French independent animation studio TeamTO is poised for a significant return to the spotlight at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, …
just shy of its 20th anniversary. Following its acquisition by RIVA Studios last December, the studio is signaling a new era that blends its established legacy with ambitious creative and technological advancements.
Under new leadership and creative direction, TeamTO is expanding its repertoire to include 2D animation and projects targeting adult audiences, a notable shift from its traditional focus. This strategic evolution will be showcased during a Studio Focus session on June 10th. TeamTO President Marco Balsamo joins France Télévisions’ Director of Animation, Pierre Siracusa, to discuss ongoing support for existing hits like Jade Armor Season 2 and Angelo Rules Season 6. Acclaimed directors Jay Oliva, Thierry Marchand, Slimane Aniss, and Didier Ah-Koon is also presenting the studio’s expanded creative slate, marking the public introduction of its new adult and 2D animation offerings.
A key highlight of TeamTO’s presence at Annecy is the global unveiling of its proprietary software platforms, Tangerine and Yuzu, during a Tech Demo on June 11th. After more than 15 years of research and development, these powerful in-house technologies are now being made available for licensing. Tangerine is described as a ‘next-generation animation platform built for speed, scalability and seamless integration’ while Yuzu is an ‘animation-specific project management tool proven to increase production efficiency by up to 30%’. These tools have been extensively used on productions such as The Creature Cases and Jade Armor, and their public release marks TeamTO’s entry into the tech licensing space, solidifying its role as both a creative and technological innovator.
Beyond its original content and proprietary tools, TeamTO is also actively expanding its international service work. With a history of delivering premium animation for global partners including Netflix, France Télévisions, and Warner Bros., the studio is now positioned to take on new co-productions, provide development support, and offer end-to-end animation services across both 2D and 3D pipelines.
‘Annecy marks our official return to the public stage and we couldn’t be more excited to show what we’ve been working on’, stated President & CEO Marco Balsamo. He added, ‘With a revitalized slate of originals, powerful new technology, and the capacity to take on world-class service work, we’re stepping into a bold new chapter’. Executive Producer Tara Sibel further emphasized the studio’s dual commitment: ‘This moment is about honoring everything TeamTO has built while reimagining what’s possible for the next generation of creators. From bold storytelling to empowering tools, we’re here to support artists in every way we can’.
