Around the World In 80 Terapixels

Besides the major Western CG-animation studios, what’s going on around the world?

Here’s a list of international studios that have produced (or might be producing) feature-length CG films in English–list edited over time to reflect new or corrective information provided by other posters. Although it’s a subjective thing, titles in green are future releases that might be of sufficient quality to warrant interest among folks here at Pixar Planet. Studios listed in red are defunct or currently not fully producing CG-animated features, which also illustrates how many animation studios around the world have tried to make films that Western audiences would embrace (but didn’t).

Some notes follow about Western bias…

“Theatrical release(s)” pertains to films of the Western world at large. A film might have had a theatrical release in its own country, but it’s a fair assumption that the West at large is the prime market for theatrical releases. Also, some countries’ theatrical releases are DTV (see next paragraph) in the West.

“DTV” pertains to English title and language direct-to-video features. Some of these films have titles in their native languages (which is great!), but as this is an English-language board, it might be cumbersome to include original-language titles.

Also, excluded from the list are CG hybrids like Vexille (plus a few other CG/anime hybrids) and EuropaCorp’s Arthur and the Invisibles.

In no particular order by country…

Canada

Arc Productions (ex-IDT/Starz Animation)
Theatrical releases: VeggieTales movies, Everyone’s Hero, 9, Space Chimps (see Vanguard Animation note below), Gnomeo and Juliet, Hoodwinked Too!
Future (possible): The Canterville Ghost, The Nut House (for Vanguard Animation)

Rainmaker Animation
DTV: Barbie movies
Future: Escape from Planet Earth

Modus FX
Future (possible): Sarila

CineGroupe (currently not fully producing CG features)
DTV: Pinocchio 3000

C.O.R.E. Productions (defunct)
Theatrical release: The Wild

France

Mac Guff Ligne
Theatrical release: Despicable Me, The Lorax (see Illumination Entertainment note below)
DTV: Dragon Hunters (with LuxAnimation and Trixter), Azur & Asmar
Future: Despicable Me 2

Action Synthese (currently not fully producing CG features)
Theatrical release: Doogal
Future (possible): The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Doogal 2

EuropaCorp (currently not fully producing CG features)
DTV: A Monster in Paris

Sparx Animation Studios (currently not fully producing CG features)
Theatrical release: Igor

Xilam Animation (currently not fully producing CG features)
Theatrical release: Kaena: The Prophecy

Shax Animation (currently not fully producing CG features)
Future (possible): Louis la Chance

Duran Duboi (currently not fully producing CG features)
DTV: The Ugly Duckling and Me!

Herold and Family
DTV: various hyper-low-budget mockbusters

India

Crest Animation (currently not fully producing CG features)
Theatrical release: Alpha and Omega
Future (possible): Norm of the North

Prana Studios
DTV: TinkerBell movies, Space Chimps 2 (see Vanguard Animation note below)
Future: Planes, Dorothy of Oz (possible), Punk Farm (possible)

Tata Elxsi VCL
Theatrical release: Roadside Romeo
Future (possible): Arjun

Krayon Pictures
Theatrical release: Delhi Safari
Future (possible): Kamlu, Auli

Shemaroo Entertainment
DTV: various hyper-low-budget mockbusters

Spain

Ilion Animation Studios (currently not fully producing CG features)
Theatrical release: Planet 51

Dygra Films (apparently defunct)
DTV: Midsummer Dream, Spirit of the Forest

Filmax Animation (possibly only as production company, see Lumiq [Italy] and Trixter [Germany])
DTV: Donkey Xote

Kandor Graphics
DTV: The Missing Lynx
Future (possible): Justin and the Knights of Valour

Russia

Centre of National Film (currently not fully producing CG features)
Theatrical release: Space Dogs

Wizart Animation
Future (possible): The Snow Queen

Italy

Lumiq Animation (currently not fully producing CG features)
DTV: Donkey Xote (with Trixter)

Finland

Anima Vitae (currently not fully producing CG features)
DTV: Niko and the Way to the Stars

South Africa

Sunrise Productions (currently not fully producing CG features)
DTV: The Lion of Judah

Triggerfish Animation
Theatrical (festival) release: Zambezia
Future (possible): Khumba

USA

ILM (acquired by Disney)
Theatrical release: Rango

Digital Domain - Tradition Studios (defunct)
Stalled production: The Legend of Tembo

Blur Studio (currently not fully producing CG features)
Future (possible): The Goon

JC2 Animated Entertainment (currently not fully producing CG features)
DTV: The Legend of Secret Pass

Reel FX/Bedrock Studios
Future (possible): Turkeys

DNA Productions (defunct, rolled into Omation Animation Studios)
Theatrical releases: Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, The Ant Bully

Omation Animation Studios (currently not fully producing CG features)
Theatrical release: Barnyard: The Original Party Animals

Fathom Studios (defunct)
Theatrical release: Delgo

Snoot Entertainment (currently not fully producing CG features)
Theatrical release: Battle for Terra

Threshold Animation Studios (currently not fully producing CG features)
Future (possible): Foodfight! (unreleased)

Spark Plug Entertainment
DTV: various hyper-low-budget mockbusters

Renegade Animation
DTV: various hyper-low-budget mockbusters

Prevalent Entertainment
DTV: various hyper-low-budget mockbusters

Brazil

Video Brinquedo
DTV: various hyper-low-budget mockbusters

NDR Filmes (defunct)
DTV: Cassiopeia

Philippines

Ambient/Thaumatrope (currently not fully producing CG features)
Future (possible): RPG Metanoia

Kanbar Animation (defunct)
Theatrical release: Hoodwinked!

Sweden

Forestlight Studio (currently not fully producing CG features)
DTV: Gnomes and Trolls
Future (possible): Astrid Silverlock and the Staff of Virtues

Peru

Dolphin Films (currently not fully producing CG features)
DTV: The Dolphin: Story of a Dreamer

Israel

Animation Lab (currently not fully producing CG features)
Future (possible): The Wild Bunch

China

Imagi Studios (currently not fully producing CG features)
Theatrical releases: TMNT, Astro Boy

GDC/IDMT (currently not fully producing CG features)
DTV: Thru the Moebius Strip

New Zealand

Huhu Studios (currently not fully producing CG features)
Theatrical release: The Ten Commandments
Future (possible): Noah’s Ark: The New Beginning, Aotearoa

Germany

Ambient Entertainment (currently not fully producing CG features)
DTV: The Snurks, Impy’s Island, Animals United (UK theatrical release)

BAF Berlin Animation Film (currently not fully producing CG features)
Theatrical release: Happily N’Ever After (see Vanguard Animation note below)

Trixter Films (currently not fully producing CG features)
DTV: Donkey Xote (with Lumiq), Dragon Hunters (with LuxAnimation and Mac Guff)

UK

Aardman Animations
Theatrical releases: Flushed Away (with DreamWorks); Arthur Christmas, The Pirates! (with Sony Pictures Animation)
Future (possible): Shaun the Sheep (possibly traditional stop-motion, not CG)

Framestore (currently not fully producing CG features)
Theatrical release: The Tale of Despereaux

Ealing Studios (currently not fully producing CG features)
Theatrical release: Valiant (see Vanguard Animation note below)

Australia

Animal Logic
Theatrical releases: Happy Feet, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole
Future (possible): Bone

Dr. D Studios (currently not fully producing CG features)
Theatrical release: Happy Feet Two

Mad Cow Pictures (currently not fully producing CG features)
Future (possible): Trouble Down Under

Singapore

Lucasfilm Animation (acquired by Disney)
Theatrical release: Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Egg Story Creative Productions (defunct)
Future (possible): Kung Fu Gecko (unreleased)

Belgium

nWave Pictures (currently not fully producing CG features)
Theatrical release: Fly Me to the Moon
DTV: Sammy’s Adventures

Luxembourg

Lux Animation (currently not fully producing CG features)
DTV: Dragon Hunters (with Mac Guff and Trixter), Luke and Lucy: The Texas Rangers

Oniria Pictures (apparently defunct)
DTV: Renny the Fox

Denmark

Radar Film ApS (currently not fully producing CG features)
DTV: Sunshine Barry and the Disco Worms

Thailand

Kantana Animation
DTV: The Blue Elephant
Future (possible): The Blue Elephant 2, Echo Planet

South Korea

DigiArt Production
DTV: Shark Bait (The Reef), Garfield movies
Future (possible): Outback (aka Koala Kid), Heroes: The Legendary Trio, The Slow, Fairy Tale of Game

Toiion
Theatrical release: Dino Time

Iceland

CAOZ (currently not fully producing CG features)
Future (possible): Legends of Valhalla - Thor

Malaysia

KRU Studios (currently not fully producing CG features)
Future (possible): Ribbit

Mexico

Lo Coloco Films
Future (possible): Ana

***Note: Vanguard Animation is a production company with no in-house animation staff and outsources to various studios as noted above. The Vanguard Web site is less than informative, and Vanguard might have ceased operations.

Another similar company is Exodus Film Group, which might be outsourcing animation work for future CG features The Hero of Color City and Amarillo Armadillo…but the Web site could be more informative.

Illumination Entertainment is primarily a production company with no in-house animation staff that outsources its animation work, although in 2011 part of Mac Guff Ligne was purchased by Universal and integrated with Illumination.

Great list, mate! We could always do with more exposure for lesser-known animation studios around the world!

Might I suggest you add this Australian studio too?

Animal Logic
Theatrical release: Legend of the Guardians
Future: Happy Feet 2

Glad you liked the list, thedriveintheatre! I mentioned Animal Logic in the top line of my post as a major player able to hang with the big guys of CG animation. Agreed, it’s helpful to be aware of what’s going on around the world, especially as there seems to be a limit (in the West) on the popularity of these “non-major” CG studios. For more on that, you might be interested in this topic:

pixarplanet.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7764

If there’s interest, more to come later on the conundrum of whether/how all these CG studios can hang in there over time…

Cheers! Steve

There haven’t been many CGI films made here in Holland, have there? (read: NONE)

I do believe there’s a studio that’s going to make a Sinterklaas animated CGI movie next year, though, but there’s little known about it except for an image and a plot synopsis.

Thanks for the list, though, it’s very interesting to read where all those films came from.

Is Sinterklaas a Blender Institute project? They seem to have a funky approach to producing animation. Big Buck Bunny was an interesting short…maybe Blender will try a feature-length film one day.

Cheers! Steve

Actually, Sinterklaas is a holiday here in Holland, it’s basically where the Americans got Santa from. The film’s named something else. I forgot what, though… it’s about a few animals who go and search for de Sint, I think.

I don’t know a lot about the movie, though.

Just curious, Badger, are either of the following what you saw?

nikomovie.com/en.html#/en/main

holynight.dygrafilms.es/

Also wondering if you have any “local knowledge” about Blender Institute in Amsterdam:

blender.org/blenderorg/blender-institute/

It looks like they use small, individual investors and government grants to fund open-source animated shorts. Interesting concept…

Cheers! Steve

You seem to be forgetting the Amsterdam Blender Institute in the Netherlands, with releases such as Big Buck Bunny and Sintel. So far they’ve only produced short films (each of great quality!), but I’m sure they’ll make break through with a theatrical release someday!

D’oh! My bad. I still would classify it as an ‘indy’ since Happy Feet has been their only hit to date, and most of the work they do is ‘outsourced special effects’ for American movies. But thanks for listing it!

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought Sintel was Blender’s first feature? I could be mistaken.

Sintel ist just a short, they haven’t done a feature, yet.

Interesting that Sintel, in concept, bears resemblance to How to Train Your Dragon. Also, from the list above, there is Sweden’s Forestlight Studio with a feature about Gnomes & Trolls (mentioned in HtTYD) and another in work about a blond Viking girl named Astrid. On the other hand, Holland and especially Sweden are no strangers to Norse lore, and how many Astrids are there in Sweden?

Fair play to you, sir! Perhaps I should add it. However, some thoughts from the devil’s advocate…

a) while LOTG has not been a “hit,” neither has it been a flop. International box-office figures are not all in, and it will likely gross more than $140 million worldwide. That puts it on par with Surf’s Up, which is in “big leagues” territory. At a 1.8:1 box-office-to-budget ratio, LOTG has done reasonably well.

b) Animal Logic looks to be well hooked into Warners for distribution, at least for CG features. The other international indies, if they can get a release in the States, are more likely to have to take their chances with Lionsgate or (horrors!) Weinstein. Also, does Fox Studios provide office space, or does Animal Logic pay rent?

c) all the other studios on the list by country are subject to the so-called CG-animation ceiling as described in that other topic.

Well, that’s a lot of mental energy devoted to a gnat’s-eyebrow distinction, but…there it is. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain! Hee hee…

Cheers! Steve

More notes from around the world of animation…

The case for smaller, independent CG-animation studios around the world looks increasingly challenging, but here are the most likely candidates for films that might get finished and find their way to theatrical release in English-speaking countries:

The (Wonderful) Wizard of Oz (Action Synthese)

It’s unclear whether John Boorman is still attached to the project or whether it’s still in progress, but here is some concept art, plus the few pieces at Action Synthese’s site:

ozclubforums.yuku.com/topic/4009 … GI?page=-1

actionsynthese.com/galerie.php

Boorman’s comments about use of darker lighting, with examples shown in the concept art, are intriguing.

Escape from Planet Earth (Rainmaker Entertainment)

Trailer: rainmaker.com/?/site/projects/escape

According to its financial statements, Rainmaker is still going forward with this project. At one point, however, the client for which they were producing the film was Weinstein. If that’s still the case, it puts the future of the film in doubt because Weinstein is plagued by recurrent cash-flow problems. It’s a black hole, and sometimes films come out, sometimes they don’t.

Norm of the North (Crest Animation)

Alpha and Omega was released on February 4, 2011, in India, and its anticipated success there (and abroad, from the apparent viewpoint of Indian investors) probably bode well for continued production of Norm of the North, starring Rob Schneider, in 3D. Here are some links that illustrate the perspective from India:

thehindu.com/life-and-style/ … 149079.ece

economictimes.indiatimes.com/new … 417865.cms

boxofficeindia.co.in/interview3. … rviewid=87

I know Summertime Entertainment has another Oz project in the works and I think it’s going to kill Boorman’s. Which is a shame because although I really like the concept art for the competing version I’ve been pretty amped about Boorman’s since originally hearing about it.

I think this recent glut of Oz project not only in animation but live-action will end up seeing a similar result to what happened to all those planned Sherlock Holmes projects from a few years ago. Or those War of the Worlds projects even earlier. Or for a more fitting example the recent “restart our species” debacle in animation. It’s gonna be cinematic Thunderdome and some of them won’t even make it past pre-production.

I’m hoping the same happens to the Snow White projects that are also in production. Not only in film but the few in planning for television. And hopefully only Tarsem’s version makes it out alive. Because Tarsem rules. I mean The Fall? If you haven’t seen that film, get on that.

Speaking of Tarsem I’d love to see him turn his eye to a fully-animated film. If he can do all the stuff he’s doing now with live-action imagine what he can do with the unlimited potential of animation.

Thunderdome, ha! I think you’re right, aerostarmonk. Boorman’s film is conspicuously absent from IMDb (last time I looked it was there, but now it’s gone) and from the following article:

popwatch.ew.com/2010/12/15/oz-wars/

But without conclusive word that it’s defunct, I’ll still hope the French project sees daylight.

Also out and about in the world is Animals United, which was released in the UK and various non-English-language countries…as well as, apparently, the Berlin and Beyond festival in the States. No idea if it will otherwise get a theatrical release or go direct to video, but here’s a trailer for the 3D release in English, plus more scenes from the film in German with some set in the States (but introduced in Italian…how’s that for united nations?):

youtube.com/watch?v=jAFtwYi-QuA

youtube.com/watch?v=fC2yI0_ireo

At this writing, Animals United has made about $21 million at the box office, according to Box Office Mojo. Not too shabby for a limited release. On the other hand, reviews almost unanimously caution against the movie for its heavily eco-preachy tone. Too bad!

Delving deeper into African animation, here are two more from Triggerfish Animation out of Cape Town (each has a “View Trailer” link on the following pages):

Zambezia (in 3D) cinemamanagementgroup.com/zambezia.html

Khumba cinemamanagementgroup.com/khumba.html

These two look lighter and more interesting than Animals United, especially Zambezia. No idea if these will ever emerge in the West at large, but it looks like they’re coming soon to a theatre nowhere near you!

Here are trailers and/or updates for CG-animated features around the world…

Louis la Chance (Shax Animation, France)

Trailer/Info cinemamanagementgroup.com/lo … hance.html

The film may or may not be in production. Shax Animation used to have a Web site but apparently no longer does, so they might no longer be operational. It’s possible that the film is completed and CMG is seeking distribution for it.

Outback (DigiArt Production, South Korea)

Based on the following articles and DigiArt’s track record, it seems likely that Outback will go direct to video, but that’s by no means certain:
scfilmsinternational.com/outback/index.htm
screendaily.com/festivals/ca … 48.article

A Monster In Paris (EuropaCorp, France)

Not a lot of information is available about the film, and several sites once associated with the film and Bibo Bergeron are now defunct; but it seems to be moving forward nonetheless, shepherded by Luc Besson’s production company:
thefilmcatalogue.com/catalog … hp?id=6211
aceshowbiz.com/still/0000594 … pst01.html
shockya.com/news/2010/04/04/ … in-paris/#

Astrid Silverlock and the Staff of Virtues (Forestlight Studio, Sweden)

Trailer forestlight.se/Page/trailers.aspx

How to train your Viking girl named Astrid! It’s unclear what Chinchillas is about. Reportedly it’s a feature, but no details of story or language are readily available.

The Magic Crystal (Anima Vitae and Epidem ZOT, Finland)

Trailer anima.fi/?page_id=55
Info epidemzot.com/themagic.html

It’s unclear whether/how the film will be available in English, but there’s some English promotional material available and the film is reportedly completed.

Holy Night! (Dygra Films, Spain)

Trailer/Info holynight.dygrafilms.es/

The following contest info shows that the film is being promoted in English language:
the3dchallenge.com/

Snowflake (Filmax International, Spain)

Info and frame grabs filmaxinternational.com/film.php?id=9

It’s unclear whether/how the film will be available in English, but there’s some English promotional material available and the film is reportedly in post-production.

Little Big Panda (Accio Studios, Spain)

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=7885&start=0

RPG Metanoia (Thaumatrope Animation, Philippines)

Trailer youtube.com/watch?v=bzIDObRbsQQ

It’s unclear whether/how the film will be available in English, but there’s some English promotional material available and the film is completed.

Sarila (10th Ave Productions, Canada)

Teaser quietearth.us/articles/2009/ … ale-SARILA

Shax Animation had involvement with the film and, as noted above, might no longer be operational. However, 10th Ave Productions seems to be the prime mover and lists info at their site:
10ave.com/site/sarila_en

The Legend of Secret Pass (JC2 Animated Entertainment, USA)

Trailer/Info jc2animatedent.com/LSP/

The film is completed but apparently lacks a distribution deal. A refiew and the full movie are available at Sky Movies HD:
movies.sky.com/the-legend-of-secret-pass/review

The Lion of Judah (Sunrise Productions, South Africa)

Trailer/Info lionofjudahthemovie.com/

The film looks quite dodgy, quality-wise. It’s promoted as having an Easter 2011 release date, but it’s unclear how or where that would happen. The Lord sometimes moves in mysterious ways, though.

Gatchaman and Cat Tale (Imagi Studios, China)

Trailers/Info imagi.com.hk/web/eng/coming- … haman.html
imagi.com.hk/web/eng/coming- … -tale.html

It’s unclear whether or not Imagi has succumbed to financial woes, but their site remains active, albeit slow. The Gatchaman trailers are also available on YouTube.

And for all those who ever wondered what’s happening in Denmark, here’s a sampler:

afilm.com/AFilm.html (link to “films”)

It’s likely that the non-English-language films at this link will remain non-English because the Danes seem to be happy with their own gig. Still, “The Olsen Gang On Polished Floors” looks bizarre enough to wish for availability beyond Denmark.

This concludes the tour of upcoming CG-animated features around the world…for now.

Cheers! Steve

Luke and Lucy fans in Region 1, rejoice! Your long-awaited English-language version of Luke and Lucy & The Texas Rangers, from LuxAnimation (Luxembourg), will be released direct-to-DVD on February 22. Here’s the trailer:

mefeedia.com/video/34302492

“Wow! What is this?”
“I’ve never seen anything like it!”

And here’s another upcoming Viking tale from CAOZ in, appropriately enough, Iceland:

youtube.com/watch?v=lqhU-ds_7mw

youtube.com/watch?v=0RH8JdruT_Y

caoz.com/

For anyone interested in animation from the European community…

Today’s featured country is Spain!

Although it’s a CG-star/live-action hybrid, hence not included in the top post, here is an article about (and trailer for) Snowflake (the White Gorilla), from Spanish production company Filmax:

animationmagazine.net/featur … l-circuit/

Kandor Graphics is apparently still in production with Justin and the Knights of Valour, even though info is available only at the site of production company Timeless Films:

timelessfilms.co.uk/films/ju … -valour-3d

It appears that Dygra Films project Holy Night! is on hiatus, as the company itself may be. The Web site for the movie is gone. It’s possible that the similar Arthur Christmas beat Holy Night! to the draw, sending Dygra to the showers. It would be nice to learn more about the fate of Holy Night! and Dygra.

Ilion Animation Studios has revamped its Web site but is still coy about the concept for its second feature (after Planet 51). Even so, it continues to list job postings for animators, so it appears something is still brewing there.

Some material follows about the Accio Studios film (Flying Heroes) Cher Ami, which looks like primarily 2D animation, but may entail Flash-type animation…and there are even some 3D modeling examples on the site. Who knows?

flyingheroes.es/menuIng.html

In other countries…

Here’s a trailer for Sunshine Barry and the Disco Worms, from Radar Film ApS (among others) in the ever-opaque realm of Denmark:

youtube.com/watch?v=oB4OJrnYeaM

Here’s another teaser from CAOZ in Iceland, on Legends of Valhalla: Thor…

caoz.com/legendsofvalhalla-teaser

And some folks here have expressed interest in French film Un Monstre a Paris (A Monster In Paris in English), so here’s another vote for a U.S. theatrical release of what looks like a very worthwhile effort.

Finally, from DigiArt in South Korea, here’s a bit from Outback:

youtube.com/watch?v=Tle2HC7Aqdo