by Patrick Eveno , published on 20.07.2009

The Annecy International Film Animation Market, which took place this past June, saw the question of cross-media take center stage through conferences, conversations between professionals, and even during the France Televisions press conference, where Patrice Duhamel expressed the necessity of “…re-conquering audiences by reinventing the youth offer” and called for “a new broadcasting ecosystem”.

In the world of TV animation programs, cross media developments are all too often mentioned in a wishful way.  An illusion for some, an ultimate solution to funding problems for others, many feel a possible perspective, but also its elusiveness.

However, for content creators, the perspectives opened by the technological advancement for a mutation of uses and by the contradictory phenomenon of convergence and multiplication of narrative forms is immense.  They are the premise of a beneficial de-formatting, especially in the field of animation. The time of media-actors is beginning. It’s up to us to seize it.

Conscious of the opening of this new creative field, but also of the difficulty felt by European professionals to position themselves in what appears to be a crucial strategic issue, CITIA (City of Moving Images) will organize the White Forum – Animation and Cross-Media Conferences www.forumblanc.org in the station of Grand Bornand, on January 13th, 14th and 15th of next year.

The goal of this event is to offer the actors of the animation sector, of the video game industry, of broadcasting and of the new mobile phone interactive services industry, a complete 360º view of the issues of cross-media development through conferences, key note speakers, case studies and debates.

Encouraging the emergence of new projects, helping creators, producers and broadcasters stimulate anticipation and innovation, are the topics that the CITIA and the IMAGINOVE content cluster, partner of the White Forum, wish to share with the Transmedia Lab bloggers next January.

The White Forum is an event made possible by the CNC, the Rhônes-Alpes Region, the Rhône-Alpes DRIRE and the Department of Haute Savoie.

Patrick Eveno is the Director of the CITIA – City of Moving Images of Annecy – www.citia.info