Ellipse Animation Takes Majority Stake in Studio Campedelli

Ellipse Animation has purchased a majority shareholding in the Italian production company Studio Campedelli, which has worked on such series as Tip the Mouse.

Founded in 2008 by Pietro Campedelli and currently run by Anne-Sophie Vanhollebeke and Valeria Brambilla, the production company specializes in animated content, such as the series Calimero. Ellipse Animation is already working with Campedelli on the series Versailles Unleashed, which is currently in production for France Télévisions, and on the feature film Prendiluna, which is currently in development.

The acquisition of Studio Campedelli marks another step in Ellipse Animation’s growth strategy and the development of Média-Participations, which is already present in the animation industry in France and Belgium (Belvision, Dreamwall).

“This acquisition is a unique opportunity for us to combine our talents to create and produce new quality stories together, with the ambition of touching the hearts of audiences around the world,” said Caroline Audebert, managing director of Ellipse Animation. “It is also a great step forward for the European ecosystem of the audiovisual branch of Média-Participations, which is continuing its growth.”

Vanhollebeke and Brambilla added: “It will be a pleasure for us to work with Caroline, Lila and their fantastic team, with whom we share the same professional ethics and content development strategies. I would like to thank Pietro Campedelli for giving us this great opportunity to work together to take on the future challenges of the global entertainment market.”

“We are particularly honored by the trust placed in us by Mr. Campedelli,” said Julien Papelier, deputy managing director of Média-Participations. “He has contributed so much to the success of his studio, which is a real benchmark for Italian animation. He can rest assured of our commitment to developing it even further.”

Campedelli commented: “I founded Studio Campedelli in 2008 after working as an executive producer of animated series for Italian companies, including Studio Laganà’s Lupo Alberto, the first series co-produced by RAI. The pleasure of seeing the professionalism of the staff I hired grow has enabled me to give them ever greater responsibilities and to attract the interest of a group the size of Média-Participations. To promote the development of the new group, I have decided to sell my shares to Anne-Sophie Vanhollebeke and Valeria Brambilla, who will be able to guarantee a fruitful future for what we have built. Before I leave the stage, I must thank the president, Julien Papelier. I am delighted to know that my company is now in experienced hands that will ensure the international growth of Studio Campedelli.”