Ellipse Animation
Ellipse Animation is the Média-Participations-owned French animation studio producing 2D, 3D CGI and hybrid series, feature films, 4D theme park rides and webtoons based on iconic European IPs (The Smurfs, Marsupilamis, Yakari, Lucky Luke) for global broadcasters and platforms.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersParis, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Ellipse Animation does
Ellipse Animation is the umbrella audiovisual production brand of family-owned French media group Média-Participations, consolidating three production labels (Dargaud Media, Dupuis Edition & Audiovisuel, and Ellipsanime Productions) under a single identity since June 2022. The company produces animated television series, feature films, theme park 4D attractions and, since 2024, webtoons, operating from a Paris headquarters (57 rue Gaston Tessier), a 160-workstation Angoulême studio and affiliated facilities via Belvision and DreamWall in Belgium and a Dargaud bureau in Shanghai. Production techniques span traditional 2D, 3D CGI and a proprietary 3D-rendered-to-2D hybrid pipeline; the studio employs more than 260 in-house animators with access to 500 workstations group-wide and aims to deliver 4-6 series and one feature film per year. Its catalog includes iconic European comic-book IPs — The Smurfs, Les Marsupilamis, Yakari, Lucky Luke, Tintin, Astérix, Babar, Garfield — and 170+ productions that are sold worldwide through sister entity Mediatoon Distribution.
The business operates as a B2B project-based studio financed through coproduction agreements, broadcaster pre-sales and international licensing. Core customers are major European public and commercial broadcasters (France Télévisions, TF1, M6/Gulli, RTBF, VRT-Ketnet, RTS) and global platforms (Nickelodeon/Paramount for Marsupilamis, ADN streaming platform within the group), with adjacent revenue from theatrical distribution (e.g., Yakari, Lucky Luke), theme park attractions (Parc Spirou's Smurfs 4D ride) and webtoon manufacturing for the ONO platform and group publishers Dupuis and Dargaud. Recent strategic moves include the January 2024 majority acquisition of Italian studio Campedelli, expansion into webtoon production and the launch of the Webtoon Academy Angoulême with Kenaz and ONO (June 2024), and high-profile international broadcast partnerships such as Nickelodeon for Les Marsupilamis (September 2025). Ellipse Animation does not publicly disclose revenue and has not raised external equity; it is a wholly-owned subsidiary within the larger Média-Participations ecosystem of 80+ companies spanning publishing, gaming, theme parks, streaming and consumer products.
Ellipse Animation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ellipse Animation
- Legal name
- ELLIPSANIME PRODUCTIONS
- Website
- https://ellipseanimation.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Ellipse Animation is the Média-Participations-owned French animation studio producing 2D, 3D CGI and hybrid series, feature films, 4D theme park rides and webtoons based on iconic European IPs (The Smurfs, Marsupilamis, Yakari, Lucky Luke) for global broadcasters and platforms.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ellipse Animation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Animation Production Services
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Video Production (51211), Motion Picture and Video Industries (5121), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Animated Series Production (TV/Streaming) (MPADACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Animated Feature Film Production (MPADACAH), Character & Creature Animation (MPADACAE)
Keywords
Where Ellipse Animation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paris
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Ellipse Animation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Animation Production & Licensing: Ellipse Animation generates revenue through producing animated TV series, feature films, and specials. Productions are typically coproduced with partners and licensed to broadcasters, streaming platforms, and international distributors. Revenue comes from pre-sales, co-production financing, and licensing fees.
- Webtoon Production Services: Ellipse Studio Angoulême provides webtoon manufacturing services as executive producer for group publishers (Dupuis, Dargaud), ONO platform, and external publishers. The studio organizes industrial production similar to animation division of labor to meet weekly publication schedules on apps.
- Theme Park Attractions: Production of 3D/4D films for theme park attractions, such as the Smurfs and Magic Grimoire 4D ride at Parc Spirou Provence, and previous Marsu Aventures and Supergroom attractions.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels4 records
Ellipse Animation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ellipse Animation is a French animation studio operating as the umbrella brand for Média-Participations' French audiovisual production activities (Dargaud Media, Dupuis Edition & Audiovisuel, Ellipsanime Productions). It produces animated TV series, feature films, theme park 4D attractions, and webtoons across 2D, 3D CGI, and hybrid rendering techniques, leveraging iconic European IPs including The Smurfs, Tintin, Astérix, Lucky Luke, Babar, and Yakari. Productions are typically coproduced with international partners and licensed to broadcasters, streaming platforms, and distributors worldwide.
Product overview
Ellipse Animation is a French animation studio and the umbrella brand for Média-Participations' audiovisual production companies in France (Dargaud Media, Dupuis Edition & Audiovisuel, Ellipsanime Productions). With over 60 years of history, it operates as a full-service animation studio producing content across multiple formats: TV series (2D, 3D CGI, 3D rendered 2D), feature films, theme park attractions (4D rides), and webtoons. The company manages a catalog of iconic European IPs including The Smurfs, Yakari, Les Marsupilamis, Lucky Luke, Tintin, Babar, and Garfield. Productions are distributed internationally through Mediatoon Distribution and broadcast partners including TF1, M6, France Télévisions, Nickelodeon, and various international broadcasters. The studio operates facilities in Paris and Angoulême, with international presence through Belvision in Belgium and Dargaud Shanghai.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Ellipse Studio: Animation and webtoon production studio operating from Angoulême, France
- Ellipse Paris
- Dargaud Media
- Dupuis Edition & Audiovisuel
- Ellipsanime Productions
Products and services
- Animated TV Series Production Full-service animated television series production sold to broadcasters, streaming platforms, and distributors through coproduction agreements and licensing deals. Productions span preschool to adult audiences and include The Smurfs, Les Marsupilamis, Les Filles de Dad, The Fox-Badger Family, Belfort & Lupin, Trotro & Zaza, and others.
- Animated Feature Film Production Animated feature-length films produced for theatrical release, typically in coproduction with partners such as Belvision, PAN Group, and Maybe Movies. Distributed theatrically via Pan Distribution in France and through Mediatoon Distribution internationally.
- Theme Park 4D Attractions 3D/4D attraction films produced for theme parks, supplying immersive ride content based on owned and licensed IPs such as The Smurfs and Marsupilamis. Sold to theme park operators such as Parc Spirou Provence.
- Webtoon Production Industrial-scale webtoon creation and executive production services for publishing houses, digital platforms, and external publishers. Organizes production with an animation-style division of labor to deliver ongoing vertical-scroll content for smartphone platforms.
- Webtoon Academy Angoulême Professional training program offering a 13-week curriculum for francophone webtoon creators, delivered in partnership with Korean webtoon studio Kenaz, the ONO platform, and EMCA animation school. Located at Ellipse Studio Angoulême with free admission for selected participants.
Quantifiable outcome
- Yakari feature film achieved 350,000+ French theater admissions and 150,000+ in Germany within three days (pre-pandemic release)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Ellipse Animation
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Ellipse Animation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Ellipse Animation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- Pan Animation / Pan DistributionmajorPartnership with Pan Animation on Lucky Luke animated feature film (Bienvenue à Fanga Town). Pan Distribution handles French theatrical distribution for Yakari Cœur de Brave.
- Nickelodeon (Paramount Global)coreInternational broadcast partner for The Marsupilamis series, covering worldwide territories excluding USA and China. Partnership announced September 2025.
- KenazmajorKorean webtoon studio, principal independent webtoon producer in Korea. Partner in Webtoon Academy Angoulême initiative alongside Ellipse Studio and ONO. Extended partnership to include production of webtoon series initiated by Academy laureates.
- ONOcoreMédia-Participations webtoon platform launched March 2023 with 300+ series. Ellipse Studio Angoulême produces webtoons for ONO including Vertu de Saint-Cyr and other Ono Originals. Platform downloaded 500,000+ times.
- Studio CampedellimajorItalian animation studio based in Milan and Turin, majority stake acquired by Ellipse Animation in January 2024. Founded in 2008 by Pietro Campedelli. Specializes in CGI animation including Calimero series. Currently working on Belfort & Lupin for France Télévisions and feature film Prendiluna.
- BelvisioncoreBelgian production company and strategic partner for coproductions including The Marsupilamis, The Fox-Badger Family, Les Filles de Dad, and feature films. Belvision has been an iconic Belgian animation producer since the 1950s and is part of Média-Participations group.
- Mediatoon DistributioncoreDistribution arm of Média-Participations handling worldwide sales of Ellipse Animation productions for over 20 years. Manages TV, VOD, DVD, games, music, licensing and publishing. Holds the largest animation catalog in Europe (4,000+ hours) plus Japanese anime titles.
- DreamWallcoreBelgian production studio collaborating with Ellipse Animation on feature film production. Yakari 2 is being manufactured at DreamWall in Belgium alongside Ellipse Studio Angoulême.
- Peyo ProductionscoreProduction partner for The Smurfs franchise. Owner of Peyo IP (The Smurfs). Ellipse Animation (under Dupuis label) coproduces the 3D animated series and 4D theme park attractions.
- France TélévisionscoreFrench public broadcaster and key partner for multiple series including The Fox-Badger Family, Belfort & Lupin, and Akissi.
- TF1 GroupcoreFrench commercial broadcaster and partner for The Smurfs series and Animal Jack development. TFOU is the youth brand of TF1.
- Gaumont AnimationminorCoproduction partner for Calimero CGI series (104x11') alongside Cartobaleno, Cosmos Entertainment, Digitoonz.
- EMCA (École des Métiers du Cinéma d'Animation)minorAnimation school in Angoulême partnering with Ellipse Studio for Webtoon Academy training program (September-December 2024, 13 weeks).
- Maybe MoviesminorProduction partner for Lucky Luke animated feature alongside Ellipse Animation, Belvision, and Pan-Européenne.
- Citel VidéominorPreferred partner for video distribution. Strategic partner for distributing video products.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ellipse Animation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Gaumont Animation: French animation division of Gaumont, producing CGI family series including Calimero (which Ellipse coproduces). Direct peer in family-animation production with comparable international broadcaster relationships and feature film ambitions.
- Xilam Animation: Paris-based publicly-traded animation studio producing original series (Oggy and the Cockroaches, Zig & Sharko) and feature films. Closest direct competitor in French family-animation production with similar B2B broadcaster model and international distribution.
- Cyber Group Studios: French animation studio specializing in preschool and children's content with international distribution. Direct competitor in preschool segment (3-7 years) alongside Ellipse's Trotro & Zaza.
- Belvision: Belgian animation studio and sister company within Média-Participations group. Joint producer on Marsupilamis, Fox-Badger Family, and feature films (Yakari, Lucky Luke). Sister-company relationship within same parent group.
- Superprod: French animation and live-action production company producing original series and feature films. Direct competitor in family-animation production for European broadcasters and global platforms.
- Studio Campedelli: Italian animation studio (Milan/Turin), majority-owned by Ellipse Animation since January 2024. Produces Calimero CGI series and feature Prendiluna. Closely integrated peer within Ellipse's own group structure.
- TeamTO: French CGI animation studio (Paris) producing original series and feature films including Presto & Zuzoo. Comparable size and B2B production model for international broadcasters.
- Marathon Media: French animation studio (part of Mediawan) producing family series including Totally Spies. Comparable B2B production model and European broadcaster relationships after French media consolidation wave.
- Ankama Animation: French animation studio partnered with Ellipse on Madlab Animations (Roubaix) since 2017. Comparable 2D animation production capability and family/young-adult IP focus including Wakfu and Dofus.
Regional players
- Mondo TV: Italian-listed animation studio producing family series and feature films with strong Iberian/Latin American distribution. Comparable B2B production and licensing model with geographic complementarity to Ellipse's European focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ellipse Animation social profiles
Digital presenceEllipse Animation compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Ellipse Animation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ellipse Animation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Ellipse Animation subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Ellipse Animation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ellipse Animation 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 Ellipse Animation
What does Ellipse Animation do?
Ellipse Animation is a French animation studio operating as the umbrella brand for Média-Participations' French audiovisual production activities (Dargaud Media, Dupuis Edition & Audiovisuel, Ellipsanime Productions). It produces animated TV series, feature films, theme park 4D attractions, and webtoons across 2D, 3D CGI, and hybrid rendering techniques, leveraging iconic European IPs including The Smurfs, Tintin, Astérix, Lucky Luke, Babar, and Yakari. Productions are typically coproduced with international partners and licensed to broadcasters, streaming platforms, and distributors worldwide.
Is Ellipse Animation a public or private company?
Ellipse Animation is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Ellipse Animation founded?
Ellipse Animation was founded in 1987. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Ellipse Animation based?
Ellipse Animation is headquartered in Paris, France, in the Europe region.
How does Ellipse Animation make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Animation Production & Licensing is the primary driver. The others are webtoon Production Services and theme Park Attractions.
Who are Ellipse Animation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Gaumont Animation, Xilam Animation, Cyber Group Studios, Belvision, Superprod, Studio Campedelli, TeamTO, Marathon Media and Ankama Animation. Mondo TV is listed as a regional player.
Does Ellipse Animation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ellipse Animation.
What industry is Ellipse Animation in?
Ellipse Animation's product category is Animation Production Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADACAG, Animated Series Production (TV/Streaming), with a secondary code of MPADACAH, Animated Feature Film Production. Its NAICS code is 51211 and its SIC code is 7812.