Cinesite Animation is a production and service animation studio based in Montreal, Quebec and Vancouver, British Columbia. It is part of Cinesite Studios, along with its partner company Cinesite VFX.
Cinesite officially announced the launch of its dedicated feature animation division on February 8, 2016.[1] In March 2017 the Cinesite group acquired Vancouver-based animation studio Nitrogen Studios.[2] In July 2022, the studio acquired Canadian animation studio L'Atelier Animation.[3] In August 2022, it purchased a majority stake in Canadian animation studio Squeeze.[4]
The company is currently in development on a slate of nine animated films, scheduled to be in production by 2020, in addition to service work for 3QU Media and Sony Pictures Animation.
Feature films and shorts
The first of nine films announced[1] as in development by Cinesite Animation are Harold Lloyd and Riverdance. The first, Harold Lloyd, in partnership with the Harold Lloyd Estate, is currently in pre-production and will be co-produced with Aniventure.[5] An animated feature inspired by the stage show Riverdance is also in development, with Ireland's River Productions.
Cinesite Animation also has a slate deal with 3QU Media, to create several animated feature films. The first, Gnome Alone, directed by Peter Lepeniotis, which was released in 2018, after being delayed from 2017, with Charming starring Demi Lovato released in the same year. Cinesite also animated seasonal production The Star for Sony,[6] released in November 2017.
In December 2013, Cinesite released "Beans", to showcase its creature animation skills. The 30-second animation went viral, amassing over 14 million views on YouTube[7] and earning the opening slot in the 2014 SIGGRAPH Electronic Theatre. The animated short also won a gold award at the AEAF animation awards.[8]
Growth in Canada
In January 2014, with the support of Investissement Québec, Cinesite announced the opening of its studios in Montréal.[9] Its initial employment target was reached 18 months early, in August 2015.[10] On February 8, 2016, the opening of Cinesite's Animation division was announced in Montréal, Canada.[11] The company subsequently announced its acquisition of Vancouver-based animation studio Nitrogen Studios in March 2017.
On February 8, 2016, Cinesite Animation announced the launch of Animate Montreal (Animez Montréal). The initiative, founded by Cinesite partnered with a group of associated companies, aims to help with upskilling, training and filling experience gaps, supporting the growth of the emerging Montréal animated film industry.
Filmography
| Year | Film title | Studio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Beans | Aniventure | Short film |
| 2017 | Gnome Alone | Vanguard Animation | |
| The Star | Sony Pictures Animation | ||
| 2018 | Charming | Netflix / Vanguard Animation | |
| 2019 | Trouble | ||
| The Addams Family | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer / Bron | ||
| 2020 | Fe@rless | Netflix / Vanguard Animation | |
| 2021 | Extinct | Netflix / Huayi Brothers / HB Wink Animation | |
| Mila | Aniventure | Short film | |
| Riverdance: The Animated Adventure | Netflix / Aniventure | ||
| The Addams Family 2 | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer / Bron | ||
| 2022 | Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank | Paramount Pictures / Nickelodeon Movies / GFM Animation / HB Wink Animation / Aniventure | |
| 2023 | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem | Paramount Pictures / Nickelodeon Movies / Point Grey Pictures | |
| 2024 | Iwájú | Walt Disney Animation Studios / Kugali Media | TV series |
| Hitpig! | Aniventure | ||
| 2025 | Smurfs | Paramount Pictures / Paramount Animation / LAFIG Belgium / IMPS[12] | |
| 2026 | Ray Gunn[13] | Netflix / Skydance Animation |
References
- ^ a b Barraclough, Leo (8 February 2016). "Cinesite to Produce Nine Animated Movies in Montreal in Five Years". Variety. Retrieved 2016-02-08.
- ^ ""Sausage Party" Animation House Nitrogen Studios Acquired by Cinesite". The Hollywood Reporter. 7 March 2017.
- ^ "Cinesite Acquires Montreal Studio l'Atelier Animation". 20 July 2022.
- ^ "Cinesite Takes Majority Stake in 'Cracké' Studio Squeeze". 2 August 2022.
- ^ "Cinesite Studios Unveils Plans for Animated Harold Lloyd Film Franchise".
- ^ "First Look at the Stars of "The Star" from Sony Pictures Animation". 27 April 2017.
- ^ "Mock Commercial for Beans Is Better Than Almost Any Real Commercial for Anything". AdWeek. 16 December 2013. Retrieved 2016-02-08.
- ^ "AEAF Award Winners Announced - OLF". Digital Media World. Archived from the original on 14 October 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
- ^ "Cinesite Launches Montreal VFX Studio". The Hollywood Reporter. 20 January 2014. Retrieved 2016-02-08.
- ^ "Greater Montréal having a special effect on Cinesite - Montreal International". Montreal International. 18 August 2015. Retrieved 2016-02-08.
- ^ "Cinesite Opens Major Animation Studio in Montréal, Canada - A future world-class animation hub creating... -- MONTRÉAL, Feb. 8, 2016". www.newswire.ca. Retrieved 2016-02-08.
- ^ Sarto, Debbie Diamond (3 February 2023). "Cinesite Tapped to Animate Upcoming Untitled 'Smurfs' Feature". Animation World Network. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ "Cinesite is now hiring for the upcoming Netflix film from Skydance Animation's "Ray Gunn", Directed by Brad Bird". Cinesite. 10 April 2025. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
