Cartoon Forum has pulled back the curtain on not two, but three UK projects that will be showcased at this year’s event in Toulouse, running from September 15 to 18.

Britain’s BBC and Welsh pubcaster S4C are backing these selections for the “Animated UK Meets Europe” presentation, which is returning to the pitchfest after taking a hiatus in 2024. And there seems to have been a last-minute addition, since it was previously reported that only two UK-led projects would be in the mix this year.

First up is a CG-animated preschool concept called The Adventures of Robin Robin (52 x seven minutes, pictured above) from Bristol’s Aardman Animations. Based on the studio’s Oscar-nominated Netflix short film Robin Robin (2021), this sitcom follows the family life of a curious little bird, her four mouse siblings and their single dad. 

Let’s Play in Tiger Bay

Also targeting the preschool set is a book adaptation of Katie Saunders’ Toddler Time books called Let’s Play in Tiger Bay (52 x seven minutes), which revolves around a group of children who learn lessons about friendship and social skills during playdates. London-based Hoho Entertainment is producing this CG/2D toon with Welsh studio Bumpybox.

Amelia Fang

And last but not least is Amelia Fang, CAKE’s 2D-animated co-pro with DCM in Germany that was first announced in 2022. Geared toward a slightly older audience of six to nines, this 52 x 11-minute series stems from a middle-grade book series about a young vampire in a world called Nocturnia.

Designed to bring a limited number of UK-led projects back into the mix after Brexit, the “Animated UK Meets Europe” initiative’s first edition in 2023 showcased a slightly larger lineup of five titles, including BBC-backed toons like Duck & Frog (Sun & Moon Studios) and The Wolf­b­jorns (BBC Kids & Fam­i­ly Pro­duc­tions).

In a recent Kidscreen survey, the industry expressed overwhelming support for bringing the UK back into Cartoon Forum’s main pitching stream, which will feature 75 main entries originating from the EU this year. Only 3.2% of respondents were in favor of continuing the “Animated UK Meets Europe” showcase in its current form.