CARTOON Springboard 2026

Event Description:

CARTOON Springboard is a new pitching event where young talents of European animation schools will be able to pitch their project in front of a panel of experts from the audiovisual world.

The 3 day event will focus on 2 parts:

• Presentations given by experts on market trends, buyers' expectations, etc.
• Pitching sessions of young talents projects, including an interactive discussion with a panel of experts
  
  

The event is supported by the Creative Europe - MEDIA programme of the European Union, Generalitat Valenciana, Institut Valencià de Cultura and the Polytechnic University of Valencia.

2026 CARTOON Springboard Call for Projects

WHO CAN PRESENT A PROJECT?

• Young talents who are currently student or have graduated from animation/audiovisual schools for a maximum of 5 years (graduation date in Summer 2021 or after).
• European young talents (meeting the criteria above) who want to develop and test their new animation project or property for the international market and/or to be distributed on several screens.
• Flu­en­cy in Eng­lish is required to com­mu­ni­cate with oth­er par­tic­i­pants and the pitch must be in Eng­lish, as there will be no trans­la­tion on site.
• European
  The talent must come from or have studied in one of the countries of Cre­ative Europe — MEDIA: the 27 EU coun­tries + Alba­nia, Bosnia and Herze­gov­ina, Georgia, Ice­land, Liecht­en­stein, Mon­tene­gro, North Mace­do­nia, Nor­way, Repub­lic of Ser­bia, Tunisia or Ukraine.

WHICH PROJECT CAN BE SUBMITTED?

• a TV Special (minimum 26 minutes)
• a TV or Web series
• a feature film (minimum 60 minutes)
• an animated project dedicated to multi-platforms
• short films are NOT accepted

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE USAGE POLICY

At CARTOON, we reaffirm our commitment to transparency and responsibility in the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Our fundamental principles are artistic integrity, the appreciation of human creativity, and transparency. 
We require project representatives to declare the use of AI and specify the areas it applies to, ensuring a clear understanding of the works presented and strengthening trust between creators, partners, and audiences.

Cost

• 302.50 EUR* (including VAT) for young talents with project. The amount includes accommodation (3 nights).
• 302.50 EUR* (including VAT) for young talents without project. Please note that the amount doesn't include accommodation.
• 400 EUR* (excluding VAT) for other participants.
  EU companies can recover the VAT charges (if they are liable for VAT).

• Regulations
• Application
• Deadline: 26 August 2026