Barcelona’s Animation BCN wrapped this afternoon after three days of working groups, roundtables and networking events focused on ways in which the region’s animation industry can weather a “global animation crisis.”
This 12 months’s third edition gathered 90 delegates from 60 European industry organizations in 24 countries to handle the important thing themes and topics faced by the animation industry today, including artificial intelligence, sustainable animation practices, media regulation and the advantages of co-production.
The gathered professionals, which included producers, distributors, broadcasters, film fund organizers and government representatives, participated in a series of 4 targeted working groups by which several shared conclusions were made concerning the way forward for European animation.
Among the many attendees were Lucia Recalde, Deputy Director and Head of Unit Audiovisual Industry and media support programs, DG Connect, European Commission; Patricia Hidalgo, Director of Children’s & Education on the BBC; and Edgar Garcia Casellas, Director of ICEC, the Catalan governmental culture industry division.
Working Groups’ Conclusions
1 – Strengthening Media Regulation
Citing the tremendous reach of free streaming platforms similar to YouTube and TikTok, Animar attendees agreed that greater child protections on digital platforms are needed. The working group recommends applying the Audiovisual Media Services (AMVS) Directive to all platforms that provide audiovisual content. The group also advocated that the definition of what constitutes a “European work” for quota purposes be reinforced to higher safeguard IP retention inside Europe as a way of supporting the long-term growth of the region’s industry.
2 – Fostering European Animation Co-Productions
“Faced with underfunded children’s programming and a world animation crisis,” Animar’s co-pro working group emphasized the necessity for higher co-production tools and more collaboration between financial institutions and broadcasters to support projects in the course of the developmental stage. The unit also really useful creating enhanced tax initiatives by linking the advantages to the retention of IP by European firms and the relevance of the content in a European context. This, they suggested, will strengthen the competitiveness of Europe’s independent sector and avoid a future where most European animation firms are only engaged in service work.
3 – Embracing Ethical AI for a Human-Centered European Animation Industry
Participants in an AI-focused working group suggested that any European company planning to implement the technology into their operations accomplish that with a human-centered approach. Animation in Europe – a federation of animation producers from across the continent – further really useful that a Best Practice Guide be developed for the legal, ethical and sustainable use of AI tools. The group also called for increased access to training programs for established industry professionals to accumulate knowledge and skills that align with the sector’s best interests.
4 – Driving Sustainability with Common Green Production Standards
Participants in an animation sustainability think tank emphasized the urgent need for common environmental sustainability tools to support European co-production efforts. Consistent with this commitment, attendees agreed to involve their national stakeholders in joining an existing international working group focused on creating green animation production standards. This collaborative initiative seeks to ascertain a cohesive approach to European sustainable animation practices.
Following Through on Previous Commitments
Constructing on a advice from previous editions of Animar, Animation in Europe has partnered with a consortium of European universities to launch Anima Mundi, the primary academic, interdisciplinary, and multistakeholder initiative focused on the European Animation Industry Ecosystem.
Set to run from February 2025 to July 2028 and backed by €4 million ($4.2 million) in funding from the European Commission through the Horizon Europe program, the initiative goals to tackle key issues regarding IP, the distribution of European content and the fostering of cross-border collaborations.
Along with connecting producers with key stakeholders, Animation in Europe has committed to create a European Animation Brand, a policymaking dashboard and toolkits designed to enhance IP management and content discoverability.
Looking Forward
In the longer term, Animar BCN will launch a series of spin-off workshops dedicated to single topics and arranged in several locations across the continent. The primary will probably be held in Nova Gorica, Slovenia, in March of next 12 months, when the conversation around sustainable practices in animation production and their application in Eastern European territories will proceed.
Two more spin-offs are planned for the 2026 and 2027 editions of the Annecy Animation Film Festival, focused on methods to higher foster the distribution and dissemination of European animated titles worldwide.
