Acquisition of the two Luxembourg-based studios bolsters the company’s development, production and financing capabilities for premium feature and TV animation.
The Superprod Group today announced the acquisition of Studio 352 and Mélusine Productions in a move to strengthen its development, production, and financing capabilities for premium animation films and series. The Luxembourg-based companies were both founded in 1997 by Stéphan Roelants.
Mélusine Productions recently delivered on the BAFTA Award-winning animated feature The Kingdom of Kensuké. The studio’s upcoming projects include new film productions with studios Folivari, Cartoon Saloon, and Superprod Animation, along with development of other projects. Studio 352’s team of artists and technicians has contributed to the growth of Luxembourg’s animation industry with support from Film Fund Luxembourg.
Mélusine and Studio 352 will receive additional technical and financial resources (including the full USD pipeline developed by Superprod) to strengthen their position among international animation producers, as well as support from Superprod Group’s production entities in France, Italy (Red Monk Studio), and the U.S. (The Co-Production Company), its diversified activities in international sales (Superights), and music project management and music rights (440Hz), as well as its partnerships with major international studios in Europe and the U.S. In addition, the Superprod Group will support the development of Studio 352 and Mélusine’s teams, which will benefit from opportunities for collaboration and career advancement within Superprod.
Roelants will continue his role as producer on current projects within Mélusine Productions, with general management handed over to Fabien Renelli, who has worked alongside Roelants for almost 20 years.
"Having created, developed, and ensured the existence of Studio 352 and Mélusine Productions for 27 years, I'm delighted to be able to hand over the reins to the younger generation,” said Roelants. “Isn’t it the wish of every company founder and manager to see the development of his/her company continue, thus ensuring a promising future? Joining the Superprod Group will give both companies the opportunity to flourish within a group capable of meeting new market challenges while preserving its Luxembourg identity. A relationship of trust with Clément and Jérémie built up over many years gives us the prospect of a solid and pleasant collaboration that will, I'm sure, give both entities new letters of nobility.”
Clément Calvet and Jérémie Fajner added, "We are very proud of the trust Stephan Roelants has placed in us by handing over to us the studio and the company he has grown as an essential partner for the most prestigious animated films produced in Europe. We've known Stephan and the talented teams at Studio 352 for many years, notably through our co-production of the film Song of the Sea, which took us together to the Oscars, Césars, and European Film Awards. We would also like to pay tribute to Stephan's talent and determination, and the reputation of the companies he has developed and placed at the pinnacle of the industry."
Hottinguer Corporate Finance (M&A), Eight Advisory (Due Diligences), and Alérion Avocats (Legal) advised The Superprod Group.
Source: Superprod Group
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
