Watch Next, Bien Content launch Lille studio

Paris-based producers Watch Next and Je Suis Bien Content (JSBC) are setting up an animation studio in Lille to work on their increased production slates.

Philippe Alessandri

La Factorie is headed by Anaëlle Hersin and is currently working on JSBC’s Nawak (78×7′) for France Télévisions (FTV), with work beginning soon on season two of Watch Next’s Nate is Late (52×11′) for FTV and Super RTL in Germany.

The studio also plans to follow up in the first quarter of 2021 with production on season two of Boy Girl Dog Cat Mouse Cheese for Gulli in France and the BBC in the UK.

It comes after Watch Next, the company founded by Philippe Alessandri in 2015 after his departure from Zodiak Media, increased its stake in animation studio JSBC to a majority share earlier this year.

Its new northern extension was made possible by the financial support of region Haut de France and the Lille European Metropolis, as well as the Pictanovo investment fund for audiovisual production.

Alessandri, CEO of Watch Next, said: “This new studio reinforces our strategy to master the manufacturing of the programmes in order to guarantee artistic quality and cost control.”

Franck Ekinci and Marc Jousset, co-founders of JSBC, added in a joint statement: “With several high-quality animation schools and an attractive living environment for artists, Lille appeared to us as an ideal city to set up a new studio and open up to new talent.”