Pyjama Films

What Pyjama Films does

Pyjama Films Oy is a Turku, Finland-based 2D animation studio specializing in story-driven, high-end animation for both original productions and commissioned client work. The studio was co-founded by Terhi Väänänen (CEO) and Samppa Kukkonen (Animation Director), who together bring a combined 25 years of animation production experience. Pyjama operates with a 19-person team from its Sirkkalankatu 27 studio and uses Toon Boom Harmony, TVPaint, and After Effects for traditional 2D animation, rigging, and cutout workflows, alongside experimental stop motion techniques employing folk-art figurines.

The studio runs two distinct business lines. The first is original IP development, producing short films, children's and adult animated series, and feature films for international broadcast and festival distribution; notable properties include Belzebubs (adult comedy series in production for YLE), Planeetta Z (children's series in development with VRT Belgium), Karhupuisto (family feature), Solar Quest, Polkuvene, Kiirehessä liikkumatoin (Golden Gunnar Grand Prix winner), and Sore Eyes for Infinity (screened at 87 festivals across 45 countries). The second business line is commissioned animation services: animated explainer videos (1-1.5 minutes), promotional videos (10-30 seconds), animated logos and banners, and full end-to-end production services covering directing, scriptwriting, storyboarding, visual design, animation, rigging, and compositing.

Pyjama monetizes through a combination of B2B professional services fees, IP licensing and broadcast rights sales, public-sector production grants (Finnish Film Foundation, AVEK, Taike, Creative Europe, City of Turku), and festival prize revenue. Customer relationships span public broadcasters (YLE, Nickelodeon, VRT, Disney Nordic/Star Channel), entertainment and gaming companies (Rovio, Sony Music, Century Media, Gigglebug Entertainment), and a diversified base of enterprise clients across technology (F-Secure, Leadfeeder, Mevea, MacGregor), healthcare (CardioSignal, Finnish Medical Association), financial services (K-Plussa, Nordea), and consumer products (Footbalance). Pricing is project-based and quote-driven; no public pricing tiers are disclosed. Distribution of original IP runs through direct broadcaster commissions and the international festival circuit.

Name

Pyjama Films

Legal name

Pyjama Films Oy

Website

https://pyjama.fi

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pyjama Films is a Turku, Finland-based 2D animation studio producing original animated series, short films, and feature films alongside commissioned animation services for broadcasters, entertainment brands, and corporate clients across Europe and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animation Production Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (51211)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

2D (Traditional & Digital) Animation Production (MPADACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Animation Production (2D/3D/Stop-Motion) (MPAAAMAD), Short-Form Animation (Shorts, Web Series) (MPADACAI)

Keywords

• 2D animation production
• Animated explainer videos
• Original animation IP
• Animated series development
• Stop motion animation

Headquarters

HQ city

Turku

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Commissioned Animation Services: B2B animation production services for corporate videos, explainer videos, commercials, and promotional content. Covers full production or specific stages like animation, compositing, or visual design.
2. Original IP Development: Development and production of original animated series and films owned by Pyjama. Revenue generated through licensing, international distribution, and broadcasting rights sales to channels like YLE, VRT, and potential international buyers.
3. Festival Distribution: Short films screened at international festivals, building reputation and attracting co-production partners. Awards enhance studio credibility and marketability.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Pyjama Films is a 2D animation studio that produces its own original animated series, short films, and a feature film, while also providing commissioned animation services to businesses, including animated explainer videos, promotional videos, animated logos/banners, and full end-to-end 2D animation production. The studio targets broadcasters, advertising agencies, entertainment companies, and corporations across multiple industries with a story-driven animation style.

Product overview

Pyjama Films is a Turku-based animation studio specializing in high-end 2D animation. The company operates two main business lines: original IP productions (short films, TV series, feature films for both children and adults) and commissioned animation services (explainer videos, promotional ads, animated logos, and full animation production). Original productions include Belzebubs (adult comedy series in production), Planeetta Z (children's series in development), Polkuvene, Still Lives, and Sore Eyes for Infinity (award-winning shorts), plus Karhupuesto and Solar Quest in development. Service offerings span animated explainer videos (1-1.5 minutes), promotional videos (10-30 seconds), animated logos/banners, and end-to-end 2D animation production covering directing through compositing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Animated Company and Explainer Videos Custom animated explainer videos that communicate complex concepts, products, or services in a 1-1.5 minute engaging format. Targeted at businesses and corporate clients.
• Animated Promotional Videos Short 10-30 second animated advertisements that combine graphic design, smooth animation, and well-timed humor to create memorable marketing stories.
• Animated Logos and Banners Short animated logos, illustrations, and banners that bring brands to life online and on billboards, including GIF animations for social media.
• Full 2D Animation Production Services End-to-end 2D animation production covering directing, scriptwriting, storyboarding, visual design, traditional animation, rigging, layout, compositing, and project management, using tools including Toon Boom Harmony and TVPaint.
• Belzebubs Original adult comedy series based on JP Ahosen's webcomic about a black metal cultist family and the father's band, currently in production for YLE and international distribution.
• Planeetta Z Original children's animated series (6-8 year olds) based on Maria Björklund's comics, planned at 39 episodes x 7 minutes in a non-verbal format, currently in development seeking co-production partners.
• Polkuvene (The Paddle Boat) Original 15-minute animated adventure comedy short film about fatherhood and climate change, in which a man drifts through humanity's mistakes on a paddle boat after losing his family.
• Kiirehessä liikkumatoin (Still Lives) Experimental stop motion animated short film using traditional folk art figurines to explore the theme of busy stillness across seven separate scenes.
• Sore Eyes for Infinity Original award-winning animated short film about an optician whose workday is filled with peculiar customers, directed by Elli Vuorinen.
• Karhupuisto (Bear Park) Original family feature film about 10-year-old Bertie who must win an inter-school skiing competition to save his parents' marriage.
• Solar Quest Original children's adventure series about Pip, a small dragon fruit, who searches for her origin in a land populated by fruit and vegetables.
• Super Duper Bunny League Animated series produced by Pyjama Films for Gigglebug Entertainment, directed by Samppa Kukkonen, and commissioned by Nickelodeon. Received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Direction.

Quantifiable outcome

• Sore Eyes for Infinity screened at 87 festivals in 45 countries and won multiple international awards
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 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

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• YLE (Finnish Broadcasting Company)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary broadcaster and commissioning partner for Pyjama's original productions including Belzebubs series, Sore Eyes for Infinity, Kiirehessä liikkumatoin, and Polkuvene. YLE provides production funding and broadcast rights.
• Gigglebug EntertainmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinnish animation production company and co-production partner for children's content including Super Duper Bunny League (produced for Nickelodeon) and Keltainen lumimies (Yellow Yeti) shorts.
• NickelodeonmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational broadcaster commissioning Super Duper Bunny League animated series through Gigglebug Entertainment partnership.
• VRT (Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroep)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBelgian public broadcaster as subscriber/broadcaster for Planeetta Z children's series in development.
• Walt Disney Company Nordic / Star ChannelmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommissioned Melkein Mensa animated series for Star Channel distribution in Nordic region.
• Rovio EntertainmentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEntertainment company and repeat client for animated game trailers including Angry Birds Evolution Easter Trailer and Angry Birds Unboxing.
• Century MediamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic label producing Belzebubs music videos including Blackened Call and Cathedrals of Mourning for the black metal band.
• Yleisradio (YLE)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublic service media company and founding commissioning partner for Pyjama's original animated series and short films.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Buck: Global design and animation studio producing commercial animated content for tech, brand, and entertainment clients. Comparable on the commissioned-services side, particularly for explainer videos and animated brand work.
• Cartoon Saloon: Irish boutique studio known for hand-drawn 2D feature films (Wolfwalkers, Song of the Sea) and original IP. Directly comparable as an art-led, award-driven 2D studio pursuing festival prestige and international distribution.
• Xilam Animation: French 2D animation studio (Oggy and the Cockroaches, Lupin's Tales) producing original series and commissioned content. Comparable as a European 2D house with both IP ownership and B2B service offerings, though at significantly larger scale.
• Anima Vitae: Finnish animation studio producing both original IP (Angry Birds Toons, Niko) and commissioned work, with a similar combined services-plus-IP model and comparable headcount. Most directly comparable in geography, scale, and customer mix (Rovio, YLE).
• Folimage: French independent animation studio producing original features, series, and short films. Comparable as a story-driven 2D European studio with festival-circuit positioning and public funding reliance.
• Gigglebug Entertainment: Helsinki-based children's animation producer and Pyjama's direct co-production partner on Super Duper Bunny League (Nickelodeon) and Yellow Yeti. Operates in the same Nordic 2D/children's IP space and shares customer overlap with YLE and international broadcasters.
• Tonko House: US-based 2D animation studio (Oni: Thunder God's Tale) producing hand-crafted, story-driven content for global streamers. Comparable as a small, art-led 2D studio targeting premium family/adult original IP.
• Studio AKA: London-based animation studio with award-winning 2D and mixed-media productions for broadcasters and brands. Comparable as a story-driven 2D studio blending original IP with commissioned commercial work.

Broad incumbents

• Zodiak Kids: International kids' IP production and distribution arm of Banijay, producing and financing animated series for global broadcasters. Comparable as a co-production/commissioning counterparty for the same type of children's IP that Planeetta Z and Solar Quest target.
• Aardman Animations: Bristol-based stop-motion and 2D animation leader (Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep). Comparable on technique (stop motion, premium 2D) and global IP distribution, though operating at much larger scale and with broader IP portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pyjamafilms
• YouTubevimeo.com/pyjamafilms
• Facebookfacebook.com/pyjamafilms
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pyjamafilms
• Instagraminstagram.com/pyjamafilms

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Pyjama Films