Framestore CFC is delighted and proud to announce the formation of Framestore Feature Animation. Heading the new venture will be David Lipman, who joins the company as Managing Partner after eight successful years at Dreamworks Animation, where his roles included Producer on Shrek 2 and Co-Executive Producer on Shrek.

William Sargent, Joint CEO of Framestore CFC, says, “The creation of a new film studio in London’s Soho is a real cause for celebration in the UK’s film and cultural community. We have long wanted and planned to take this next step in our creative ambitions, and it’s very exciting to be starting this journey.” Of the challenges ahead, David Lipman says, “The talent pool in the UK and Europe is second to none, and we are looking forward to building an extraordinary team.”

Founded with the aim of becoming London’s premiere permanent feature animation studio, Framestore Feature Animation has – in partnership with Universal Studios – already commenced work on its first project. The Tale of Despereaux, based on the award-winning children’s novel by Kate DiCamillo, will be directed by Sylvain Chomet, writer and director of the Oscar nominated Les Triplettes de Belleville. The project’s producers are Allison Thomas (Seabiscuit, Pleasantville) and Gary Ross (Seabiscuit, Pleasantville, Big).

British Film Commissioner Steve Norris is enthusiastic. “The UK is home to some of the best animation talent in the world,” he says, “The opening of Framestore Feature Animation – a major breakthrough in studio-supported animation here – is great news for these talented people, and a milestone for the UK film industry.”

As might be expected, the development of Framestore Feature Animation will involve a large scale recruitment drive by the company, with up to 200 new staff being expected to join as The Tale of Despereaux gears up through 2007.

Editor’s Notes
David Lipman joined DreamWorks Animation in 1997 and served as Co-Head of Production before moving over to become the Co-Executive Producer on the Academy Award-winning hit, Shrek. He went on to write and produce the multi-sensory attraction Shrek 4-D for Universal theme parks, and was Producer on the Academy Award-nominated blockbuster Shrek 2, the highest grossing animation movie to date.

Prior to joining DreamWorks, Lipman was Supervising Producer and Executive in Charge of Production at Hanna-Barbera. He also served as Vice President and Executive Producer for USAnimation, Inc. He is a member of the Writers Guild and Directors Guild of America.

Framestore CFC is one of the world’s leading visual effects and computer animation studios.

The company has won numerous international awards including two Technical Academy Awards® from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, three BAFTA Awards, eleven Primetime Emmy Awards and ten VES Awards.

Recent film credits include Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Nanny McPhee, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and The Constant Gardener. Our television highlights include Walking With Monsters, and The Last Dragon. Notable commercial credits are Guinness noitulovE, Renault Espace Hector’s Life, Audi Illusions, and Johnnie Walker Tree.