Toon Farm had a big display for their animated show, The Jammies.

Everyone attending hopes that they will sell something big and all are looking for their buyers. Networks and distributors are still selling a few shows to independent television groups in the U.S. but they are now relying on selling shows to foreign markets, such as Latin America, which has a growing presence at NATPE. Distributors are looking to sell their catalog shows to networks and stations. Independent producers are looking to reach the same buyers, as well as finding distributors.

Then there are those that are taking their one big shot to bring their show to market with hopes someone will recognize it, be it co-producers, distributors or the almighty network. But something was missing from this year's exhibit floor, the plethora of animation producers.

One of the only animation producers to present on their own was from Toon Farm. The producers had a sizable display for their animated show, The Jammies. William "Dolla" Chapman II, co-ceo, was there looking for co-production partners for this hip hop-based animated series, along with a couple of his live-action shows.

Major animation distributors were there. Toei, TMS Ent. and Enoki, amongst others, from Japan had booths. DIC Ent. and Sesame Workshop were on the floor, selling shows. DECODE Ent. and Cookie Jar Ent. from Canada had booths. Stalwarts like Porchlight, Mar Vista and Classic Media all took their usual spots.

Some independent producers like FatKat Animation's Andrew Dunn, vp business developments mouse catcher, announced the Canadian creative company was introducing their distribution division at NATPE. But distributors like Taffy Ent. were missing.

The rumor on the floor was the animation and kids programming were all heading to the KidScreen Summit in February in New York City. Seasoned regulars still see it as an important means to keep face-to-face contact with clients and potential partners and buyers between MIPCOM and MIP-TV.

But animation had a decent presence. Many of the distributors from around the world showed they embraced animation as a viable commodity with many displaying one or two properties for sale, along side their reality programming and dramas.

Whip Cracking Prods. gm Phil Bradsheet (right) came all the way from Australia to promote the series Action Dann's Outback Adventures, starring Troy Dann.

Phil Bradsheet, gm of Whip Cracking Prods. in Australia, had a booth there, promoting Action Dann's Outback Adventures, a live-action series with animated graphics and interstials bringing to life Aussie stories most adults from there had gown up on.

Animation production studios sent representatives to walk the floor to see if there is any service work to be had. First timer Robert Bruza, managing partner of Big Bag Tomato, a creative media company from Los Angeles, and Rocket Fish, a new Flash studio from Malaysia, hit the floor with hopes, but no appointments. He came to scope out the event for the future and to look for the potential of both service work and for co-production opportunities.

Also roaming the floor were animation creators with content to pitch to anyone and everyone who could help co-produce or invest in. Drew Tolman, a writer, with her partner Carolyn Scott, made a last minute decision to troll with their development Penguin Play Date. The rules for any major market, like this, is to have appointments and then hope to get those plumb chance meetings while walking from point A to point B. But this leaves very little to chance.

Robert J. Feeney, president/co-founder of Vergence Ent., has invested heavily in getting the look and elements together for a series he pretty much has the financing for. Deciding against trying to ramp up a studio from scratch, he was seeking a production partner and, of course, buyers for the original property.

Somesh Pallwal, founder of Dmpanimatioons in New Delhi knew he was embarking on a hard task, looking for buyers for his 3D preschool show, Eelif Annt, many because most channels say they have enough preschool. He did not take a booth, but wandered the floor or participant lounge, with a demo on his laptop. The show, about a lazy and adorable young elephant and his busybody tiny ant pal was delightful, with good designs, bright pleasing color palette and smooth action.

Then again, the space, and less hectic pace made it easier to find the many strolling buyers and those who did exhibit stood out. Cindy Kerry, vp of programming and acquisitions, Cartoon Network & Boomerang Latin America was enjoying herself enormously and said she welcomed to the time to have longer talks and chance encounters. She was on a big buying mission, looking for lots of movies for her channels, as well as more TV series. When she heard about how well the Eelif Annt played from AWN, she asked for Pallwal's contact information, thus demonstrating the potential of NATPE.

Enrique Pinerua was showcasing The Danger Rangers for Education Adventures on the exhibit floor. He is quite happy with the growth of Latin American channels broadcasting animation and kids shows, such as Nick Latin America, Cartoon Network & Boomerang Latin America, Jetix Latin America, Discovery Kids Latin America and The Disney Channel Latin America.

NATPE has embraced convergence and now reflects the need for content for all of the new media, from the mega plasmas in the living room to the micro screen on the cell phone. Kicking off NATPE a day early was NATPEMobile++, series of panel discussions, produced by C21's FutureMedia, held on Jan. 15.

Even though this conference had "mobile" in the title, it was about the whole gamut of next generation media and how it will be used. Acronyms such as IPTV, VOD, ITV were buzzing around the room, and, ultimately the NATPE Exhibit floor the next day, with booths touting the tag line of "monetization."