‘Zako’ Shines at Cartoon Movie 2025: A Major Win for European Animation

Introduction

Cartoon Movie 2025, one of the most prestigious events in the European animation industry, concluded on March 6, bringing together filmmakers, producers, and investors from around the world. This year, Tigran Arakelyan’s ‘Zako’, a co-production between France and Armenia, won the Eurimages Co-Production Award, drawing significant attention.

‘Zako’: A Powerful Story Inspired by History

‘Zako’ tells the story of Sargis Mangasaryan, a painter who survived World War II concentration camps by drawing portraits of his captors. This France-Armenia collaboration is produced by OnOff Studio (Armenia) and Sacrebleu (France). The Eurimages award aims to support international co-productions for theatrical releases, providing ‘Zako’ with a boost in funding and global visibility.

Cartoon Movie 2025: Participation and Key Highlights

This year, 838 industry professionals from 40 countries attended Cartoon Movie, including 251 buyers, with 12.2% being first-time participants—a strong indicator of growing interest in European animation.

Among the most anticipated projects were:

• Lou And The Glacier’s Secret (France-Switzerland-Belgium)
• Absolute Surrender (France-UK)
• Bergeronnette (France)
• Hyacinthe (Belgium-France-Poland)
• Rose And The Marmots (France-Italy-Portugal)

One of the standout moments of the event was the Baltic Spotlight, where Latvian animation studios gained recognition following the success of Flow. Key projects from Latvia included:

• Born In The Jungle by Edmunds Jansons (Atom Art)
• Karmic Knot by Signe Baumane (Studio Locomotive)
• The Northern Star by Kārlis Vītols (Studija Kokles)

Growing Demand for Adult-Oriented Animation

One of the most notable shifts at Cartoon Movie 2025 was the rise in adult and young adult-focused animation. In 2024, only 18% of projects targeted this audience, but in 2025, that number jumped to 31%. Out of the 55 projects showcased, 16 were designed for adult viewers, marking a significant trend in the industry.

Cartoon Tributes 2025: Honoring the Best in European Animation

The Cartoon Tributes Awards recognized outstanding contributions to the European animation sector. The winners included:

• European Director of the Year: María Trénor for Rock Bottom
• European Sales Agent of the Year: Paris-based Kinology
• Producer of the Year: The team behind Flow – Dream Well Studio (Latvia), Sacrebleu Productions (France), and Take Five (Belgium)

Supporting Emerging Talent in Animation

Beyond celebrating established filmmakers, Cartoon Movie 2025 also focused on the next generation of animators. Over 80 students and teachers from 14 European schools participated in an animation coaching program, where they had the chance to present their work, receive professional feedback, and secure internships or industry connections.

Conclusion

Cartoon Movie 2025 reaffirmed its role as a driving force in European animation, showcasing innovative storytelling and fostering international collaborations. With films like ‘Zako’ gaining recognition and a growing interest in adult-focused animation, the European animation industry is poised for an exciting future.