Lion Forge Entertainment

Lion Forge was founded in 2019 under the media company Polarity, which includes Oni–Lion Forge Publishing Group{{cite news |last1=Gustines |first1=George Gene |title=As Comic Book Industry Grows, Smaller Publishers Learn to Adapt |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/08/lion-forge-oni-merger.html |work=The New York Times |date=8 May 2019}}{{cite web |last1=Reid |first1=Calvin |title=Oni-Lion Forge Pushes Past the Pandemic |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/89664-oni-lion-forge-pushes-past-the-pandemic.html |website=PublishersWeekly.com |access-date=11 June 2025 |language=en}} and magnetic press.{{cite news |last1=Cave |first1=Rob |title=Lion Forge Acquires Magnetic Press, Launches Magnetic Collection |url=https://www.cbr.com/lion-forge-acquires-magnetic-press-launches-magnetic-collection/ |work=CBR |date=6 October 2016 |language=en}} After winning the Oscar for Best Animated Short with Hair Love in 2020, the company sought to build on their success by using animation to challenge industry norms around race, genre and storytelling. However, the momentum was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, stalling partnerships and growth opportunities.{{cite news |last1=Welk |first1=Brian |title=How 'Hair Love' Studio Lion Forge Is Proving Diversity in Animation Isn't Just a 'Flash in the Pan' |url=https://www.thewrap.com/hair-love-studio-lion-forge-on-diverse-animation-not-just-a-flash-in-the-pan/ |work=TheWrap |date=5 January 2021}}

In April 2020, Lion Forge entered a joint venture with China’s Starlight Media to co-finance and co-produce a slate of original animated films and adaptations of Lion Forge IP.{{cite news |last1=Wiseman |first1=Andreas |title=China’s Starlight Media & David Steward II’s U.S. Animation Firm Lion Forge Ink Multi-Picture Film Deal Including COVID-19 Project |url=https://deadline.com/2020/04/chinas-starlight-media-david-steward-iis-u-s-animation-firm-lion-forge-ink-multi-picture-film-deal-including-covid-19-project-1202902389/ |work=Deadline |date=7 April 2020}} In 2021, the company signed with Activist Artists Management for representation.{{cite news |last1=Wiseman |first1=Andreas |title=David Steward II’s Polarity And Lion Forge Animation Sign With Activist Artists Management |url=https://deadline.com/2021/07/david-steward-iis-polarity-and-lion-forge-animation-sign-with-activist-artists-management-1234789364/ |work=Deadline |date=9 July 2021}}

In 2023, the company rebranded from Lion Forge Animation to Lion Forge Entertainment; however, its animated productions continue to be released under the Lion Forge Animation label. Same year, it signed a first-look deal with Nickelodeon Animation covering animated series and features.{{cite news |last1=Petski |first1=Denise |title=Lion Forge Entertainment & Nickelodeon Animation Ink First-Look Deal For Series & Features |url=https://deadline.com/2023/07/lion-forge-entertainment-nickelodeon-animation-first-look-deal-series-features-1235433578/ |work=Deadline |date=11 July 2023}} Later that year, the company expanded its leadership team under President and CCO Stephanie Sperber,{{cite news |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title=Stephanie Sperber Named President & CCO Of Lion Forge As Animation Company Expands Into Live-Action |url=https://deadline.com/2023/03/stephanie-sperber-president-cco-of-lion-forge-animation-company-expands-live-action-1235305406/ |work=Deadline |date=22 March 2023}} appointing Kirsten Newlands as Executive Vice President of Production and Content Partnerships, Koyalee Chanda as Senior Vice President of Animation, and Jonathan Abraham as Director of Distribution.{{cite news |last1=Petski |first1=Denise |title=Lion Forge Entertainment Adds Three Key Executives To Bolster Management Team |url=https://deadline.com/2023/09/lion-forge-entertainment-executives-management-production-animation-1235547412/ |work=Deadline |date=15 September 2023}}

Lion Forge's debut film, Hair Love, won the Academy Awards for Best Animated Short Film in 2020. In 2021, the company announced upcoming production with Bron Digital for a children’s animated series, Heiress.{{cite news |last1=White |first1=Peter |title=‘Hair Love’ Producer Lion Forge Teams With Bron Digital For Animated Series ‘Heiress’ |url=https://deadline.com/2021/05/hair-love-lion-forge-bron-digital-animated-series-heiress-1234765320/ |work=Deadline |date=27 May 2021}}

In 2023, the company produced animated sitcom, Young Love, based on the 2019 short film Hair Love.{{cite news |last1=Sippell |first1=Margeaux |title=HBO Max Orders 'Young Love' Animated Series Based on 'Hair Love' Short Film by Matthew A Cherry |url=https://www.thewrap.com/hbo-max-orders-young-love-hair-love-matthew-a-cherry/ |work=TheWrap |date=7 July 2020}} It premiered on Max on September 21, 2023 and ended on October 19, 2023 with 12 episodes.

In April 2025, the company launched Iyanu, an African mythology-based animated series, on Cartoon Network and Max. The series was renewed in May 2025 for a second season, along with two companion films.{{cite news |last1=Minton |first1=Matt |title=‘Iyanu’ Renewed for Season 2 at Cartoon Network and HBO Max, Alongside Two New Feature Spin-Offs (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/iyanu-renewed-season-2-cartoon-network-hbo-max-1236398471/ |work=Variety |date=19 May 2025}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.lionforgeentertainment.com/ Official Website]

Category:Animation studios

Category:American animation studios

Category:Film production companies of the United States

Category:Mass media companies established in 2019