Co-Producing for Global Audiences: Unlocking International Success

Wednesday 12 Nov 2025 - 10:00
Bridgewater Hall - Barbirolli Room
Runtime: 60 mins (approx.)

In today’s rapidly evolving animation landscape, co-production has become much more than just a financing tool — it’s a creative lifeline, and a pathway to global audiences. This panel brings together leading industry figures to explore the opportunities and challenges of international collaboration. If you’re looking to expand into new markets, diversify your content pipeline, or strengthen creative alliances, our experts will highlight how co-productions can unlock growth and innovation across the animation industry.

Guests

Marc Du Pontavice

Marc du Pontavice is CEO and founder of Xilam Animation, one of Europe’s leading animation studios. With several worldwide successes, such as hit series Oggy and the Cockroaches and Zig & Sharko – all exec produced by Marc du Pontavice – Xilam is known for having the creativity of a boutique studio (several Cristal awards won at Annecy) with the organisation of a major one (over 600 employees including 400 artists). Du Pontavice has also produced a dozen feature films, both in live action and animation, gaining awards at major festivals as well as an Academy Award nomination.

Sarah Muller

Currently Senior Head of Commissioning 7+ at BBC Children’s and Education, Sarah is responsible for content decisions across multiple genres for young audiences including Drama, Animation, Factual and Entertainment. Previously she was Vice President of Children’s and Youth Programming at Sony Pictures Television with responsibility for the Pop and Sony Music Channels and before that, Head of Children’s at Channel 5 where she was responsible for the Milkshake! brand. She was also Creative Director, Scripted, Animation and Co-Productions for CBBC In-House, a role that grew from her work as Head of CBBC Acquisitions, Animation and Drama Development. Prior to joining BBC Children’s, she was Managing Director of Elephant Productions.

Genevieve Dexter

Genevieve Dexter is the Founder & CEO of Serious Kids Ltd, heading up the London-based distributor together with Leila Ouledcheikh. The company represents the worldwide rights to a portfolio of high quality I.P’s from Oscar, BAFTA and Emmy Award winning producers as well as upcoming studios. She has worked in the kids IP sector for 35 years and has launched many successful kids programmes into the international market over her career. Serious Kids' latest titles include Claudy’ from Miyu Productions, ‘Mog’s Bad Thing’ from Lupus Films, ‘The Sound Collector’ from Eagle vs Bat for CiTV and RAI, ‘Flix by Tomi Ungerer’ from Pictor Productions/Eye Present for RTE and ‘The Ghastly Ghoul’ from Dream Logic/Lupus films for Sky/Kika.