Aug 10, 2018

Cinesite acquires Trixter, a leading German VFX studio

U.K.-headquartered Cinesite has acquired 100% of one of Germany's largest vfx studios, Trixter.

The deal marks the third studio that Cinesite has acquired in recent years, following the group's purchase of two Vancouver-based outfits: Image Engine in 2015 and Nitrogen Studios (renamed Cinesite Vancouver) in 2017. Financial details of Cinesite's agreement with Trixter are not being disclosed.

The Trixter deal will follow the Image Engine model, with the German company retaining its brand and bases in Munich and Berlin, with capacity for 220 vfx workers. The company's existing senior management team will continue to lead the business, reporting to Cinesite group CEO Antony Hunt.

Trixter had been searching for a buyer after it ran into financial difficulties and started insolvency proceedings last month. “By joining forces with Cinesite we will benefit from both their global infrastructure and a broader range of clients to further strengthen our position in the international market,” said Christian Sommer, Trixter CEO.

Founded two decades ago by Simone Kraus Townsend and Michael Coldewey, Trixter has contributed to superhero films like Black Panther, Thor: Ragnarok, and Spider-Man: Homecoming, and tv series like Netflix's Lost in Space and AMC's The Walking Dead.

The studio also works on local productions, including Jim Button & Luke The Engine Driver (pictured at top), which is currently the highest-grossing German production of 2018.

“The Trixter team has a fantastic reputation for producing high quality concept art, character design alongside complex vfx and feature animation,” said Cinesite's Antony Hunt. “In partnering with Trixter, we are executing our strategic objective of enhancing our market position in both visual effects and animation and getting the benefit of an amazing creative team of people in Munich and Berlin.”

Earlier this year, Cinesite group secured a $70 million financial capacity plan with asset manager Pemberton Capital. The company's upcoming projects including Mary Poppins Returns (Disney), Robin Hood (Lionsgate), and Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (Warner Bros.).