Philippe Vidal Dumas
Philippe Vidal Dumas, a leading figure in European animation, passed away. He leaves a unique mark through his work on iconic series such as "The Garfield Show," "Bobby & Bill," "Valerian & Laureline," "Contraptus," and, most recently, "Belfort & Lupin," honored with a Pulcinella Award in spring 2025. Born on June 16, 1966, in Boulogne-Billancourt, Philippe discovered his passion for visual storytelling very early in life. After studying English and Law, he joined CFT Gobelins in 1987 to pursue formal training in animation.
He became part of Ellipse Studio at its founding in 1990, beginning as a production assistant on "Babar." He later worked as a layout supervisor on "Tintin, Orson & Olivia," "Rupert," "Blake & Mortimer," and as a storyboard artist on "The NeverEnding Story." In 1996, his directing career began with two short films before directing "Fennec" (1997), "Fracasse" (1998), and the feature film "Becassine, The Viking Treasure" (2001). Throughout the 2000s, he continued bringing iconic comic book characters to animated life, notably "Valerian & Laureline," "Contraptus," and "The Garfield Show." His work on the latter, in close collaboration with Jim Davis, Garfield’s original creator, spanned five seasons, achieved tremendous global success, and earned Philippe an Emmy Award nomination.
Vidal Dumas was known for his talent in animal-centered comedy, a hallmark of his creative style. He notably has explored this genre with "Bobby & Bill" (two seasons in 2016 and 2019, recipient of the Unifrance Export Prize) and "Belfort & Lupin," produced in collaboration with France Télévisions, a long-standing partner. During his entire career, Philippe has played a key role in shaping European animation, continuously evolving his artistic approach alongside technological advancements while remaining true to his unique style, sensitivity, and inventiveness. A tireless creator, he was also developing "Deer Colin," a literary and audiovisual project inspired by his personal story. Philippe Vidal Dumas was a key figure at Ellipse Animation, where he had just celebrated 35 years of collaboration. His warmth, generosity, curiosity, and attentiveness leave a profound impact on his colleagues and collaborators. Ellipse Animation extends its heartfelt condolences to his partner, his son Benjamin, his family, and all those close to Philippe.