Wikipedia

Superprod Group

Superprod Group
FoundedOctober 2010; 15 years ago (2010-10)[1]
Founders
  • Clément Calvet
  • Jérémie Fajner
Headquarters
Paris, Angoulême
,
France
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
  • Clément Calvet (President & CEO)
  • Jérémie Fajner (Managing Director)
Divisions
  • Superprod Animation
  • Superprod Drama
  • Superprod Films
  • Superprod Impact
Subsidiaries
  • 440HZ Music
  • Kids First Digital
  • Melusine Productions
  • Red Monk Studio
  • Superights Kids & Family
  • The Co-Production Company
  • Watch Next Media
  • Wheel in Motion
Websitewww.superprod.net/en

Superprod Group is a French independent audiovisual production company that was founded in October 2010 by former Gaumont Animation executives Clément Calvet and Jérémie Fajner that develops, produces, and distributes animated & live-action series and films under their division and subsidiaries. Their main animation production division that is part of the group was Superprod Animation who produce traditional, CGI and hybrid projects.

History

[edit]

Superprod Group was founded in October 2010 when it was originally established as an animation production studio after former Alphanim (now Gaumont Animation) CEOs and executives Clément Calvet and Jérémie Fajner had depatured Alphanim after it was acquired by film & television production and distribution company Gaumont two years before.[1]

On May 7, 2013, Superprod Animation entered the distribution business by teaming up with investment firm Axone Invest to launch Superprod's own in-house international distribution division dedicated to distributing animation and live-action content named Superights Family Entertainment with Superprod's founders Clément Calvet and Jérémie Fajner managing Superprod's new distribution sales division alongside former M6 head of children's programming Morgann Favennec joining Superights as their head director of sales & acquisitions.[2][3]

In September 2015, Superprod Animation expanded outside of their Paris-based animation studio by opening an animation production studio based in Angoulême to expand their animation production activities.[4]

By July 2017, Superprod Group launched its digital arm named Superprod Digital and had appointed former Cyber Group Studios exec Carole Brin to head up Superprod's digital unit Superprod Digital as its chief digital officer of the newly created digital arm as Superprod Digital.[5]

In February 2018, Superprod Group entered the American animation production market by establishing an US office based in Los Angeles to expand their international outfit with Superprod's former CFO Louise de Staël heading their new animation office[6]

In June 2018, two years after Superprod Group acquired CGI animation production company Vanilla Seed, Superprod Group rebranded its Angoulême-based animation studio Vanilla Seed to Superprod Studio, reflecting their parent company's name for the rebranded Angoulême animation studio with the studio will handle all of Superprod's CGI productions.[7] Three months later in September of that year, Superprod Group signed a three-year co-production partnership with recently-launch German animation studio Atmosphere Media to produce a state of six animated series and would be animated at Superprod's Angouleme-based Superprod Studio (renamed from Vanilla Seed three months prior) and at Atmosphere Media's Belgian studio Digital Graphics. Superprod and German animation studio Atmosphere Media would handle French and German-speaking rights with the former's distribution arm Superights handling international sales & distribution to them in other countries excluding Belgium.[8] The two series were released part of Superprod's partnership with Atmosphere Media were That's Joey![9] (renamed from Joker Joe) and Anna & Friends[10] (renamed from Anna & Frog).

In February 2021, Superprod Group announced that they've taken a majority stake in Milan-based Italian animation studio Red Monk Studio, marking Superprod's entry into the Italian animation production business with Red Monk Studio continued operating as a separate label from Superprod alongside its founders Lucia Geraldine Scott and Corrado Diodà which remained CEOs of the acquired company with former international sales manager of Superprod's division Superights Pedro Citaristi became managing director of Red Monk as part of the acquisition.[11]

In late-September 2022, Superprod Group acquired New York-based American international production company The Co-Production Company to booster their American development and production activities with its founder Doug Schwalbe became president of Superprod's new American division Superprod US alongside former Cartoon Network executive Tatiana Krokar became the vice president of Superprod's American division.[12]

In January 2023, Superprod Group announced that they've opened a new animation building in that same location as their expansion to its Angoulême-based production studio division Superprod Studio and their own Angoulême-based animation production studio along with the company developing their new pipeline deplay named 'Pipeline Flow' becoming the first European animation studio to use it based on Pixar's USD technology.[13]

In December 2023, Superprod Group launched the 360 degree CSR policy division named Superprod Impact with a focus that aims its commitment to eco-responsibility to the French animation ecosystem that is provided by the France 2030 investment.[14]

In April 2024, Superprod Group acquired Luxembourgish animation production studios Melusine Productions and Studio 352 (who had previously produced Song of the Sea with Superprod) to strengthen their animation production activities and their ability to produce and finance their animated series & feature films, marking Superprod's expansion into the Luxembourg production activities with Melusine founder Stephan Roelants continuing to lead Melusine under Superprod.[15]

Two months later in June of that same year following Superprod's acquisition of Luxembourg animation productions studios Melusine Productions and Studio 352, Superprod announced their entry into the British production activities by teaming up with former Netflix EMEA & Nickelodeon International executive Alexi Wheeler who was attending the French 2024 Annecy International Animated Film Festival at that time to launch a UK-based live-action & animation production subsidiary named Wheel In Motion, giving Superprod a British production subsidiary with the new subsidiary will focus on its live-action and animated projects.[16]

In November 2024, Superprod Group had partnered with London-based British rights & international media company Coolabi to develop and produce a CGI animated series based on Adam Blade's successful fantasy book series entitled Beast Quest which were originally published by Orchard Books in the United Kingdom, Superprod Group will produced the upcoming CGI-animated series Beast Quest through its in-house Paris and Angoulême-based animation production studios under the Superprod Animation division in its country of France alongside Superprod's three production companies which were British company Wheel in Motion (marking its first production from Superprod's British arm Wheel in Motion), its American financial & production unit The Co-Production Company (which Superprod had brought in 2021) and its Rome-based Italian animation production unit Red Monk Studio while Coolabi's production arm Coolabi Productions will co-produce.[17]

In February 2025 following Superprod Group's partnership with Watch Next Media back in October 2024 four months ago, Superprod Group under their distribution subsidiary Superights Kids & Family and Watch Next Media through its distribution arm Kids First Distribution announced a strategic merger of their own distribution catalogues and digital channels with Watch Next Media's production catalogue joining the catalogue of Superprod's own distribution subsidiary Superights became the biggest international distributor of children's programs as Watch Next's distribution subsidiary Kids First Distribution was renamed to Kids First Digital now focusing on their digital publishing activities with Superights will distribute Watch Next Media's future productions.[18]

Divisions & subsidiaries

[edit]
  • Superprod Animation
  • Superprod Films
  • Superprod Impact

Filmography

[edit]

TV series

[edit]
Title Years Network Notes
Geronimo Stilton[19] 2009–2017 M6/France 5
Rai 2 & Rai Gulp (Italy)		 inherited from MoonScoop
co-production with Atlantyca Entertainment and Rai Fiction
The New Adventures of Lassie[20][21][22] 2014–2020
Pat the Dog 2017–2021
  • Also credited under Superprod Studio for season 2
  • co-production with Animoka Studios, Grid Animation (season 1), Rai Com (season 1) and Rai Ragazzi (season 2)
Helen's Little School[24] 2017
co-production with Muse Entertainment
The Adventures of Paddington 2019–2025
Go! Go! Cory Carson 2020–2021 Netflix co-production with Kuku Studio and VTech
Anna & Friends[25] 2022 France 5
  • Also credited under the Superprod Studio name
  • co-production with Atmosphere Media and Digital Graphics Animation
Batwheels 2022–present Cartoon Network
Spirit Rangers[27] 2022–2024 Netflix
Lego Friends: The Next Chapter[28] 2023–present YouTube
Supa Team 4[29] 2023 Netflix
The New Adventures of the Triplets[30] 2024 France 5 co-production with Federation Kids & Family[31], Quad and Yann Zenou Entertainment
Harrison & Me[32] 2025–present France 3 co-production with Vivement Lundi
Underdog and the Canine Defenders[33] Gulli & M6
Rai Gulp (Italy)
Miffy & Friends[35] 2026 Canal+
Vet Academy[36] TBA TF1
Dinospital[37] TBA
Heroic Football[38]
Frnck[39] France 3 Based on the hit comic series by Olivier Bocquet and Brice Cossu

Red Monk Studio

[edit]
Title Years Network Notes
Home Sweet Home[40] 2023 Rai Gulp
Family Channel (Canada)		 co-production with First Generation Films, Rai Kids and Michael Poryes Productions
PiriPenguins[41] 2025–present Rai Yoyo
CBeebies (United Kingdom)		 co-production with Eaglet Films, Rai Kids, Banijay Kids & Family Distribution[42] and PBS Distribution
Underdog and the Canine Defenders[33] 2025–present Rai Gulp
Gulli & M6 (France)		 co-production with Superprod Animation, Classic Media and DeAPlaneta Entertainment
A reboot of the 1960s series by W. Watts Biggers

Films

[edit]
Title Release date Distributor Notes
Dead Man Talking October 3, 2012 Kanibal Films Distribution & Atypik Films
uDream (Belgium)		 co-production with Nexus Factory, Bidibul Productions and uFilm
Song of the Sea December 10, 2014 (France/Belgium/Luxembourg)
February 19, 2015 (Denmark)
July 10, 2015 (Ireland)		 Haut et Court[43]
O'Brother Distribution (Belgium)
StudioCanal (Ireland)
Svensk Filmindustri (Scandinavia)		 co-production with Melusine Productions, Cartoon Saloon, Big Farm and Noerlum Studios
Cafard[44] September 23, 2015 (Belgium)
December 12, 2015 (France)		 Eurozoom co-production with Tarantula Belgique, Tondo Films and Topkapi Films
Jailbirds September 16, 2016 Rezo Films under Superprod Films
co-production with Orange Studio, Cine France, Rogue International, Nexus Factory, France 3 Cinema and Umedia
White Fang July 6, 2018 Netflix[45] co-production with Bidibul Productions and Big Beach
Mr. Blake at Your Service![46] November 1, 2023 Universal Pictures International France under Superprod Drama
co-production with Universal Pictures International and Bidibul Productions
The Kid[47] TBA FilmNation Entertainment co-production with Bidibul Productions and Big Beach

Watch Next Media

[edit]
Watch Next Media
IndustryAnimation
FoundedMarch 25, 2015; 10 years ago (2015-03-25)
FounderPhilippe Alessandri
HeadquartersParis, France
ParentSuperprod Group (2024–present)
Subsidiaries
  • Kids First Digital
  • La Factorie Animation
  • Je Suis Bien Content
Websitewww.watchnextmedia.com

Watch Next Media is a French animation production studio part of Superprod Group that specialises in producing animated TV series. It was founded on March 25, 2015, by former Tele Images Productions CEO & president and former Marathon Images CEO & president Philippe Alessandri had stepped his role at both companies four months prior in November 2014.[48]

Watch Next Media partnered with French animation production company Monello Productions in November 2017 to launch a joint venture distribution subsidiary based in Boulogne named Kids First Distribution, giving Watch Next Media their own in-house distribution subsidiary alongside Monello Productions reuniting Watch Next's founder and former Tele Images CEO & present Philippe Alessandri with former Tele Images producer & founder of Monello Giorgio Welter as Philippe leading the joint venture distribution subsidiary whilst Marie Lassal had been tapped to handle the joint venture distribution subsidiary as their head of sales; Watch Next would eventually take full control of the distribution subsidiary by acquiring the remaining 50% stake in Kids First Distribution from Monello Productions (which was acquired by Banijay from its previous parent Tetra Media Studio) four years later.[49]

In February 2025, following Watch Next's partnership with Superprod Group back in October 2024 four months ago, Watch Next Media merged its distribution arm Kids First Distribution into Superprod's distribution subsidiary Superights Kids & Family with Watch Next Media's production catalogue joining Superights, gaining control of the Watch Next Media programming catalogue became the biggest international distributor of children's programs as Watch Next Media rebranded its distribution subsidiary Kids First Distribution to Kids First Digital now focusing on their digital publishing activities with Superights now distributing Watch Next Media's future productions.[18]

Filmography

[edit]
Title Years Network Notes
Nate Is Late[50] 2018–present France 4
Super RTL (Germany)		 co-production with La Factorie Animation and Nate Is Late Productions (season 1)
Boy Girl Dog Cat Mouse Cheese 2019–2024 Gulli, Canal J (seasons 1–2) & Gulli (season 3), Disney Channel France (season 3)
CBBC (United Kingdom)
RTÉ2 & RTÉjr (Ireland)		 co-production with Cloudco Entertainment and Kavaleer Productions
Hello Kitty: Super Style![51] 2022–2024 Canal+ Kids
Rai Yoyo (Italy)		 co-production with Monello Productions and Maga Animation Studio
Vanishing Point[52] TBA CBBC
France Televisions		 co-production with BBC Studios Kids & Family and Kavaleer Productions

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Daswani, Mansha (June 15, 2018). "Superprod's Clément Calvet". World Screen TV Kids.
  2. ^ Rusak, Gary (May 6, 2013). "Favennec leaves M6 for new distributor Superights Family Entertainment". Kidscreen.
  3. ^ Franks, Nico (May 7, 2013). "M6 exec joins new distributor". C21Media.
  4. ^ Dale, Martin (June 14, 2016). "French TV Animation: Major Hike in French Public Support Mechanisms in 2016". Variety.
  5. ^ Padovano Tong, Joanna (July 10, 2017). "Cyber Group Alum to Head Superprod's Digital Arm". World Screen TV Kids.
  6. ^ "Superprod Opens L.A. Office Headed by Louise de Staël". Animation World Network. February 7, 2018.
  7. ^ Franks, Nico (June 13, 2018). "Superprod replants Vanilla Seed". C21Media.
  8. ^ Dickson, Jeremy (September 5, 2018). "Atmosphere and Superprod sign co-pro deal". Kidscreen.
  9. ^ "That's Joey!". Superights.
  10. ^ "Anna & Friends". Superprod.
  11. ^ Vivarelli, Nick (February 10, 2021). "French Animation Studio Superprod Buys Italy's Red Monk Studio (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
  12. ^ Goldsmith, Jill (September 29, 2022). "France's Superprod Buys The Co-Production Company; Doug Schwalbe Is President, Former Cartoon Network Exec Tatiana Krokar VP, Of Superprod US". Deadline Hollywood.
  13. ^ "Superprod Dreams Big with Angoulême Studio Expansion". Animation World Network. January 5, 2023.
  14. ^ "Superprod Unveils 'Impact' Corporate Responsibility Policy". Animation Magazine. December 7, 2023.
  15. ^ "France's Superprod Group Acquires Luxembourg's Studio 352/Mélusine Productions". Animation Magazine. April 2, 2024.
  16. ^ Tuchow, Ryan (June 10, 2024). "Alexi Wheeler launches a new studio under Superprod's umbrella". Kidscreen.
  17. ^ Bharanidharan, Sadhana (November 20, 2024). "Superprod and Coolabi go on a Beast Quest". Kidscreen.
  18. ^ a b Lang, Jamie (February 4, 2025). "Superprod Group and Kids First Merge to Expand Their Children's Programming Distribution (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
  19. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (2014-10-14). "Atlantyca, Superprod Team Up for New 'Geronimo Stilton' Series". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 2015-10-02.
  20. ^ "DQE to stage Lassie's return". Kidscreen. October 7, 2010.
  21. ^ Hopewell, John (June 12, 2013). "Superights Delivers 'Picnic with Cake'". Variety.
  22. ^ Wolfe, Jennifer (2015-06-02). "Year-End Earnings". Animation World Network. Retrieved 2018-09-10.
  23. ^ "Lassie". ZDF Studios.
  24. ^ "'Helen's Little School' Headed to MIPCOM". October 10, 2016.
  25. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (January 27, 2021). "Superprod & Atmosphere Get Hopping on 'Anna & Friends'". Animation Magazine.
  26. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (September 21, 2022). "'Batwheels' Burns Rubber to Oct. 17 Series Premiere". Animation Magazine.
  27. ^ "Chris Nee Unveils First Slate of Netflix Animated Preschool Series For Kids Around The World". Netflix Media Center (Press release). October 15, 2020.
  28. ^ "Lego Friends". Superprod. May 2, 2025. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  29. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (May 17, 2023). "'Miraculous' Movie Joins Sizzling Netflix Family Summer Slate! (New Dates, Images)". Animation Magazine. Retrieved July 15, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  30. ^ "The Triplets". Superprod.
  31. ^ Mesa, Ed (October 14, 2023). "Federation Kids & Family Unveils New Animated Show, Returns With Hit Live-Action Series (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
  32. ^ Stalcup, Jamie (February 9, 2024). "Superprod & Vivement Lundi ! Producing Harrison and me". World Screen TV Kids.
  33. ^ a b Miligan, Mercedes (September 16, 2024). "New 'Underdog' Series Kicks off Production with Superprod & Red Monk". Animation Magazine.
  34. ^ "DeAPlaneta Ent. & Superprod Team Up for New CG 'Underdog' Series". June 9, 2025.
  35. ^ Barraclough, Leo (October 3, 2023). "Studiocanal, Mercis, Superprod to Produce CGI Animated Series 'Miffy'". Variety.
  36. ^ Tuchow, Ryan (January 27, 2025). "Superprod and TF1 get into Vet Academy". Kidscreen.
  37. ^ Tuchow, Ryan (February 10, 2023). "Cool New Shows heading to Kidscreen Summit". Kidscreen.
  38. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (September 15, 2023). "Superprod Looks to Score with Magical Soccer Saga 'Heroic Football'". Animation Magazine.
  39. ^ Whittock, Jesse (October 13, 2025). "France Télévisions Sets Animated Series Based On Comic Book 'Frnck'". Deadline Hollywood.
  40. ^ Kanter, Jake (February 23, 2021). "'Hannah Montana' Co-Creator Michael Poryes Teams With France's Superprod To Create Tween Comedy 'Home Sweet Rome'". Deadline Hollywood.
  41. ^ Tuchow, Ryan (June 11, 2024). "BBC and RAI order Eaglet Films' Piripenguins". Kidscreen.
  42. ^ "Banijay Kids & Family warms to Piripenguins". C21Media. October 4, 2024.
  43. ^ Hopewell, John; Barraclough, Leo (June 14, 2014). "WestEnd Films Rolls Out 'Song of the Sea' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
  44. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (February 19, 2015). "UTA Signs French 'Song Of The Sea' Producers Superprod". Deadline Hollywood.
  45. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (February 20, 2018). "Netflix Acquires Animated Sundance Film 'White Fang'". Deadline Hollywood.
  46. ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (November 3, 2021). "John Malkovich, Fanny Ardant sign for comedy-drama 'Mr. Blake At Your Service!' (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  47. ^ Keslassy, Elsa (May 16, 2017). "FilmNation Ventures Into Animation with Sci-Fi Reimagining of Chaplin's 'The Kid' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
  48. ^ "WatchNext Media Launches In Paris". Animation World Network. March 25, 2015.
  49. ^ Whyte, Alexandra (September 6, 2017). "Watch Next, Monello launch Kids First Distribution". Kidscreen. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  50. ^ Foster, Elizabeth (October 13, 2016). "Nate is Late sells early to France Télévisions, Super RTL". Kidscreen.
  51. ^ "Hello Kitty: Super Style! 3D Animated Series Premieres on December 7". Anime News Network. 2024-07-19. Archived from the original on 2024-11-27. Retrieved 2024-07-20.
  52. ^ Keslassy, Elsa (June 9, 2025). "BBC Studios Kids & Family Unveils Animated Comedy-Action Series 'Vanishing Point' at Annecy Festival". Variety.
[edit]