Superprod targets animation by acquiring Studio 352 and Mélusine Productions
Studio 352 worked with Cartoon Saloon on Song of the Sea
France’s Superprod Group is strengthening its position in animation with the acquisition of Luxembourg-based Studio 352 and its sister company Mélusine Productions.
Superprod Group says it will support the companies with the technical and financial resources needed to develop more ambitious projects.
Based in the town of Contern, both companies were founded in 1997 by Stephan Roelants.
Roelants will continue in his role as producer on current projects within Mélusine Productions and will hand over general management to Fabien Renelli, Studio 352’s current production manager.
The Superprod Group was advised on the deal by Hottinguer Corporate Finance, Eight Advisory and Alérion Avocats.
Studio 352 claims to be one of the oldest animation studios in Europe and has worked on feature films with producers in Ireland (Cartoon Saloon on Song of the Sea), the UK (Lupus Films on Ethel & Ernest) and France (Folimage on Le Jour des Corneilles).
Mélusine Productions, meanwhile, focuses on developing and producing animated movies, TV series, documentaries and live-action films. Its output has included stop-motion fantasy film A Town Called Panic, multimedia documentary feature Zero Impunity and Wolfwalkers for AppleTV+.
Superprod Group has animation studios in Paris, Angoulême and Milan, as well as offices in Los Angeles and New York.
Its recent productions include TV series such as Batwheels for Cartoon Network and HBO Max, Spirit Rangers and Paddington.
Roelants said: “After 27 years, I’m delighted to be able to hand over the reins to the younger generation. Joining the Superprod Group will give both companies the opportunity to flourish within a group capable of meeting new market challenges while preserving its Luxembourg identity.”
Superprod’s Clément Calvet, CEO, and Jérémie Fajner, producer, MD and partner, said in a statement: “We are very proud of the trust Stephan Roelants has placed in us by handing over to us the studio and the company he has grown as an essential partner for the most prestigious animated films produced in Europe.
“We’ve known Stephan and the talented teams at Studio 352 for many years, notably through our coproduction of the film Song of the Sea, which took us together to the Oscars, Césars and European Film Awards.”
