All of the applications were then analysed in each fund by a regional person in charge, assisted by an independent external consultant, familiar with the particular world of animation. For Wallimage this is Philippe Moins, director of the famous Anima festival, who played the role of luxury consultant. His expert’s vision on the matter directed Stéphanie Hugé since, at this level, the choices were not merely based on a strict scoring grid (as is the case for the films the fund supports), but rather on a global reasoning, which is of course objective and well argued. This analysis was among other things based on the artistic potential of the projects, the global financing plan and the novelty of the concept.
Once the first reading round was over, the six examiners met at the CRRAV for a plenary session. Its goal: confront the different points of view. Each person could enthusiastically defend the projects which they found appealing. At the end six projects were left, two from each fund. Anecdotally, but without giving any details, four of those were chosen unanimously.
The winners of the first round,/nominated for the rest are:
Majority CRRAV projects :
– Tuktulik by Fabienne Giezendanner produced by Studio Redfrog, Araneo and Walking The Dog
– Theo Pet Vet by Frédéric Puech and Virgile Trouillot produced by Planetnemo, Frakas Productions and Skyline Film
Majority VAF projects:
– Bo’s Bazar by Jan Bultheel produced by Vivi Film, Nozon and Virtuo / Art’fx
– Zip et Saxo by David Merveille produced by Averbode Publishers, Wallywood and Planetnemo
Wallimage projects:
– Little Furry by Benoît Feroumont and Marie-Laure Guisset produced by Araneo, Walking the dog and Studio Red Frog
– Toc-Toc by Xavier Steenman produced by Nexus Factory, Creative Conspirancy and Planetnemo.
So, what will happen next? An agreement will be signed with each of the six producers who will each receive €10,000. Not to take a well-merited holiday, but to develop the project, continue the graphic part, flesh out the bible, etc.
At the end of September, the six applications version 2.0 will be re-analysed by the people in charge at the funds, by the experts and by new members of the jury who are specialised in, for example, international sales, to be able to evaluate the commercial potential of each series. Then, a new plenary session will be organised to confront the individual choices, at the end of which one or more winners will be announced. No need to play Highlander (in the end there will only be one), nor everybody wins: all projects with a real potential (at the start, we aim for three winners) will be helped by the funds (together) so that a well established pilot can be made.
Obviously, given the principles the funds hold high, the expenses for the pilots will have to be made in the three regions, which is not necessarily the case for the final series which would follow on the pilot.
Casper is a first, since the initiative for an artistic development originates with the funds. And there is a certain prestige connected to it: the collaboration between the three funds is working out well, the projects are exciting and the development prospects are thrilling.
See you at the end of September on this site to discover the profile(s) of the winner(s)!
