Cyber Group Studios

Last updated
Cyber Group Studios
FormerlyCyber Group Animation (2003–2009)
Industry Animation
FoundedAugust 11, 2003;22 years ago (2003-08-11)
FounderPierre Sissmann
Dominique Bourse
Billy "Frédéric" Richard
Olivier Lelardoux
Cécilia Bossel
DefunctApril 28, 2025;9 months ago (2025-04-28)
Fate Liquidation
SuccessorEuro Visual
Headquarters,
France
Key people
  • Dominique Bourse (chairman and CEO)
  • Richard Goldsmith
  • (president and CEO, Cyber Group Studios USA)
  • Pierre Belaisch (CCO)
  • Raphael Matthieu (COO)
Subsidiaries Cyber Group Studios USA
A Productions (2022–2025)
Graphilm Entertainment
Scrawl Animation
CyberSplash Entertainment (50%; 2022–2025)
Website www.cybergroupstudios.com

Cyber Group Studios (formerly Cyber Group Animation) was a French developer, producer and distributor of animated television series and movies for children in France and internationally.

Contents

It was founded in 2003 by Pierre Sissmann, Dominique Bourse, Billy "Frédéric" Richard, Olivier Lelardoux and Cécilia Bosselin. In addition to licensing its own and third-party characters, the company produced 3D and 2D animations for television series and films, web series, news programs, and documentaries.

History

Founded in 2003 as Cyber ​​Group Animation, it changed its name to Cyber ​​Group Studios (CGS) in March 2009. [1] In January 2017, a year after acquiring Pictor Media, [2] CGS launched Cyber ​​Group Studios USA, a subsidiary located at Culver Studios in Culver City, California, headed by CEO Richard Goldsmith. [3]

Six months after the investment firm L-GAM acquired the stakes of its minority investors, [2] Cyber ​​Group hired former VP and MD at Disney Interactive EMEA, Thierry Braille, as head of its new interactive division on March 1, 2018, [4] and opened an animation studio in Roubaix, Francee in November. [5]

Having acquired the UK-based production company A Productions on January 25, 2022, [6] CGS purchased the Italian animation studio Graphilm Entertainment on February 8. [7] Two months later, it announced that it had formed a new joint venture with Splash Entertainment called CyberSplash Entertainment. [8]

On June 2, 2023, Dominique Bourse was named chairman and CEO of Cyber Group Studios, with Pierre Sissman retiring from the company. [9] On March 11, 2024, Sissman was succeeded as the company's chief creative officer when Pierre Belaisch was appointed to the position. [10]

On November 7, 2024, Cyber ​​Group announced that it had entered the judicial recovery process from insolvency. [11] In December, four takeover bids for CGS were registered: a joint venture between United Smile, Toonz Media Group and Atlas Global; Solent Productions; Newen Studios; and Hildegarde. [12]

On April 28, 2025, the Paris Commercial Court ruled that Cyber Group Studios would be liquidated. [13] On November 3, it was reported that one of its former subsidiaries, A Productions, had returned to 100% independent ownership. [14]

In January 2026, it was reported that co-founder Pierre Sissmann had partnered with Grégoire Parcollet through the latter's company Euro Visual to acquire 80% of Cyber Group Studios' assets. [15]

In February 2026, it was reported that former subsidiary Graphilm Entertainment had also returned to 100% independent ownership and regained the animated series McFire Family, which was in production when Cyber Group Studios closed down. [16]

Filmography

Some are adaptations, while others are licensed from other countries. [17]

References

  1. "Company Overview of Cyber Group Studios". Bloomberg. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Whittock, Jesse (8 September 2017). "French investor buys into Cyber Group Studios". TBI Vision. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  3. "Richard Goldsmith to Lead LA Cyber Group Subsidiary". Animation Magazine. January 3, 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Whyte, Alexandra (March 1, 2018). "Former Disney exec gets interactive at Cyber Group". Kidscreen. Brunico Communications Ltd. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  5. Hobson, Jane (November 29, 2018). "Cyber Group opens studio in Northern France". Kidscreen. Brunico Communications Ltd. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  6. "Cyber Group acquires a Productions".
  7. "Cyber Group acquires Graphilm Entertainment".
  8. "Cyber Group & Splash Unite as CyberSplash Entertainment". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  9. Kaminska, Karolina (June 2, 2023). "Cyber Group ups Dominique Bourse to CEO as Sissmann exits". C21 Media. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  10. Milligan, Mercedes (March 11, 2024). "Pierre Belaisch Named Chief Creative Officer of Cyber Group Studios". Animation Magazine. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  11. Tuchow, Ryan (November 7, 2024). "Cyber Group Studios enters judicial recovery process". Kidscreen. Brunico Communications Ltd. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  12. Tuchow, Ryan (December 18, 2024). "Four potential buyers are bidding for Cyber Group". Kidscreen. Brunico Communications Ltd. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  13. Tuchow, Ryan (2025-04-28). "A Paris court orders Cyber Group Studios to liquidate". Kidscreen. Retrieved 2025-04-28.
  14. "A Productions' MDs take back 100% ownership". Televisual. November 3, 2025.
  15. Bharanidharan, Sadhana (January 22, 2026). "Shuttered French studio Cyber Group's assets find a home". Kidscreen. Brunico Communications Ltd.
  16. Milligan, Mercedes (February 2, 2026). "Italian Animation Indie Graphilm Regains Full Ownership". Animation Magazine. Animation Magazine.
  17. "Productions". Cyber Group Studios. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  18. "Disney greenlights three spooky new series".
  19. Jeremy Dickson (27 April 2017). "Droners takes flight for TF1, Cyber Group". kidscreen.com.
  20. "TF1, Cyber Group to Develop 'Droners'". licenseglobal.com. 6 April 2018.
  21. "Final Fantasy IX animated series featured at Licensing Expo 2022 on May 24th - 26th". Final Weapon. 2022-05-22. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
  22. "Another Season for Cyber Group's The Happos Family". Worldscreen. May 24, 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  23. "Cyber Group to Rep TV & OTT Rights for Iqbal Film". Worldscreen Network. 16 May 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  24. Rosario, Alexandra Del (2022-02-11). "Peacock Bolsters Animated Kids Programming Slate With 'Megamind,' 'Abominable' Series & More". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
  25. "Turner and Cyber Group Studios launches new animated series Taffy". Animation Digest. February 13, 2017. Archived from the original on 30 December 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2017.