Barcelona will once again become the European Capital of animation for the third consecutive year, from November 26 to 28. The city will host Animar_BCN, the European Animation Convention, attracting around 90 delegates representing 60 European organizations from the animation industry, including associations, federations of producers, public policy-makers, investment funds, and broadcasters. The aim of the event is to analyze the European animation landscape, covering the entire value chain and all European territories, with 24 countries being represented.
Animar_BCN is the result of an initiative by the Spanish Federation of Audiovisual Producers (PROA) and ProAnimats, and serves as a platform for discussing and promoting the competitiveness, cooperation, and visibility of European animation. The event has been held since 2022 and is now in its third edition.
Animar_BCN is organized by PROA and ProAnimats, with support from ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones, the Institut Català de les Empreses Culturals (ICEC), the Ministry of Culture, the ICAA, the Barcelona City Council, and Animation in Europe. Additional collaborators include CEE Animation, DSAF!, the European Animation Journal, Blanquerna-Ramon Llull University, and DIBOOS.
A key feature of this year’s event will be a debate on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the animation industry. Discussions will focus on the effect of AI on intellectual property rights, creative processes, and professionals. A working group, moderated by Lucía Recalde, Head of the Creative Europe Unit, MEDIA, DG CONNECT of the European Commission, and Moe Honan, Vice Chairwoman of Animation in Europe, will lead this discussion.
Another important topic will be "green animation," where industry stakeholders will explore the environmental sustainability initiatives being implemented within the sector and discuss the possibility of establishing a European standard. This working group will be moderated by Carlota Guerrero, Manager of the Catalunya Film Commission, and Dirk Beinhold, Vice Chairman of Animation in Europe.
A third working group will focus on the legal framework of European animation works. This group will address the implementation of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) and other European directives affecting the definition of terms such as "independent production company" and "European work," as well as intellectual property retention. This session will be co-moderated by Els Hendrix, Executive Director for the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM), and Philippe Alessandri, Chairman of Animation in Europe.
The promotion of European animation co-productions will also be discussed, particularly focusing on public funding programs, minority and pan-European co-productions, and tax incentives. This will be moderated by Alex Traila, Programme Manager for the Pilot Programme for Series Co-production at Eurimages, Council of Europe, and Iván Agenjo, Vice Chairman of Animation in Europe.
In addition, Animar_BCN will host a professional event called "Let’s Talk Europe," which will analyze the role of European co-productions in both cinematographic and non-cinematographic works. The event will highlight how producers, distributors, broadcasters, and institutions across Europe measure the success of these collaborations. The session will include case studies from the film Rock Bottom, with producers Alba Sotorra and Robert Jaszczurowski, and from DeAPlaneta, featuring Carlos Biern, Director of Content and Distribution. The discussion will also involve key figures from BBC, RTVE, DR, RTP, BNT, and 3CAT.
The results from the four working groups will be presented in a public session on the morning of Thursday, November 28, at the Lecture Hall of Blanquerna-Ramon Llull University, with Cristina Angelucci, editor of the European Animation Journal, facilitating the session. Attendance will require prior registration.
The organizations represented at the event include ASIFA AUSTRIA, UPFF, Wallimages, Screen Brussels, VOFTP, ABAP, NFC, BNT, HRUP, CAA, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Cyprus, ASAF, Czech Film Fund, Producentforeningen, Animation Denmark, DR, DFI, the Estonian Animation Association, the Estonian Film Institute, APFI, AVEK, AnimFrance, Ministère de la Culture (France), Produzentenallianz, FFA, BKM, the Hellenic Animation Association, EKOME, HAPA, the Hungarian National Film Institute, Animation Ireland, Screen Ireland, Comisiún na Meán, CARTOON ITALIA, LAA, the Lithuanian Film Centre, ALPA/XR, Film Fund Luxembourg, NPA, NFI, NRK, SPPA, APPA, RTP, ICA, APAF, DSAF, Animation UK, BBC, BFI, ICAA, Industrias Culturales (Spain), RTVE, DIBOOS, TVC, ICEC, ProAnimats, PROA, Europa MEDIA CREATIVA, Eurimages, CARTOON, CEE Animation, Anima Mundi, CEPI, and CineRegio, among others.
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