Sally Toms, COO of LA- and India-based Saffronic Animation & Games, discusses how the studio has evolved since launching three years ago, and why gaming is becoming increasingly important to the animation sector.
Sally Toms
Tell us about Saffronic and the company’s role in the animation sector.
Saffronic is a full-service animation and VFX production company offering end-to-end creative support across television, film, gaming and immersive 3D content. Established in 2022, we’ve quickly scaled to a team of over 600 talented artists, primarily based in Chennai and Bangalore. Our services span the entire production pipeline – from asset creation and rigging to lighting, compositing and final output. We pride ourselves on being highly adaptable, seamlessly integrating into our clients’ proprietary workflows. While Maya remains our primary tool, we’re increasingly leveraging Unreal Engine – not only for our game projects but as a growing part of our animation production strategy. We’re also experienced in motion capture cleanup and keen to embrace new technologies and methodologies. Our approach is grounded in flexibility, curiosity and a deep commitment to creative excellence.
What are some of the new shows and series on Saffronic’s slate?
We’re currently in production on Disney’s Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+ for Disney Junior—an iconic franchise we’re thrilled to be part of. We’ve also just kicked off work on an exciting new, yet-to-be-announced project with DreamWorks Animation Television, who has been a consistent studio partner for us since the beginning. It’s a privilege to collaborate with world-class creative teams and to contribute meaningfully to such beloved brands.
What other shows and series has Saffronic previously worked on?
Our recent portfolio includes the hit preschool series on Netflix, Gabby’s Dollhouse, and Trolls: Fun Fair Surprise, both for DreamWorks Animation—two shows with distinct visual styles and unique storytelling demands. We also worked on Legends of Evergreen Hills with Giant Animation for Chick-fil-A’s CFA Play app and Team Mekbots: Animal Rescue (season two) with M2 Animation for Peacock. Additionally, we’ve partnered with studios such as Trioscope, WildBrain and Mindshow, contributing to a wide range of projects from preschool animation to stylised, hybrid content. These collaborations have helped us evolve our pipeline and flex our creative muscles across various formats and genres.
Gabby’s Dollhouse, a hit preschool series on Netflix
Tell us about Saffronic’s activities in the gaming space since the launch of its gaming division last year.
We launched our gaming division just over a year ago and it’s already become a strong pillar of our business. We began by contributing asset creation for NBA 2K25 and, since then, we’ve been working on major titles for Electronic Arts, Ubisoft and Spliced (a NetEase studio). The gaming business has allowed us to further diversify our capabilities while nurturing a team that blends technical proficiency with artistic flair. Our gaming pipeline now operates alongside our animation team, and there’s increasing crossover between the two, especially as tools like Unreal are becoming more prevalent in animation.
Where do you see the future of gaming in the world of animation, and is it an area traditional animation studios should be exploring?
Gaming and animation are converging more than ever. Gaming is an extremely important vertical for Saffronic and growing exponentially on a global scale. Having said that, however, gaming projects can sometimes be seasonal or cyclical, so the ability to pivot between gaming and traditional animation strengthens our business and allows for more dynamic use of talent. For animation studios, this convergence presents an opportunity to build hybrid teams and cultivate cross-disciplinary skills. As technologies and platforms evolve, so must we. Ultimately, the reality is that to thrive in this business, whether it be traditional animation pipelines or games, we must create a nimble team that’s willing to learn, adapt and innovate at pace and support their efforts.
How is Saffronic growing revenue during a challenging period for the animation sector?
The past few years have tested the entire industry – economic pressures, shifts in commissioning strategies and changing consumer habits have all played a role. Despite this, we’re proud to have achieved 86% year-on-year revenue growth since our inception only three years ago, which is extremely encouraging! A big part of our success comes from the strong foundation and infrastructure provided by our parent company, Tech Mahindra. Their support – especially on the technology side – has allowed us to scale quickly and effectively. But above all, it’s the incredible talent and dedication of our team that drives our growth. Repeat clients and long-term partnerships are our biggest badge of honor; they affirm that we’re delivering quality work and building trust in the industry.
What are the company’s future expansion plans?
Growth for us isn’t about being the biggest service studio in the world but we do want to be the one that everyone talks about – for the right reasons: for creative excellence, reliability and a strong company culture that values joy, respect and collaboration. We’re continuing to explore diverse storytelling formats and our aim is to deepen our partnerships and expand our service offerings. Every project helps us sharpen our identity as a studio that delivers with heart and purpose.
What are Saffronic’s core goals and ambitions for the next couple of years?
From day one, our guiding principle has been ‘Art for Artists, by Artists.’ That mission still fuels everything we do. Our core goals are threefold: support and grow our creative talent, refine our technology and pipeline, and strengthen our client relationships through outstanding service and results. We want our customers to enjoy working with us and to make the process as smooth as possible.
We also want to continue to stretch ourselves in terms of the technology we use. Tech Mahindra is a leader in technology, and we’re constantly assessing how to make our pipeline more efficient – not just through the big leaps like AI and real-time engines, but also through incremental improvements that save time and improve quality. AI has potential, but we’re approaching it responsibly, especially in light of IP sensitivities. We believe in thoughtful, human-led implementation.
We’re also committed to increasing female representation in the industry, particularly in India where animation isn’t always seen as a solid career path for women. That has to change, and we want to be part of that change. Our ultimate ambition is to keep evolving, keep adapting and keep making beautiful, meaningful content. That’s our north star.
