Graphilm Entertainment Regains Full Independence, Advances Multiple New Animated Projects with Rai Kids

Following the liquidation of French animation giant Cyber Group Studios, Rome-based animation studio Graphilm Entertainment has officially announced the recovery of 100% ownership of the company, returning to operate as a fully independent Italian production studio. This transition also enables Graphilm to reclaim Cyber Group’s stake in the animated IP McFire Family, allowing the studio to proceed with production of the first season, which has already been commissioned by Italy’s Rai Kids.

Independence Restored, Project Pipeline Fully Activated

Graphilm has recently signed a pre-acquisition agreement with Rai Kids for the second season of Nefertine on the Nile, while Rai Com, the commercial branch of the Italian public broadcaster, has secured worldwide distribution rights for both seasons and will represent the title in the international market. The second season is being developed as a co-production between Graphilm Srl (Italy) and CGS 3D (Tunisia), in collaboration with Rai Kids.

The first season of Nefertine on the Nile has already been broadcast across multiple territories worldwide, airing on platforms and channels including Rai YoYo and RaiPlay (Italy), Česká televize (Czech Republic), MTVA (Hungary), RTP (Portugal), First Channel (Armenia), WIZ (Israel), Mediacorp (Singapore), Canal+ Cha Tate (Myanmar), and Majid (UAE).

Leadership Commentary: Upholding Creative Mission, Deepening International Collaboration

Maurizio Forestieri, Director & CEO of Graphilm Entertainment, stated: “Graphilm keeps carrying on its mission to create original, high-quality content with strong international appeal, navigating the deep changes brought by new technologies, and remaining committed to promoting and preserving Italian and European creativity and talent.”

Producer Anna Lucia Pisanelli added: “We firmly believe that the mix of talent and expertise, together with the sharing of values and vision, is the key to addressing the challenges of the global market. With this in mind, we aim to strengthen and expand our relationships with international co-producers and broadcasters, focusing on strategic alliances that place content excellence at the center.”

Over Three Decades of Legacy, Building an Internationally Recognized Catalog

Graphilm was founded in 1988 by award-winning director Maurizio Forestieri. Over the decades, the studio has produced television series, short films, feature films, music videos, and TV commercials, collaborating with leading Italian, European, and international partners. Graphilm’s works have been screened and awarded at major international film festivals, including the Rockie Awards, Cannes Film Festival, and the Berlinale.

The studio’s library encompasses numerous internationally acclaimed animated and audiovisual works: the French-Italian co-production Alex Player (2024); the award-winning short film TO BE (2024); the award-winning medium-length film The Case (2021), winner of over 40 awards worldwide including a Rockie Award; the Belgium-Italian co-production Nefertine on the Nile Season 1 (2021); Hannukkah – The Festival of Lights (2019); and the TV series Boo Boom (2016), distributed worldwide by Germany’s Beta Film.

Future Plans: Multiple New Projects on the Horizon

Graphilm’s current production pipeline includes Nefertine on the Nile Season 2, McFire Family, the serialization of the coming-of-age cyberbullying short film TO BE, and several additional titles to be announced in due course.

With full independence restored, Graphilm Entertainment continues its activity as an independent Italian production studio, blending a long-standing creative legacy with ongoing international co-productions and distribution partnerships, bringing made-in-Italy content to the global spotlight.