Half-Dozen Highlights
6 Hot Projects to Catch at Cartoon Forum 2025
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, (Sept. 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 are half a dozen 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 colorful 2D show about six city-dwelling animal characters who attend a special summer camp. Written and directed by Marek Naprstek 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 hues.
Antón Piñón
The hilarious blue lemming star of the new Spanish show Anton Pinon 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 Televisio de Catalunya. Jordi B. Oliva (The Wawies, Josep) and Kazuhiro lwami 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 (and 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.
Lola, Porco & Paco
Spanish producer Alvaro Pérez Becerra (La Corufa-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 Mahia and Xosé Castro and designed by Laura Mahia. 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.
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 Wokock (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 world most preschoolers would enjoy visiting every day.
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 Filmow 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!
