The best-attended pitch was the presentation of the 13-minute episode of The Secret Show. © Collingwood O’Hare Ent. Ltd.

Ellipsanime’s 26x26 series, The Farm, is set to be another member of the crazy gang, with its wacky comedy aimed at the whole family. Standout element of the trailer was its beautifully rendered cartoon meets 3D look.

Following on the heels of its success with Lilly The Witch, Ireland’s Magma Films came up with yet another winner in the shape of Pirate School -- a project that it again presented with German studio Trixter Prods. Based on Colin McNaughton’s popular book Captain Abdul’s Pirate School, it’s a comedy adventure mix for six to 12 year olds. This is one school where the students get guaranteed adventure!

Leading the charge from the new countries of Europe -- the EU expanded from 15 to 25 member states in May of this year -- was Slovenian production company Qollective. Already boasting strong experience in computer games, the pre-school series The BeBuzz represents a first move into series animation. And judging by the positive response from investors, it’s a company that looks set for success.

Pirate School is based on a popular children’s book while Harold’s Planet first appeared on the Web. © Magma Films/Trixter co-production in collaboration with Foothill Ent. 2004 and © Last Lemon Prods. Ltd.

The only other project led by an Eastern European studio was Leroy and Rabbit from Studio Miniatur Filmowych in Poland -- a proposal for a 26x26 series that presents the life of a crazy family from a child’s point of view.

Welsh studio Siriol Prods. came up with an original looking combination of live-action and animation for Are We There Yet? Each story begins in live action with a young girl’s boredom at what seems like a never-ending car journey. This gives way to fantasy when her three toys spring to life and the show switches to animation -- apart from the live-action girl. Partners are being sought for 26x10 episodes.

Another utterly original visual style was presented by Scottish studio Red Kite with its primetime pitch Imp De Negro. Its dramatically simple designs are drawn entirely in black and white, telling the tale of a little devil with big ideas. The diabolic hero thinks he is pure evil -- but fortunately for the rest of us he’s quite pathetic at his job.

And while we’re on the subject of original visual styles, there was Harold’s Planet from Indie Kids. Born of the wonderful Website www.haroldsplanet.com, the series goes out with Harold to explore the innumerable bizarre creatures and happenings on his very weird home planet.