Vancouver Builds as World-Class Animation Hub

When Netflix Animation Studios opened its 110,600-square-foot office in Vancouver earlier this year, it sent a clear signal about the city’s growing importance as an animation hub.

“Vancouver has been our home for over 10 years both as Netflix Animation Studios and previously under the Animal Logic banner,” Amir Nasrabadi, Chief Operating Officer for the studio, told Variety. “There’s a vibrant animation industry here and having an animation studio in Vancouver has given us the opportunity to work with some of the most amazingly creative and talented artists working today.”

Netflix Animation Studios employs more than 450 people out of its Vancouver office, most of them hired locally.

“There is incredible talent here and we’re really proud to be supporting the growth and development of the animation industry in Vancouver,” Nasrabadi says.

Netflix produces its films as one studio across all three of its locations, Nasrabadi says, but the company has been able to expand its Vancouver operation in recent years because of the size and quality of the local talent pool.

That pool has grown as more animation outfits – including Sony Pictures Imageworks, Atomic Cartoons, Bardel, Mainframe, Titmouse, Icon Creative Studio, and a Disney outpost – have established themselves in the city.

Netflix’s Vancouver team led the animation on Adam Sandler’s “Leo” and is currently working on “Steps,” Netflix Animation Studios’ first feature produced entirely in-house, which is scheduled for release Nov. 20.

But Nasrabadi says Netflix isn’t interested in imposing a single house style. “The Netflix Animation Studios slate is a mix of fresh, original features and bold, new franchises — all helmed by an exciting mix of both up and coming and established filmmakers.”