Cartoons on the Bay Winter Edition Returns to L’Aquila: A Celebration of Animation and Fantasy
Children and fantasy take center stage once again at the Cartoons on the Bay Winter Edition, running from Thursday, December 12, to Saturday, December 14, in L’Aquila. This premier event, dedicated to television animation, transmediality, and meta-art, is promoted by Rai and organized by Rai Com in collaboration with the Regione Abruzzo and the Comune de L’Aquila, under the artistic direction of Roberto Genovesi.
Morning Programs for Schools, designed for primary and secondary school students. The event offers an engaging program at the Movieplex Cinema in partnership with Rai Kids. Highlights include workshops featuring industry experts like screenwriter Andrea Fazzini (SuperSpikeball), live-action director Sinne Mutsaers (Non scendo), and animation specialists Pietro Ciccotti and Harald Pizzinini from Mbanga Studio. Exclusive previews of animated works such as Alex Player, Lupo Alberto, Acquateam: Avventure in Mare, Pipo Pepa e Pop, Quick Rules
Public Screenings and Tributes: on Thursday, December 12, a special retrospective honoring John Musker, the recipient of the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award, with screenings of his iconic films: Oceania (5:00 p.m.), The Little Mermaid (7:15 p.m.), Aladdin (9:00 p.m.); on Friday, December 13, the much-anticipated premiere of two episodes from the reboot series Goldrake U at 6:00 p.m. This modern reimagining of the beloved 1970s animated series will debut on Rai 2 starting January 6, 2025; on Saturday, December 14, a grand finale at 4:00 p.m., featuring opportunities for children to meet their favorite mascots, including Bing, Bluey, and Topo Gigio.
Lifetime Achievement Award for Silver: the event will celebrate Silver (Guido Silvestri) with the prestigious Pulcinella Award alla Carriera in recognition of his enduring contributions to comics and animation through the creation of Lupo Alberto, one of Italy’s most iconic characters.
Artistic director Roberto Genovesi remarked, “This winter edition of Cartoons on the Bay continues to grow, now featuring a Lifetime Achievement Award alongside its rich programming. Honoring a master like Silver is a privilege, celebrating decades of impactful contributions to Italian animation.”
Marco Marsilio, President of the Regione Abruzzo, added: “We are proud to host this significant cultural event in L’Aquila, which blends entertainment and education, enriching the lives of families and children in our community.”
Admission Details – All public events are free of charge and open to everyone, subject to availability. The festival’s vibrant 2024 poster, designed by the talented cartoonist Sio, embodies the creative spirit of this much-loved event. Mark your calendars for Cartoons on the Bay Winter Edition, a magical celebration of animation and storytelling for audiences of all ages!