Cartoon Forum held its annual pitchfest in Toulouse, France last week, presenting a total of 81 animated projects in development over three jam-packed days. I was in attendance representing Kidscreen, along with SVP and Publisher Jocelyn Christie. We split up the project-spotting, sitting among many broadcasters, investors and potential partners also looking for hot new concepts on the horizon.

The event was bustling with creative energy and excitement. In total, 1,050 participants attended, representing more than 500 companies. Of these, 270 were buyers, marking a 10.5% increase over last year. New buyers on the scene included Anime Digital Network (France), Kidstream (US), With Bells On Entertainment (Canada) and LooLoo Kids (Romania).

Cartoon general manager Annick Maes noted in the event’s final press conference that the cost of producing animation is going up, and the industry as a whole is facing some steep challenges. Yet there were a number of emerging talents on display at Cartoon Forum, and Maes took a moment to recognize and thank the companies daring enough to “give the opportunity to youngsters to produce and create.”

With a variety of countries represented, this year’s pitches were diverse, targeting different age demographics, using myriad animation styles, and aiming for many laudable outcomes. 

From a gentle minimalist upper-preschool series about a girl and a giant rock, to a kids comedy set in a medieval village that looks a lot like a 21st-century urban center, the following are my picks for the most interesting pitches at Cartoon Forum 2023.

Luce in the Lovely Land 

An overall trend at Cartoon Forum this year was a focus on emotional intelligence and mindfulness, as demonstrated in the gentle project Luce in the Lovely Land. This upper-preschool co-production from Thuristar (Belgium) and La Cabane (France) uses bold primary colors and a shape-driven design to create an eye-catching aesthetic that’s paired beautifully with rhythmic music and sound. It all revolves around Luce, a brave six-year-old girl who loves collecting rocks. She befriends one, and together they explore the area around Luce’s village, searching for answers and making new discoveries.

Luce in the Lovely Land may look familiar to some of you: it’s based on Britt Raes’ award-winning 2022 short film Luce and the Rock, which has already traveled to 150 festivals worldwide. The series is planned as 26 x 11 minutes, and uses a mix of CG and 2D animation. Currently, a bible, trailer, script, animatic sequence and outlines are available—but you could also just watch the short to get a feel for the project’s simplistic charm. 

Delivery Dan

JAM Media’s new upper preschool series promotes science, technology, engineering and math in a fun space-adventure setting. Pitched as an 52 x 11-minute CG-animated show, Delivery Dan revolves around an intergalactic delivery boy bringing STEM-based solutions to alien kids in need. 

With his trusty robot sidekick Rivets and fast-flying Van, Dan’s positive can-do attitude comes to the rescue every time in this adventure-driven preschool series with a sprinkle of curriculum. This concept was inspired by the special relationship between JAM CEO John Rice’s youngest son and his mom, who sent her grandson STEM activity care packages in the mail during the pandemic. His anticipation for the next package, the element of surprise about what each one would contain, and his delight in opening them to find out are the foundations of Delivery Dan. 

Mortina

As the mother of a six-year-old girl, I am very aware that Wednesday is hot playground currency these days. Perhaps this is why Cartobaleno’s pitch for Mortina attracted so many buyers at Cartoon Forum. 

Mortina is a 2D-animated series (52 x 12 minutes) about a zombie detective girl, bridging the gap between the supernatural and the mundane. The project is based on a popular book series by Barbara Cantini that has sold more than 500,000 copies worldwide. Despite the longstanding rule that monsters and humans don’t mix, Mortina befriends “alive-alive” kids Nora and Leo, inviting them to explore her home at Crumbling Manor. Together, they will work to solve mysteries that plague all sorts of spooky beings.

Huggy the Hugasaurus and Duck & Frog

Huggy the Hugasaurus from Yamination Studios and Threewise Entertainment.

This year’s Cartoon Forum marked the return of British animation studios, thanks to a special initiative called Animated UK Meets Europe. Five projects in development broadcast partners across the region were pitched together in a 90-minute session. While all five were strong, there were two standouts, in my opinion: Huggy the Hugasaurus (Yamination Studios/Threewise Entertainment) and Duck & Frog (Sun & Moon Studios).

Based on a popular series of children’s books by Rachel Bright, Huggy the Hugasaurus teaches small kids how to deal with big feelings. The charming upper-preschool series is animated in stop motion and brings the magic of Bright’s books to life in a calm yet engaging way. Like Luce and the Lovely Land, Huggy the Hugasaurus is all about gentle storytelling and feeling one’s feelings: In each seven-minute episode, Huggy and her dino (“emotisaur”) friends learn to navigate everyday adventures (and misadventures) with mindfulness and kindness. 

Duck & Frog from Sun & Moon Studios

Duck & Frog distinguished itself with undeniable heart and slapstick gags. The 2D-animated, dialogue-free series is aimed at viewers ages seven to 12, but the Cartoon Forum trailer had all the adults in the room giggling. Sam Shaw created the concept as part of BBC’s Ignite program, which supports the development of original ideas from emerging talent in the UK. The premise is simple: In each episode, Duck starts a new job. But his career ambitions are inevitably dashed by the antics of his friend (and aspiring thespian) Frog. The humor is laugh-out-loud silly with just a hint of naughtiness. 

Aquila

There was no other pitch quite like the one for 2D-animated series Aquila from Zodiak Kids & Family (France) and Tiger Aspects Kids & Family (UK). Set in Olde New Olde London, a medieval village that is also somehow a 21st-century city, this fantasy-comedy series leans into anachronism to create a world that is instantly recognizable, unique and hilarious. There are thatched-roof skyscrapers, porcine “recycling” bins and drive-through pie shops. Aquila takes a job delivering “ye-mails,” which involves delivering messages (and acting out any included emojis). It’s all very silly, but that’s why it’s so charming. Aquila is targeting kids ages six to nine, but there’s lots to enjoy for anyone with a love of goofy jokes and puns. 

Komodo No Chill

Ellipse Animation‘s Komodo No Chill is a 2D-animated series (78 x seven minutes) for the six to nine demo that delivers plenty of wacky, physical gags. It has a vibrant, exaggerated art style that elevates the slapstick comedy. And for those going to MIPCOM next month, a full-ep animatic will be ready in time for the Cannes market.

The show’s titular komodo dragon gets swept away by a tsunami and washes up on an isolated island paradise inhabited by a big flock of very clever, innovative and rule-following sheep. They have worked hard to make a lot of creature comforts for themselves using their ingenuity and tech savvy, and they don’t want to share anything with Komodo, who is a disruptive, demanding and bumbling invader.

Moka Mera & Atlas

An unexpected trend at Cartoon Forum this year was e-learning adaptations. One such project is Moka Mera & Atlas, a CG-animated preschool series based on the educational apps Moka Mera Emotions and Moka Mera Lingua. Emotions teaches children how to identify, understand and express their feelings, while Lingua focuses on developing language skills. 

“Moka Mera” roughly translates to “make mistakes” in Finnish-Swedish slang, and that ethos is at the heart of both the original apps and the preschool series. Produced by Anima Vitae, Moilo and Animoka Studios, Moka Mera & Atlas teaches kids resiliency and problem-solving in a friendly, fun way. Little monster Moka Mera and cuddly, bipedal shark Atlas are two friends who live in a treehouse; as they make mistakes and encounter obstacles (like their pancakes sticking to the ceiling), the two must work together to find solutions.

(For even more highlights from Toulouse, check out our Cool New Shows: Cartoon Forum Edition from Kidscreen‘s August/September issue.) 

Pictured at top from left to right is Alan Shannon (JAM Media), Kidscreen’s publisher Jocelyn Christie and JAM Media’s John Rice after JAM’s Delivery Dan pitch.