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The 14th CEE Animation Forum will bring together animation professionals in Pilsen, Czechia, from November 10-12, with 33 projects selected for its pitching competition and a dedicated focus on animated series. The event’s programme will feature project pitches across four categories, industry presentations, market activities and networking. This year’s edition will also include a dedicated pitching session for the Council of Europe Series Co-Production Development Award, introduced through a new partnership between CEE Animation Forum and the Council of Europe.

The pitching competition comprises 10 short films, six student short films, 10 series and TV specials, and seven feature films. Around 70% of the selected projects involve Central and Eastern European production partners. The selection targets audiences ranging from preschoolers and children to tweens, teenagers and adults, with more than half of the projects aimed at young adult and adult viewers. A further eight animated series will compete for the Council of Europe Series Co-Production Development Award. Around 200 industry professionals, including producers, directors, broadcasters, sales agents and representatives of film funds, festivals and universities, are expected to attend.

A special afternoon programme dedicated to animated series and young audiences will address European support for series co-production, opportunities for animation producers and the development of content for children and young viewers. “Animated series are the backbone of our industry, and today they are under pressure from two sides. Across CEE, public broadcasters, for decades the natural home of children’s animation, face growing political and financial pressure that puts the next generation of series for young audiences at risk. At the same time, animation for adults is booming, yet these series still struggle to find their place in traditional TV schedules. That is why series are at the heart of this year’s CEE Animation Forum. We want to open these questions and help creators, broadcasters and platforms find new ways to bring this work to audiences,” said Marta Jallageas, managing director of CEE Animation Forum.

The selected projects will compete for awards with a combined value of more than €100,000, including cash prizes, scholarships, access to European training programmes and markets, and professional services. Alongside the main pitching awards and the Council of Europe prize, additional honours will include an Audience Award, a CEE Animation Workshop Scholarship and four partner awards: a Ciclic Residency valued at €35,000, direct access to CARTOON Forum, a TVPaint Animation licence and the Travelling Distribution Award.
Beyond the pitching competition, the CEE Animation Forum Market will showcase more than 50 projects at various stages of development and production, including works nearing completion that are still seeking partners. A new matchmaking app will also facilitate one-to-one meetings and networking among participants.