ON Entertainment opens North American animation studio in Montréal

300 jobs created over 3 years

MONTRÉAL, Sept. 15, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - French company ON Entertainment, an internationally recognized leader in film and animation, today announced the opening of its North American studio in Montréal. The new subsidiary, ON Animation Studio, Montréal, plans to hire 300 animation specialists over the next three years.

ON intends to increase production to one feature-length animated film every two years by investing in innovative, cutting-edge technology.

"Our new Montréal studio gives us a foothold in North America and provides us with the resources we need to ramp up production and extend our reach with films intended for international release," said Thierry Pasquet, Co-founder of ON Entertainment. "Montréal is a magnet for global talent and has a rich pool of creative minds" he added.

ON Entertainment's portfolio of iconic brands includes Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince as an animated series and feature-length film, along with Peter Pan and Iron Man. Both The Little Pince and Mune: The Guardian of the Moon were produced in Montréal in partnership with a local studio.

In addition to receiving funds for the project from the governments of Québec and Canada, ON Entertainment also benefited from the support and expertise of Montréal International, Greater Montréal's investment promotion agency.

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, announced on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CED, that ON Animation Studio, Montréal, would receive $2.44 million in financial support from the Government of Canada to open its new studio in North America.

"The Government of Canada is proud to support creative and cultural industries. Enterprises such as ON Entertainment are a good example of how culture, technology and innovation come together to provide opportunities for growth and economic prosperity," explained Minister Joly. "The arrival of this new global player is sparking world-wide recognition of Montréal's expertise and increasing Canada's influence on the international scene."

Dominique Anglade, Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation, and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy, announced a $2.44-million loan granted through Investissement Québec to help ON Animation Studio, Montréal, open its new studio.

"With fast-growing, forward-thinking companies like ON Animation Studio expanding in the province, Québec can develop its animation expertise and enhance Montréal's global reputation as a leading technology hub. That is why we are proud to support such an ambitious project, which will create 300 specialized jobs in Québec," explained Ms. Anglade.

"The new studio helps cement Montréal's position as a global animation hub while supporting the local digital production ecosystem," said Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montréal and President of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal. "The investment also confirms that Montréal is truly a smart city—a place where art and technology meet," he added.

"By opening a studio in Montréal, ON Entertainment helps enhance the value proposition of the city's animation and special effects industry, which currently ranks fourth in the world," said Hubert Bolduc, President and CEO of Montréal International. "Big industry players and major productions flock to Montréal because of our high-quality academic programs and rich pool of highly skilled talent," he added.

Greater Montréal is already home to close to 40 studios accounting for 3,000 jobs in the special effects and animation industry.

About ON Entertainment (www.onanimationstudios.com)
ON Entertainment produces world-class films by attracting top talent and securing substantial funding to create iconic brands. The Company brings together creators and partners to develop brands across multiple platforms, including film and animation, cinema and television, and merchandising.

About Montréal International (www.montrealinternational.com)
Established in 1996, Montréal International is a non-profit organization funded by the private sector, the governments of Canada and Québec, the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal and the City of Montréal. Its mission is to attract foreign investment, international organizations and skilled talent to Greater Montréal.

SOURCE Montréal International

Media contacts: Céline Clément, Public Relations Director, Montréal International, [email protected], Tel.: + 514-987-9317; Mathieu Calleux - Calyptus, Media Relations, ON Entertainment, [email protected], Tel.: [phone]; Marc-André Gosselin, Press attaché, Office of the Mayor of Montréal and Executive Committee, 514-290-1194; Cynthia St-Hilaire, Press Attaché, Office of the Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation, and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy, 418-691-5650; Media Relations, Canada Economic Development for Québec Regions, Tel.: [phone], [email protected]; Chantal Corbeil, Spokesperson, Investissement Québec, 514-873-7161