Industry

The 14th edition of the CEE Animation Forum (November 10–12, Pilsen, Czech Republic) will feature the Council of Europe Series Co-Production Development Award, a €50,000 cash prize granted to one outstanding project developed for international co-production. The award is part of a new partnership with the Council of Europe, home of Eurimages, under its Pilot Programme for Series Co-Productions. The initiative aims to support high-quality series developed as international co-productions, strengthen independent producers and foster new industry collaborations.

The CEE Animation Forum is the first industry event dedicated to animated works included in the Programme’s partnering measure. Held annually in Pilsen, Czechia, the Forum is a leading pitching, financing and co-production platform for animation in Central and Eastern Europe, and a key meeting point for the wider European animation sector.
Since its launch in 2013, the event has presented more than 350 projects and facilitated numerous co-production matches. Over the years, it has expanded its focus on series development through targeted professional activities, establishing itself as a reference platform for financing and co-producing animated series in the region.

Marta Jallageas, Managing Director of the CEE Animation Forum, said: “Animated series are a format that requires specific support, and we have been focusing on it since the beginning. We are pleased that our efforts have been recognized by the Council of Europe and that, through this partnership, we can bring additional support to the animation sector.”

The CEE Animation Forum includes a pitching competition across four categories: TV or web series and TV specials, feature films, short films, and student short films. The programme also features one-to-one business meetings, an online market, masterclasses and closed-door sessions with broadcasters, producers and educational institutions. Each year, around 30 projects are selected, with nearly 200 professionals participating from across Europe. The Forum also distributes additional awards, including cash and in-kind prizes such as access to European training programmes, markets and services valued at more than €50,000.
The event is supported by Creative Europe MEDIA, the Czech Audiovisual Fund, the Czech Audiovisual Producers’ Association, the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic and the Pilsen Region.