Submarine

What Submarine does

Submarine is an Amsterdam-headquartered independent production company founded in 2000 that develops and produces feature films, documentaries, drama series, animation, and transmedia projects across five operating divisions: Scripted, Documentary, Hybrid, Animation, and Digital/Podcast. The company serves international broadcasters, global streaming platforms, brand licensors, and co-production partners, generating revenue through one-time licensing commissions, professional services for commissioned animation, and production incentive facilitation. Its core production technology is a modular animation pipeline using industry-standard tools (TVPaint, Toon Boom Harmony, Blender, Maya, Nuke, Houdini, Solaris) supporting 2D cut-out, hand-drawn, rotoscoping, clay models, oil-painting backgrounds, 3D, and hybrid live-action/animation techniques, with proprietary methods including the rotoscope-plus-oil-painting approach used in Undone and hybrid animation methods used in Apollo 10½ and Coppelia.

The company's go-to-market combines sales-led project commissioning with channel-partner distribution: Submarine secures commissions from Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, Videoland, and public broadcasters (France Télévisions, ZDF, RAI), co-produces with international partners (StudioCanal, Heyday Films, Tornante, Night Train Media, Walking the Dog), and distributes through A+E Media Group, APC Kids, Urban Distribution International, and the jointly-owned Periscoop Film. Operationally, Submarine runs the Netherlands' largest animation studio (capacity for up to 250 artists) with offices in Amsterdam, Antwerp, London, and Los Angeles, and since 2023 has been majority-owned by French media conglomerate Mediawan Group. The company has received an International Emmy Award (Bellingcat, 2019), an Oscar nomination (Life, Animated, 2017), and European Film Awards for animation, and operates Submarine Channel as a wholly-owned transmedia/digital platform for VR, interactive documentaries, and podcasts.

Name

Submarine

Legal name

Submarine

Website

https://submarine.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Submarine is an Amsterdam-based independent production company founded in 2000 producing feature films, documentaries, drama series, animation, and transmedia projects for global streamers, European broadcasters, and international co-production partners across five divisions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Feature Film Production: Submarine develops and produces feature films for theatrical release, working with international co-producers and distributors. Revenue generated through production fees, co-production financing, and distribution rights sales.
2. Scripted Series Production: Production of drama and scripted series for broadcasters and streaming platforms (Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, Videoland, Streamz). Revenue from production commissions, licensing fees, and international distribution.
3. Animation Production: Full-service animation studio producing series and features for children and adult audiences. Works on commissioned productions and own co-productions. Studio accommodates up to 250 artists.
4. Documentary Production: Production of documentary features and series for international broadcasters, streaming platforms, and festival distribution.
5. Transmedia/Digital Production: Submarine Channel produces interactive documentaries, VR experiences, podcasts, and transmedia projects. Revenue from production services and digital content licensing.
6. Commercial Production Services: Professional production services for commercials and ads, collaborating with award-winning directors for companies, agencies, and brands.
7. Netherlands Production Incentive Administration: Submarine offers international producers the possibility to apply for the 35% cash rebate through Submarine as a co-producer, generating administrative revenue from facilitation.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Submarine is an Amsterdam-based independent production company that develops, finances, and produces feature films, documentaries, scripted drama series, animation, and transmedia/interactive content. It operates five divisions (Scripted, Documentary, Hybrid, Animation, Digital/Podcast) and runs the Netherlands' largest animation studio, with up to 250 artists producing commissioned and co-produced work for international broadcasters, streaming platforms, and brands. The company also operates Submarine Channel (transmedia digital platform) and a joint distribution venture (Periscoop Film), and offers international producers access to the 35% Netherlands production cash rebate as a co-production partner.

Product overview

Submarine is an award-winning independent production company headquartered in Amsterdam with offices in Los Angeles, London, and Antwerp, producing feature films, documentaries, drama series, animation, and interactive/transmedia projects. The company operates across five distinct divisions: Scripted (drama series), Documentary, Hybrid (live-action/animation combinations), Animation (encompassing the Netherlands' largest animation studio), and Digital/Podcast (Submarine Channel for transmedia projects). Submarine's animation slate features award-winning films and series varying in style from 2D to 3D animation, using techniques including rotoscoping paired with oil-painted backgrounds, traditional hand-drawn animation, clay models, and hybrid live-action/animation combinations. The company also operates Submarine Channel as its digital/transmedia platform producing VR, motion comics, games, and interactive documentaries, and Periscoop Film as a joint distribution venture. Notable productions include Undone (rotoscoped animation series for Amazon Prime), Coppelia (live-action/animation ballet hybrid), Bellingcat documentary (International Emmy winner), and feature films like Apollo 10½ (Richard Linklater) and Fox and Hare Save the Forest.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fox and Hare Save the Forest Full-length animated feature film directed by Mascha Halberstad about the adventures of Fox and Hare, based on the book series by Sylvia Vanden Heede.
• Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood Hybrid live-action/animated feature film written and directed by Richard Linklater for Netflix, about a child selected for a secret NASA mission during the Apollo era.
• They Shot The Piano Player Animated feature exploring the life and mysterious disappearance of American folk musician Terry Callier.
• Undone Half-hour genre-bending animated series for Amazon Prime Video exploring the elastic nature of reality through rotoscope animation paired with oil-painted backgrounds.
• Where is Anne Frank 2D animated feature directed by Ari Folman, following Anne Frank's imaginary friend Kitty as she searches for Anne's fate.
• Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles 2D animated feature telling the story of how filmmaker Luis Buñuel created his documentary Las Hurdes: Tierra sin pan; won European Film Award for Best Animation 2019.
• Coppelia Live-action/animation hybrid family film combining 2D and 3D animation with dance, based on the classic ballet with international star dancers from Dutch National Ballet.
• Fox and Hare 3D animated preschool series about unlikely forest friends Fox and Hare, based on Sylvia Vanden Heede's book series, won Cinekid National Audience Award.
• WellieWishers 26-episode animated series for Mattel's American Girl brand, targeting girls aged 5-7, featuring five friends in whimsical garden adventures.
• Bellingcat – Truth in a Post-Truth World Groundbreaking documentary following the rise of the citizen investigative journalist collective Bellingcat; won International Emmy Award for Best Documentary 2019.
• The Kollective European thriller series following citizen journalists, created by Gomorrah writers Leonardo Fasoli and Maddalena Ravagli.
• Safe Harbor Dutch-Belgian thriller series from Ozark co-creator Mark Williams, starring Alfie Allen, Charlie Murphy, and Jack Gleeson for Videoland and Streamz.
• Pippi Longstocking Animated Series 52-episode 3D CGI animated TV series based on Astrid Lindgren's Pippi Longstocking character, developed in partnership with StudioCanal, Heyday Films, and The Astrid Lindgren Company.
• Submarine Channel Digital platform producing and distributing original transmedia documentaries, fiction, and genre-defying entertainment including VR, motion comics, games, and interactive documentaries.
• Periscoop Film Distribution company co-founded by Fu Works and Submarine that distributes films they would have liked to produce themselves.
• Animation Studio Services Full-service animation studio accommodating up to 250 artists, producing commissioned work and co-productions using 2D cut-out, traditional hand-drawn, rotoscoping, clay models, oil paintings, 3D, and hybrid animation techniques.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 90 million copies sold (Pippi Longstocking property)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• StudioCanalflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudioCanal partnered with Submarine for development of new animated TV series based on Pippi Longstocking - a 52-episode 3D CGI production. This marks a major expansion of StudioCanal's family franchise strategy.
• Heyday FilmscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeyday Films (David Heyman's production company) partnered with Submarine for the Pippi Longstocking animated series development.
• The Astrid Lindgren CompanyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Astrid Lindgren Company holds rights to Pippi Longstocking and partnered with Submarine for animated series development. The books have sold over 90 million copies worldwide.
• Tornante CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichael Eisner's company Tornante co-produced Undone with Submarine. Submarine co-financed and produced the series together with Tornante.
• Leonardo Fasoli and Maddalena RavaglicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreators/writers/showrunners of Gomorrah joined Submarine for The Kollective series, creating and showrunning the production.
• Night Train MediacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNight Train Media partnering with Submarine for Safe Harbor thriller series, produced with Ozark co-creator Mark Williams.
• Richard LinklatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOscar-nominated director Richard Linklater worked with Submarine on Apollo 10½ animated feature for Netflix.
• Ari FolmancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDirector Ari Folman (Waltz with Bashir) collaborated with Submarine on Where is Anne Frank animated feature.
• Dutch National BalletcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubmarine collaborated with Dutch National Ballet for Coppelia - a live-action/animation hybrid production inspired by the ballet production by Ted Brandsen.
• Walking the DogcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBelgian animation studio Walking the Dog co-produced Fox and Hare series and feature film with Submarine.
• JEP AnimationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman production company co-produced Fox and Hare animated series.
• APC KidscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAPC Kids handles international broadcast sales for Fox and Hare series, distributing to Israel, Czech Republic, Quebec Canada, Slovakia, and UK.
• The European AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe European Alliance commissioned The Kollective series from Submarine.
• A+E Media GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorA+E Media Group serves as worldwide distributor for The Kollective series.
• DiprentecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth African production company Diprente co-producing Spike animated feature film with Submarine.
• Urban Distribution InternationalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational sales agent for Coppelia animated feature distribution.
• VPROcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch broadcaster VPRO co-produced Bellingcat documentary with Submarine.
• Minnow MountaincoreTechnology or IntegrationAustin-based production company Minnow Mountain collaborated on Undone animation production.
• Minnow MountaincoreTechnology or IntegrationAustin-based production company Minnow Mountain collaborated on Undone Season Two animation production.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cartoon Saloon: Irish animation and film studio of comparable size producing award-winning feature animation (Wolfwalkers, Song of the Sea) for global platforms, with a similar multi-format indie-to-global pipeline that closely mirrors Submarine's animation and hybrid approach.
• Walking the Dog: Belgian animation studio and existing Submarine co-production partner on Fox and Hare; directly comparable as a European indie animation house serving similar preschool and family audiences with global platform distribution.
• Blue Zoo Animation Studio: UK-based animation studio producing children's series (Q Pootle 5, Aliens Love Panto) for global broadcasters, directly comparable to Submarine's preschool/children's animation business and similar in scale and platform-mix.
• Locksmith Animation: UK animation studio (Ron's Gone Wrong) producing CG animated features with global distribution, similarly positioned as a mid-sized premium European animation producer competing for the same streaming and theatrical commissions.
• Laika: US-based animation studio (Coraline, Kubo) producing hybrid CG/stop-motion features for global release, comparable to Submarine in its mix of proprietary techniques, feature-film focus, and premium platform distribution relationships.
• See-Saw Films: UK/Australian premium scripted and film production company (The Power of the Dog, Slow Horses) comparable to Submarine's Scripted and Documentary divisions in size, talent model, and platform relationships, though with less animation focus.
• Lupus Films: UK animation studio (The Snowman and the Snowdog, Ethel & Ernest) producing premium family animation for Channel 4 and Netflix, comparable to Submarine in scope, audience targeting, and award-pedigree approach.
• Aardman Animations: UK-based animation studio (Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep) producing premium stop-motion and CG features and series for global broadcasters and streamers, with an analogous multi-decade brand reputation and slate-based commissioning model.
• Ankama: French animation and games studio producing animated series and features (Dofus, Wakfu) for global platforms, comparable to Submarine as a French/European multi-format producer spanning animation, transmedia, and digital distribution.

Broad incumbents

• Illumination: Major US/European animation studio (Despicable Me, Sing) with Mac Guff production base in Paris, representing a much larger incumbent competitor for global animation commissions but operating in the same premium animation space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Submarinebv
• Facebookfacebook.com/submarinefilms
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/submarine

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Submarine