Paris-based Caribara Sets Up Studio in Montréal
About 100 new 2D animation jobs and strategic investment in training
French animation firm Caribara has announced that it is opening a new 2D animation production studio in Montréal’s Mile End district. Recognized internationally as a leader in visual effects, the company expects to create some 100 quality jobs in the Greater Montréal area over the next two years.
“We are pleased to open this studio in Montréal, a city known worldwide for its creativity, talent and excellent quality of life,” said Guillaume Dubois, General Manager of Caribara Montréal. “By making the most of the expertise of our Canadian partner, Toutenkartoon (Petit Prince, Avril et le Monde Truqué), Québec was an obvious choice for us as the place to grow our production solutions in conjunction with our European studios. We intend to distinguish ourselves from the competition here by offering an inspiring working and team environment to artists, where they can evolve and pursue their passion for drawing.”
In order to meet high demand from its clients, Caribara Montréal is already assembling a talented team of at least 50 artists specializing in 2D animation with the expectation that it will be in place by this summer. Many international television and film producers have worked with the Montréal studio, including Sony Pictures, Cottonwood, Image-In and Mondo TV. The Caribara team has just completed a tradigital animation with a long take of 15 minutes for the new “Attention Menhir” attraction at Parc Astérix in France.
Caribara is also intent on building a unique and dedicated creative space in Montréal in collaboration with a top partner, Campus Pivaut, a technical school of narrative drawing that will operate out of offices next to the studio. The partnership aims to provide training and inspiring encounters to students and artists working in the industry so as to encourage their passion for drawing and animation.
Montréal International, the economic promotion agency for Greater Montréal, supported the French company every step of the way in its expansion project. “Over the last 10 years, the region has emerged as a global hub in the visual effects and animation industry, thanks to an estimated 27% average annual growth rate. In addition to creating some 100 direct, quality jobs, Caribara will help stimulate the vitality and creativity of this growth sector,” said Hubert Bolduc, President and CEO of Montréal International.
Investissement Québec, whose mission is to attract new foreign investment to Québec and provide guidance to international subsidiaries so that they continue to grow and invest in Québec, welcomes Caribara’s expansion project. “We are delighted with Caribara’s decision to set up a studio here. The province’s video game and visual effects industry is well established and brimming with talent; those were two important factors in the decision. We are proud to have helped demonstrate the benefits of choosing Québec and its metropolis to a key player in the animated film and creative visual content industry,” said Guy LeBlanc, President and CEO of Investissement Québec.
Source: Montréal International and Caribara
