French prodco Ellipse Animation (The Adventures of Tintin, The Garfield Show, The Smurfs) has acquired a majority shareholding in Studio Campedelli. Founded in 2008 by Pietro Campedelli and currently led by Anne-Sophie Vanhollebeke and Valeria Brambilla, the Italian production company based in Milan and Turin specializes in the creation and production of animated audiovisual content, including the series Calimero, Atchoo! and Tip the Mouse.
The acquisition of Studio Campedelli marks an important step in Ellipse Animation’s growth strategy and the development of Média-Participations, which has already established a presence in France and Belgium (Belvision, Dreamwall). The addition of the new studio consolidates Ellipse’s station in the global animation market, while elevating Campedelli’s international visibility and growth.
“This acquisition is a unique opportunity for us to combine our talents to create and produce new quality stories together, with the ambition of touching the hearts of audiences around the world,” said Caroline Audebert, Managing Director of Ellipse Animation. “It is also a great step forward for the European ecosystem of the audiovisual branch of Média-Participations, which is continuing its growth.”
Campedelli principals Vanhollebeke and Brambilla commented, “It will be a pleasure for us to work with Caroline, Lila [Hannou] and their fantastic team, with whom we share the same professional ethics and content development strategies. I would like to thank Pietro Campedelli for giving us this great opportunity to work together to take on the future challenges of the global entertainment market.”
The two studios are already working together on the series Versailles Unleashed (in production for France Télévisions) and on the feature film Prendiluna (in development).
“We are particularly honored by the trust placed in us by Mr. Campedelli,” said Julien Papelier, Deputy Managing Director of Média-Participations. “He has contributed so much to the success of his studio, which is a real benchmark for Italian animation. He can rest assured of our commitment to developing it even further.”
Campedelli noted, “I founded Studio Campedelli in 2008 after working as an executive producer of animated series for Italian companies, including Studio Laganà’s Lupo Alberto, the first series co-produced by RAI. The pleasure of seeing the professionalism of the staff I hired grow has enabled me to give them ever greater responsibilities and to attract the interest of a group the size of Média-Participations. To promote the development of the new group, I have decided to sell my shares to Anne-Sophie Vanhollebeke and Valeria Brambilla, who will be able to guarantee a fruitful future for what we have built. Before I leave the stage, I must thank the President, Julien Papelier. I am delighted to know that my company is now in experienced hands that will ensure the international growth of Studio Campedelli.”
