Animation UK, in collaboration with CARTOON and with the support of BBC Children’s and Education, has announced the return of the “Animated UK Meets Europe” initiative at Cartoon Forum 2025 in Toulouse, France in September.

Cartoon Forum is a pitching and co-production forum for animated TV projects. For three days, producers have the opportunity to pitch their project in front of 1000 broadcasters, investors and other potential partners from 40 countries. Since its creation in 1990, 1011 TV series found financing, representing a total budget of €3.68 billion EUR.

“This collaboration has been instrumental in reinforcing European partnerships and showcasing the strength of UK talent and creativity in European markets,” say Animation UK, the leading trade association representing the animation sector in the UK, with UK Screen Alliance. “We are thrilled to be back in Toulouse to support UK producers and foster new co-production opportunities across Europe.”

CAR­TOON is an inter­na­tion­al non-prof­it asso­ci­a­tion based in Brus­sels. CARTOON’s remit is to sup­port the ani­ma­tion indus­try by organ­is­ing sev­er­al types of events through the year ded­i­cat­ed to ani­ma­tion professionals.

Special Session

The special session at Cartoon Forum will take place on the afternoon of Wednesday 17 September 2025, showcasing two exciting new UK animation projects currently seeking European co-production and distribution partners. This curated event complements the official programme of European project pitches and aims to spotlight emerging talent and encourage new creative alliances.

To further highlight the power of cross-border collaboration, a panel discussion on the importance of co-productions will also take place. Chaired by international media executive Vanessa Chapman, head of VJC Media, a cre­ative and busi­ness agency that works with inter­na­tion­al broad­cast­ers, media com­pa­nies, ani­ma­tion stu­dios, brands, investors and cre­ators, the session will bring together leading European voices to share insights and successful case studies and will include Sarah Muller from the BBC.

“Cartoon Forum is one of the most important platforms for animation producers to connect with international buyers and commissioners,” commented Kate O’Connor, Executive Chair of Animation UK. “We’re thrilled to return with the ‘Animated UK Meets Europe’ initiative, which champions the creative and commercial potential of UK–EU collaboration.

“At a time when cross-border partnerships are more valuable than ever, we strongly encourage UK participants to attend Cartoon Forum, forge new connections, and explore all the opportunities this unique forum has to offer.”

“BBC Children’s and Education is returning to Cartoon Forum supporting this important industry and building on the success of the previous UK Animation panel, commented Patricia Hidalgo, Director of BBC Children’s and Education. “We’re showcasing homegrown creativity alongside Europe’s best, collaborating with UK Animation and Cartoon Forum to support and elevate the animation industry globally.”

Networking Opportunity

CARTOON will host its renowned Networking Afternoon on Thursday 18 September, offering targeted matchmaking sessions for animation professionals. All registered participants – including the UK delegation – can benefit from curated one-to-one meetings to build new partnerships and develop business opportunities. Animation UK invites all UK animation professionals to join them at Cartoon Forum 2025 and be part of a growing and vibrant community of European collaborators.

• Animation UK is online at animationuk.org

• Find out more about Cartoon Forum 2025

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John Freeman

John  is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.

He’s the writer of  comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.

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Categories: Animation, downthetubes News, Events, Other Worlds

Tags: Animation News, Animation UK, Cartoon Forum, Events