Netflix is proudly announcing its acquisition of Australian animation studio, Animal Logic. The acquisition is expected to support Netflix’s ambitious animated film slate, building on films like Academy Award-nominated Over the Moon, Academy Award-nominated Klaus and the recently released The Sea Beast.
The Sydney-based firm, co-founded by CEO Zareh Nalbandian, has been home to award-winning design, visual effects and animation for over thirty years, with a second studio in Vancouver, Canada as of 2015. Their credits partly include Hollywood hits like Happy Feet, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole, The LEGO Movies and Peter Rabbit 1 & 2, as well as a number of VFX credits like The Matrix, Moulin Rouge!, 300, and The Great Gatsby.
The announcement also builds on an already strong partnership between the two companies, with a full slate of films across both of Animal Logic’s locations with titles like The Magician’s Elephant, directed by Wendy Rogers, and the recently announced The Shrinking of the Treehorns, directed by Ron Howard, for Netflix.
“Netflix has been investing in animation over the past few years and this furthers our commitment to building a world-class animation studio,” said Amy Reinhard, Netflix Vice President of Studio Operations. “Animal Logic is a leading animation studio with innovative technology that will strengthen our existing business and increase our long-term capacity in the animation space, so that we can better entertain our members around the world.”
“After 30 years of producing great work with great people, this is the perfect next chapter for Animal Logic,” said Nalbandian. “Our values and aspirations could not be more aligned with Netflix, in working with diverse content makers, producing innovative and engaging stories for audiences around the world. Our collective experience and talent will open new doors for all our teams and will empower a new level of creativity in animation.”
“The strength of our partnership across a number of projects is testament to our shared creative vision,” said Animal Logic’s COO Sharon Taylor. “Solidifying our future together felt like a mutually beneficial, natural progression and I am so excited to continue to build on our success together.”
During its efforts, the teams and leadership operating under Animal Logic Entertainment are still committed to working independently, to fulfil production of existing and ongoing projects and collaborating with longstanding studio partners to develop and produce elevated family entertainment with universal appeal.
Regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions are still being worked in but both companies are expected to close the deal later this year.