British animation is set to return to Cartoon Forum, thanks to a new Animated UK meets Europe initiative. 

This year’s edition of the annual European pitchfest will feature a 90-minute session introducing five brand-new development projects from UK producers. They will each be pitched with a UK broadcast partner attached, and the goal is to secure potential European co-pro partners.

This marks a notable change after Cartoon Forum blocked UK-led projects in 2021, only allowing execs from the region to attend as viewers, buyers or co-pro partners. It was a response to the UK pulling out of the EU’s Creative Europe MEDIA funding program as part of Brexit’s implementation. 

This new initiative at Cartoon Forum 2023 could provide a fresh opportunity for UK producers to generate financing, secure commissions and connect with new production partners. The region’s kids and animation sector has been facing funding hurdles in the wake of cuts to the BBC budget and the closure of the Young Audiences Content Fund last year. 

Annick Maes, general director of Cartoon (the nonprofit organization that produces Cartoon Forum), said in a release that the UK is critical to European production output. “They have a long track record in working with colleagues in Europe, which can’t be ignored, and [they] deserve our support.”

This new initiative is led by screen organization Animation UK, in partnership with the BBC, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery and Sky. Regional agencies Northern Ireland Screen, Screen Scotland, Creative Wales and Film London have also committed their support.