The Cartoon Mill
Learning Through Community

Myself (middle in red) with The Cartoon Mill founder Fatih Küçük, festival attendees and residency participants  

This July I had the privilege of attending The Cartoon Mill 8th Festival and Animation Residency in Kaş, Türkiye to present my career, projects, research and run a character design workshop.
Between 1st and 15th of July 2026 the residency welcomed animation professionals, artists, students and enthusiasts from around the world, creating a community united by a shared passion for animation in the picturesque Turkish countryside.

Built by founder Fatih Küçük, The Cartoon Mill's charming buildings are nestled in the Turkish countryside just 15 km from the Mediterranean coast and the ancient Lycian ruins.

Kate Jessop, founder and director of the Brighton International Animation Festival (BIAF), presents an insight into her work establishing and developing one of the UK's leading animation festivals.

|| The Story of The Cartoon Mill
I was invited to the festival by artist Fatih Küçük, the founder of The Cartoon Mill. Before establishing The Cartoon Mill in rural Kaş in 2016, Küçük spent many years travelling the world creating drawings and painting murals. 
Fatih designed and built the centre himself using local stone and wood to create a unique collection of workshop and accommodation spaces dedicated to creative workshops and artistic exchange.

Academics, industry professionals and artists at presenting at the

The Cartoon Mill Festival

The Cartoon Mill founder, Fatih Küçük

|| The Value of Creative Community
One of the things I really love about animation festivals is how they bring together emerging and established creatives in a shared community, providing opportunities to exchange ideas and to learn from one another. 
It was a wonderful experience to share my career journey and research on animation communities with an engaged audience. I also enjoyed teaching the fundamentals of character design to the talented residency participants and seeing what they came up with.
I have been attending animation festivals around the world now for more than 20 years (!) and I continue to be inspired by the way they bring people together and foster lasting connections in so many unique ways. 
The Cartoon Mill is no exception. Built with dedicated passion and love it is a very special place filled with positive people who believe in the power of animation to educate and inspire.

Very focused attendees of my character design workshop

Eda Yürekli and her character design

I am incredibly grateful for the invitation and the warm welcome I received in Kaş. It was a pleasure to contribute to such a vibrant creative community and experience Turkish way of life.
As with every animation festival I attend, I always come away feeling inspired by the people and excited to see the stories and characters that may continue to develop after the workshops have ended. 
Experiences like this are a great reminder that animation is more than an industry, it's a global community built on collaboration and shared passion.

Enjoying traditional Turkish tea as the sun sets on The Cartoon Mill

|| Links and Information
The Cartoon Mill runs residencies and festivals throughout the year, which are posted on The Cartoon Mill Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn
Türkiye Change Makers article documenting the journey of how founder Fatih Küçük set up The Cartoon Mill
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