KUALA LUMPUR: The story of Anima Vitae, the Finnish animation studio acclaimed for its works like "Niko and the Way to the Stars" and "Moominvalley" is a testament to perseverance and creativity.
Yet, its journey to achieve global recognition came with a series of challenges as much as triumphs since its inception.
The path to setting a mark in the industry was not without obstacles.
As the studio's founders Antti Haikala, Jani Kuronen and Olli Rajala noted, Finland's animation scene was in its infancy during the early years.
"Animation sparked my passion in university," says Haikala, producer and chief executive officer of Anima.
"The potential for creative exploration within this field was incredibly exciting. Back when I started with Jani and Olli, the animation landscape was very different, but that just fueled our determination.
"Animation wasn't a common path at our university back then," Haikala continued.
"Many focused on IT or engineering, and this meant limited resources, including access to fully equipped animation studios."
Despite the challenges, they persevered.
"I was fortunate to be entrusted with an access card to the silicon graphics workstation for my animation projects – which was a rare opportunity at the time. These challenges proved to be valuable learning experiences that shaped me significantly."
Undeterred, their unwavering dedication paved the way for the studio's success.
At present, Anima has produced over 10,000 minutes of aired animation.
Its impressive portfolio spans TV series, commercials, feature films, and even new spinoffs.
Anima in Malaysia
As it looked to expand internationally, Anima began expansion with its first international branch in Malaysia.
Founded in 2013, Anima Kuala Lumpur serves as the Malaysian arm, specialising in developing intellectual property for its European counterparts.
Leveraging on the talented local team, Anima has entrusted its Malaysian counterparts to handle the intellectual property of Moomin, the beloved children's character created by Finnish author Tove Jansson.
This collaboration reflects the studio's trust in the Malaysian team's quality expertise.
Yuki Pang, producer and chief operating officer of Anima Kuala Lumpur said she was absolutely thrilled to have been entrusted with Moomin, a beloved Finnish icon.
"This is just not a milestone but a joyful achievement that is a testament from the boundless creativity and seamless synergy between our dedicated Malaysian and Finnish teams."
"Despite the 8,970km that separated us, our collaboration and shared commitment towards animation storytelling, we transcended the distance to create something truly extraordinary."
By embracing and celebrating the unique culture tapestries of both Malaysia and Finnish, the studio is crafting bold and blended interesting cultural identities unlike any other, Pang added.
"At our vibrant studio in Kuala Lumpur, we proudly foster a dynamic Malaysian-Finnish work culture," Pang said.
Backed by a growing team of 108 talented individuals, Anima fosters a productive and supportive work environment.
Its core values - building a strong reputation, fostering collaboration, and nurturing creativity - are the key practices that propel them forward as a leading animation studio.
Furthermore, Anima Vitae's expansion into Malaysia signifies a strategic move.
Driven by a growing video content market and technological advancements, Malaysia's animation industry is experiencing significant growth.
Value of Malaysia's animation industry
The industry's value reached US$1.6 billion in 2020, fuelled by growing popularity and export of up to US$285 million.
Government support through Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation has fostered the establishment of over 100 animation studios and the generation of exportable intellectual properties.
MDEC actively attracts foreign studios like Anima to collaborate with local talent, enhancing the industry's global appeal.
This fosters knowledge transfer, elevates local skillsets, and strengthens Malaysia's position as a competitive animation hub.
The Film Incentive Financing Scheme empowers studios like Anima to take on ambitious projects by offering a 30 per cent concession on qualifying expenditures exceeding US$1.2 million.
The financial support fuels further industry growth and allows studios to push creative boundaries.
"Fuellef by boundless talent and a passion for animation, Anima KL is off to a remarkable start," said Elvis Chew, studio director of Anima KL.
"Our dedication to cutting-edge technological development, combined with our highly trained artists, sets the stage for creating high-quality content. But our commitment doesn't end there.
"At Anima KL, we encourage personal growth, empowering our team to discover the best version of themselves. We also prioritise community engagement, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment," Chew added.
This holistic approach has enabled Anima KL to join forces with its Helsinki-based team on exciting upcoming projects, including Niko 3 and Fleak Movie, the 2020 Eurimages Co-Production Development Award winner, set for release in 2025.
At the heart of Anima's success lies a thriving company culture.
Its talented team, united by a passion for innovative storytelling through animation, constantly seeks to break new ground.
Character animation forms an artistic core, where seamless collaboration between Helsinki and Kuala Lumpur studios bring stories to life.