Joint venture will produce six animated and hybrid animation films over the next five years.

Imagine Entertainment and Animal Logic Entertainment have formed a joint venture in order to produce a slate of animated and hybrid family films.

The partnership will see the development, production and financing of six feature animation and hybrid animation projects over the next five years.

“The animation space consistently outperforms other genres and we wanted to enter into that space by partnering with a company that is at the forefront of creative and technical achievement,” says Brian Grazer, chairman, Imagine Entertainment. “Animal Logic is one of the industry’s most highly regarded digital production studios and I am excited for what we can create by combining our resources and talent in storytelling,” 

Furthermore, equity financing is currently being raised to fund 50 percent of the production and development during the five-year term. Target production budgets are between $75 and $85 million.

“We could not have hoped for a more perfect collaboration than with Ron, Brian and the Imagine team to bring a slate of engaging and inventive stories to family audiences around the world,” says Zareh Nalbandian, chief executive officer, Animal Logic. “We are inspired by the potential of our combined slate of projects and the strong relationships and material we will bring to our partnership. We have a tremendous opportunity to inspire the next generation of family audiences with ground breaking and captivating content driven by our common passion for great storytelling.”

Imagine is an independent storyteller whose previous forays into family entertainment include How the Grinch Stole Christmas and “Curious George.” Meanwhile, Animal Logic’s portfolio includes animated features such as Happy Feet and The LEGO Movie. The company is also currently producing Peter Rabbit for Columbia Pictures.