Some 33% of the projects shown at Cartoon Forum 2008, held in Ludwigsburg Germany last week, secured short-term financing, accounting for a total budget of €70 million.

At the three-day event, over 765 broadcasters, investors, producers and distributors previewed the latest European animation projects for television and new media platforms. A total of 63 projects were presented from 14 countries. France was responsible for producing 28% of the projects presented, although overall the industry relies largely on co-production agreements to get new projects off the ground.

Multi-media platforms continue to gain force in European animation, with 21% of this year’s projects conceived for new platforms such as mobile phones, Internet or videogames. The majority of episodes presented this year were under 10 minutes long.

The Cartoon Tributes, which recognize companies or personalities who have had a positive influence on the European animation industry over the last year, were Ireland’s Cartoon Saloon (Producer of the Year); the U.K.’s Rubber Duck Entertainment (Investor/Distributor of the Year); and France 3 (Broadcaster of the Year).

In 2009, Cartoon Forum will celebrate its 20th anniversary in Stavanger/Sandnes in Rogaland, Norway, from Sept. 22 to 25.