Sophie "Kido" Prigent
As the French animation studio Hari embarks on a new growth phase, Sophie 'Kido' Prigent steps into the newly created Director of Strategic Partnerships & Financing role. She shares her vision for the company's future, introduces upcoming titles, and discusses how HARI approaches artificial intelligence, always with a strong commitment to creativity and emotional storytelling.
You have recently been appointed Director of Strategic Partnerships & Financing at Hari. What new challenges will this role bring to you?
"This new role reflects a key moment for Hari. After years of strong growth, both creatively and commercially, we're entering a new chapter where we're shaping the next stage of our story: expanding our reach, building lasting connections with audiences, and developing the full potential of our IPs beyond the screen. We've seen that with 'Grizzy & the Lemmings', where we've launched our licensing program and appointed Retail Monster as our partner for North America and the UK, with more agent announcements to follow. We've expanded our team too, welcoming Toby Jones as Head of Sales. My role is to align all these areas: licensing, merchandising, and digital platforms like YouTube and FAST, while continuing to lead pre-financing and international distribution conversations. It's a broader scope that now includes financing new formats and content extensions that support the growth of our franchises. These efforts are developed closely with the leadership team and are part of a long-term strategy to increase our IPs' visibility and commercial value. What's exciting now is ensuring that every new opportunity we pursue, whether a product, a platform, or a new format, continues to amplify what makes Hari's shows so special to kids: original stories full of laughter, heart, and visual flair. It's about deepening that connection with audiences worldwide, and growing in ways that stay true to what they already love us for."
Are there plans to expand the Hari content portfolio with new IPs?
"Yes, we continue developing new content, but always with a carefully curated editorial vision. We're currently working on 'Grizzy & the Lemmings – Time Travel', which marks a brand-new direction for the series. This new season will see the characters travel through time, landing in entirely new environments, while staying true to the show's signature slapstick and global appeal. We're also developing season 2 of 'Mystery Lane.' The show has been a huge hit with our partners, with high ratings and strong replay value. On OKOO, the Christmas Special was the most-watched program of the season. We've already received strong interest from initial partners for season 2, which will bring back the central characters, recurring villains, and the beloved London settings, while introducing new mysteries that build on the universe fans have embraced. 'Baby Lemmings', our preschool spin-off of 'Grizzy & the Lemmings', is set to deliver in 2026. While it introduces its own tone and storytelling style, centered on friendship, discovery, and emotional learning, it draws on the charm and appeal of one of our most successful brands. The series also stands out for its unique visual identity: soft, poetic, and carefully crafted to resonate with younger audiences. It's a fresh way for us to connect with preschoolers and extend the franchise, while remaining committed to character-driven, high-quality comedy. We're also developing a brand-new IP, which we'll be able to share more about later this year. For us, it's never about launching a new show just for the sake of it. We're building a coherent Hari universe, where stories, characters, and tones complement each other and contribute to a bigger editorial vision. It's about creating long-term value and deepening the relationship between our content and the audience. Ultimately, we want kids to instantly recognize a Hari show, not just by its visual identity, but by the humour, the energy, and the emotional tone that connects all our series."
Animation is one of the industries that has embraced artificial intelligence the most to lower costs and reduce production times. What is your opinion on this trend?
"AI is part of the conversation; like with any tool, it's all about how you use it. At Hari, we see AI as something that can enhance workflows or automate repetitive tasks. Its real value lies in how it's integrated into our tools and software; that's where it makes the most sense for our teams. We're not reinventing our pipeline around it, but we're curious how it can support creativity, not replace it. Technology is exciting for us, but the talent behind the screen still drives the storytelling and makes a show truly connect with audiences."
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