France and the U.K. continue to be our top coproduction partners in the animation sector, while participation by Chinese studios, including significant financial participation, continues to grow.

There were 23 international animation coproductions with advanced rulings from Telefilm Canada in the first 11 months of 2002/03 for TV plus one feature film coproduction, according to new data from Telefilm for the period Jan. 1 to Nov. 28, 2002.

Cumulative production budgets for the 24 coproductions is $180.2 million, with 52%, or $93.9 million, of the financing from Canada ($82.1 million in Canadian spending); $76.8 million in financing from the primary coproducing country; and another $9.5 million from third-country coproducers, where applicable.

Last year, there were 29 animation coproduction projects with cumulative budgets of $203 million, with the Canadian share of financing at $127.6 million, or 63%. Canada’s participation, as a percentage of total financing, is down 10% compared to last year.

Four additional coproductions (all involving Toronto’s Decode Entertainment) combining elements of live-action photography with animation, also received advanced rulings in ’02. The projects’ budgets total $27.8 million, with $11.9 million of the financing from Canada.

The total number of certified children’s coproduction projects in ’02 is 30, representing combined budgets of $234.8 million, with $129.8 million in financing from Canada.

Majority, minority profiles

Although France and the U.K. remain Canada’s two principal coproduction partners, the participation profile for each country is significantly different.

French companies partnered on 10 projects in 2002, seven of which are majority French coproductions. U.K. companies partnered on six animation coproductions, which, with a single exception, are majority Canadian.

Two Decode titles, The Blobheads, a $13-million series majority financed by Decode, and The Hoobs (episodes 1-125), a $15-million copro with The Jim Henson Company of the U.K. (which contributes 78% of the financing), are classified by Telefilm as mixed ‘live-action/animation’ copros and are not included in the animation totals.

China steps up

The year also evidenced a growing wave of animation coproduction with Asia, notably China.

Chinese producers partnered on six coproductions in 2002, including five series coproduced with Toronto-based Nelvana: Braceface, Corduroy, Franklin and the Green Knight and George Shrinks II & III. China’s Jade Animation (Shenzhen) studio raised over $4.1 million, or 38%, of the $11.1 million in financing on the second round of Braceface (26 half-hours). Shanghai Animation Film Studio raised 35% of the $4.7 million in financing for Simon in the Land of Chalk Drawings (13 half-hours), coproduced in Canada by Cinar Corp.

Canadian companies with animation coproductions in 2002 include Montreal’s Cinar, CineGroupe, Tooncan, TVA International and Vivatoon; Toronto’s Decode and Nelvana; Ottawa’s Dynomight Cartoons and Funbag Animation Studios; and Vancouver’s Studio B Productions.