Cartoons on the Bay – International Animation Festival
The international festival of animation, transmedia, and meta-arts in Pescara
About Cartoons on the Bay
Cartoons on the Bay: Global animation in Pescara
Cartoons on the Bay is Italy's premier festival dedicated to animation, transmedia, and meta-arts. Established in 1996 and promoted by Rai with the organization of Rai Com, the event serves as an international showcase for the evolution and new trends in the entertainment and media sector. After visiting various Italian coastal locations over the years, the event has found a permanent home in the Adriatic capital: for several years now, Pescara, in Abruzzo, has become the international capital of animation for a few days.
Two souls: professional and popular
The festival thrives on two complementary dimensions. On one hand, the professional and industry side, hosted in the spaces of the Aurum, featuring conferences, panels, B2B meetings, screenings reserved for industry insiders, and activities dedicated to schools and young authors. On the other, the popular and free dimension, which brings animation to the people in the heart of the Municipality of Pescara: the large Cartoons Village, exhibitions along the Corso, and evening events with concerts and DJ sets animate Piazza Salotto (Piazza della Rinascita) and the city center.
The Pulcinella Awards
The competitive heart of the festival is the Pulcinella Awards, the prizes that crown the best of global animated production every year. The works in competition come from dozens of countries and are divided into categories ranging from series for early childhood to feature films, and from short films to interactive and transmedia projects. The festival also presents prestigious Career Awards to masters and legends of international animation, as well as special recognitions to production studios, authors, and digital and immersive projects.
An event for the city and Abruzzo
Produced in collaboration with the Abruzzo Region and the Municipality of Pescara, Cartoons on the Bay is now a hallmark event for the territory: it combines the appeal of a major international cultural event with the livability of the Adriatic seafront, with the declared goal of keeping one of Europe's most authoritative animation events permanently in Abruzzo. For the public, it is an opportunity to meet authors, illustrators, and voice actors, visit comic and animation-themed exhibitions, and attend free shows and concerts in the center of Pescara.
Cartoons on the Bay — edition 2026
Cartoons on the Bay 2026: The 30th Anniversary
From May 27 to 30, 2026, Pescara hosted the thirtieth edition of Cartoons on the Bay, promoted by Rai and Rai Com under the artistic direction of Adriano Monti Buzzetti, in collaboration with the Abruzzo Region and the Municipality of Pescara. A special edition marking the festival's thirty years.
The Pulcinella Awards featured 325 works from 53 countries across seven categories. The Career Awards were presented to Disney director Kirk Wise and video game pioneer Don Daglow. Special recognitions included the Sergio Bonelli Prize to director Alessandro Rak, the Digital Award to Pera Toons, the Immersive Award to Roblox, the Transmedia Award to Pokémon, and Studio of the Year awards to Cartobaleno (Italy) and Peyo Company (international). Belgium was the guest country for this edition.
The public and free program was extensive: the Cartoons Village and the stage in Piazza Salotto, the exhibitions "Beyond Middle-earth: Tolkienian Visions" and "Corto Maltese, an Infinite Sea" at the Aurum, and "Forty Years of Dreams and Nightmares with Dylan Dog" along Corso Umberto I.
Programme Cartoons on the Bay 2026
Venues
- Aurum: professional section, cinema, activities for schools
- Piazza Salotto (Piazza della Rinascita): Cartoons Village and evening stage
- Corso Umberto I: Dylan Dog exhibition
Free evening events in Piazza Salotto
- May 29, 9:00 PM: Carl Brave (acoustic live) and Ema Stokholma (DJ set)
- May 30, 9:00 PM: Cristina D'Avena feat. Gem Boy and Claudio Cannizzaro (DJ set)
Exhibitions
- "Beyond Middle-earth: Tolkienian Visions" (Aurum)
- "Corto Maltese, an Infinite Sea" (Aurum)
- "Forty Years of Dreams and Nightmares with Dylan Dog" (Corso Umberto I)
Highlights Cartoons on the Bay 2026
- Thirtieth edition: the festival's 30th anniversary
- 325 works in competition from 53 countries for the Pulcinella Awards
- Career Awards to Kirk Wise and Don Daglow
- Belgium as guest country
- Free evening events with Carl Brave, Ema Stokholma, and Cristina D'Avena
- Sergio Bonelli Prize to Alessandro Rak
Prices Cartoons on the Bay 2026
Practical information — Cartoons on the Bay
How to get there
Pescara is well-connected: the Pescara Centrale railway station is just a few minutes' walk from the Aurum and Piazza Salotto. By car, it can be reached via the A14 motorway (Pescara Ovest/Pescara Nord exits), and by plane via the Abruzzo Airport (Pescara).
Venues
Professional activities, cinema, and schools at the Aurum; Village, evening stage, and concerts in Piazza Salotto (Piazza della Rinascita); exhibitions along Corso Umberto I.
Admission
Evening events and public activities in the square are free of charge. The professional section at the Aurum is reserved for industry professionals and accredited guests.
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Where does it take place — Cartoons on the Bay
Aurum