“Located in the heart of the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropole, Cartoon Next has become a must-attend animation event. It supports local economic development, encourages collaboration and showcases talent, particularly students. I remain totally committed to promoting this sector of excellence and strengthening its position in France and Europe. I wish you a 2025 edition rich in projects and cooperation!” Martine Vassal • President of the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropole, President of the Bouches-du-Rhône Departmental Council and First Vice-President of Départements de France
Created in 2016, the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropole brings together 92 municipalities covering 3,148 km², bringing together nearly 200,000 businesses and registering 41,000 business creations by 2023. Endowed with significant economic powers, the institution promotes a diversified industrial and entrepreneurial fabric. Aix-Marseille-Provence accounts for 50% of the region's GDP, attracts 75% of international investment and accounts for 60% of business establishments in the South of France.
Aware of the economic and employment opportunities offered by the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI), the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropole has placed this sector, which includes the animation sector and, more generally, the film and audiovisual industries, at the heart of its development and attractiveness strategy. In fact, in October 2024, as a priority on its economic development agenda, the Metropole voted for a roadmap dedicated to the CCI, marking its ambitions to support the development and structuring of this sector of excellence. This sector is particularly symbolic of the region's creativity, with an ecosystem that is both artistically rich and technically innovative. These industries stimulate innovation, preserve heritage and promote cultural diversity. They are also a fantastic opportunity to showcase the region and its expert ecosystem across the entire value chain of producing a work of art.
The Metropole provides tailor-made support for project developers, to meet their financing needs and help them find locations to set up and/or develop their businesses. The Metropolitan France Film and Filming Mission, created in 2023 within the institution, is the preferred point of entry for professionals in the industry, particularly when it comes to supporting production. In this vein, the Fonds d'Aide Cinéma, Audiovisuel et Multimédia Métropolitain (FACAMM), launched in 2024 with €275,000, has already supported 8 projects (including 3 animated works) generating €13 million in spin-offs. In 2025, its budget will rise to €500,000.
For more than a century, Aix-Marseille-Provence has established itself as a nationally and internationally recognised centre for cinema. Every year, more than 430 French and international production companies film here for almost 2,180 days, making the most of the area's natural scenery and modern, innovative production and filming facilities. Similarly, many animated works are produced, manufactured and post-produced in the region, thanks to the expert and creative local animation and post-production studios.
The Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropole is a major player in the digital industry thanks to its strategic positioning as a 6th global digital hub with its 18 undersea cables and 4.5 billion connected people. This dynamism is particularly reflected in the animation and video games sectors. With events such as Cartoon Next and specialist training courses, Aix-Marseille-Provence is a veritable breeding ground for talent, helping French creativity and expertise to shine on the world stage. The Metropole is establishing itself as a leading creative and technological centre.