Toscana Film Commission was also among the Italian institutions in Toulouse. Animation is now an established presence in the region, and the commission has begun collaborating with Cartoon to support new talent. At the next Cartoon Springboard in Madrid, November 4–6—an event that gives the next generation a chance to take its first steps in the industry and learn from international professionals—the Florence-based commission will present a new call for applications.
This will be the second call, opening in November, for the free six-month Animation AI Product Manager Lab. The course combines online teaching with in-person sessions in Prato and Pistoia, with support from the European Social Fund and in collaboration with Cartoon Italia, the association of Italian animation producers.
“The first course had 14 participants who developed seven projects,” explained Martina Capaccioni of Toscana Film Commission. “Participants receive help developing their creative ideas. We expect to welcome a similar number to the new course.”
The program combines traditional animation practices with generative artificial intelligence, helping participants explore new approaches to storytelling, character development and production workflows. It is open to applicants from Italy and elsewhere in Europe, with no age limit. This is the “Tuscany system,” supporting every stage from training through production.
Capaccioni also announced that a new €4 million production funding call will open by November. The maximum awards will be €250,000 for feature films and TV series, €25,000 for short films and €20,000 for documentaries.
Read more: Cinema & Video International Issue #209
