The 2nd edition of Animar BCN draws conclusions to ensure the future of European animation

Eighty key figures from the animation value chain have shared workshops within the framework of the second edition of Animate BCN with the aim of drawing conclusions that allow the continuity of the animation industry in European territory.

For more than three days, representatives of organizations such as Animation in Europe o CEE Animation, among many others, participated in various debates which led to recommendations such as the need for more robust financing strategies across Europe, the development of compatible standards for co-productions, a greater emphasis on audience building, the talent retention and of the propiedad intelectual original por parte de las productoras independientes.

Estas enseñanzas se extrajeron de un total de cinco grupos de trabajo, cada uno dedicado a una amplia temática: la inversión en contenidos de animación por parte de canales y plataformas; financiación pública directa y fiscal de la animación europea; un marco jurídico para las coproducciones de animación; financiación de mercado, inversión en capital, cofinanciación público-privada y servicios de tesorería, y distribución de obras europeas de animación en Europa y en el mundo. Para Philippe Alessandri, president of Animation in Europe, el foro se ha convertido en “fundamental”, dado que “desempeña un papel crucial a la hora de abordar los complejos retos a los que se enfrenta nuestra industria”. Por otro lado, Martha Alonso, vicepresidenta de ProAnimats, considera que “al tender puentes entre perspectivas diversas, Animar_BCN se ha convertido en una plataforma vital para configurar un futuro cohesionado y dinámico para la animación en toda Europa”.

This is the lista de conclusiones extraídas en Animate BCN:

• Introducir la obligación de tener en cuenta la diversidad de géneros y de grupos de edad en las obligaciones europeas en materia de cuotas e inversiones.
• Review the Audiovisual Media Services Directive and its guidelines to better achieve the initial objective of involving on-demand platforms in the financing of European works.
• Work urgently on a legal framework that recognizes the specificities of animation to promote and expedite co-productions of European series.
• Establish effective financial support for dubbing to boost the distribution of European animated series and films throughout Europe and internationally.
• Create a platform or event for production companies that wish to grow and for capital investors interested in audiovisual content.
• Define children's and youth content as “difficult productions”, to allow greater public financing of productions, as well as better financing of development.
• Facilitate more affordable access to international co-productions to countries with low production capacity, reviewing the Creative Europe guidelines and improving the lines of aid to promote minority co-productions.

In June 2024, Animation in Europe will report during MIFA Annecy about the first steps taken based on these recommendations.