Two of the former leadership team of Axis Studios, Andrew Pearce and Paula Bird, have launched ZARATAN, a new Glasgow-based production company specialising in older-skewing animation.

Established animation production company,Aniventure, is providing “significant support” by completing financing for Zaratan’s growth strategy. Aniventure has an existing animation infrastructure and a first-look service deal with Cinesite.

Zaratan will operate as both a production partner and a developer of original IP and the company is already actively working on projects. It is in pre-production with India-based pioneer Arka Mediaworks on an unannounced film project. They have partnered with French giant Fédération Studios, Guillaume Lemans (Mayhem!), and Antoine Charreyron (The Prodigies, Batwheels), Florent Auguy (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) and Dorian Marchesin (Legends of Runeterra) of Alcyde on a new series IP.

“The genesis came from our love of animation and genre storytelling,” said Andrew Pearce, co-founder. “Older-skewing animation is a constant discovery. We were searching for an icon that encapsulated that sense of adventure and exploration, and we found it in the cryptid zaratan – the stuff of stories.”

Co-founder Paula Bird adds: “Our new approach balances creative flexibility and stability. Flexibility means assembling bespoke, world-class creative teams for each project – artists and storytellers who are not only masters of their craft but are also genuine fans of the content we’re creating. Stability comes from rigorous production methodology, and our strategic partnership with Aniventure.”

“The future of older-skewing animation is extremely exciting, we want to work with the most talented people in the space,” said Adam Nagle, CEO of Aniventure (Paws of Fury, Animal Farm). “Zaratan was a perfect opportunity for us.”

Jon Creamer

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