The number of adult-themed shows presented at Cartoon Forum has significantly fallen over the past few years as it becomes clear that this is a particularly difficult part of the market. While there are a few adult slots available, the chances of pulling them together as a European co-production are slim. One of the few aiming to buck the odds this year was Atomic Arts with the extremely adult Animal Pharm. A CGI sitcom, it tells the story of a group of animals in a psychiatric hospital which has secretly become a pharmaceutical testing centre! Producer Sean O’Kelly is hoping to raise €2.2 million in order to make 13 half hours.

On closing night, filmmaker Sandra Desmazières accepts the Cartoon D’Or award for her film Sans Queue Ni Tête from Massimiliano Gusberti, head of RAI Fiction. Sans Queue Ni Tête © Sandra Desmazières and photo courtesy of Cartoon Forum.

Remake project Willo The Wisp is to be directed by the original creator’s daughter. Charlie and Lola generated good word-of-mouth at the Forum. Willo The Wisp © Elephant Productions Ltd and Spargo Productions 2003. Charlie and Lola © Tiger Aspect Productions.

So, another Cartoon Forum complete — some projects set to become future classics and others unlikely to reach production. But the concept of European co-production continues to make the most of available talent and markets. Wise producers will already be marking their diaries for Cartoon Forum Number 15 — September 22-26, 2004 in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

Writer, adventurer and all-round party animal, Bob Swain has danced his way through the animation scene for the best part of 20 years. Script writing and script editing make up his current staple diet.

Additional reporting and photography was done by Ron Diamond, the co-founder and co-publisher of Animation World Network. He also serves as exec producer/ founder of Los Angeles-based Acme Filmworks, an animation commercial production company.