Gaumont Animation & Studio 100 Media strike co-pro & distribution pact

Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles

International animation production and distribution houses Gaumont Animation and Studio 100 Media have forged a first-look co-production and distribution partnership.

The alliance will see the two firms team up to bring animated, kids and family TV series and film content to global audiences. The first co-production from the arrangement is animated series Ash, made in collaboration with Bigchild Entertainment, and is the first of several projects expected to enter development this year.

Through the deal, Studio 100 Media’s distribution arm will sell the jointly produced content, with Tiny Head, an animated co-production between Gaumont Animation and Cloudco Entertainment, named as one of the first projects to benefit from the partnership.

The arrangement comes just days after France-headquartered Gaumont, which is behind Stillwater for Apple TV+, Do, Re & Mi for Prime Video and Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles for Netflix, appointed Terry Kalagian as president of global animation, kids & family, with the division now centralised in Europe.

Munich-based Studio 100 Media, meanwhile, is the firm behind titles including Maya The Bee, Vic the Viking, Heidi and Mia And Me.

“By combining our strengths and leveraging our collective experience, we are poised to deliver compelling and high-quality animated content that resonates with audiences across the globe,” said Kalagian.

“Our collective experience and strengths will garner exceptional opportunities to create powerful diverse series and films that will inspire and captivate viewers worldwide,” added Martin Krieger, CEO of Studio 100 Media.