Skydance Animation Madrid Expands to 700 Employees, Targets Two Films Per Year

Skydance Animation Madrid, a subsidiary of Paramount, has seen significant growth and expansion over the past few years. In 2020, the studio acquired the animation unit of Madrid's Ilion Studios, growing its workforce from 250 to 700 employees, with 30% of the staff coming from abroad and representing over 30 nationalities.

The studio is currently working on several projects, including one film that is set to premiere on Netflix in 2023. Titled "Swapped," the movie was previously known as "Pookoo" and follows the adventure of a small woodland creature and a majestic bird who magically trade places and must work together to save their home.

Beyond "Swapped," Skydance Animation Madrid has two more films in production that are scheduled for delivery in 2026. The studio also has three additional films in the pipeline, with the goal of reaching a pace of two films per year.

One of the upcoming projects is a collaboration with renowned director Brad Bird, though the specific details of this film have not been disclosed. Skydance Animation Madrid's head, John Lasseter, is known for his high standards, and the executive emphasized that the studio is committed to delivering "triple-A quality in animation" on par with Lasseter's previous work at Pixar.