Toonz Talks: Conversations That Bring the Industry Closer

2026 marked the beginning of something special for us at Toonz, with the launch of Toonz Talks, a podcast series designed to be a space for honest conversations, shared learning, and industry insights. The idea was simple yet powerful, to bring together industry experts, in-house leaders, and global voices to discuss the realities of animation, its challenges, opportunities, and evolving trends.

The series kicked off with Robert Vargas, Director, Development at Gaumont Animation. Robert shared candid insights about the pains and gains of co-production, offering a global perspective shaped by years of experience navigating partnerships, creative alignment, and production realities across markets. It set the tone perfectly for what Toonz Talks aspires to be, real, relevant, and deeply informative.

The second episode featured Gulshan David, VP, Feature Film Division at Toonz, who joined during one of his visits to India from Spain. His conversation focused on feature filmmaking, global collaboration, and the creative and operational nuances of building animated films for international audiences.

This was followed by a diverse and inspiring lineup of voices, including Durga, CEO of ELE Animation, who spoke about his journey with Jai Jagannath, Anish Narayanakutty, Director, Content Distribution at Toonz, sharing insights from the distribution front, and Babulu George, Global Head, CG and Pipeline, who discussed the role of AI in animation, exploring how emerging technologies are transforming pipelines, enhancing creativity, and shaping the future of the industry. Each episode highlighted how collaboration across disciplines is key to the animation ecosystem.

The initiative was driven by Akhila Premachandran, Head of the Corporate Communication Department, and received immediate enthusiasm and support from senior management. When the question arose, where to shoot, the answer was clear, Philip’s den, the edit room, the most creative space at Toonz, where stories come alive. Vishnu Balal and Shyraj set the frame in the edit room, ensuring the session maintained the energy and authenticity that define Toonz Talks. Madhumitha and the YouTube team came together to drive the platform forward, and Ravin designed the page, giving Toonz Talks a clear visual identity and digital home. The series now lives on our website as well as on our YouTube channel, making these conversations accessible to a wider audience.

One episode even embodied the spirit of Toonz Talks in motion. Anish decided to walk the talk, literally. The conversation moved out of the studio, taking place while walking and sharing a cup of coffee, exploring industry insights in an informal setting. This approach demonstrated that the best conversations do not always need a formal setup, just curiosity, openness, and good company.

Toonz Talks is more than a podcast. It reflects who we are as a community, a space to share knowledge, learn from each other, and celebrate the voices that make our industry thrive. And this is just the beginning.

Christelle at Toonz, Strengthening Collaboration, One Heart at a Time

It is always a pleasure to welcome guests at Toonz. More often than not, they leave with full hearts and fond memories. This time, however, the story unfolded a little differently, a guest became part of the Toonz family.

Christelle came to Toonz strictly for work, as part of our ongoing collaboration with French animation giant Gaumont. Toonz is currently collaborating with Gaumont on the series Living Wild, scheduled for completion later this year. The entire team has been working tirelessly to meet timelines and creative expectations, and with Christelle’s arrival, the momentum only picked up further.

This marks the third time Christelle has travelled from France to work closely with the team, helping streamline workflows and ease the approval process. Her presence on the floor has been both impactful and energising, ensuring smoother communication and faster decision-making across teams.

Beyond the work itself, Christelle’s naturally warm and friendly nature has helped her connect effortlessly across the studio. From artists and directors to production teams and support staff, she has built genuine friendships throughout the office. Known for her diligence and attention to detail, she also brings a sense of balance to the workday, finding time for lighter moments that make collaboration feel both productive and enjoyable.

Her visits build on a strong foundation of collaboration established earlier. In March last year, Toonz had welcomed Terry Kalagian, Head of Animation at Gaumont, Mickaël Carton, Head of Production at Gaumont, producer Yohanne, and Simone, Technical Head at En Animation, Italy. These visits strengthened the partnership and set the stage for the seamless collaboration we see today.

Christelle’s journey with Toonz is a reminder that while projects may bring teams together, it is people who turn collaborations into relationships. And in doing so, she has truly won one heart at a time.

Distribution Team Secures Key Deal with Yellow FigTree in Q1 2026

The Distribution Team has successfully closed a new deal in Quarter 1 of 2026 with Yellow FigTree, strengthening our distribution pipeline for the year ahead.

As part of this partnership, Yellow FigTree has acquired distribution rights for the following titles: Berry and Dolly, Sriman Rama, Sherazade: The Untold Stories, and Briko. These additions further enhance our diverse content portfolio and reinforce our focus on expanding reach across leading digital platforms.

The above-mentioned shows are expected to be launched on Airtel Digital shortly, opening up new audience opportunities and increasing visibility for our content in the digital space.

This collaboration marks a positive start to the year for the Distribution Team and reflects continued momentum in building strong partnerships and driving content monetisation across key markets.