Bruce Everett added, “Over the next three years Oktobor Animation will become an international hub for Nickelodeon’s rising number of CG productions giving Auckland a major international presence in the growing longform CG animation industry. Oktobor Animation will develop our existing technology-driven artist-efficient CG pipeline and a passionate commitment to regional talent development to provide the highest quality productions possible for a global audience. Oktobor Animation will also create a much-needed identity for the growing pool of CG artists in the Auckland region.”

Oktobor’s parent company Omnilab Media, Australia and New Zealand’s largest, privately owned, vertically integrated content development and media service business, is the driving force behind such ventures as Dr. D - the innovative new digital film-making studio with Dr. George Miller and KMM, which is working on Happy Feet 2 and Mad Max 4. Omnilab Media have also produced and co-financed recent blockbuster movies including The Bank Job, W, the twice Oscar nominated The Messenger and John Marsden’s Tomorrow When the War Began. They are also currently in production on The Killer Elite starring Jason Statham, Clive Owen and Robert De Niro.

Omnilab Media Managing Director Christopher Mapp said, “We are very proud of the launch of this exciting new CG animation studio in New Zealand. Oktobor Animation is inspired by the success of WETA whose success is owed in part to the strong commitment made by the New Zealand government to incentivise international producers to bring their films to the region. We believe there is a substantial opportunity to extend this success to the television VFX and animation arena by establishing Auckland as the viable and competitive production hub for longform CG animation. Hence our significant financial commitment in Oktobor Animation. We also have a strong belief in the New Zealand market as a whole and will continue to invest in more and projects as this vibrant market continues to develop.”

Bruce Everett concluded, “As we continue to attract the growing number of long-form CG-productions to Auckland, the local talent pool will mature into a solid artist community through rewarding production experience designed to see them succeed in helping create high-profile programmes. Oktobor Animation is able to provide quality services to clients and partners in the animation industry as well as offering compelling pricing in the competitive global arena. As more and more broadcast animated content transitions from traditional hand-drawn 2D production, which has a long established 40 year history in South Korea and other parts of Asia, to CG animation, Oktobor Animation will build on the reputation New Zealand has created through unparalleled feature VFX into longform CG animation. We are already well into our first three CG productions for Nickelodeon and I’m delighted to say, we are in advanced discussions on many others from interested studio and production partners around the world.”

About Oktobor
Oktobor is a world-class visual effects and animation studio who have provided creative and innovative content for TVCs, film and digital media since 1999. A winning combination of creative talent and in-house facilities is what sets Oktobor apart from the rest. Oktobor offers a comprehensive range of visual effects production services from animation to full colour grade and interactive digital media.
www.oktobor.com