The autumn market and festival season is traditionally an exciting time for the French animation sector, as companies prepare to unveil new projects, partnerships and distribution deals at events such as Unifrance Rendez-Vous, Cartoon Forum, Mipcom and MipJunior.

This year, however, French animation is in a precarious situation, having been hit hard by a recent contraction in international distribution platforms that have been investing heavily in the region for several years – especially during and after the pandemic.

Despite retaining its spot as France’s No. 2 export medium in the film industry, with a 25.2% market share, animation has had a tough 2023. Foreign sales fell 11.2% to €51.2 million ($56.3 million), according to a CNC report revealed Tuesday at the Unifrance Rendez-Vous. The vast majority of that decline can be attributed to U.S. investors, who cut back 69.7% to €4.3 million ($4.7 million). The rest of the world saw a less steep drop, just 6.6% to €12.9 million ($14.2 million), still significant.

Hardest hit were studios that had built close ties with U.S. clients, such as Xilam, which produces the Disney+ animated series “Chip 'n' Dale: Park Life” and “The Doomies.”