Another of this year's RCA graduates is Reece Millidge and like many of his peers, he's set on making it as an independent. A graduate of Bournmouth where he did a degree, he's found an excellent support network among his MA colleagues at the Royal College. He's another filmmaker who's drawn to mixed media and has found expression in his film Chemical Reaction. However, in the day to day business of surviving, he's made ends meet by working as an assistant animator for several companies, including Bermuda Shorts and Susan Young in London. Next year, though, MOMI or Animate beckon.

Cartoon's Draw
Finally, you can't talk about animation in this context without mentioning Cartoon, part of Media II, and the only dedicated body that survived the demise of Media I intact. Every year, Cartoon helps the animation industry tick over by giving development aid to projects that are pitched at its annual Cartoon Forum. This year's event, which is to be held on the Greek island of Syros, will include 441 hours of proposed programming, so there should be something for everyone. All of the main European countries will attend with proposals, however it's France and the UK that will bring the most projects--France has 20 and the UK, 16. Germany is bringing seven projects, Belgium six and Greece and Spain five each. Although producers can get funding from Cartoon, there are caveats. For instance, any money loaned has to be paid back even if the project is never made, which keeps many hard-up producers from even applying for funding.

Marie Beardmore is a London-based freelance journalist who specializes in writing about the international animation industry. She is also developing her own animation projects which include a children's series for 4-9 year olds and an animated sitcom.