Barcelona’s Animation BCN wrapped this afternoon after three days of working groups, roundtables and networking events focused on ways that the region’s animation industry can weather a “global animation crisis.”
This year’s third edition gathered 90 delegates from 60 European industry organizations in 24 countries to address the key themes and topics faced by the animation industry today, including artificial intelligence, sustainable animation practices, media regulation and the benefits of co-production.
The gathered professionals, which included producers, distributors, broadcasters, film fund organizers and government representatives, participated in a series of four targeted working groups in which several shared conclusions were made about the future of European animation.
Among the 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 at 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 such as 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 better safeguard IP retention within Europe as a means 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 global animation crisis,” Animar’s co-pro working group emphasized the need for better co-production tools and more collaboration between financial institutions and broadcasters to support projects during the developmental stage. The unit also recommended creating enhanced tax initiatives by linking the benefits to the retention of IP by European companies 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 companies 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 do so with a human-centered approach. Animation in Europe – a federation of animation producers from around the continent – further recommended 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 acquire 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. In line 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 establish a cohesive approach to European sustainable animation practices.
Following Through on Previous Commitments
Building on a recommendation from previous editions of Animar, Animation in Europe has partnered with a consortium of European universities to launch Anima Mundi, the first 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 aims to tackle key issues regarding IP, the distribution of European content and the fostering of cross-border collaborations.
In addition to connecting producers with key stakeholders, Animation in Europe has committed to create a European Animation Brand, a policymaking dashboard and toolkits designed to improve IP management and content discoverability.
Looking Forward
In the future, Animar BCN will launch a series of spin-off workshops dedicated to single topics and organized in different locations around the continent. The first will be held in Nova Gorica, Slovenia, in March of next year, when the conversation around sustainable practices in animation production and their application in Eastern European territories will continue.
Two more spin-offs are planned for the 2026 and 2027 editions of the Annecy Animation Film Festival, focused on how to better foster the distribution and dissemination of European animated titles worldwide.
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