The Future of European Animation at Cartoon Movie 2025

This year’s event takes place from March 4-6 in Bordeaux, a thriving hub for the animation and gaming industries located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Cartoon Movie not only highlights the creativity of established and emerging talents, but it also underscores the significant commercial potential of innovative animation projects 

A total of 57 projects from 16 different countries have been selected to represent the vibrant creative diversity of European animation, exploring themes such as inclusion, diversity, feminism, and sustainability. 

Directed by Andrew Kavanagh and produced by Dublin-based company Kavaleer Productions, The Honey Wars is a 90-minute dark comedic fantasy inspired by John Boorman’s stories for his children. It is an adventure tale where humour and mischief blend with themes of loss and healing. When 12-year-old Ivy and her grieving father move to an old family farm, she discovers her gift of seeing a hidden world of magic, where fairies and elves are entrenched in a bitter cold war.

Ninja Cats (90’) tells the tale of a feline martial arts master and his disciples who join forces with a young recruit to combat a power-hungry city leader who aims to bring eternal daylight upon the land, threatening the life of nocturnal creatures and upset the natural ecosystem. Directed by Csaba Bárdos and co-produced by Hungarian studios Ionart and Derengő Animation, the project is currently being developed in-house using Epic’s Unreal Engine.

Ludolf at Anger Academy (85’) is a 3D feature film directed by Kristian Kamp and produced by Nordic independent film production company SAGATOON (Norway). In a world where lemmings are known for their fury, Angerbuck was the angriest of them all, saving his village countless times. In contrast, his grandson Ludolf is a happy misfit who is unable to get angry and is seen as a threat. Banished to the Anger Academy, he faces eccentric professors who teach him the art of anger.

In Reza Memari’s epic adventure-comedy film The Last Whale Singer (83’), Vincent, a spirited teenage humpback, sets out on a journey to the depths of the ocean alongside his quirky group of friends. Together, they harness Vincent’s magical song to rescue the seas from a terrifying monster that has risen from a melting iceberg. The project is already under development as a co-production between Telescope Animation Studio (Germany), PFX (Czechia) and Canadian Le Boîte à Fanny.

The 90-minute film Brume is currently under development, directed by Chloé Nicolay and produced by French production company Folivari. Based on the book series of the same name by Jérôme Pélissier and Carine Hinder, Brume tells the story a spirited 7-year-old girl who dreams of becoming a powerful witch.

Rolf Magne Golten Andersen’s successful audio series and book series about Cocobanana’s adventures, sets the sail to become an audiovisual project. Cocobanana and the Dinosaurhunt (75’) is co-produced by Den Siste Skilling (Norway) and German studios Knudsen Pictures and Seru Animation GmbH & Co. Directed by Will Ashurst, the story revolves around Cocobanana, a unique character who is part coconut, part banana, and completely brilliant when it comes to inventing. In a bid to win a new friend over, Cocobanana comes up with the idea of creating a robot dinosaur powered by AI. However, his plan spirals into chaos when a herd of dinosaurs descends upon the village. 

In a sneak preview, 3D animated feature film Fleak (83’) tells the story of Thomas, a 12-year-old who loses his ability to walk after an accident. Until one day, a magical furry creature by the name of Fleak arrives from another dimension and invites him on an enchanting adventure where Thomas will find a way walk again. Directed by Jens Møller and co-produced by Anima Vitae (Finland), Animoon (Poland), Anima Vitae Point (Malaysia), and Godo Films (France), Fleak is a compelling tale about the power of imagination.

Skip is a peculiar rabbit with a knack for humour that he uses as his superpower. Alongside his loyal companion, Skip gets caught up in the devious plans of a sinister white rat named Walzer, who leads a criminal network. Directed by Toby Genkel and produced by Ulysses Filmproduktion in Germany, Skip (85’) takes viewers on a ride filled with unexpected twists and exhilarating adventures as Skip discovers the importance of standing up for his principles and doing what’s right.