Looking around, there is no animation festival that does not use – yet sometimes overuse – the terms cross-media and trans-media. We have already been making use of these terms as cornerstones of Cartoons on the Bay, when these concepts were seen as the devil by most of the professionals. But I’m not claiming for a parenthood that clearly appears in the programmes and writings of the two past editions attended indeed by the creators of these terms. It comes therefore obvious, if not granted, that Cartoons on the Bay has to grow with two new awards enhancing the un-conventional vocation of the Festival. I am referring to the Pulcinella Award to the Best Advertising and Promotional Work and the Arlecchino Award to the Best Video Game Animated Based Work. The cartoon universe is undergoing a great transformation; the traditional animation is like a fountain springing out a myriad of jets, increasing its professional and creative potentials. Thanks to the work of its prestigious Scientific Committee and to the suggestions of its qualified Editorial Committee, Cartoons on the Bay – at its third edition of the new course – is ready to cross new thresholds to show how new and incredible the world of animation can be.

Roberto Genovesi

Artistic Director