Jellyfish Pictures Suspends Operations

The animation and visual effects studio Jellyfish Pictures has suspended operations and is “exploring all options for sale and investment.”

The studio—which worked on How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming and Dennis & Gnasher: Unleashed, among others—said it has “taken legal steps to protect the position of the business while we strive to find a way forward.”

In addition to its service work, in 2018, Jellyfish Pictures branched into developing its own original animated children’s content, curating long‑form animated series, limited series and family features.

Jellyfish said: “Like so many other companies operating across the VFX, animation and wider creative industries, we’ve been battling hard in the face of strong headwinds over the past 12 months. The long-tail impact of Covid coupled with rising costs and the fallout from the writers’ and actors’ strikes have had a profound effect on our business.

“Over recent months, we’ve been working closely with our key stakeholders to find a path forward, including exploring all options for sale and investment, with the aim of putting in place a strong financial platform upon which we can build. While we continue to engage in these discussions and explore our options, we have today taken legal steps to protect the position of the business while we strive to find a way forward.

“We have so much to be proud of. We’ve worked on fantastic, groundbreaking projects with brilliant partners. And we want to thank our amazingly talented award-winning teams who, day in, day out, strive to push creative boundaries with their innovative thinking and skill.”