Cartoons on the Bay Sets 2024 Program

The 28th edition of Cartoons on the Bay, running from May 29 to June 2 in Pescara, Italy, is set to revolve around the central theme of sport.

Throughout the event, the motivational aspects of sport as a powerful storytelling medium will be highlighted. Also, film director John Musker (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Hercules, The Princess and the Frog), comic book artist Sara Pichelli (Astonishing X-Men, Spider-Man, Guardians of the Galaxy) and producer, director and writer Leslie Iwerks (The Pixar Story, 100 Years of Warner Bros.) are set to be honored with awards.

Musker will be presented with the Pulcinella Lifetime Achievement Award for his 40 years in animation. He will participate in a retrospective and masterclass at Cartoons on the Bay, and will introduce his latest work, I’m Hip, which made the animated short film category shortlist for the 96th Academy Awards.

Pichelli, who has been a Marvel artist since 2008 and is attached to the success of the character Miles Morales, co-created with Brian M. Bendis in 2012, will be honored with the Sergio Bonelli Award. She will receive the honor on May 30.

Iwerks, granddaughter of Disney legend Ub Iwerks, the animator and co-creator of Mickey Mouse with Walt Disney, will be presented with the Pulcinella Special Award. She currently serves as CEO and founders of Iwerks & Co., a multimedia production company based in Los Angeles and New Orleans. Her film Recycled Life earned an Oscar nomination, and The Pixar Story was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award. She will be honored on June 1.

The 28th Cartoons on the Bay will feature Spain as guest country, with a series of events delving into the country’s production. This will connect Spain with the Italian industry in order to facilitate co-production agreements.

The event is taking place from May 29 to June 2 at the Aurum.

Cartoons on the Bay, promoted by Rai and organized by Rai Com, has been running since 1996.