Yahoo Lifestyle Gaumont Ramps Up Animation Division With Creative Director Role for Sebastien Rossi; New Slate of Shows (EXCLUSIVE)
In the run up to Annecy Animation Film Festival, French studio Gaumont has appointed Sébastien Rossi as creative director for its Kids & Family division, and unveiled a flurry of new shows.
Rossi, who was previously head of CG at the company, will take part in the development and production of internationally-driven series and movies from France and Europe under his new role. He will report to Terry Kalagian, head of Gaumont Animation.
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The executive has two decades of experience in the fields of animation and special effects. His credits as CG and vfx supervisor include SND’s “Asterix: le domaine des dieux,” “Arcane” from Fortiche / Riot, Netflix and “Zombillenium” from Maybe Movies. He also worked on big titles from llumination McGuff (“Despicable Me 2”), Mikros Animation and TeamTO.
Kalagian said Rossi “has already proved himself as a fantastic and generous creative leader” and added that Gaumont Animation will benefit from his “vision and expertise.” Rossi, meanwhile, said the “promotion marks a new exciting chapter in his path, pulling from is profound passion for visual narration.”
While at Annecy, Gaumont will unveil four new series aimed at kids between the ages of 6 and 11, including “Agent 9,” “Fortune Falls,” “Ash” and “Snapdragon.”
Described as a mix between “Zootopia” and “Get Smart,” “Agent 9” is an action-packed spy series based on James Burks’ graphic novels. “Fortune Falls” follows Sadie Bleeker, an 11 year-old girl on a mission to overcome her superstition and defy fate in a strange city. “Ash” is a comical fairy tale about a 13 year-old girl who discovers she’s a half-fairy and has magical powers. “Snapdragon” is a black comedy described as a “Wednesday-meets-Gravity Falls,” and based on Kat Leyh’s graphic novel. It follows a solitary teenage girl who moves to an uncanny city where she sets off to solve bizarre mysteries haunting her.
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