UNIT IMAGE
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersParis, France
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
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.
UNIT IMAGE firmographics
Firmographics- 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
UNIT IMAGE industry classification
Industry- 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
Where UNIT IMAGE is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paris
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
UNIT IMAGE business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- 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.
- 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
UNIT IMAGE product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use UNIT IMAGE
Customer profileNamed customers17 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
UNIT IMAGE technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability4 records
Feature7 records
UNIT IMAGE partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.
- CNC (Centre National du Cinéma et de l'Image Animée)coreThe 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 FranceminorFilm 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)coreUnit 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 StudioflagshipUnit 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 VideoflagshipAmazon 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 EnginecoreScan 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 WorkshopflagshipGames 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'ImagecoreUnit 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
UNIT IMAGE competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad 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
UNIT IMAGE social profiles
Digital presenceUNIT IMAGE compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
UNIT IMAGE financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
UNIT IMAGE leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
UNIT IMAGE funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
UNIT IMAGE 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 UNIT IMAGE
What does UNIT IMAGE do?
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.
Is UNIT IMAGE a public or private company?
UNIT IMAGE is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was UNIT IMAGE founded?
UNIT IMAGE was founded in 2010. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is UNIT IMAGE based?
UNIT IMAGE is headquartered in Paris, France, in the Europe region.
How does UNIT IMAGE make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Project-based CGI and VFX production is the primary driver. The others are international production tax incentive facilitation.
Who are UNIT IMAGE's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Framestore, DNEG, Weta FX, Moving Picture Company (MPC) and Industrial Light & Magic (ILM). El Ranchito is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are Platige Image, Blur Studio, Goodbye Kansas and Digic Pictures.
Does UNIT IMAGE have an API?
No public API is recorded for UNIT IMAGE.
What industry is UNIT IMAGE in?
UNIT IMAGE's product category is CGI and VFX Animation Production Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADAHAA, VFX Production & Supervision (2D/3D, Compositing, FX, CG), with a secondary code of MPAHABAB, VFX Production & Shot Work (CG Integration, Matte Painting, FX). Its NAICS code is 512110 and its SIC code is 7812.