2 Minutes
2 Minutes is a French animation studio founded in 2000 that develops, produces, and co-produces 2D and 3D animated TV series and feature films for broadcasters, distributors, and co-production partners across Europe, Asia, and North America.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersParis, France
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What 2 Minutes does
2 Minutes is a French animation studio founded in 2000 by Jean Michel Spiner that develops, produces, co-produces, and executes the full production of 2D and 3D animated TV series and feature films. The company serves French and international broadcasters (TF1, ZDF, Canal+, France Télévisions, Arte, Gulli, M6, Disney Channel, Nickelodeon), feature film distributors (Gebeka), and co-production partners (Maybe Movies, Les Armateurs, Storimages, Gaumont, Magneto Presse). Over the past 15 years, its teams have produced approximately 40 animated series and participated in 5 feature films, including Zombillénium (2017), Calamity (2018), and the upcoming Amélie et la Métaphysique des Tubes (2025).
The studio operates five integrated sites across Paris, Angoulême, Réunion (France), Montreal (Canada), and Nanjing (China), employing approximately 120 people. Core technology is built around a digital animation pipeline with in-house production tools developed by an R&D department, a paperless production line established at founding, and more recently an Unreal Engine 5-based 'Artefact' pipeline for 3D feature films and series. Artists and technicians use standard animation tools (Maya, Houdini, Nuke) orchestrated through custom Python-based workflows.
The business model combines one-time licensing revenue from completed feature films (theatrical distribution via partners like Gebeka) and TV series (broadcast licensing to multiple broadcasters per title), plus professional services revenue from executive production and co-production engagements where 2 Minutes handles production execution for third-party IP owners. Pricing is project-based and not publicly disclosed; contracts are typically multi-year given animation production timelines. The company is privately held by founder Jean Michel Spiner with no disclosed PE/VC backing beyond a single 2008 round from Alliance Entreprendre and Galia Gestion.
2 Minutes firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- 2 Minutes
- Legal name
- 2 Minutes
- Website
- https://2minutes.fr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- 2 Minutes is a French animation studio founded in 2000 that develops, produces, and co-produces 2D and 3D animated TV series and feature films for broadcasters, distributors, and co-production partners across Europe, Asia, and North America.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
2 Minutes industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Animation Production Services
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Video Production (51211), Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (512199), Graphic Design Services (54143)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Live-Action Unit Production (2nd Unit, Pickups, Reshoots) (MPADABAI)
Keywords
Where 2 Minutes is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paris
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
2 Minutes business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Feature Film Production: Development, production and co-production of animated feature films with theatrical release
- TV Series Production: Development, production and co-production of 2D and 3D animated TV series for broadcasters
- Executive Production Services: Providing executive production services to French and foreign producers including studying financing possibilities and optimization of regional/international support mechanisms
- Animation Studio Services: Pre-production and production services including layout, backgrounds, animation and pre-compositing work for co-production partners
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom project-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
2 Minutes product offering
Product offeringCore offering
2 Minutes is a B2B animation studio that develops, produces, co-produces and oversees the entire production of 2D and 3D animated TV series and feature films. It also offers pre-production, production, and executive production services to French and foreign producers, including financing optimization and tax-credit support. Operations span five studios in Paris, Angoulême, Nanjing (China), Réunion, and Montreal (Canada).
Product overview
2 Minutes is a French animation studio founded in 2000 that develops, produces, co-produces, and executes the full production of 2D and 3D animation programs including TV series and feature films. The studio operates across five locations in France, Asia, and North America. Their portfolio includes feature films (Zombillénium, Calamity, Amélie et la Métaphysique des Tubes) and TV series (Ernest & Rebecca, Petronella Applewitch, Toc Toc!, Nice not nice, Libres!). Services include pre-production, production, executive production, and co-production with international partners. The company also develops proprietary production tools through its R&D department.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Zombillénium 3D animated feature film about monsters working at a horror-themed amusement park who are tired of entertaining humans; co-produced by 2 Minutes with Maybe Movies and distributed by Gebeka Films. Targeted at theatrical audiences and home-video buyers.
- Calamity 2D animated feature film depicting the childhood of Martha Jane Cannary (Calamity Jane), directed by Rémi Chayé. Co-produced with Maybe Movies and Nørlum, distributed theatrically by Gebeka and broadcast on Canal+.
- The character of rain (Amélie et la Métaphysique des Tubes) 2D animated feature film adapted from Amélie Nothomb's novel, following a Belgian girl born in Japan who believes she is God. Directed by Maïlys Vallade and Liane-Cho Han. Targeted at theatrical audiences.
- Ernest & Rebecca 2D animated TV series (52×13') about the friendship between a young girl and a microbe. Executive produced by 2 Minutes and broadcast on TF1 and ZDF. Targeted at children audiences.
- Petronella Applewitch 2D animated TV series (39×11') about Petronella, a little witch who lives in an apple. Executive produced by 2 Minutes and broadcast on ZDF. Targeted at children audiences.
- Toc Toc! (Bananimals!) 2D animated TV series (78×7') featuring animal characters visiting Gordon the bull for help, based on the Psicopattes comic. Produced by 2 Minutes for France 3. Targeted at children audiences.
- Nice, not nice (Chouette pas chouette) 2D animated TV series (16×1'35") exploring children's prejudices through animal characters. Co-produced with Gaumont and broadcast on Gulli, M6, Disney Channel, and Nickelodeon. Targeted at children audiences.
- Libres! Educational 2D animated series (10×3'30") about sexual health and autonomy for adults. Co-produced with Magneto Presse and broadcast on Arte. Targeted at adult audiences.
- Animation Production Services Full-service animation studio offering pre-production, production, and post-production services for 2D and 3D animated TV series and feature films, including design, storyboards, sets, animation, compositing, rendering, and editing. Provided to French and international co-production partners.
- Executive Production Services Executive production services offered to French and foreign producers of animated series and feature films, including studying financing possibilities and optimizing regional or international support mechanisms such as tax credit. Provided to media producers seeking an experienced executive producer.
Quantifiable outcome
- 40+ animated series produced over 15 years
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use 2 Minutes
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
2 Minutes technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
2 Minutes partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Maybe MoviescoreKey co-production partner for feature films including Zombillénium (2017) and Calamity (2018). Maybe Movies is a French animation studio that co-produces and co-directs animated feature films with 2 Minutes serving as production partner.
- Les ArmateurscoreFrench animation production company with whom 2 Minutes co-produced 'Allez raconte!' series. Les Armateurs is known for quality animated productions and 2 Minutes contributes production expertise.
- StorimagesminorCo-production partner for Trotro (L'âne Trotro) and Yakari series. 2 Minutes provides animation production services for these storimages-initiated projects.
- Media ValleyminorProducer of Ernest & Rebecca (52×13', 2018) with 2 Minutes serving as executive producer. Media Valley brings the original IP and 2 Minutes handles production execution.
- Akkord FilmminorGerman production company for Petronella Applewitch (39×11', 2019). 2 Minutes serves as executive producer providing production services while Akkord Film leads with German broadcaster ZDF connection.
- Everybody on DeckminorCo-production partner for Raymond series. 2 Minutes contributes animation production expertise to this co-production arrangement.
- GaumontminorCo-producer of Nice Not Nice (16×1'35, 2021) with 2 Minutes. Gaumont brings distribution and co-production financing while 2 Minutes handles production.
- Magneto PresseminorCo-producer of Libres! (10×3'30, 2021) adult animation series with 2 Minutes. Partners on this ARTE-commissioned project addressing sexual education for adults.
- SYMM Corporate ServicesminorCorporate services provider facilitating 2 Minutes China operations in Hong Kong/Nanjing region, supporting the company's Asian presence and studio network.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
2 Minutes competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Les Armateurs: French animation production company that co-produced 'Allez raconte!' with 2 Minutes. Compares as a directly competing boutique studio operating in the same French co-production ecosystem with similar broadcaster-driven model.
- Maybe Movies: French animation studio and 2 Minutes' most frequent co-production partner, having co-produced Zombillénium (2017) and Calamity (2018). Comparable in scale and focus on 2D/3D feature animation for the French kids/family market.
- Bibo Films: French animation production house long associated with European animated TV series. Operates in the same French co-production ecosystem as 2 Minutes with similar children/family broadcaster focus.
- Folivari: Paris-based French animation studio producing feature films and series (e.g., Bigfoot Family, The Throne). Operates in the same 2D/3D animation production niche with comparable scale and broadcaster client set.
- ON Animation Studios: Paris-based studio behind the 'Little Prince' feature franchise. Directly comparable as a French 3D feature/series animation boutique targeting family audiences with theatrical ambitions.
- Storimages: French animation studio originating top brands like Trotro and Yakari, for which 2 Minutes provides animation services. Same vertical (French kids' series/IP originators) with overlapping talent pool and broadcaster relationships.
Broad incumbents
- Gaumont Animation: The animation arm of French studio major Gaumont, itself a co-production partner to 2 Minutes (Nice Not Nice, 2021). Competes for premium European animated feature/series commissions at higher budget tiers and with a much broader corporate parent.
- Cyber Group Studios: French animation production and distribution company with global kids' properties (Gigantosaurus, Zorro). Comparable end-market (international kids' broadcasters) but larger IP portfolio and broader distribution capability.
- Xilam Animation: Publicly listed French animation studio with global hit franchises (Oggy, Zig & Sharko). Competes for the same French and international broadcaster commissions and is a meaningfully larger scaled competitor with owned IP catalogs.
Emerging players
- Ankama: French animation, games and publishing studio (Dofus, Wakfu). Comparable in being a French-rooted content studio that combines animation production with adjacent media, though larger and more diversified than 2 Minutes.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
2 Minutes social profiles
Digital presence2 Minutes compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
2 Minutes financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
2 Minutes leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
2 Minutes subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
2 Minutes funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
2 Minutes M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about 2 Minutes
What does 2 Minutes do?
2 Minutes is a B2B animation studio that develops, produces, co-produces and oversees the entire production of 2D and 3D animated TV series and feature films. It also offers pre-production, production, and executive production services to French and foreign producers, including financing optimization and tax-credit support. Operations span five studios in Paris, Angoulême, Nanjing (China), Réunion, and Montreal (Canada).
Is 2 Minutes a public or private company?
2 Minutes is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was 2 Minutes founded?
2 Minutes was founded in 2000. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is 2 Minutes based?
2 Minutes is headquartered in Paris, France, in the Europe region.
How does 2 Minutes make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Feature Film Production is the primary driver. The others are TV Series Production, executive Production Services and animation Studio Services.
Who are 2 Minutes's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Les Armateurs, Maybe Movies, Bibo Films, Folivari, ON Animation Studios and Storimages. Broad incumbents are Gaumont Animation, Cyber Group Studios and Xilam Animation. Ankama is listed as an emerging player.
Does 2 Minutes have an API?
No public API is recorded for 2 Minutes.
What industry is 2 Minutes in?
2 Minutes's product category is Animation Production Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADABAI, Live-Action Unit Production (2nd Unit, Pickups, Reshoots). Its NAICS code is 51211 and its SIC code is 7812.