La Factorie
Paris-based production companies Je Suis Bien Content and Watch Next have mandated La Factorie, a sister company of Watch Next, to open a brand-new animation studio in Lille, in the heart of Europe.
Philippe Alessandri, CEO of Watch Next: "This new studio reinforces our strategy to master the manufacturing of the programs in order to guarantee artistic quality and cost control."
Franck Ekinci and Marc Jousset, co-founders of JSBC: "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 talents."
Headed by Anaëlle Hersin, the Lille studio is currently working on the animation and backgrounds of "Nawak" (78x7’), a non-dialogue cartoony series produced by Je Suis Bien Content for France Televisions; and will soon start on the animation of "Nate is Late" Season 2 (52x11’), produced by Watch Next for France Televisions and Super RTL.
The studio already plans to follow up in Q1 2021, with the making of "Boy, Girl, Etc." season 2 for Gulli and the BBC.
This new northern extension was made possible by the financial support of region Haut de France, and the Lille European Metropolis– aka LEM – as well as the Pictanovo investment fund for audiovisual production. Professional training in the software used by JSBC and Watch Next is supported by Pole Emploi and AFDASS.