Cartoon Movie!

3/2/09 : 01

I think it is important to note that animation is just as big, if not bigger, outside of our own shores. The assumption can easily be made that computer animated films are best left to the big guys such as Dreamworks, Blue Sky, Pixar... you know what I mean. This is just how the major entertainment industry works though, at least in the states. I love these companies don't get me wrong. However! For someone to enjoy the the true plethora of ideas, stories and visuals that are typically missed out on, one has to dig for it. What I am getting at is the international notoriety of Cartoon Movie. That is, for the most part, overlooked by us state-side. So what is it? To quote Cartoon's official site: "Cartoon Movie is neither a fair nor a festival, but rather a co-production forum where European producers can negotiate the financing and the distribution of their feature-length projects. Cartoon Movie provides thus support to international cooperation." This is a great way to not just find financial backing, but to socialize, share ideas and network. When finished, Cartoon Movie will feature all these great animated works of art that were influenced and supported by Cartoon. This is a great way to help the little guys go from dream to conceptualization to realization and presentation.

This year's Cartoon Movie forum will be held in Lyon, France starting March 4. For the previous 10 years, the event was held at the Babelsberg Studio in Berlin. The move to France was not without good reason. France has become a forefront in the animation world producing amazing animations such as the Oscar winning "La Maison de Petits Cubes" (2009) and Oscar nominated "Triplets of Belleville" (2004). 3D World Magazine featured an article about the world's best animation schools as compiled by their Ivy League. The chart features Supinfocom of Valenciennes, France as the topper followed by:
Filmakademie Baden-Wuertemmberg of Stuttgart, Germany,
Gobelins, L'école de l'image of Paris, France and
Ringling College of Art and Design of Sarasota, FL where I go for animation! Huzzah! The point I am trying to make is that a majority of the freshest animations are being produced in other countries such as France, Germany and the UK and I think this is awesome. Expand your mind and sources! There is a reason why so many foreign films are not only nominated for Oscars and other awards and win them. The pattern will continue as we look to expand our horizons and absorb other cultures and increase international interest.

So here are some animations to look out for:
"Goat Story - The Old Prague Legends", Art and Animation Studio of Czech Republic
"Mia and the Migoo", Folimage of France
"The Missing Lynx", Kandor Graphics, Perro Verde Films and Green Moon of Spain. (Something to note: Green Moon is a production company founded by Antonio Banderas)
"Journey to Saturn", A. Film of Denmark
... and many more.

See more animation stuff and my references:
Digital
Cartoon Media
3D World Magazine (Animation Schools)
AOL's List of Oscar Nominees and Winners

Magazine
Animation Magazine, issue# 192, March, 2009