Cinesite

File:PIX-6-03 Cinesite--1140x760.jpg

Cinesite opened its doors in Los Angeles in 1991 to help with the digital restoration of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.{{cite web |title=About - Cinesite Studios |url=https://www.cinesite.com/about/ |access-date=1 March 2022 |archive-date=1 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301160311/https://www.cinesite.com/about/ |url-status=live }} The restoration was released in 1993, and Cinesite opened a division in London in 1994. There, it originally operated as a service bureau for Kodak's Cineon digital film system. Both locations subsequently evolved to become full service visual effects facilities. In 2003, Kodak merged the Cinesite Hollywood office into LaserPacific.

In May 2012, Kodak sold Cinesite to a UK-based private investor.{{cite web|url=https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/kodak-sells-cinesite/5041718.article|title=Kodak sells Cinesite|last=2012-05-11T17:36:00+01:00|website=Broadcast|access-date=28 January 2020|archive-date=28 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128182415/https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/kodak-sells-cinesite/5041718.article|url-status=live}} Current ownership is a combination of its existing management team supported by private investment.

After Cinesite became independent from Kodak in 2012, it began a sustained period of international growth.

In January 2014, with the support of Investissement Québec, Cinesite announced its opening of 27,000 sq ft studios in Montréal and a feature animation division at that location.{{Cite web|title = Visual effects company Cinesite to open offices in Montreal|url = https://globalnews.ca/news/1093851/cinesite-to-open-an-office-in-montreal/|accessdate = 17 July 2019|first = Amanda|last = Kelly|archive-date = 17 July 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190717151201/https://globalnews.ca/news/1093851/cinesite-to-open-an-office-in-montreal/|url-status = live}} Its initial employment target was reached 18 months early, in August 2015.{{Cite news|title = Cinesite choisit encore Montréal|url = https://www.lapresse.ca/affaires/economie/quebec/201602/08/01-4948361-cinesite-choisit-encore-montreal.php|accessdate = 18 July 2019|first = Jean-François|last = Codère|newspaper = La Presse|date = 8 February 2016|archive-date = 18 July 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190718102302/https://www.lapresse.ca/affaires/economie/quebec/201602/08/01-4948361-cinesite-choisit-encore-montreal.php|url-status = live}}

In July 2015, Cinesite announced its acquisition of Vancouver-based visual effects facility Image Engine, which has won Emmy awards for its visual effects on The Book of Boba Fett{{Cite web |date=15 September 2022 |title=Image Engine: Emmy Award Winner for The Book of Boba Fett |url=https://www.digibc.org/blogs/image-engine-emmy-award-winner-for-the-book-of-boba-fett |website=DigiBC |access-date=22 December 2022 |archive-date=22 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222152330/https://www.digibc.org/blogs/image-engine-emmy-award-winner-for-the-book-of-boba-fett |url-status=live }} and Game of Thrones and also received an Academy Award nomination for District 9 in 2010.{{Cite press release |date=1 March 2010 |title=NVIDIA GPUs Power All 2010 Best Visual Effects Academy Award Nominees |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2010/03/01/1149828/0/en/NVIDIA-GPUs-Power-All-2010-Best-Visual-Effects-Academy-Award-Nominees.html |website=Globe Newswire}}

In March 2017, it acquired Vancouver-based animation studio Nitrogen Studios and in August 2018 the German VFX studio TRIXTER.{{Cite web|title = Cinesite Buying Trixter, Germany's Leading VFX Outfit|url = https://variety.com/2018/film/news/cinesite-buying-trixter-germany-vfx-outfit-1202900425/|accessdate = 17 July 2019|first = Stewart|last = Clarke|date = 9 August 2018|archive-date = 17 July 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190717134433/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/cinesite-buying-trixter-germany-vfx-outfit-1202900425/|url-status = live}}

In June 2018, Cinesite was placed in the annual Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 league table, which ranks the UK's highest performing private firms by international growth.{{Cite web|title = Britain's Mid-market Private Companies With Fastest-Growing International Sales Revealed|url = https://www.fasttrack.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018-Sunday-Times-HSBC-International-Track-200-national-press-release.pdf|accessdate = 17 July 2019|archive-date = 17 July 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190717134437/https://www.fasttrack.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018-Sunday-Times-HSBC-International-Track-200-national-press-release.pdf|url-status = dead}}

In 2022, the company announced a series of further acquisitions, beginning with Montreal-based L'Atelier Animation in July which had produced animated films and television series since 2012.{{Cite web |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |date=20 July 2022 |title=VFX House Cinesite Acquires Montreal's L'Atelier Animation |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/vfx-house-cinesite-acquires-montreals-latelier-animation-1235182935/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=22 December 2022 |archive-date=22 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222152329/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/vfx-house-cinesite-acquires-montreals-latelier-animation-1235182935/ |url-status=live }} Squeeze Studios followed in early August,{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |date=2 August 2022 |title="Cracké" Animation Studio Squeeze Acquired by "Paws of Fury" Outfit Cinesite |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/global/cinesite-squeeze-cracke-paws-of-fury-1235331310/ |website=Variety |access-date=22 December 2022 |archive-date=22 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222152328/https://variety.com/2022/film/global/cinesite-squeeze-cracke-paws-of-fury-1235331310/ |url-status=live }} Balkan-based visual effects studio FX3X later that month{{Cite web |last=Dalton |first=Ben |date=31 August 2022 |title=Cinesite Acquires "Indiana Jones 5" VFX studio FX3X |url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/cinesite-acquires-indiana-jones-5-vfx-studio-fx3x/5173954.article |website=Screen Daily |access-date=22 December 2022 |archive-date=31 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831121018/https://www.screendaily.com/news/cinesite-acquires-indiana-jones-5-vfx-studio-fx3x/5173954.article |url-status=live }} and in November, Assemblage Entertainment in Mumbai.{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |date=21 November 2022 |title=VFX Outfit Cinesite Takes Majority Stake in Indian Animation Studio Assemblage |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/global/wakanda-forever-cinesite-assemblage-1235438654/ |website=Variety |access-date=22 December 2022 |archive-date=22 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222152330/https://variety.com/2022/film/global/wakanda-forever-cinesite-assemblage-1235438654/ |url-status=live }} In May 2023, Cinesite would purchase a majority stake in Andy Serkis' motion capture production studio The Imaginarium.{{cite web |last=Yossman |first=K. J. |date=23 May 2023 |title=Cinesite Takes Majority Stake in Andy Serkis's Mo-Cap Production Outfit The Imaginarium Studios (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/global/cinesite-majority-stake-andy-serkiss-the-imaginarium-1235621547/ |access-date=23 November 2023 |website=Variety }}

In 2024 Cinesite was featured in the first edition of [https://www.ft.com/content/13a35b35-eb0f-4935-bbd2-afbdc984cb4e Europe's Long-Term Growth Champions by Financial Times and Statista]. The list comprised 300 companies in Europe with the highest disclosed compound annual growth rate over the 10 years to 2023 the company was ranked at number 62.

The Cinesite group of visual effects companies includes its own brand services, along with partner companies Image Engine, TRIXTER and FX3X.

Notable feature film productions Cinesite has created visual effects for include Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical (2022), Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), No Time to Die (2021) and Avengers: Endgame (2019). Cinesite has completed work on all eight films in the Harry Potter franchise in addition to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and nine films in the James Bond franchise.

Cinesite's episodic work includes, Moon Knight, The Wheel of Time{{Cite web |date=27 July 2022 |title=Wheel of Time VFX Breakdown by Cinesite |url=https://www.vfxexpress.com/wheel-of-time-vfx-breakdown-by-cinesite/ |access-date=20 January 2023 |website=VFX Express |archive-date=20 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120111116/https://www.vfxexpress.com/wheel-of-time-vfx-breakdown-by-cinesite/ |url-status=live }} and Emmy nominated The Man Who Fell to Earth.{{Cite web |date=20 January 2023 |title=The Man Who Fell to Earth - Awards & Nominations |url=https://www.emmys.com/shows/man-who-fell-earth |website=Emmys.com |access-date=20 January 2023 |archive-date=20 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120111118/https://www.emmys.com/shows/man-who-fell-earth |url-status=live }} It won a BAFTA craft award in 2022 for the second season of The Witcher{{Cite web |last=Diamond Sarto |first=Debbie |date=26 April 2022 |title=Netflix's The Witcher Takes Home 2022 BAFTA Craft Award |url=https://www.awn.com/news/netflixs-witcher-takes-home-2022-bafta-craft-award |access-date=20 January 2022 |website=awn.com |archive-date=26 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426172155/https://www.awn.com/news/netflixs-witcher-takes-home-2022-bafta-craft-award |url-status=live }} as well as Emmy awards for Generation Kill (2008) and Rome (2006). Emmy nominations include American Gods: Season 1 and Band of Brothers (2002).

Cinesite won a Visual Effects Society award in 2021 for its work on Universal Studios' stage-based stunt show The Bourne Stuntacular.{{Cite web|last=Giardina|first=Carolyn|date=21 May 2021|title=Visual Effects Society Awards: 'The Midnight Sky' Tops Feature Competition|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/visual-effects-society-awards-the-midnight-sky-tops-feature-competition-4160688/|url-status=live|website=The Hollywood Reporter|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521123026/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/visual-effects-society-awards-the-midnight-sky-tops-feature-competition-4160688/ |archive-date=21 May 2021 }} The show also won an award from the TEA (Themed Entertainment Association) which stated, "The high level of technical achievement and the creative application in creating a spectacular, immersive experience makes The Bourne Stuntacular a worthy recipient of this honor."{{Cite web|date=19 November 2020|title=THEA Award For Outstanding Achievement - Live Attraction Spectacular|url=https://www.teaconnect.org/Thea-Awards/Past-Awards/index.cfm?id=8723|url-status=live|website=TEA Awards|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226101132/https://www.teaconnect.org/Thea-Awards/Past-Awards/index.cfm?id=8723 |archive-date=26 February 2021 }}

The studio won a BAFTA in Special, Visual and Graphic Effects for its work on The Witcher S2 at the 2022 British Academy Television Craft Awards.

{{Main|Cinesite Animation}}

On 8 February 2016, Cinesite announced the launch of a dedicated feature animation division at its Montréal Studios. Since then, it has worked with production partners to complete Charming (2018), Gnome Alone (2018), Trouble (2019), and Fearless (2020) for 3QU Media, The Star (2017) for Sony Pictures Animation, and Extinct (2021) for Huayi Brothers.

In addition to providing production services for other studios, Cinesite produces its own animated features through Aniventure. Cinesite first collaborated with River Productions to produce Riverdance: The Animated Adventure (2021); an animated version of the Irish stage show of the same name, then took over production on the long-gestating feature Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank (2022).{{Cite web|title = British VFX Company Cinesite Secures $70 Million Finance Package|url = https://variety.com/2018/film/news/cinesite-secures-financing-package-1202679989/|accessdate = 17 July 2019|first = Stewart|last = Clarke|date = 29 January 2018|archive-date = 17 July 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190717134441/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/cinesite-secures-financing-package-1202679989/|url-status = live}}{{Cite news|last=MacNab|first=Geoffrey|date=6 November 2019|title=GFM Animation's long-gestating "Blazing Samurai" is back in the saddle|work=Screen Daily|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/gfm-animations-long-gestating-blazing-samurai-is-back-in-the-saddle-exclusive/5144435.article|access-date=26 November 2022|archive-date=17 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117015026/https://www.screendaily.com/news/gfm-animations-long-gestating-blazing-samurai-is-back-in-the-saddle-exclusive/5144435.article|url-status=live}} They recently completed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023) & Hitpig (2024); a loose adaptation of the Berkeley Breathed book Pete & Pickles. Next set to produce the long in-development adaptation of Animal Farm directed by Andy Serkis and Paramount's untitled Smurfs musical (2025).{{cite web|url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/aniventure-debuts-first-teaser-for-action-comedy-hitpig-214339.html|title=Aniventure Debuts First Teaser For Action-Comedy 'HITPIG' – Exclusive|date=18 March 2022|first=Amid|last=Amidi|website=Cartoon Brew|access-date=23 August 2022|archive-date=26 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126185834/https://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/aniventure-debuts-first-teaser-for-action-comedy-hitpig-214339.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/animal-farm-andy-serkis-cinesite-imaginarium-1235132208/|work=The Hollywood Reporter|title=Andy Serkis Teams With Cinesite on 'Animal Farm' Adaptation|author=Giardina, Carolyn|date=19 April 2022|accessdate=21 April 2022|archive-date=20 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120050118/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/animal-farm-andy-serkis-cinesite-imaginarium-1235132208/|url-status=live}}

Vancouver-based animation company Nitrogen Studios was rebranded under Cinesite soon after its acquisition by the group in March 2017.{{Cite web|title = Cinesite Acquires Sausage Party Animator Nitrogen Studios|url = https://www.studiodaily.com/2017/03/cinesite-acquires-sausage-party-animator-nitrogen-studios/|accessdate = 17 July 2019|first = Bryant|last = Frazer|date = 7 March 2017|archive-date = 17 July 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190717134521/https://www.studiodaily.com/2017/03/cinesite-acquires-sausage-party-animator-nitrogen-studios/|url-status = dead}} Since then, it has worked for MGM on The Addams Family (2019) and its sequel.{{Cite web|title = Cinesite Set to Animate MGM's CG 'The Addams Family'|url = https://www.awn.com/news/cinesite-set-animate-mgms-cg-addams-family|accessdate = 17 July 2019|first = Thomas J.|last = McLean|archive-date = 17 July 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190717140027/https://www.awn.com/news/cinesite-set-animate-mgms-cg-addams-family|url-status = live}} In 2022, Cinesite acquired the Montreal-based L'Atelier Animation, and later in the year, purchased majority stakes in Squeeze Studio and Assemblage Entertainment.{{cite web | url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/cinesite-acquires-montreal-studio-latelier-animation/ | title=Cinesite Acquires Montreal Studio l'Atelier Animation | date=20 July 2022 | access-date=20 July 2022 | archive-date=20 July 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720140523/https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/cinesite-acquires-montreal-studio-latelier-animation/ | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/cinesite-takes-majority-stake-in-cracke-studio-squeeze/ | title=Cinesite Takes Majority Stake in 'Cracké' Studio Squeeze | date=2 August 2022 | access-date=26 November 2022 | archive-date=19 August 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819015529/https://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/cinesite-takes-majority-stake-in-cracke-studio-squeeze/ | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2022/11/cinesite-snags-majority-stake-in-assemblage-animation-studio/ | title=Cinesite Snags Majority Stake in Assemblage Animation Studio | date=22 November 2022 | access-date=26 November 2022 | archive-date=22 November 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221122185048/https://www.animationmagazine.net/2022/11/cinesite-snags-majority-stake-in-assemblage-animation-studio/ | url-status=live }}

In May 2023, Cinesite agreed to invest in The Imaginarium Studios, a Performance Capture and Virtual Production company with facilities at Pinewood Studios in the UK and at Trilith Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

In January 2024, Cinesite announced{{Cite web |date=8 January 2024 |title=CINESITE LAUNCHES IMMERSIVE DIVISION AND STRIKES FIRST LOOK PRODUCTION DEAL WITH FRAMELESS CREATIVE |url=https://www.ukscreenalliance.co.uk/news/cinesite-launches-immersive-division-and-strikes-first-look-production-deal-with-frameless-creative/ |website=UK Screen Alliance}} it was opening an immersive division to create content that will span virtual, physical and mixed realities, location-based entertainment and theme park rides and attractions. The studio also confirmed it had entered a long-term partnership with Frameless Creative, the company behind the UK's largest and London's first permanent multi-sensory art experience.

The company also revealed{{Cite web |last=Milligan |first=Mercedes |date=8 January 2024 |title=Cinesite Launches Immersive Division with New Short 'Forsaken,' Frameless Partnership |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2024/01/cinesite-launches-immersive-division-with-new-short-forsaken-frameless-partnership/ |website=Animation Magazine}} it had animated Forsaken a short film conceived and directed by award-winning filmmaker Roland Lane and supported by Greenpeace and Arts Council England.  Forsaken played on Outernet London's floor to ceiling wrap around screens to highlight the mass extinction of life on Earth.

The studio created stage-based stunt show The Bourne Stuntacular for Universal Studios Orlando. The project won Outstanding Visual Effects in a Special Venue Project at the Visual Effects Society awards.{{Cite web |last=Hipes |first=Patrick |date=6 April 2021 |title=VES Awards: 'The Midnight Sky', Pixar's 'Soul', 'The Mandalorian' Take Marquee Honors – Full List Of Winners |url=https://deadline.com/2021/04/ves-awards-2021-winners-list-visual-effects-society-1234727902/ |website=Deadline}}

In February 2024, Cinesite announced{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Max |date=19 February 2024 |title=Cinesite launches visualisation division |url=https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/post-and-vfx/cinesite-launches-visualisation-division/5190787.article |website=Broadcast Magazine}} it was opening a new division 'Cinesite VIS' to expand its previs, virtual production, techvis and postvis services. The newly created division is currently working on feature film projects as part of an integrated offering, but will also operate as a standalone visualisation vendor.

• Digital Domain
• DNEG
• Framestore
• Industrial Light & Magic
• Moving Picture Company
• Rhythm and Hues Studios
• Sony Pictures Imageworks
• Blur Studio
• Weta Digital
• Image Engine

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.cinesite.com Cinesite's website]
• [http://www.ukpost.org.uk/ The UK Screen Association]
• [https://www.imdb.com/search/title/?companies=co0055855&sort=release_date,desc Cinesite on the IMDb]

Category:British animation studios

Category:Television and film post-production companies

Category:Visual effects companies

Category:Mass media companies based in London

Category:Entertainment companies established in 1991

Category:1991 establishments in California

Category:Companies based in the City of Westminster

Category:2012 mergers and acquisitions

Category:Private equity portfolio companies

Category:Privately held companies based in London