and Greece-based studio The Hive and the producer of series such as Summer Memories and The Fenestas and the Oscar-nominated short Letter to a Pig). Daytime Emmy-winning writer Kevin Del Aguila (Wonder Pets!, Peg+Cat) is also attached to the charming project, as is co-producer Maite Woköck (Germany’s Telescope Animation). Jam and Re spend their time entertaining King Staccato, the well-intentioned but often misguided ruler of their land, as well as getting wrapped up in adventures with sleepwalking dragons and mischievous sirens. No matter what, they always seem to be able to rely on their wits and talents to save the day. This is one musical, medieval toon most preschoolers would enjoy visiting every day.
Lola, Porco & Paco
Spanish producer Álvaro Pérez Becerra (La Coruña-based Undodez Productions) comes to Cartoon Forum this year with an adult-targeted, 12 x 8’ show about three unlikely friends living in a remote village who are trying to make some sense out of our insane 21st century world. The series’ main characters are Paco, a shy gas station clerk with no ambition beyond watching TV, playing games and going to parties; Lola, an eco-feminist who hates everything; and Porco, who is described as “a filthy, chaotic pig in every sense!” As the show description notes, “Their lives seem simple until digital overload turns their days into absurd adventures full of contradictions, conspiracies, activism and chaos.” The show is written by Andrés Mahía and Xosé Castro and designed by Laura Mahía. We feel like we already know this trio, and we have a strange desire to tag along with them and enjoy their out-of-control storylines.
Meow Clique
This new project from the talented team at Poland’s Letko Studio draws you in immediately with its easy-to-love 2D visuals. Based on the popular Cat Gang graphic novels by Agata Romaniuk, the 52 x 11’ preschool show is directed by award-winning animation veterans Marek Lachowicz and Piotr Szczepanowicz (Acid Rain) and produced by Jakub Karwowski (Odo; Kill It and Leave This Town; Jacob, Mimmi and the Talking Dogs). Maciej Chmiel (Studio Filmów Rysunkowych) is co-producing this entertaining show about a group of clever cats who “claw their way through the town’s most whisker-raising mysteries!” What kind of mysteries you might ask? Well, there’s the case of the stolen herrings from the fishmonger, or the spooky sightings in the local theater, etc. The producers promise that with every clue, the feline teammates follow their instincts, their tails and their powerful sense of smell to track down the villains!
Natu Natu
There’s always lots of buzz surrounding new projects from five-time Oscar-nominated Irish studio Cartoon Saloon. This month, the brilliant folks at the Kilkenny-based outfit are bringing their new animated preschool show to Cartoon Forum. A co-production with France’s Superprod and Luxembourg’s Melusine Productions, the promising 104 x 5’ series is created by Fran Bravo (art director on Puffin Rock and the New Friends and Silly Sundays) and penned by Cian McGarrigle (Silly Sundays) and produced by Jason Tammemagi (Star Wars: Visions) and Ailbhe McCabe (Eiru, Silly Sundays). The show centers on two tiny helpers of nature, Natumi and Natuko, who love to play, explore and discover new things in the garden. Being green never looked cuter.
Oh Wow!
Oliver, an imaginative four-year-old boy, and his friend Zelie, a tiny mouse who lives in his house, get into all kinds of mischief in the beautifully crafted new preschool series from Claire Grimond (Maya the Bee) and the team at France’s Autour de Minuit, led by super-talented Oscar-winning producer Nicolas Schmerkin (Logorama), who is also behind another one of this year’s acclaimed shorts, Playing God. We love the tactile feel of the show, which is both inviting and easy to fall for.
Supercat Is a Dog
Cats and dogs will always have a special place in the world of animation. This year, the folks at France’s Les Armateurs (Kirikou movies, Ernest & Celestine, The Secret of Kells), the studio founded by Didier Brunner, bring us a new show about the never-ending battle for dominance between the two species! Produced by Reginald de Guillebon (The Swallows of Kabul), the 52 x 11’ series is aimed at kids six to 11 and follows the adventures of a clumsy hound named Doug who must stand in for the fearless Mac the Supercat after a terrible accident. Who will win control — the pussies or the pooches? I guess we’ll have to wait until the show gets made and hits screens worldwide to find out!
This Moose Belongs to Me
Oliver Jeffers’ beautiful books have inspired several award-winning projects, including Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth and Lost and Found. Sixteen South (N. Ireland) and Creative Conspiracy (Belgium) are now working on adapting another one of his creations, This Moose Belongs to Me. The 22-minute special centers on a friendship between a young boy and a moose he names Marcel, a story that turns a surprising corner when someone else claims the kind animal as their own. Adapted by David McGrath and Gerrit Bekers and produced by Colin Williams (Claude, Odo, Coop Troop), this beautiful special is definitely one worth waiting for.
The Underglow
There’s something about Sam Morrison and Tanya J. Scott’s quirky, lovingly designed new 2D preschool show that draws you in immediately. The duo, who has worked on great projects such as Hey Duggee, Shaun the Sheep, Robin Robin and Sarah & Duck, introduces us to a magical world of discovery and play, anchored by Riley and Brewster and a colorful group of friends — including a floating fish and a talking potato! Created in partnership with the BBC and produced by Finland’s prolific animation studio Gigglebug Entertainment, led by the talented Anttu Harlin, this is one show we’ll gladly let any preschooler fall in love with.
Wizzos
“Welcome to Wizzoville, a town of 302 inhabitants where 300 possess magical powers and two don’t! Meet Hexley and Spellbert, wizards in training … forever!” That’s the funny intro to Boulder Media’s appealing new show about two misfits who try to find missing pets in a magical world. Created by Stephen McGann and written by Ciarán Morrison and Mick O’Hara, the 52 x 11’, 2D-animated series is produced by the brilliant Colm Tyrrell, whose many credits include Doc McStuffins, Vampirina and Eva the Owlet.
To learn more about the 2025 edition of the event, visit cartoon-media.eu/forum.
