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After weeks of awful and heartbreaking news in the cg animation industry, we have our first glimmer of hope.
Montreal-headquartered Rodeo FX, which is known for its vfx services on projects like Game of Thrones, Stranger Things, The Rings of Power, and the new Dune films, has acquired Mikros Animation, the animation studio behind PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie, Orion and the Dark, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.
Previously owned by Technicolor Group, which imploded in spectacular fashion last month, Mikros Animation has worked on 17 animated features for Dreamworks Animation, Paramount Animation, and Netflix, among other studios. Mikros has also produced nearly 300 hours of episodic series that have aired on networks including Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, TF1, and France TV. (UPDATE: Mikros Animation’s episodic division has been separately acquired by OuiDO Proudctions. For more information, see this followup story.)
“This is a deeply meaningful moment for me and for all of us at Rodeo FX,” Sebastien Moreau, founder & CEO of Rodeo FX, said in a statement. “Welcoming Mikros Animation into our creative family isn’t just about growth, it’s about aligning with people who share our values, our passion for storytelling, and our belief in the magic of animation. Together, we’re building something that goes beyond business: a creative home where artists can dream bigger, push further, and inspire the world.”
The acquisition, for which terms were not disclosed, includes all of Mikros Animation’s operations, as well as Technicolor Canada’s equipment. A Rodeo spokesperson confirmed to Cartoon Brew that “the vast majority of the recent headcount” at Mikros in both Montreal, Canada, and Paris, France, will continue working, including creative, technical, and leadership teams. The Technicolor India group, which provided services on Mikros Animation’s productions, is not part of the current deal.
Quebec law firm Lavery Lawyers, which served as an advisor to Technicolor Canada on the sale of Mikros Animation, said in a statement that the sale would preserve up to 207 jobs in Montreal and an additional 80 jobs at the French operation.
Further, Mikros will retain its brand identity under Rodeo FX, maintaining its own slate of projects and production pipeline. That includes ongoing production on Paramount Animation’s third PAW Patrol feature, which is currently scheduled for release in summer 2026.
Rodeo said that acquiring Mikros was part of a “strategic expansion” that aligns with its ongoing global growth, including the establishment of its fifth international office and studio in Paris in 2023. As a tantalizing sidenote, Rodeo FX announced its intentions last year to begin creating original stories and animation projects.
Longtime Mikros Animation executive Julien Meesters has been appointed the president of the new Mikros operation under Rodeo FX. “Mikros Animation and Rodeo FX have always shared a mutual respect and admiration,” he said in a statement. “This marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for us. Joining the Rodeo FX family opens new doors for us to explore broader animation horizons and to continually reinvent ourselves. Over the years, we’ve built incredible stories alongside our partners. Now, we’re embracing new challenges and evolving landscapes to ensure Mikros Animation remains a leading home for filmmakers.”
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