Ties That Bind (TTB) has proudly renewed the partnership with Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF) for the third edition of the ATF x TTB Animation Lab & Pitch, a unique initiative targeting producers with (young adult) animated projects from Asia and Europe with the potential and desire to explore new financing and co-production opportunities, new markets, and new audiences in both continents.
Out of the impressive number of submissions received – over 122 from 29 different countries/regions, the Animation Lab selection committee – featuring Juraj Krasnohorsky (Artichoke/CEE Animation, SK), Kanji Kazahaya (Culture Connect Co., JP) and Matija Sturm (CEE Animation Workshop, SI) – have announced the final line-up of 8 projects in development coming from 4 European and 4 Asian countries/regions.
The ATF x TTB Animation Lab & Pitch will take place over 2 separate programmes offering comprehensive knowledge of the European and Asian animation industries and markets. The participants will benefit from high-level development under the guidance of top-notch experts from both continents and have the opportunity to pitch their project in front of key decision makers during the upcoming edition of the Asia TV Forum & Market in Singapore.
The first online programme consists of two modules (November 11–12 &November 18–19, 2025). Over these two intensive two-day labs, the selected participants will take part in a rich and diverse workshop where Juraj Krasnohorsky (Artichoke/CEE Animation, Slovakia) and Ervin Han (Robot Playground Media, Singapore) will provide a general overview of the Asian–European financing landscape, while Debra Liang (New Europe Film Sales, Poland) will explore the Asian–European market landscape. Si En Tan (Momo Film/Singapore) will share practical tips on Asia–Europe co-production, and Tonje Skar Reiersen (Microfilm, Norway) will focus on best practices in co-production. Finally, Juraj Krasnohorsky will offer insights and advice on how to package and pitch a project effectively.
All participants will thereon have individual consultations with experts to get feedback on their project (Kanji Kazahaya), revise their pitch & project packages (Juraj Krasnohorsky) and their financing strategies (Tonje Skar Reiersen and Si En Tan).
The second on-site programme will take place from December 1 – 5, 2025 within the frame of ATF in Singapore, and it will feature experts’ lectures, individual consultancies, a pitching component and a series of prearranged one-to-one meetings between selected teams and decision makers & financiers.
The following 8 projects wanting to extend their knowledge and network towards Asia and Europe have been selected to participate in the ATF x TTB Animation Lab & Pitch:
- Anito, producer Louie Mercader, The Puppeteer Animation Studios, Inc., Philippines
- Desta, producer Irwan Junaidy, The R&D Studio, Malaysia
- Hello, Oscar!, producer Sabine Andersone, Atom Art, Latvia
- How to Loiter in a Turf War, producer Esther Leilua, Studio Ki’i’pili, New Zealand
- The Most Fantastic Time of My Life, producer Jia Lee, Finding Pictures, Singapore
- The Sun Script, producer Andreas Kask, Nafta Films, Estonia
The War of Frogs and Mice, producer Nicoletta Cataldo, Insolita Film, Italy - The Wards of Oribis, producer Melissa Ottonello Ferrati, Dúlamán Studios, Ireland
ATF x TTB Animation Lab & Pitch 2025 will take place in the framework of the Asia TV Forum & Market, Asia’s leading content market and conference, and it will be organised by ATF and Ties That Bind with the support of sponsors Film Development Council Philippines (FDCP), National Film Center of Latvia, Animation Ireland, New Zealand Film Commission and in collaboration with CEE Animation Workshop.
TIES THAT BIND is organised by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Audiovisual Fund, EAVE, Udine Far East Film Festival and Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) and supported by the Creative Europe – MEDIA sub-programme of the European Union.
Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF)
Into its 26th edition, Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF) – the region’s co-production & entertainment content market and conference – is the proven industry platform to acquire knowledge, network, buy, sell, finance, distribute and co-produce across all platforms. It is the premier stage in Asia to engage with the entertainment industry’s top players from around the world. It’s where the best minds meet, and the future of Asia’s content is shaped. For more information, please visit www.asiatvforum.com.
