Animation is a passion, an artform, but can it also be a business? We talk to leading lights in the animation industry who have done just that, they explain what they did right and wrong in order to achieve creative and commercial success alongside funders who support the animation business rather than projects.
Panellists
Moderator: Julian Scott - Animation Consultant at Film London
julian-scottJulian Scott is a BAFTA-nominated Executive Producer. He has been developing, financing and co-producing feature films and television in the international arena for over 25 years. As animation consultant for Film London, his focus is on generating inward investment for London’s animation studios, by finding partners outside the UK seeking creative and financial soulmates and advising on the UK animation tax credits. Other areas of his work include tackling skills and creative gaps in the animation industry and lobbying to get proper recognition for animation in the UK creative sector and advising studios on business and creative development.
Phil Dobree - Founder, JellyFish Pictures
Phil founded Jellyfish Pictures in 2001 overseeing its growth to become one of the world’s most respected VFX and Animation studios. His unique insight into the qualities needed to thrive on a global scale have included: pushing Jellyfish’s reputation as a pioneer in technology, particularly prescient during Covid; helping win BAFTAs, EMMYs, Annie’s, RTS and VES awards; to successfully completing a minority PE deal in 2022. Phil is a board member of Animation UK and UK Screen, was an original council member of Creative England, on the advisory board of Escape Studios, and BAFTA VFX chapter. Jellyfish recent credits include Bobba Fett, How to Train your Dragon, Stranger Things, Spirit Untamed. Currently in production: an animated Dahl feature and major episodic series both for Netflix.
Nick Cavander - Investment Manager at Creative UK
Nick accrued over 15 years of experience at Film & TV creative agencies before joining the investment team at Creative UK in 2020. He brings a deep and first-hand knowledge of TV and Film production that helps support screen investment clients with industry insight as well as financial acumen. Recent investments at Creative UK since joining include EMU Films, Big Light Productions and assisting on animation company, Fourth Wall Entertainment.
Denitsa Yordanova - Head of UK Global Screen Fund
Denitsa Yordanova was appointed Head of UK Global Screen Fund, a £7 million p.a. initiative of the UK government and the British Film Institute, in June 2021. Denitsa has over ten years of experience in the media and entertainment industry, across strategy, corporate development and investments, gained in leading corporate development and strategy roles, most recently in independent TV production at All3Media and Endemol Shine. Prior to this, she was responsible for business development and investment initiatives at Guardian Media Group, parent company of the Guardian newspaper, and helped spearhead its venture investment strategy and manage an investment fund of over £1 billion. Denitsa holds degrees from Colgate University and Stanford Graduate School of Business in the US, and a degree in Film and Media Studies from Birkbeck University in London.
Animation is a passion, an artform, but can it also be a business? We talk to leading lights in the animation industry who have done just that, they explain what they did right and wrong in order to achieve creative and commercial success alongside funders who support the animation business rather than projects.
Panellists
Moderator: Julian Scott - Animation Consultant at Film London
julian-scottJulian Scott is a BAFTA-nominated Executive Producer. He has been developing, financing and co-producing feature films and television in the international arena for over 25 years. As animation consultant for Film London, his focus is on generating inward investment for London’s animation studios, by finding partners outside the UK seeking creative and financial soulmates and advising on the UK animation tax credits. Other areas of his work include tackling skills and creative gaps in the animation industry and lobbying to get proper recognition for animation in the UK creative sector and advising studios on business and creative development.
Phil Dobree - Founder, JellyFish Pictures
Phil founded Jellyfish Pictures in 2001 overseeing its growth to become one of the world’s most respected VFX and Animation studios. His unique insight into the qualities needed to thrive on a global scale have included: pushing Jellyfish’s reputation as a pioneer in technology, particularly prescient during Covid; helping win BAFTAs, EMMYs, Annie’s, RTS and VES awards; to successfully completing a minority PE deal in 2022. Phil is a board member of Animation UK and UK Screen, was an original council member of Creative England, on the advisory board of Escape Studios, and BAFTA VFX chapter. Jellyfish recent credits include Bobba Fett, How to Train your Dragon, Stranger Things, Spirit Untamed. Currently in production: an animated Dahl feature and major episodic series both for Netflix.
Nick Cavander - Investment Manager at Creative UK
Nick accrued over 15 years of experience at Film & TV creative agencies before joining the investment team at Creative UK in 2020. He brings a deep and first-hand knowledge of TV and Film production that helps support screen investment clients with industry insight as well as financial acumen. Recent investments at Creative UK since joining include EMU Films, Big Light Productions and assisting on animation company, Fourth Wall Entertainment.
Denitsa Yordanova - Head of UK Global Screen Fund
Denitsa Yordanova was appointed Head of UK Global Screen Fund, a £7 million p.a. initiative of the UK government and the British Film Institute, in June 2021. Denitsa has over ten years of experience in the media and entertainment industry, across strategy, corporate development and investments, gained in leading corporate development and strategy roles, most recently in independent TV production at All3Media and Endemol Shine. Prior to this, she was responsible for business development and investment initiatives at Guardian Media Group, parent company of the Guardian newspaper, and helped spearhead its venture investment strategy and manage an investment fund of over £1 billion. Denitsa holds degrees from Colgate University and Stanford Graduate School of Business in the US, and a degree in Film and Media Studies from Birkbeck University in London.