The Brussels-based Cartoon initiative and the German Federal Film Board (FFA) have joined forces to launch the Cartoon Movie Coaching Programme at this year's Cartoon Movie co-production market for animated feature films in Babelsberg from March 14-16.

The Coaching Programme is designed to introduce up-and-coming producers and students of animation to the financing market and enable them to make important contacts within the European animation industry for their future careers.

The new initiative will include a workshop led by consultant Michael Schmetz with contributions by Geman distributor Christian Meinke of MFA and animation studio Hahnfilm's Christian Seltmann.

Among the projects recently added to the 47-title line-up for Cartoon Movie are Mammut by Italy's Bruno Bozzetto, creator of the internationally known figure Signor Rossi, Jeff Newitt's The Evolution Man by Kirikou producer Didier Brunner, and Peter Thaler's Erkan & Stefan III by Berlin-based Punchhole.

The 2002 market will be opened on March 14 by screenings of Ellipseanime/Ellipse Animation's Becassine, Le Tresor Viking and Jimmy Murakami's Christmas Carol - The Movie.

Meanwhile in the UK, support body the Film Council is backing a new film industry training programme, Inside Pictures, which will be run by media consultancy Kuhn & Co.

A programme of workshops and seminars, including some by the likes of UIP president Andrew Cripps, Working Title co-chief Tim Bevan, Signpost Films' Stewart Till and FilmFour's Paul Webster are to take place over a three-week period.

Sponsored by UIP and law firm Dorsey & Whitney, Inside Pictures is run by Jill Tandy, previously of Polygram Filmed Entertainment.