Cartoon Movie, the prestigious European co-production and pitching event for animated feature films, has revealed the 55 projects selected for this year’s edition. The 27th edition of Cartoon Movie will be held from March 4-6, 2025, in Bordeaux, France, and will feature films from 16 different producing countries.
Overview of the 2025 Line-up
The selected 55 projects were chosen from 120 submissions and will be pitched to a range of industry professionals, including potential co-producers, sales agents, distributors, streaming platform representatives, and investors. This year, 21% of the projects were previously presented at Cartoon Movie, highlighting the event’s ongoing importance in the development of European animation. Since its inception, Cartoon Movie has helped raise €3.2 billion in funding for 486 films.
France continues to be the most-represented producing country with 19 projects, followed by Germany (six), Norway (five), and Spain (four). Countries such as Latvia, Czechia, Belgium, and Ireland are also involved, each with three projects. A significant trend this year is the increased participation from Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries, which has nearly doubled from the previous year, with Latvia taking the spotlight.
Prominent Directors and New Projects
The 2025 line-up showcases new projects from accomplished directors, including:
- Rose and the Marmots by Alain Ughetto (No Dogs or Italians Allowed).
- Short Stories about Love and Space by Anca Damian (Marona’s Fantastic Tale).
- Treasure Island by Vincent Paronnaud & Alexis Ducord (Into the Wonderwoods).
- Skip by Toby Genkel (The Amazing Maurice).
- How to Deal with Shattering Geists by Kajsa Næss (Titina).
- The Twilight World, the first animated film from legendary director Werner Herzog, based on his book of the same name.
These films span various genres, including adventure, comedy, drama, fantasy, and sci-fi, while also addressing themes such as inclusion, gender equity, and sustainability. The lineup includes adaptations of literary works, comic books, and folklore, as well as fictionalized and true stories.
Diverse Topics and Themes
Among the narrative-driven projects, several are inspired by true stories. For instance, films about the lives of artists like Serge Gainsbourg (Gainsbourg, rue de Verneuil), Sargis Mangasaryan (Zako), and activists such as Anton de Kom (Faya) or Inês Etienne Romeu (If I Die) are featured. Other notable historical accounts include the story of the last Japanese soldier to surrender in The Twilight World, and films reflecting the impact of war, such as Thyme Hill (set during the Lebanese Civil War) and Uncle Jo’s Cabin (set during the Six-Day War).
Trends and Figures for 2025
The majority of the selected projects (33 out of 55) are still in development, while 16 are in the concept phase and three are in production. The selection also includes sneak previews of highly anticipated films such as Fleak by Jens Møller, Tales From the Magic Garden by Jean-Claude Rozec and others, and The Songbirds’ Secret by Antoine Lanciaux.
This year, the overall budget for the selected films stands at €316.9 million, with an average cost of €5.6 million per project, reflecting a 20% decrease compared to last year. Co-production continues to be the dominant financing model in European animation, with over half of the projects being produced between two or more Creative MEDIA countries. Co-productions with non-Creative MEDIA countries such as Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, and the U.S. are also involved.
In terms of target audiences, nearly half (45%) of the selected films are aimed at families, while 33% are aimed at young adults or adults. Films directed or produced by women remain in line with previous years, representing 22% of directors and 35% of producers.
Local Projects from Nouvelle-Aquitaine
The Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in France is represented by seven projects, with four of them already in production or co-production with Bordeaux-based studios. Some of these projects include:
- The Dreamed Journey of Alpha Two (Les Contes Modernes).
- If I Die (MIDRALGAR).
- Treasure Island (Je Suis Bien Content).
- All the Softness in the World (Les Valseurs Bordeaux).
These projects are supported by various regional initiatives and highlight the growing importance of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in the European animation landscape.
Spotlight on Latvia
Latvia takes center stage this year with its Spotlight on Latvian animation, featuring projects such as:
- Born in the Jungle by Edmunds Jansons (Atom Art).
- Karmic Knot by Signe Baumane (Studio Locomotive).
- The Northern Star by Karlis Vitols (Studija Kokles).
Latvian animation has gained significant recognition in recent years, especially following the international success of Flow by Gints Zilbalodis. This film was presented at Cartoon Movie 2022 and has since earned accolades at the European Film Awards and Golden Globes, with nominations for the 97th Academy Awards.
Latvia’s animation industry is known for blending rich storytelling traditions with contemporary perspectives, offering both thought-provoking works for adults and captivating tales for children.
Conclusion
The 2025 Cartoon Movie line-up reflects the dynamic and diverse nature of European animation, showcasing a rich variety of themes, genres, and creative talents. The continued rise of co-productions, alongside the spotlight on Latvia’s growing animation industry, signals a bright future for European animated films. The upcoming event in Bordeaux promises to be a key moment in the development of these exciting new projects, contributing to the continued evolution of the global animation landscape.
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