Red Star Co-Founder Jan Rogowski Passes Away

Jan Rogowski, co-founder of the U.K. animation studio Red Star, passed away at age 41 on April 6.

Rogowski founded Red Star in 2004 and grew the company into a leading producer of animated content for visitor attractions such as theme parks and museums. Red Star’s 4D films, including The Lost World and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, have been shown in hundreds of venues around the world.

In 2019, Rogowski co-produced Red Star’s first feature film, Stardog and Turbocat. It was released in 16 international territories and helped Red Star be selected as the U.K. studio for The Amazing Maurice, a Sky original based on Sir Terry Pratchett’s novel. The film will be released on Sky Cinema later this year and will be dedicated to Rogowski’s memory.

Andrew Baker, producer of The Amazing Maurice, said, “I’d known Jan for many years, so when we were looking for a U.K. studio, it felt like Red Star were the perfect choice. We knew Jan would make sure the studio delivered a fantastic film, but he showed us time and again that his passion and technical knowledge were unsurpassed. Jan’s unflagging dedication and enthusiasm were a huge part of what has made this film very special, and he was rightly proud of the final result.”

Rogowski’s co-founder of Red Star, Ben Smith, said, “Twenty years ago, I hired Jan straight from university, beginning a partnership and friendship that has defined both our lives. He leaves a massive gap in our lives, but the notes of condolence and the offers of support that have flooded in are overwhelming testament to the respect and admiration he was held in by everyone who worked with him.”

CG Supervisor Haris Ahmed has been temporarily named head of production, while Smith assumes the role of company director. “Jan worked his whole career to build Red Star into a feature animation studio capable of delivering first-class film projects, and the best tribute we can pay is to continue his hard work into the future,” Smith noted.