CinéGroupe

CinéGroupe was a Canadian animation studio based in Montreal, Quebec. The company was founded in 1974.[1] Its shows and films have been seen in over 125 countries.[1]

CinéGroupe
IndustryAnimation
Founded1974 (1974)
FounderJacques Pettigrew
FateDormant
HeadquartersMontreal, Quebec,
Canada
Key people
Jacques Pettigrew (President, CEO)
Michel Lemire (Creative Director)
Christian Garcia (CGI Supervisor)
OwnerJacques Pettigrew
ParentLionsgate (1998–2002, minority stake)

Notable franchises from CinéGroupe include: What's with Andy?, The Kids from Room 402, and Pig City (all aired on Fox Family, now known as Freeform); the computer-animated Tripping the Rift (Sci Fi, now known as Syfy); and PBS' Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat. With Sony Wonder, it has produced Mega Babies (also aired on Fox Family), as well as a direct-to-video feature, Lion of Oz (a prequel to both the L. Frank Baum work, and the 1939 movie). In the 2000s, the company produced the animation for a sequel to the 1981 cult classic Heavy Metal for Columbia TriStar Home Video titled Heavy Metal 2000,[2] premiered on Starz in the United States and on Teletoon in Canada from 2001 onwards. In 2004, it made Pinocchio 3000, a sci-fi retelling of the Italian tale.[3] Galidor, a live-action fantasy series for teenagers, has also been produced by the company. The company also cooperated with the toy maker MGA Entertainment in the creation of Bratz: Starrin' and Stylin', a 2D-animated direct-to-video film based on MGA's Bratz line of fashion dolls.

History

In August 1998, it was announced that Fox Family Worldwide would purchase a 20% minority stake in the company.[4]

In July 2001, Lions Gate's ownership of the studio was confirmed to have been reduced to 30%, with Lions Gate president Andre Link having 50% of its voting stock, leading to the studio being a partner of Lions Gate instead of a subsidiary.[5] In September 2001, the company formed a division called CinéGroupe Image to expand to live-action programming.[6] By December 2003, the stake was reduced further to 29.4%.[7]

In October 2002, the company united with the music label Les Disques Star Records Inc. to create a home video distributor called CinéGroupe Star.[8] The partnership ended in January 2004. In November 2002, the company announced they would produce a Britney Spears cartoon.[9]

In January 2004, CinéGroupe filed for protection order from its creditors with the Quebec Superior Court.[10]

CinéGroupe is currently co-producing Tshakapesh, a 2D-animated series based on an Innu legend, which has aired on APTN and Radio-Canada since Fall 2018. Two edutainment IPs are currently being developed by CinéGroupe, aiming at raising awareness about water preservation and environmental protection. CinéGroupe is also viewing revivals and revitalization of their old properties.

CinéGroupe is currently partnered with HG Distribution (Henry Gagnon Distribution) for the distribution of its library.[11] However, only a portion of CinéGroupe's catalogue is listed for distribution by HG. Several notable titles such as Bad Dog, Daft Planet, and The Tofus are not listed,[12] as are live-action series, such as Big Wolf on Campus.[13]

Library

Series

Films

TV specials

Video games

In 2002 and 2003, CinéGroupe developed three video games for the Game Boy Advance.[17]

References
  1. "Company information for CinéGroupe". Telefilm Canada. 2004. Archived from the original on 2005-04-17.
  2. Nesselson, Lisa (May 30, 2000). "Heavy Metal 2000". Variety.
  3. "sous_section_filmo". 15 October 2007. Archived from the original on 15 October 2007.
  4. "Fox into Ciné-Groupe".
  5. "Quebec grants $9.1m to Lions Gate partner".
  6. "CinéGroupe Image takes on a live-action production mantle".
  7. http://www.curran-connors.com/localversions/online-ar/lg2004/LGF_2004_ARPDF.pdf
  8. "CINEGROUP". 12 October 2002. Archived from the original on 12 October 2002.
  9. "Lions Gate snags Britney".
  10. "CineGroupe files for credit protection".
  11. "Series".
  12. "sous_section_filmo". 10 October 2007. Archived from the original on 10 October 2007.
  13. "sous_section_filmo". 15 October 2007. Archived from the original on 15 October 2007.
  14. "Casablanca Media Publishing - Search Results". Casablancamediapublishing.com.
  15. "TELETOON: New Shows: Braceface". August 14, 2001. Archived from the original on 2001-08-14.
  16. "MIPCOM 2018 directory of exhibitors" (PDF). SODEC.
  17. "CineGroupe signs on with kids' game developer".
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