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Xilam

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Xilam Animation
Company typePublic
Euronext Paris: XIL
CAC Small
ISINFR0004034072
IndustryAnimation
Founded5 August 1999;
26 years ago (1999-08-05)
FoundersMarc du Pontavice
Alix de Maistre
HeadquartersParis, France
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Marc du Pontavice (CEO)
Alix de Maistre (administrator)[1][2]
Number of employees
600 (2025)
SubsidiariesArmada TMT
Igloo Productions GmbH
Xilam Films SAS
Xilam Multimédia SAS
Xilam Studio SAS
Xilam Studio Angoulême SAS (since December 2016)[3]
Cube Creative (since 2020)
Websitexilam.com

Xilam Animation SAS is a French animation studio which specializes in making animated television series and feature films. Marc du Pontavice and his wife Alix founded it in 1999 as a replacement for the animation division of Gaumont Multimédia, which was itself an offshoot of the company's television division Gaumont Télévision, a company he co-founded in 1990.[4][5] Gaumont continued to have a deal with Xilam until 2003. Gaumont Multimédia was a video game publisher until closing in 2004.

History

[edit]

The origin of Xilam is closely linked to Gaumont's television production activity, launched in the early 1990s. From 1990, Marc du Pontavice joined the Gaumont group to develop a television production activity and co-founded Gaumont Télévision.[4] From 1994 to 1998, certain animations such as Space Goofs and Oggy and the Cockroaches met with international success, and it was only in 1999 that the Xilam company bought current productions from Gaumont, including Oggy, and also partnered with German trader Igel Media for the assets of Gaumont Multimedia.[6]

In 2002, Xilam started trading in the Euronext Paris stock exchange.[7]

Xilam's programs, including Shuriken School,[8] Space Goofs,[9] and Oggy and the Cockroaches,[10] are internationally successful.

In 2003, the company released its first animated feature film, the CGI-based Kaena: The Prophecy.[11] In 2005, they announced an animated film based on The New Adventures of Lucky Luke.[12] Xilam bought the Armada animation studio in Vietnam in 2008.

In 2012, they announced Oggy and the Cockroaches: The Movie would be made.[13] In 2015, Xilam announced the production of seasons 5-7 of Oggy and the Cockroaches using 4K and Ultra HD.[14] A new studio was opened in Angoulême in order to repatriate production to France in addition to that of Villeurbanne.[15]

In 2016, the studio opened a new office in Lyon, France in order to accelerate production.[16][17] This new studio would produce the Paprika series, as well as the second season of Magic.[18] In 2019, it was announced that Xilam would acquire 50.1% of French CG studio Cube Creative.[19] The deal was finalized on 20 January 2020.[20][21]

The studio's name is an anagram of a declaration of love from Marc du Pontavice to his wife, Alix de Maistre (M-Alix), as it has an edifying interpretation and is composed of two syllables "xi" and "lam", where the first comes from the Greek name for the letter "X", which is the symbol of transgression and the second is a reference to the soul which comes from the Latin word anima.[22]

Filmography

[edit]

Animated series

[edit]
Title Years Network Notes
The New Adventures of Lucky Luke[8][23] 2001–2003 France 3
Super RTL (Germany)
Télé-Québec (Canada)		 co-production with Dargaud Marina, Tooncan Productions and Lucky Comics
Cartouche: Prince of the Streets 2001–2002 M6 (France) co-production with Storimages
Ratz[8] 2003–2004 Teletoon (Canada)
France 3 and Canal J (France)		 co-production with Tooncan Productions
Tupu 2005 France 3
Gulli
Space Goofs[6] 2005–2006 France 3 Purchased from Gaumont; season 2 only
Shuriken School[10] 2006–2007 France 3 (France)
Jetix (Europe)		 co-production with Zinkia Entertainment
Rintindumb France 3 co-production with Dargaud Marina and Lucky Comics
A Kind of Magic[10] 2008–2018 France 3/Disney Channel (season 1)
Gulli/Canal J (season 2)
Oggy and the Cockroaches 2008–2019 Canal+ Family (seasons 3–4)
Gulli (seasons 5–7)		 Purchased from Gaumont; season 3–7 only
Rahan: Son of the Dark Age[24][25] 2008–2009 Canal+ Family & France 3
Rai Gulp (Italy)
Kika (Germany)		 co-production with Castelrosso Films, Rai Fiction and ZDF Enterprises
Mr. Baby[24] 2009–2010 France 3
The Daltons 2010–2016 France 3 co-production with Dargaud Media, Lucky Comics and B Media Kids
Zig & Sharko[9] 2010–2024 Canal+
Gulli
M6
FloopaLoo, Where Are You?[26] 2011–2014 Canal+ Family/Teletoon+ & France 5
Rai 2/Frisbee (Italy)		 co-production with Rai Fiction (season 1) and Castelrosso Films
What's the Big Idea? 2013 France 5
CBeebies (United Kingdom)		 co-production with Planet Nemo Animation and Skyline Entertainment
Hubert & Takako 2013–2015 Gulli
Canal+
Canal J
Rolling with the Ronks! 2016–2017 France 3
Disney Channel[27] (International)
Paprika[28] 2017–2019 France 5
Disney Jr. (International)
Athleticus[29] 2018–2024 Arte co-production with Cube Creative
Mr. Magoo[30][31] 2019–2023 France 4 (episodes 1–76)
CITV (episodes 77–118)
ITVX (episodes 77–150)		 co-production with Classic Media
Moka's Fabulous Adventures![32] 2020 Gulli
Boon and Pimento[33] 2020 YouTube co-production with CrossRiver Productions
Coach Me If You Can[34] 2020 France 4
Cartoon Network (Europe)
Where's Chicky?[35] 2020–2025 Canal J co-production with Cube Creative; season 2–4 only
Lupin's Tales[36] 2021–present France 5
Rai Yoyo (Italy)
Youku (China)		 co-production with Maga Animation Studio and Rai Ragazzi
Chip 'n' Dale: Park Life[37][38] 2021–2024 Disney+ co-production with Disney Branded Television
Oggy Oggy[39] 2021–2023 France 5
Netflix
Tangranimals[40] 2021 France 5 co-production with Cube Creative
Pfffirates[41] 2022 TFOU
Oggy and the Cockroaches: Next Generation[42] 2022 Netflix
The Adventures of Bernie 2022 RTS
Gulli
Karate Sheep[43] 2023 Gulli
Kaeloo[44] 2023 Canal+ Kids co-production with Cube Creative and Blue Spirit; season 5 only
Buddybot[45][46] 2024–present Okoo
Twilight of the Gods[47][48] 2024 Netflix co-production with Netflix Animation and The Stone Quarry
Piggy Builders[49][50] 2025–present France 5
CBeebies (United Kingdom)
Kika (Germany)
The Doomies[51] 2025–present Disney+
Chickies[52] 2027 France Télévisions
Gemma and the Defenders[53] TBA TBA
Phil & Sophia[54] TBA TBA

Purchased from Gaumont

[edit]

Film

[edit]

Purchased from Gaumont

[edit]

Original

[edit]
Title Year Distributor Notes
Kaena: The Prophecy[11] 2003 BAC Films[56]
Go West! A Lucky Luke Adventure[57] 2007 Pathé Distribution (France)
Alliance Vivafilm (Canada)		 co-production with Dargaud Media, Lucky Comics, France 3 Cinéma, Pathé, TPS Star, Cinecinema and Mikros Image
Shuriken School: The Ninja's Secret 2007 Disney Channel co-production with Zinkia Entertainment
Oggy and the Cockroaches: The Movie[13] 2013 BAC Films co-production with France 3 Cinéma, Canal+, France Télévisions, CNC, B Media Kids, Backup Films,[58] A Plus Image 4, Cofinova 9, Cofimage 24, Cube Creative and Mikros Image
I Lost My Body[59] 2019 Rezo Films[60] Xilam's first R-rated movie
My Life in Versailles[61][62] 2019 Dandelooo co-production with Films Grand Huit and Miyu Productions
The Migrant[63] 2024 Dandelooo
Lucy Lost[64][65][66] 2026 Le Pacte
The Wolf[65] TBA

Other productions

[edit]

Purchased from Gaumont

[edit]

Original

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Rapport Financier Annuel 2023" (PDF). Xilam. April 29, 2024. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  2. ^ "Rapport Financier Annuel 2024" (PDF). Xilam. April 30, 2025. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
  3. ^ "Rapport financier annuel 2016" (PDF). xilam.com. April 27, 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 4, 2017. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  4. ^ a b Williams, Michael (1998-12-02). "Gaumont surprise". Variety. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  5. ^ Sébastien Tranchant (2004-04-07). ""J'ai racheté Gaumont Multimédia"". L'Express (in French)..
  6. ^ a b c d Blaney, Martin (January 25, 2000). "Igel, Xilam join forces for Gaumont library". Screen Daily. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  7. ^ "Introduction en Bourse de Xilam : Modalités et calendrier de l'IPO". www.boursier.com. Archived from the original on 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2017-06-02..
  8. ^ a b c Martin, Denise (March 8, 2005). "Ninjas land at Nicktoons". Variety. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
  9. ^ a b Keslassy, Elsa; Graser, Marc (September 25, 2013). "Rovio Expands ToonsTV Channel with Stan Lee, Hasbro after 'Angry Birds Toons' Hits 1 Billion Views". Variety. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
  10. ^ a b c Bertet, Elsa (July 25, 2008). "'Cockroaches' scuttle to E. Europe". Variety. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
  11. ^ a b Grey, Tobias (January 19, 2003). "New Gaul draw: France toons up". Variety. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
  12. ^ Tartaglione-Vialatte, Nancy (September 25, 2009). "France's Xilam brings Lucky Luke to big screen". Screen Daily. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
  13. ^ a b Keslassy, Elsa; Hopewell, John (June 8, 2012). "Xilam plots 'Oggy' feature pic". Variety. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
  14. ^ "Oggy et les Cafards Saisons 5-6-7 | Xilam". www.xilam.com. Archived from the original on 2015-09-01. Retrieved 2016-10-20.
  15. ^ "Angoulême: la rentrée en force des studios d'animation". CharenteLibre.fr. 5 September 2016. Retrieved 2016-10-20.
  16. ^ Getzler, Wendy (December 8, 2015). "Xilam expands with Lyon production studio". Kidscreen. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  17. ^ "Xilam : va ouvrir un nouveau studio à Lyon début 2016". Boursier.com. 3 November 2015. Archived from the original on 22 October 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2015..
  18. ^ "Xilam : va ouvrir un nouveau studio à Lyon début 2016". Boursier.com. 3 November 2015. Archived from the original on 22 October 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2015..
  19. ^ Milligan, Milligan (June 6, 2019). "Xilam Enters Negotiations to Acquire Cube Creative". Animation Magazine. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
  20. ^ Zahed, Ramin (January 20, 2020). "French Studio Xilam Acquires 50.1% of Cube Creative". Animation Magazine. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  21. ^ "XILAM ANIMATION acquiert Cube Creative". Capital.fr (in French). 2020-01-20. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  22. ^ du Pontavice, Marc (2022). Destin animé. France: Slatkine & Cie. ISBN 978-2-88944-191-4.
  23. ^ Fry, Andy (April 1, 2000). "Xilam directs Lucky Luke's TV re-entry". Kidscreen. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  24. ^ a b Hopewell, John (September 12, 2008). "Toons star at French TV showcase". Variety. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  25. ^ "Xilam series home for the holidays". C21Media. December 11, 2008.
  26. ^ Keslassy, Elsa (October 3, 2011). "More execs playing at tyke TV mart". Variety. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  27. ^ Nico Franks (October 12, 2014). "Disney goes back in time with Xilam". C21Media. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  28. ^ Alessi, Sara (September 13, 2016). "Xilam Gears Up for Inaugural Trip to BLE". Worldscreen.
  29. ^ "Athleticus".
  30. ^ "Mr Magoo returns in France".
  31. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (April 10, 2018). "TV Bytes: 'Chi-Chi' Co-Pro, 'Mr. Magoo,' 'School of Roars'".
  32. ^ "Moka's Fabulous Adventures!".
  33. ^ "Boon & Pimento".
  34. ^ "Coach Me If You Can".
  35. ^ "Where's Chicky?".
  36. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (October 19, 2020). "Xilam Teams with Alibaba's Youku for Animated Original 'Lupin's Tales'".
  37. ^ Foster, Elizabeth (June 12, 2019). "What's on Disney's new production slate?". Kidscreen.
  38. ^ Amidi, Amid (November 9, 2020). "2021 New Animated TV Series For Broadcast, Streaming & Cable". Cartoon Brew.
  39. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (April 25, 2019). "Xilam Greenlights Preschool Spin-Off 'Oggy Oggy'".
  40. ^ "Tangranimals".
  41. ^ "Pfffirates".
  42. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (September 22, 2020). "Xilam's CG Slapstick Comedy 'Trico' Launching as Netflix Original".
  43. ^ "Xilam's CG Slapstick Comedy 'Trico' Launching as Netflix Original". Animation Magazine. September 22, 2020.
  44. ^ "KAELOO SAISON 5 | remichapotot". remichapotot.fr (in French). Retrieved 2025-08-11.
  45. ^ "Buddybot".
  46. ^ @okoo_francetv; (21 August 2024). "Potobot c'est disponible dès maintenant sur l'appli Okoo 📱🌍 Et dès le 28 août sur France 4 ! #okoo #potobot #dessinanime #ecologie" – via Instagram.
  47. ^ Otterson, Joe (May 3, 2023). "Zack Snyder's Netflix Animated Series 'Twilight of the Gods' Brings on Xilam as Animation Studio". Variety. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  48. ^ Lang, Jamie (April 22, 2024). "Zack Snyder's 'Twilight of the Gods,' the Next Wallace & Gromit Film and the 'Ultraman' World Premiere Headline Netflix's Annecy Slate". Variety. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  49. ^ Kaminska, Karolina (April 29, 2024). "Xilam Animation's Piggy Builders to start work at BBC, France Télévisions and ZDF". C21 Media.
  50. ^ Stalcup, Jamie (April 29, 2024). "European Broadcasters Board Piggy Builders". Worldscreen.
  51. ^ "Disney Reveals Animated Series Slate at Annecy Festival (EXCLUSIVE)". June 15, 2022.
  52. ^ "Xilam Greenlights 'Chickies' Animated Kids' Series". animationmagnazine.net. Retrieved 2025-10-04.
  53. ^ "'Gemma and the Defenders' in the TOP 5 Projects at Cartoon Forum!".
  54. ^ "'The Tern,' 'Phil & Sophia,' 'Zoey Oceans' Set for Cartoon Forum". June 13, 2022.
  55. ^ "MIP-TV Special report: France taking co-production lead". Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  56. ^ "Kaena: The Prophecy (2003)". UniFrance. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  57. ^ Kuipers, Richard (June 30, 2008). "Review: 'Go West! A Lucky Luke Adventure'". Variety. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  58. ^ "Backup Media". Archived from the original on 2021-05-15. Retrieved 2021-03-17.
  59. ^ "I Lost My body Screening at Cannes critics week". Animation Magazine. April 22, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  60. ^ "J'ai perdu mon corps press kit" (PDF) (in French). Unifrance. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  61. ^ sparkk. "Le court-métrage La vie de château aura droit à sa série animée | 9emeArt.fr". www.9emeart.fr. Retrieved 2020-12-14.
  62. ^ "My Life In Versailles".
  63. ^ "Exclusive: Oscar-Nominated Producer du Pontavice Talks About His Timely New Movie 'The Migrant'". March 2, 2022.
  64. ^ "What we're watching at MIPTV".
  65. ^ a b Croll, Ben (March 5, 2024). "Xilam Retools 'Lucy Lost' as Feature, Adapting 'War Horse' Author Michael Morpurgo, Shares First Look (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
  66. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (September 16, 2024). "Xilam's Adaptation of Michael Mopurgo's 'Lucy Lost' Sets Sail With Sales & Distribution Partners". Animation Magazine. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  67. ^ "Stupid Invaders". IGN. February 27, 2001. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
[edit]
  • Media related to Xilam at Wikimedia Commons
  • Official website
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Xilam&oldid=1320330848"