What Zumbastico Studios does

Zumbastico Studios is a Chilean animation studio founded in 2002 and headquartered in Providencia, Santiago, that produces original animated and live-action content for children and family audiences. The studio specializes in stop-motion, puppet/Claymation, and 2D techniques, including its proprietary Papermotion™ method for paper-based stop-motion animation, and operates with a headcount of 11–50 employees. Since 2019 it has been a subsidiary of Canada's Pipeline Studios Group while retaining its independent creative brand and Santiago-based production operations.

The studio's catalog comprises eight original series, including Paper Port (a 52x11' Papermotion series co-produced with Gloob, Señal Colombia, Pakapaka, and TVN and distributed internationally by Millimages), Horatio & the Plasticines (a 52x7' preschool puppet/Claymation series co-produced with Pakapaka), The Papernauts (a 3x5' Papermotion preschool miniseries commissioned by Discovery Kids Latam), Martian Soap 2111 (a 5' 2D animated short commissioned by The Walt Disney Company EMEA for the Disney XDFC anthology), and Zumbastico Fantastico (for Cartoon Network). The studio is currently in production on a new animated series and in development on two feature films, signaling a format expansion from episodic television into long-form theatrical content.

Zumbastico operates as a B2B animation studio with a co-production-anchored revenue model built on three streams: original series co-productions with broadcasters (sharing production costs and local broadcast rights), commissioned content for global platforms such as Discovery Kids Latam and Disney EMEA, and content distribution and licensing through partners including Millimages and direct international sales on titles such as Horatio & the Plasticines. Pricing is negotiated on a per-project basis and is not publicly disclosed. The studio serves broadcasters, pay-TV channels, and streaming platforms targeting children aged 3–10 across Latin America and EMEA, with a customer base of major public broadcasters, pay-TV networks, global entertainment brands, and an international distributor.

Name

Zumbastico Studios

Legal name

Zumbastico Studios

Website

https://zumbastico.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Zumbastico Studios is a Chilean animation studio producing original animated series for children and family audiences. Specializing in stop-motion, puppet/Claymation, and 2D techniques including the proprietary Papermotion™ method, it serves broadcasters and streaming platforms across Latin America and EMEA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animated Children's Content Production

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (512110), Motion Picture and Video Production (51211), Motion Picture and Video Industries (5121)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Distribution (7829)

akta.pro primary industry

Kids & Preschool Animation Production (MPADACAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Outsourced Art/Audio Production Services (2D/3D, Animation, VFX, Audio/VO) (MPAFAKAM)

Keywords

• Animated content production
• Children's television production
• Stop-motion animation
• Kids entertainment studio
• Co-production broadcasting

Headquarters

HQ city

Providencia

HQ country

Chile

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Original Series Co-production: Zumbastico co-produces animated series with broadcasters and international partners, sharing production costs and rights. Examples include Paper Port (co-produced with Gloob, Señal Colombia, Pakapaka, TVN) and Horatio & the Plasticines (co-produced with Pakapaka).
2. Commissioned Content: Zumbastico produces commissioned animated content for broadcasters, including Discovery Kids Latam (The Papernauts) and The Walt Disney Company EMEA (Martian Soap 2111 for the Disney XDFC anthology series).
3. Content Distribution and Licensing: Zumbastico distributes its own content internationally through partners such as Millimages (Paper Port), and distributes Horatio & the Plasticines directly, earning licensing and distribution fees from broadcast and streaming platforms.

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Zumbastico Studios is an animation studio that produces original animated series and short-form content for children (preschool through ages 6-10) and families, using 2D, stop-motion/puppet/Claymation techniques and its proprietary Papermotion™ method. The studio co-produces series with Latin American public broadcasters (Gloob, Señal Colombia, Pakapaka, TVN) and accepts commissions from global brands (Discovery Kids Latam, The Walt Disney Company EMEA, Cartoon Network), and distributes content internationally through partners such as Millimages and direct sales.

Product overview

Zumbastico Studios is an animation studio specializing in original content for kids and families. The company operates as a single unified animation studio offering rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. Their portfolio includes multiple animated series and shorts, primarily utilizing their proprietary Papermotion technique for 2D stop-motion style animation. Key products include Paper Port (Papermotion animated series), Horatio & the Plasticines (puppet/Claymation preschool series), The Papernauts (Papermotion miniseries), Martian Soap 2111 (2D animated short), and Zumbastico Fantastico (Cartoon Network series). The studio also produces content through co-productions with international partners including Gloob, Pakapaka, Discovery Kids, Cartoon Network, and The Walt Disney Company. Current production includes a new animation series and development of two feature films.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Paper Port Animated series for kids aged 6-10, created using the proprietary Papermotion™ technique. Available in 52x11 minute format across Season 1 and 2. Co-produced with Gloob, Señal Colombia, Pakapaka, and TVN, distributed by Millimages.
• Horatio & the Plasticines Preschool animated series using puppets and Claymation (stop motion) techniques. Available in 52x7 minute format across Season 1 and 2. Co-produced with Pakapaka, distributed by Zumbastico.
• The Papernauts Preschool animated miniseries created using the proprietary Papermotion™ technique. Available in 3x5 minute format. Commissioned by Discovery Kids Latam.
• Martian Soap 2111 Animated short film in 2D format, 5 minutes in length. Commissioned by The Walt Disney Company EMEA for the Disney XDFC anthology series.
• Zumbastico Fantastico Animated series produced for Cartoon Network. Part of Zumbastico's portfolio of eight original series.

Named customers8 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• GloobcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGloob is a Brazilian kids' TV network and a co-production partner on Paper Port (52x11', Seasons 1 & 2). Gloob co-finances and co-produces the series alongside Zumbastico, Señal Colombia, Pakapaka, and TVN, and broadcasts it in Brazil.
• PakapakacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPakapaka is an Argentine public children's channel and a key co-production partner on both Paper Port and Horatio & the Plasticines (52x7', Seasons 1 & 2). Pakapaka co-finances and broadcasts both series in Argentina.
• Señal ColombiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeñal Colombia is a Colombian public broadcaster and co-production partner on Paper Port. The channel co-finances and broadcasts the series in Colombia as part of the multi-territory co-production.
• TVN (Panama)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTVN is a Panamanian free-to-air broadcaster and co-production partner on Paper Port. TVN co-finances and broadcasts the series in Panama as part of the Latin American co-production structure.
• Discovery Kids LatamflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiscovery Kids Latin America commissioned The Papernauts, a preschool miniseries (3x5') made in Papermotion™, exclusively for the Discovery Kids Latam platform. This is a direct commissioned content relationship with one of the region's leading kids' pay-TV channels.
• Cartoon NetworkflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCartoon Network broadcast Zumbastico Fantastico, an original animated series produced by Zumbastico Studios. This is a flagship content partnership with one of the world's most recognized children's entertainment brands.
• The Walt Disney Company EMEAflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Walt Disney Company EMEA commissioned Martian Soap 2111, a 2D animated short (5'), for the Disney XDFC anthology series. This is a prestigious commissioned content relationship with a global entertainment giant.
• MillimagescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMillimages is the international distributor for Paper Port, handling global sales and distribution outside of the co-production partners' territories. This is a standard distribution licensing agreement.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Guru Studio: Toronto-based independent animation studio producing original kids' content (Paw Patrol adjacent, True and the Rainbow Kingdom) with proprietary creative IP for global broadcasters — directly comparable to Zumbastico in original IP creation, kids' segment focus, and co-production commissioning model.
• Aardman Animations: UK-based stop-motion animation studio (Shaun the Sheep, Wallace & Gromit) — directly comparable to Zumbastico in its use of distinctive physical-animation techniques as a differentiator in the kids' content market, with similar premium positioning and global broadcaster relationships.
• Pipeline Studios: Zumbastico's Canadian parent company since 2019, Pipeline Studios produces original kids' and family animation using proprietary techniques and co-production structures — directly comparable in production model, customer base (global broadcasters and streamers), and B2B commissioning approach.
• Cartoon Saloon: Irish animation studio (Wolfwalkers, The Secret of Kells) producing distinctive, hand-crafted animated features for global audiences — comparable in artisanal animation technique, kids/family audience focus, and feature film ambitions.
• Laika: US stop-motion animation studio (Coraline, Missing Link) producing feature films and series — directly comparable in proprietary stop-motion technique as a differentiator, kids/family audience focus, and feature film ambitions that align with Zumbastico's two films in development.
• Brown Bag Films: Irish animation studio (now part of 9 Story) producing original kids' series for global broadcasters including Disney Junior and Netflix — directly comparable in B2B commissioning model, kids' segment focus, and multi-territory broadcaster relationships.

Broad incumbents

• 9 Story Media Group: Major Canadian kids' content producer and international distributor behind properties like Blue's Clues & You — directly comparable in that it produces and distributes original kids' animation globally through co-productions, similar to Zumbastico's Paper Port + Millimages distribution structure.
• Nelvana: Canadian animation incumbent (owned by Corus Entertainment) producing original kids' series for global broadcasters and streamers, with established co-production relationships and a large content library — comparable in target customer (kids broadcasters) and B2B model but operates at materially greater scale.
• WildBrain: Canadian kids' entertainment company (Peanuts, Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake) with both in-house production and global content distribution — comparable to Zumbastico's combined production-plus-distribution model, particularly its Millimages distribution relationship.
• Zodiak Kids (Banijay Kids & Family): Global kids' content production and distribution arm of Banijay, producing and distributing original animation across multiple territories — comparable to Zumbastico in co-production financing structures and international distribution of original kids' IP.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zumbastico

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Zumbastico Studios