A “super union” of 14 different European animation organizations has been unveiled at MIPCOM in Cannes. Dubbed Animation Europe, the united force is comprised of production associations from 12 different countries coming together with the aim of defending the interests of indie producers across the continent.
Animation Europe is comprised of Anim.Be (Belgium); Animationscirclen and Producentforeningen (Denmark); Finnanimation (Finland); SPFA (France); Produzenten Allianz (Germany); Animation Ireland; Cartoon Italia (Italy); The Lithuanian Animation Association; SPPA (Poland); APPA (Portugal); Diboos and Proanimats (Spain/Catalonia); and VNAP (The Netherlands).
The new supergroup held its inaugural board elections in Cannes, returning Philippe Alessandri as chairman. Alessandri, President of Watch Next Media, also serves as president of the SPFA. Tom van Waveren of VNAP (CEO & Creative Director, CAKE) was voted vice chair, along with SPPA’s Robert Jaszczurowski (Founder, GS Animation), Cartoon Italia’s Anne-Sophie Vanhollebeke (Head of Co-productions, Studio Campedelli) and Produzenten Allianz’s Tony Loeser (Founder, MotionWorks).
The group will meet annually at key animation markets MIPJunior, Cartoon Forum and Annecy.
“We will have three main focuses,” said Alessandri. “One is to get all broadcasters and OTT platforms airing in Europe to invest in original European content. Another is help build an animation industry in Europe by securing public funding. And a third is to defend film and TV animation producer interests with European authorities in Brussels.”
