With over a decade of experience in European animation, the French group Folivari has consolidated a business model that integrates production, studio work, and distribution. Through Folivari International, its sales unit created just a year ago, the company aims to expand its presence in new markets, especially in regions like Latin America and Southern Europe. ‘The synergy between our three units allows us to approach projects more holistically and build complementary catalogs’, commented Damien Brunner, co-founder and producer of the company, who told with Prensario during his participation at the Quirino Awards 2025.
For Melissa Vega, Head of Folivari International, the international distribution unit has been key to better positioning their intellectual properties and reaching creators and buyers outside the Francophone sphere. ‘We’ve detected a very clear demand for solid content, with well-constructed narratives and a unique artistic identity. Our commitment is to support projects we believe in, beyond market trends’.
Currently, the group has two films and two series in development. Among the highlighted titles is Nino Dino, a co-production with Belgium’s Take Five, RTBF, and France Télévisions. The series was presented at Cartoon Forum and is now in production. ‘The market reaction has been very positive. We’re betting on safe themes, but with identity and very high quality’, Vega explained. Also upcoming is Seven Bears, based on Emile Bravo‘s graphic novels, which will soon have its official debut.
Distribution philosophy and international co-productions
Regarding its distribution strategy, Folivari International prioritizes a careful selection of titles and a complementary offering. ‘We don’t want to have five similar series competing with each other. We prefer to launch a couple of projects a year that provide real value’, Vega said. In this vein, the group not only distributes its internal productions but also acquires external content, provided it aligns with its editorial line, although today they are mostly dedicated to their own content.
As for international co-productions, Brunner emphasized the importance of building sustainable relationships with partners who share a common artistic vision. ‘Producing is like a long-term marriage. We need to have mutual trust because carrying out a project today involves many challenges and long timelines’, he noted. Vega added that the company receives projects in development and evaluates potential co-productions or distributions depending on their potential and stage.
Folivari was presented at the Cannes Film Festival and is currently attending Annecy, two key events for the sector. Here, they will be showcasing one of their features currently in production: Love Is a Gypsy Child, a co-production with Pikkukala Barcelona and La Garde Montante (France), directed by Sébastien Laudenbach. ‘It’s a complex and unique story that creatively motivates us’, Vega pointed out.
‘In Cannes, we tried to continue advocated for our films, and here, in Annecy, is where our entire animation community gathers. This is where ideas come to fruition’, Brunner concluded.
