European animation companies attending Cartoon Forum were recognized in the event’s 2023 Cartoon Tributes awards ceremony, with businesses in Portugal and France claiming the top three prizes.

In today’s ceremony, Broadcaster of the Year went to Portuguese pubcaster RTP for its Zig Zag kids programming block and streaming service Zig Zag Play, which air content for preschoolers and young children. RTP is a co-producer for several series developed by Portuguese animation studios, including Crias (JPL Films, Videolotion, Praça Filmes) and Mr. Passenger (AIM Animation Studios). 

French animation companies took home the remaining awards, with GO-N Productions (Simon Super Rabbit) winning Producer of the Year and APC Kids claiming Distributor of the Year. At Cartoon Forum this week, GO-N presented its upcoming 2D-animated fantasy series Annette, Apprentice Witch (52 x 11 minutes). It stars Annette, who attends a boarding school full of fantastical creatures, including ghouls, mummies and vampires. 

Meanwhile, APC Kids was recognized for growing its portfolio of kids and family properties with series like Jade Armor (TeamTO and France TV), Tinka (Cosmo Film) and DinoCity (Riki Group, Animax Production). 

Winners of the 2023 Cartoon Tributes were selected in a vote by the event’s 1,051 attendees from 37 countries who were at the pitchfest. The awards shortlist featured companies from Germany, Belgium, Spain, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania and the UK.

Photo courtesy of Cartoon Forum. From left to right – Andrea Basílio (RTP – Rádio e Televisão de Portugal ) – Lionel Marty (APC Kids) – Eric Garnet & Anne de Galard (GO-N Productions).