More than 50 producers, broadcasters and policymakers emerged from this year’s ANIMAR_BCN brainstorming event with several big ideas for how to improve the way the EU supports the animation industry. 

Held in Barcelona from December 1 to December 3, the annual think tank event is hosted by Animation in Europe, a collective of animation producer associations from 24 countries, including France, the UK, Ireland and Finland. Now in its fourth year, the event typically serves as a temperature check for what’s top of mind for producers and the changes they want to see implemented. 

Last year, Animation in Europe called for the industry to develop best practices for the use of AI, as well as green production standards. This year, the proposals that emerged were more specific—the 52 experts from 15 European countries who attended the event developed proposals for improving two European media programs: the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD), which governs legislation of TV and streamers across the EU, and the upcoming AgoraEU program, which is designed to foster more European co-productions. 

The experts’ proposals for the AVMSD included raising the streamer content quota for European programming to 50%, with 10% of this total dedicated to independent producers. Currently, 30% of the content in streamers’ catalogues must be European, so 50% would be a significant leap. Other suggestions from the group included prominent placement on streaming platforms for European works, and more transparency on audience metrics and streaming platforms’ algorithms.

The suggestions are timely, since the European Commission, the EU’s governing body which oversees the AVMSD, has started a consultation period to get feedback on the regulation before making changes in Q3 2026. This consultation period runs until December 21, and then there will be a public consultation in Q1.

The discussion at ANIMAR also focused on the upcoming funding program AgoraEU. The program is set to merge two existing funding avenues—Creative Europe’s Culture and Media strands—and will have an almost US$10 billion budget. Media would get roughly a third of that during the European Commission’s 2028-2034 budget. The event’s attendees would like AgoraEU to set aside some of that money specifically for kids content, to help the industry deal with the constant challenge of securing financing. 

Animation in Europe said these proposals will guide their lobbying efforts to policymakers and regulators in 2026.

“European animation is built on collaboration, and ANIMAR showed once again how powerful that collaboration can be,” said Philippe Alessandri, founder and CEO of Watch Next Media and chairman of Animation in Europe. “The insights shared here will guide us as we advocate for fairer regulation, stronger co-production frameworks and better support mechanisms for creators across Europe.”

Photo courtesy of Aitor Rodero.