UNIT IMAGE

What UNIT IMAGE does

UNIT IMAGE SARL is a Paris-based, privately held high-end 3D animation and VFX studio founded around 2010, with a 101–250 employee base organized as a SARL under four co-gérant directors (Léon Bérelle, Maxime Luère, Dominique Boidin, Rémi Kozyra). It produces full CGI cinematics, trailers, commercials, and episodic animation for enterprise clients, with a primary customer segment of AAA video game studios and publishers (Riot Games, Bandai Namco, Larian, Creative Assembly, Ubisoft, Epic Games, Amazon Games, NetEase/MARVEL) and a growing foothold in streaming-original content (Amazon Prime Video's Secret Level anthology, co-directed with Blur Studio).

The studio operates a multi-DCC production pipeline built on 3DSMax, V-Ray, Houdini, Maya, Arnold, ZBrush, Nuke, Substance Painter, Mari, Shotgrid/Shotgun, and Asana, layered with proprietary capabilities: hyper-realistic facial animation, muscular and skin simulation including blood flow, dynamic wet cloth behavior, custom Arnold shaders for stylized aesthetics, and digital-double work fed by in-house 3D scanning through sister company Scan Engine. Production management is supported by the BERNARD production tracking tool and integrates with Shotgrid/Kitsu.

UNIT IMAGE generates revenue through project-based one-time CGI/VFX engagements negotiated directly with enterprise clients, with bespoke pricing and no public rate cards. Demand is generated through direct outreach, referrals, and event presence (Gamescom, GDC, Annecy, SIGGRAPH). The studio actively markets France's Tax Rebate for International Productions (TRIP — 40% for VFX, 30% for animation) to international clients as a structural cost advantage, working with Film France and CNC to position France as a destination. A sub-brand, UNIT MOTION DESIGN, extends the pipeline into CG motion design for advertising. The studio holds TPN Gold Shield content-security certification and was named among 26 winners of France 2030's La Fabrique de l'Image program.

Name

UNIT IMAGE

Legal name

UNIT IMAGE SARL

Website

https://unit-image.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

UNIT IMAGE is a Paris-based high-end CGI and VFX animation studio producing game trailers, commercials, episodic streaming content, and films for AAA video game publishers and entertainment clients, leveraging proprietary facial-animation and simulation technology plus France's TRIP tax rebate.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

CGI and VFX Animation Production Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (512110), Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (51219)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819)

akta.pro primary industry

VFX Production & Supervision (2D/3D, Compositing, FX, CG) (MPADAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

VFX Production & Shot Work (CG Integration, Matte Painting, FX) (MPAHABAB), Animation Services for VFX (Creature/Character, Crowd, Simulation Support) (MPADAHAF), VFX & Motion Graphics (CGI, Compositing, 2D/3D) (MPAAAMAC), Rotoscoping, Paint & Matchmove/Tracking Services (MPAHABAD)

Keywords

• CGI game trailers
• 3D animation studio
• VFX production services
• Cinematic game cinematics
• Digital double animation

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Project-based CGI and VFX production: Unit Image generates revenue through direct client engagements for CGI/VFX production across game trailers, commercials, and films. Services span from directing and pre-production through post-production, with projects commissioned by major game studios and entertainment companies.
2. International production tax incentive facilitation: Unit Image helps international clients access France's 40% Tax Rebate for International Productions (TRIP) for VFX work and 30% for animation, positioning France as a production destination. This attracts international projects that may not otherwise choose the studio.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Unit Image is a Paris-based high-end 3D animation and VFX studio that delivers full CGI production services for video game trailers, commercial advertisements, and feature films. Services span the complete creative and technical pipeline, including directing, concept art, storyboarding, character and creature design, environments, 3D scanning, keyframe and motion-capture animation, rigging, lighting, compositing, and final VFX integration for enterprise clients in gaming, streaming, and advertising.

Product overview

UNIT IMAGE is a 3D animation and VFX studio that functions as a service provider rather than a software product company. Their core offering is full CGI and VFX production services for game trailers, commercials, and films. The company operates through multiple sub-brands: UNIT MOTION DESIGN (specialized in CG motion design for trailers and advertising) and a sister company called Scan Engine (for 3D scanning services). Services span the entire production pipeline including directing, concept art, character/creature design, environments, 3D scanning, animation (keyframe and mocap), rigging, lighting, compositing, and VFX integration. They are particularly known for their work on high-profile game cinematics for clients such as Amazon Prime Video, Riot Games, Bandai Namco, and Larian Studios.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 3D Animation and VFX Production Services End-to-end 3D animation and VFX production services covering directing, concept art and design, characters and creatures, environments, 3D scanning, keyframe and motion-capture animation, rigging, lighting, compositing, and VFX integration. Intended for enterprise clients commissioning game trailers, commercials, episodic content, or feature films.
• Game Trailer Production Specialized production of full-CGI cinematics and trailers for AAA video game studios and publishers. Used for franchise announcements, reveal films, launch trailers, and in-game cinematic moments tied to reveal events such as The Game Awards, Gamescom, and GDC.
• Commercial Production CGI and VFX production services for brand advertising campaigns and commercial content, designed for brands and creative agencies requiring visually impactful, award-caliber commercial work.
• Film and Animation Production CGI animation and VFX production for feature films, premium episodic series, and short-form animated content. Used by streaming platforms, entertainment producers, and film producers seeking theatrical-caliber animation for both linear and streaming formats.
• UNIT MOTION DESIGN A creative sub-brand specialized in the creation of CG Motion Design trailers, films, and advertising campaigns, combining motion design with the technical pipeline of Unit Image.

Quantifiable outcome

• The Queen's Cradle (D&D episode of Secret Level) awarded Silver in Animation at the 2025 EPICA Awards
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability4 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

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

• CNC (Centre National du Cinéma et de l'Image Animée)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025The CNC (National Centre for Cinema and Animated Images) is the French government body that administers the Tax Rebate for International Productions (TRIP) program. Unit Image has worked with the CNC on TPN security certification and benefits from CNC-administered tax incentive programs. The CNC also supports France 2030 La Fabrique de l'Image initiative.
• Film FranceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Film France is a French organization promoting France as a production destination for international audiovisual projects. Unit Image directs clients to Film France for detailed information about the Tax Rebate for International Productions (TRIP) program.
• Trusted Partner Network (TPN)coreOthers · 1 January 2025Unit Image achieved Gold Shield Status from the Trusted Partner Network (TPN), a global benchmark for content security in the entertainment industry. Previous audits were conducted with Disney and Paramount. TPN validates security practices for content protection.
• Blur StudioflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Unit Image works in close creative partnership with Blur Studio on Amazon Prime Video's Secret Level anthology series. Unit Image directed 2 episodes (Dungeons & Dragons and New World) of the series created by Tim Miller and produced by Blur Studio, which serves as the lead production studio for the anthology.
• Amazon Prime VideoflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Amazon Prime Video commissioned Unit Image to direct 2 episodes of the Secret Level anthology series. The episodes (Dungeons & Dragons and New World) premiered on Prime Video, representing one of Unit Image's highest-profile projects to date.
• Scan EnginecoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Scan Engine is a sister company of Unit Image providing 3D scanning technology. Léon Bérelle co-founded both companies. Scan Engine enables high-fidelity asset capture for digital doubles and characters used in Unit Image productions. The two companies collaborate on performance capture and digital actor projects.
• Games WorkshopflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Games Workshop is the IP licensor for the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Unit Image produced the cinematic announcement trailer for Total War: Warhammer 40K (Creative Assembly) at The Game Awards 2025, working with Games Workshop's iconic IP.
• France 2030 — La Fabrique de l'ImagecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Unit Image was named among 26 winners of the France 2030 initiative's La Fabrique de l'Image program, designed to foster innovation in animation, VFX, and immersive content. The program provides funding, resources, and industry connections to support Unit Image's pioneering work.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Framestore: Global VFX and animation powerhouse (Harry Potter, Gravity, His Dark Materials) with multiple facilities worldwide. Overlaps with Unit Image in premium CGI, character work, and game/streaming content but operates at significantly larger scale and breadth.
• DNEG: Global VFX and animation studio (Dune, Tenet, Oppenheimer) with diversified film, episodic, and game content work. Comparable capability profile to Unit Image but with global facility footprint and public-market scale.
• Weta FX: New Zealand-based premium VFX studio (Lord of the Rings, Avatar). Overlaps with Unit Image in cinematic CGI and digital character work, but operates with much larger facility, IP, and studio-relationship advantages.
• Moving Picture Company (MPC): Global VFX and animation studio (The Lion King, Blade Runner 2049) covering film, episodic, advertising, and emerging interactive. Comparable in breadth of CGI services and AAA client base but with much larger headcount and global footprint.
• Industrial Light & Magic (ILM): Lucasfilm's flagship VFX division and the largest premium VFX provider globally (Star Wars, Marvel, Avatar). Overlaps with Unit Image in cinematic-quality CGI and digital character work but at vastly greater scale, Hollywood relationships, and franchise ownership.

Regional players

• El Ranchito: Spanish VFX studio known for premium episodic work (Game of Thrones) and film VFX. Comparable in technical capability and European positioning to Unit Image, though less concentrated on game trailers and more on premium TV/film.

Direct peers

• Platige Image: Polish VFX and animation studio with deep roots in AAA game cinematics (The Witcher, Cyberpunk 2077) and film/series VFX. Directly comparable to Unit Image in capability, European location, and AAA game trailer specialization.
• Blur Studio: US-based VFX and animation studio specializing in AAA game cinematics, film VFX, and premium animated content (Love, Death + Robots, Secret Level). Unit Image is Blur's close creative partner on Amazon's Secret Level — same client, same franchise, very similar capability and delivery model.
• Goodbye Kansas: Swedish VFX, animation, and performance capture studio serving game publishers, film producers, and streamers. Comparable in offering, scale, and European cost structure to Unit Image, with particular overlap in character-driven CGI work.
• Digic Pictures: Hungarian VFX and animation studio renowned for AAA game trailers (Assassin's Creed, Halo, Cyberpunk 2077) and feature VFX. Highly comparable offering and client base to Unit Image, with similar scale and European production economics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/unit_image

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 UNIT IMAGE