Gigglebug Opens New Animation Studio

Gigglebug Entertainment is boosting its 2D production capabilities with the opening of a new studio facility in the Canary Islands.

The Canaries studio has a unified pipeline with Gigglebug’s existing Helsinki-based studio, which handles both original IP and service work. The new hub is led by the company’s CEO and co-founder, Anttu Harlin; creative director and co-founder, Joonas Utti; and managing director, Beth Parker.

Based in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, it is pioneered by seven Gigglebug alumni artists and staff who have relocated from Helsinki.

The studio will expand by drawing on the growing talent pool of the Canaries and attracting talent from across the world, with the aim of scaling the studio to around 150 employees.

“We started this company around a tiny character with a contagious giggle, and suddenly, we’re becoming this go-to provider of joyful 2D animation in Europe,” said Harlin. “To meet our growing pipeline, we conducted a very biased and non-scientific ‘Gigglebug Quality of Life Index Measurement’ and picked the best bits of Europe for animation talent – the Far North and the Far South. Ice and Sun. Helsinki and Las Palmas. You won’t find these two paired in your cookie cutter tourist guide!. Alongside the impressive tax breaks for partners, there’s such amazing potential in the Canaries—we’re committed to investing in our people and culture and creating the best possible experience for every individual working with Gigglebug—now, whether that’s in the icy capital of Finland or the glorious sun of Gran Canaria.”