Netflix opens animation studio in Vancouver

According to the company, the purpose-built hub combines state-of-the-art technology with collaborative workspaces to maximise creative potential while ensuring the high quality of its animated feature film production and development.

The construction of the studio contributed over C$50m to British Columbia’s gross domestic product (GDP). The ongoing operations and studio workforce will have an ongoing impact on the province’s GDP, to the tune of C$100m annually.

This move forms part of the streamer’s ongoing strategic investment in British Columbia. In particular, the area is also home to many Netflix productions, including Avatar: The Last Airbender, which generated over C$150m gross value added to the Canadian economy during the filming of Season 1, and Virgin River, which generated a C$44.4m economic impact in the province during its fifth season, as well as The Wrong Paris. Other titles filmed in the province include the film, TIME OUT, which is now in production in Vancouver, and the upcoming Remarkably Bright Creatures (May 8), and Crew Girl.

Vancouver employees of Netflix’s in-house VFX studio, Eyeline, will soon join the studio. However, the company has not yet confirmed a final date for the move.

The next big project for the team at NAS Vancouver is working on animation for the feature film Steps, a reimagining of the story of Cinderella’s sisters. The film features the voices of Ali Wong, Stephanie Tsu, and Amanda Seyfried.

“We’re excited to be working on the upcoming film, Steps, from our new studio,” said Amir Nasrabadi, Chief Operating Officer of Netflix Animation Studios. “Vancouver is home to some of the world’s most incredible talent, and we’re lucky to have many of them in our studio. We’re proud of what we’ve created here and even more excited about the work to come.” 

"This is an exciting new chapter for our studio,” added Hannah Minghella, Head of Feature Animation and Family Film at Netflix. “Our new Vancouver hub is an investment in the long-term growth of Netflix Animation Studios globally and reflects our ongoing commitment to make original animated movies for fans around the world."

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