Eight Advisory and Eight Advisory Avocats advised Superprod on the acquisition of Mélusine Productions and Studio 352

Founded in 2010 by Clément Calvet and Jérémie Fajner (former directors of Gaumont Animation), SUPERPROD is a European studio that develops, produces and distributes animated series and films for television and cinema, with offices in Paris, Angoulême, Los Angeles, New York and Milan. The studio ensures all stages of animation production in 2D, 3D or hybrid, from visual development to final rendering and compositing. The company’s portfolio includes Lassie, Geronimo Stilton, Pat the Dog, Helen’s Little School, That’s Joey and Anna & Friends.

Mélusine Productions and Studio 352 were both founded in Luxembourg in 1997 by Stephan Roelants and are partners in the development and production of animated films and TV programmes, documentaries and live action films. They have been praised for projects such as Ernest and Celestine, Song of the Sea, Ethel & Ernest, The Breadwinner, Zero Impunity, The Swallows of Kabul and The Prince’s Voyage, which were selected at Cannes, Sundance, Toronto and New York and won awards at the Cesars, the EFAs, the Annie Awards and four Oscars nominations.

With this acquisition, SUPERPROD expands its geographic footprint and its production and financing capabilities for films and series. For the acquired companies, joining SUPERPROD offers the opportunity to benefit from new technical and financial capabilities as well as synergies with production entities in France, Italy and the US.

Eight Advisory team members supporting this transaction:

• Financial Due Diligence: Florence Khayat (Partner), Boris Bignon (Partner) and Pauline Deguignet (Senior)

Eight Advisory Avocats team members supporting this transaction:

• Tax Due Diligence: Kevin Peau (Partner, Attorney at law) and Priscille Baizeau de Châtillon (Attorney at law)
• Legal Due Diligence: Barbara Jouffa (Partner, Attorney at law), Delphine Sauvebois-Brunel (Counsel, Attorney at law) and Claire-Hélène Doré (Attorney at law)