Animar_BCN Underway in Barcelona

Animar_BCN, a forum for leaders in European animation to discuss how to improve the industry and foster collaboration among countries, has gotten underway in Barcelona and will run through November 28.

With over 90 delegates representing 60 European organizations attending, one of the key debates at this year’s event is the impact of artificial intelligence on the industry. Other topics of note are green animation and the legal framework of European animation.

Artificial intelligence’s effect on IP, processes and professionals is the focus of a working group moderated by Lucía Recalde, head of the Creative Europe MEDIA strand, DG CONNECT—Communications Networks, Content and Technology of the European Commission, and Moe Honan, vice chairwoman of Animation in Europe.

The working group on green animation, which will analyze the environmental sustainability initiatives being applied in the sector and assess the possibility of attaining a European standard, is moderated by Carlota Guerrero, manager of the Catalunya Film Commission and EUFCN co-president, and Dirk Beinhold, vice chairman of Animation in Europe.

The legal framework working group will address the implementation of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) and other European directives that influence the definitions of “independent production company” and “European work” and the retention of IP. The group is being co-moderated by Els Hendrix, executive director at Germany’s Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, and Philippe Alessandri, chairman of Animation in Europe.

Another topic is the promotion of European animation co-productions, with a particular focus on public funding programs, minority and pan-European co-productions and tax incentives. Alex Traila, who works for the pilot program for series co-production and program manager at Eurimages, Council of Europe, and Iván Agenjo, vice chairman of Animation in
Europe.

Animar_BCN is also hosting an event open to professionals titled “Let’s Talk Europe” to analyze the weight of European co-production of both cinematographic and non-cinematographic works and demonstrate how producers, distributors, channels and institutions from all over the continent measure the success of these types of collaborations. The session, presented by Pablo Jordi, treasurer of Animation in Europe, is going to feature case studies of the film Rock Bottom with its producers Alba Sotorra and Robert Jaszczurowski, as well as a case study on DeAPlaneta with Carlos Biern, content and distribution director.

The “Let’s Talk Europe” session also features the participation of Alessia Sonaglioni, program manager of the pilot program for series co-productions at Council of Europe; Patricia Hidalgo, director of children’s and education at the BBC; Yago Fandiño, Clan and children content director at RTVE; Andrea Basilio, head of children’s content at RTP; Martin Engelhardt Hansen, director of business affairs at DR; Todor Ignatov, head of the cinema and foreign programs department at BNT; and Muntsa Tarrés, executive producer of children’s and animation co-productions at 3CAT.

The conclusions of the four working groups will be shared at a public session on November 28.

Animar_BCN came about through an initiative of the Spanish Federation of Audiovisual Producers (PROA) and ProAnimats. It has been held since 2022 and is now in its third edition.