What Chat Noir Productions does

Chat Noir Productions Ltd (trading as CNP Films) is a UK-based film, animation, and branded-content production house founded in 2003 and headquartered at Oaktree Court Business Centre, Ness, between Chester and Liverpool. The company delivers six core services — Film Production, Digital Animation, 3D Visualisation (architectural and product), Business TV, White Label production, and Promotional Art (poster and branding) — to a globally distributed client base alongside a slate of original films and documentaries (notably the sci-fi feature Dreamscape and historical documentaries on Rhuddlan Castle and Conwy Castle) sold via DVD and VOD.

The firm's core technology consists of industry-standard motion-graphics, 3D-visualization, and video-production tooling; no proprietary platforms, APIs, or AI-driven pipelines are disclosed. Production capacity is delivered by two co-founders — Creative Director Daniel J. Fox and Technical Director Mark Ellingham — supplemented by specialist freelancers and partner companies, with co-production relationships (e.g., Lost in Castles) extending capability on historical documentary work.

The business model is project-based and diversified across four revenue streams: client-commissioned film, animation, and 3D work billed on a one-time engagement basis; original content monetized via DVD and VOD transaction fees; promotional-art services sold to indie filmmakers; and white-label production services delivered to selected partners under professional-services agreements. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Distribution is direct (website contact forms, phone, email with a 24-hour response commitment) supplemented by referrals from partner organizations, while original content reaches consumers via DVD and third-party VOD platforms. The company is privately held, founder-owned, bootstrapped, and VAT-registered in England with no disclosed institutional investment or parent affiliation.

Name

Chat Noir Productions

Legal name

Chat Noir Productions Ltd

Website

https://chatnoirproductions.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Chat Noir Productions is a UK-based, founder-led film, animation, and 3D-visualization production house serving global enterprise clients, independent filmmakers, and partner organizations with commissioned work, white-label services, and original films distributed via DVD and VOD.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Video Production Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (512110), Motion Picture and Video Industries (5121), Sound Recording Studios (512240), Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (71151)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819), Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

Branded Documentary / Nonfiction (Corporate & NGO) (MPADADAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

2D (Traditional & Digital) Animation Production (MPADACAA), Content & Creative Studio for Creators (Concepting/Production) (MPAAAHAD), Recording Studios (Commercial, Project, Mobile) (MPAIAHAA)

Keywords

• Video production services
• Film production
• Digital animation
• 3D visualization
• Branded content

Headquarters

HQ city

Neston

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Client Commissioned Production: Film production, animation, 3D visualization, and promotional services commissioned by clients around the world.
2. Original Film Content: Development and distribution of original movies and documentaries for release on DVD and various VOD platforms.
3. Promotional Artwork Services: Poster art and branding solutions offered to independent filmmakers and creatives worldwide.
4. White Label Services: Production services provided under white label arrangements for selected partner organizations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Chat Noir Productions is a UK-based film, animation, and branded content production company offering commissioned services including film production, digital animation (motion graphics), 3D visualisation (architectural and product), white label production, business TV content, and promotional artwork. The company also develops and distributes original films and documentaries via DVD and VOD platforms. Operations are led by two co-founders working with specialist freelancers.

Product overview

Chat Noir Productions is a film, animation, and branded content production company offering six core services: Film Production, Digital Animation, 3D Visualisation, Business TV, White Label, and Promotional Art. The company produces original films and documentaries (Dreamscape, Rhuddlan Castle, Conwy Castle, Dan Dare Audio Adventures) alongside client work. Based in the north of the UK between Chester and Liverpool, the company has operated since 2003 and collaborates with partners including Lost in Castles and Film Chester.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Film Production Commissioned film production services for clients, encompassing concept development, filming, and post-production for commercial and creative purposes.
• Digital Animation Digital animation services including motion graphics and visual storytelling through animated content for clients worldwide.
• 3D Visualisation 3D visualization services encompassing architectural and product visualisation, creating realistic three-dimensional representations for clients.
• White Label Production White label materials production for selected partners, enabling other companies to rebrand and offer Chat Noir's content under their own identity.
• Business TV Business television content production for corporate communications, internal messaging, and branded video content.
• Promotional Art Promotional artwork and poster design services for indie filmmakers and creatives, including movie poster art optimised for print, web, and social media.
• Dreamscape (Original Film)

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lost in CastlescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLost in Castles specializes in recreating medieval history. They co-produced 'Rhuddlan Castle' documentary with Chat Noir Productions and represent an ongoing collaborative relationship for historical documentary projects.
• Film ChesterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFilm Chester is a local organization promoting film and filmmaking in Chester. The partnership supports regional film industry visibility and potential client referrals.
• T-Stop GearminorOthersT-Stop Gear provides accessories and apparel designed for filmmakers, by filmmakers. A networking partner providing industry resources and connections.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Unit9: UK creative and production studio producing film, digital, and experiential content for brands. Strong overlap with Chat Noir's animation, 3D, and branded video services.
• Pulse Films: UK-based independent production company producing documentaries, branded content, and music videos. Directly comparable size and service mix to Chat Noir, with stronger brand recognition but similar boutique production model.
• Prettybird: Global creative production company with UK presence producing commercials, branded content, and original work. Comparable boutique production model but operating with a much larger roster and client base.
• Somesuch & Co: Independent UK creative production house producing commercials, branded content, and original work. Comparable in scale and service offering to Chat Noir and operating from a similar boutique model.
• Knucklehead: UK production company specialising in commercials, music promos, and branded film content. Overlaps directly with Chat Noir's commissioned film and branded video work.

Emerging players

• Blue Zoo Animation Studio: UK animation studio producing children's and branded animated content. Comparable to Chat Noir's digital animation service line but focused on series-based animation rather than commissioned corporate work.
• Freelancer / Marketplace Production (e.g., Fiverr Pro video producers): On-demand marketplaces for freelance video and animation production. Compete directly with Chat Noir for entry-level commissions and pressure pricing on standard animation and video work.

Broad incumbents

• RSA Films: Ridley Scott's long-established UK film and commercial production company. Operates in the same production services category but at significantly greater scale and brand recognition than Chat Noir.
• The Mill: Global UK-headquartered creative production and VFX studio spanning film, animation, and post-production. Overlaps with Chat Noir's animation and 3D visualisation lines but at vastly greater enterprise scale.
• Passion Pictures: Award-winning UK animation and documentary production studio (e.g., 'Searching for Sugar Man'). Comparable to Chat Noir's documentary and digital-animation capabilities but with substantially larger budget and award footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ChatNoirProductions
• Xx.com/ChatNoirProds

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Chat Noir Productions