European animation is getting ready for the next edition of Cartoon Tributes 2010, the annual awards for sector professionals to honour their peers' outstanding contribution to the development of the animation industry in Europe. The awards are for Best Broadcaster, Investor/Distributor and Producer of the year.

The Cartoon Tributes, in their fifth consecutive year, seek to recognise companies whose innovation, creation and financial commitment have helped drive the growth of European animation for television. The 2010 awards will be announced on 17th September in the city of Sopron in northwest Hungary.

Twelve companies from seven European countries are among the finalists. The three winners will be selected by the participants of the 21st Cartoon Forum, the platform to boost co-production and distribution of European animation for television and new media, which will be held in Sopron from 14 -17 September.

France and UK lead the nominations with a candidate in each of the three categories, while companies from Finland, Hungary, Italy, Germany, Belgium and Spain round up the rest of the nominations for these awards.

The finalists for Cartoon Tributes 2010 are:

Broadcaster of the Year

CBeebies - BBC Children's (UK)
Minimax (Hungary)
TF1 Unité Jeunesse (France)
YLE (Finland)

Distributor / Investor of the Year

Atlantyca (Italy)
Entertainment One Family (UK)
Kiddinx Studios (Germany)
Moonscoop (France)

Producer of the Year

Belvision (Belgium)
Calon (UK)
Edebé Audiovisual (Spain)
TeamTO (France)

Cartoon Forum Organisation: Annick Maes
Tel: (32) (2) 242 93 43 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

International Press: Gerardo Michelin
Tel: (34) (630) 57 22 68 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.