Eurozoom, a Paris-based independent distributor, was honored as the distributor of the year at the recently concluded Cartoon Movie event in Bordeaux. The event, which took place from March 5 to 7, also recognized Jérémie Périn, director of 'Mars Express,' and Animagrad, the studio behind 'Mavka, The Forest Song,' as director and producer of the year, respectively.
Cartoon Movie is a prominent co-production and pitch forum in the European animation sector, where projects like 'Mavka, The Forest Song' and 'Mars Express' have been showcased over the years, garnering recognition and accolades.
One of the standout projects at this year's event was 'Pesta,' directed by Hanne Berkaak and produced by Mikrofilm, Xilam, and Knudsen Pictures. The team behind 'Pesta' focused on engaging with a specific target audience through social media, tailoring their narrative to modern expectations and receiving positive feedback from attendees, particularly student volunteers.
Cartoon Movie maintained a human-scale approach to its event, prioritizing quality over quantity in terms of attendees. This strategy proved beneficial for projects like 'Dom Fradique,' which attracted immediate interest from international sales companies and distributors.
Several projects generated significant buzz at the event, including 'Rosa & Dara and their Great Summer Adventure,' 'Rouxelle and the Pirates,' 'Lucy Lost,' 'Rose and the Marmots,' 'The Stone,' and 'The Wild Inside.' Notable presentations like 'Ogresse' and 'The Little Run' also sparked market activity, with presales to French distributors and upcoming sales partnerships.
Directors' Fortnight artistic director Julien Rejl made a symbolic appearance at the event, signaling a growing connection between the animation sector and Cannes. The program is set to screen a selection of animated submissions in the coming weeks, reaffirming its commitment to showcasing bold and innovative work.
