Leonine & Toon2Tango founders launch new German animation studio

L-R: Hans Ulrich Stoef, Bernhard zu Castell & Jo Daris

Germany’s Leonine Studios has partnered with Toon2Tango founders Hans Ulrich Stoef and Jo Daris to launch a new animation studio.

The three partners will each contribute their shares in Toon2Tango to create Leonine Animation Studios, with effect from 1 January.

Leonine has held a 25.1% stake in Toon2Tango since October 2022, with the Munich-based Mia & Me firm now becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Leonine Animation Studios.

Leonine takes a 50% stake in the new business, with Stoef and Daris controlling the other 50%, which the company has the option to acquire to take majority from 2025.

Bernhard zu Castell, chief distribution officer at Leonine, will serve as managing director of the new animation studio, alongside co-MDs Stoef and Daris.

Leonine described the new studio as a growth and investment platform for the development, production and acquisition of new IPs with international scope as well as other selective M&A activities in the animation sector.

Initial projects include the production of the animated feature film Santa.com, which will be released in German cinemas in 2025 via Leonine Studios, and the TV series spin-off of the cinema franchise Niko, as well as the development of the series Littlest Robot which was presented at the Cartoon Forum in September, and the preschool series Hey Fuzzy Yellow, which is currently in production.

Fred Kogel, CEO of Leonine Studios, said: “We want to consistently expand our successful children’s and family entertainment segment and this step will create the conditions for further growth in this exciting market.”

“The expansion of our partnership with Ulli Stoef and Jo Daris is an important strategic step for our positioning in the animation sector,” added zu Castell. “The development, production and acquisition of major IPs is the perfect fit for our leading position in marketing and distribution, enabling us to create holistic brand worlds ranging from cinema and home entertainment to radio plays and podcasts.”