To be housed at the school’s Paris campus and co-funded by the streamer and filmmaker, the initiative will begin its planning phase in the upcoming academic year.
Netflix has just announced that they have teamed with Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and animation education leader Gobelins to launch a stop-motion studio on the school’s Paris Campus.
Conceived by del Toro, the partnership blends world-class artistry, educational excellence and Netflix’s dedication to entertainment without borders to support the next generation of animation artists.
Located within the Gobelins Paris campus, the new studio is co-funded by del Toro and Netflix. Much more than a simple training center, it is designed as a living laboratory of experimentation and research. This unique creative environment will enable master filmmakers, passionate mentors and talented students to collaborate, innovate and push the boundaries of stop-motion craft. The 2025–2026 academic year will commence with a dedicated planning phase, with launch details to be announced in the coming months.
The project is also a living tribute to the great legacy of the late Mark Gustafson, whose artistry and influence helped shape a generation of animators and whose work on films such as Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio inspired the world. This new chapter builds on years of collaboration and trust - spanning scholarships, masterclasses and industry exchanges - elevating the relationship between Netflix, Gobelins and del Toro to exciting new heights.
Investing in the next generation of creators is a core part of Netflix’s mission. This stop-motion studio stands as a natural extension of the streamer’s leadership in French and international animation, following celebrated partnerships with creative forces such as Fortiche (Arcane), TAT (Astérix: Le Combat des Chefs) and Blue Spirit (Blue Eye Samurai), together with a longstanding presence at the Annecy Film Festival.
Source: Netflix
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
