From March 4 - 6, 16 Latvian animation film directors, production companies representatives and other industry professionals will meet in Bordeaux, France, to represent the Latvian animation film industry at the annual pitching & co-production "Cartoon Movie". Within the framework of "Cartoon Movie", this year special attention will be paid specifically to the Latvian animation landscape, including three upcoming feature-length animation films – the latest projects from the directors Signe Baumane, Edmunds Jansons and Kārlis Vītols.
In its annual series of events, organized by the Association of European Animation Professionals Cartoon (founded in 1988), the “Cartoon Movie” forum is one of the most notable feature animation film events in Europe, which has served as the basis for funding more than 480 feature-length animated films worth 3.2 billion Euros since 1999. More than 850 representatives of the animation industry – producers, distributors, financiers, broadcasters and other professionals meet annually to participate in presentations of feature-length animation projects, search for co-producers and financiers, and make distribution and sales deals. Thanks to the worldwide attention focused on Latvian animation, which has been facilitated by the international success of Flow by Gints Zilbalodis, in the 2025 edition the Latvian animation industry and its professionals have been chosen as the main highlight of “Cartoon Movie” with the slogan Spotlight on Latvia.
On March 5 and 6, among the 55 film projects selected this year from across the Europe, from Latvia three Latvian feature-length film projects will be presented – Born in the Jungle / Laimīgie by Edmunds Jansons (produced by studios Atom Art (Latvia), Letko (Poland), Hausboot (Czech Republic), a gorgeous and fascinating adventure story played out in the jungle thickets. International professionals will also have the opportunity to take a look at the final work of Signe Baumane's film trilogy (Stones in My Pockets (2014), My Marriage Project (2022)) - Karmic Knot / Karmiskais mezgls (produced by Studio Locomotive (Latvia), My Marriage Project (USA)), which, in the characteristic style of the author, explores the entanglements of family ties in circles of global and personal change. And, Studija Kokles will present director Kārlis Vītol’s debut in the feature-length animation The Northern Star / Ziemeļu zvaigzne (produced by Studio Kokles (Latvia), Yabunousagi (France)) – a wonder-filled road story dedicated to the doctor, collector and creator of the first Baltic museum, Nikolaus von Himzel.
As well, Flow, which was presented at the “Cartoon Movie” in 2022, has been nominated for the Cartoon Tributes - the production companies Dream Well Studio (Latvia), Sacrebleu Productions (France) and Take Five (Belgium) nominated in the category of best European producer of the past year. The awards will be decided by industry representatives present, with the winners being named on March 6.
In France, Latvia will be represented not only by the directors and producers, also by representatives of the Latvian Animation Association, National Film Centre of Latvia, LMT, ACME Films and media.
The pitching & co-production forum “Cartoon Movie” will take place from March 4 - 6 in Bordeaux, France. News on the social media accounts of the Latvian Animation Association on the Instagram and Facebook. The Latvian animation focus “Cartoon Movie” is organized by the Latvian Animation Association, supported by the National Film Centre of Latvia and Investment and Development Agency of Latvia.
More information:
Lauma Kaudzīte
Project coordinator
office@latviananimation.com