European Producers Ask For Institutional Changes To Boost The Region’s Animation Industry

Animation in Europe, a federation of national animation producer associations from across Europe, met in Barcelona in late November to discuss the most urgent issues facing the European animation sector. The group created a list of suggestions for European policymakers to consider, which was published earlier this week.

This was the second edition of the forum, titled Animar_BCN, and more than 80 experts, including government officials, broadcasters, educators, and industry veterans from 25 countries, were involved in this year’s summit.

For three days, attendees participated in discussions meant to improve the foundations on which the European animation industry functions. The group focused on five hot-button issues this year:

• The investment of media services (especially global entities such as Netflix, Amazon, and Disney) in animation content.
• Direct public and tax-related funding in European animation.
• The legal framework for international animation co-productions.
• Market financing, equity investment, private-public co-financing, and cash flow facilities.
• The distribution of European animated productions in Europe and globally.

According to Animation in Europe president Philippe Alessandri:

Animar_BCN has established itself as a pivotal political forum, playing a crucial role in addressing the complex challenges facing our industry. It’s not just a meeting place; it’s a breeding ground for innovative ideas and realistic recommendations, which are essential for the sustainability, future, and vitality of European animation. This convention has become a catalyst for meaningful change, where thought leaders come together to shape the future of our industry.

Marta Alonso, vice president of Animar_BCN co-organizer Proanimats, added:

The success of Animar_BCN can be attributed to its unique ability to centralize the collective interests of the European animation industry, transcending the usual territorial or specific concerns of individual actors. This congress has emerged as a beacon of unity, fostering a collaborative spirit that encourages a holistic approach. By bridging diverse perspectives, Animar_BCN has become a vital platform for shaping a cohesive and dynamic future for animation across Europe.

Conclusions reached by the think tank will be sent to policymakers across Europe and presented at Annecy’s MIFA in June next year. Their recommendations include:

• Introduce a requirement to consider the diversity of genres and age demographics within the European quota and investment obligations. Global and national media companies operating in Europe are held to certain production quotas, and Animation in Europe is asking for the regulations on those quotas to be more inclusive.
• Revise the AVMS (audiovisual media service) Directive and its guidelines to better achieve the initial goal of involving streamers in the financing of European works. Notably, the group wants user-submitted streaming platforms such as Youtube to be held to the same standards as editorial streamers like Netflix and Prime Video.
• Urgently work on a legal framework that acknowledges animation specificities to encourage and streamline European co-productions for series.
• Establish effective funding support for dubbing to enhance the distribution of European animation series and films across Europe and internationally.
• Create a meeting platform or event for production companies who wish to scale up and for equity investors interested in audiovisual content.
• Classify children and youth-aimed content as “difficult productions,” which would allow for higher public financing support as well as enhanced development funding.
• Facilitate better access to international co-productions for low-capacity countries by revisiting Creative Europe guidelines and improving minority co-production schemes.

Animar_BCN is an initiative of several Spanish producer groups backed by ICEC (the Catalan Institute of Cultural Enterprises), ICEX Invest in Spain, Animation in Europe, and CEE Animation.