Les Armateurs

Les Armateurs is a French film production company established in 1994 by producer Didier Brunner and based in Paris. Its principal field is animation, although its production record also includes selected live-action feature films. The company works across theatrical features, short films, and television series, and has developed a reputation for combining commercially distributed animation with distinctive artistic direction and literary or culturally rooted storytelling. The company gained international visibility through The Old Lady and the Pigeons, a 1997 animated short directed by Sylvain Chomet. The film helped establish Les Armateurs as a producer associated with ambitious, visually individual animation rather than only conventional children’s programming. Its subsequent feature slate included Michel Ocelot’s Kirikou and the Sorceress, released in 1998, followed by Princes and Princesses and later Kirikou-related productions. These projects contributed to the international profile of French animation and made the Kirikou character one of the company’s most recognizable properties. Les Armateurs also participated in productions aimed at older or broader audiences. The Triplets of Belleville, directed by Sylvain Chomet and released in 2003, became one of the company’s most internationally recognized films and received major awards attention. The company later produced or co-produced projects including The Secret of Kells, Ernest & Celestine, The Swallows of Kabul, and Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia. Several productions associated with the studio were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, reinforcing its position within the international animation-production community. Alongside theatrical films, Les Armateurs has maintained a substantial television activity. Its series portfolio has included Carland Cross, Lupo Alberto, Belphégor, Kiri the Clown, Bedtime Stories, Nouky and Friends, T'choupi-related programs, Martine, The Long Long Holiday, and Runes. This television work spans preschool entertainment, family programming, adaptations of comics or illustrated properties, and historically themed storytelling. The company has also produced numerous short films, including The Old Lady and the Pigeons, L'Inventaire fantôme, Vos papiers, Ovulación!, and Les P'tits Lus. Didier Brunner served as president until 2014, when Reginald de Guillebon succeeded him. Brunner continued to be associated with the company as a consultant. The leadership transition marked a change in day-to-day stewardship without severing the company’s connection to the production approach developed under its founder. Les Armateurs’ brand identity is consequently tied less to a consumer-facing product range than to a body of critically recognized animated works and long-term relationships with directors, writers, broadcasters, distributors, and international co-production partners.

Les Armateurs was founded in 1994 in France by producer Didier Brunner. From the beginning, the company concentrated on animation production while retaining the ability to work in other film formats. Its activities developed around theatrical features, short films, television series, and collaborations with directors and production partners. The company’s first major international notice came with The Old Lady and the Pigeons, a 1997 short directed by Sylvain Chomet. Its success established an early association between Les Armateurs and strongly authored animation. The following year, the company released Michel Ocelot’s Kirikou and the Sorceress. The film initiated a recurring Kirikou production line and helped bring French animation to wider international audiences. Les Armateurs subsequently worked on projects including Princes and Princesses, The Boy Who Wanted to Do the Impossible, and Kirikou and the Wild Beasts. The studio’s feature work broadened considerably during the 2000s. The Triplets of Belleville, directed by Chomet and released in 2003, became a signature international title. Les Armateurs also produced the animated film T'Choupi and participated in television projects such as Carland Cross, Lupo Alberto, Charley and Mimmo, Belphégor, and Kiri the Clown. Its television output included both original series and adaptations of established comic, literary, or children’s properties. During the late 2000s and 2010s, the company continued to combine children’s programming with artistically ambitious feature animation. Its credits included The Secret of Kells, The Storytelling Show, Kirikou and the Men and Women, Ernest & Celestine, and The Swallows of Kabul. Ernest & Celestine became another particularly prominent title in the company’s international catalogue. The studio also maintained a short-film program and developed series such as The Long Long Holiday, Ernest and Celestine the Collection, and other family-oriented productions. In 2014, Reginald de Guillebon succeeded Didier Brunner as president. Brunner remained connected to Les Armateurs as a consultant, preserving continuity with the company’s founding period. Later productions included Runes and Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia. Across its history, Les Armateurs has remained associated with French animation’s international production network, balancing commercially viable series and established characters with feature films distinguished by individual visual and narrative approaches.

• 2022

  Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia and Runes

  [1]Les Armateursen.wikipedia.org

  The studio's later listed productions included a new Ernest & Celestine feature and the animated series Runes.

• 2019

  The Swallows of Kabul

  [1]Les Armateursen.wikipedia.org

  The company released or participated in the production of the animated feature directed by Zabou Breitman and Eléa Gobé Mévellec.

• 2014

  Presidential succession

  [1]Les Armateursen.wikipedia.org

  Reginald de Guillebon became president, succeeding Didier Brunner, who continued as a consultant.

• 2012

  Ernest & Celestine

  [1]Les Armateursen.wikipedia.org

  The company produced the acclaimed animated feature directed by Benjamin Renner, Stéphane Aubier, and Vincent Patar.

• 2003

  The Triplets of Belleville

  [1]Les Armateursen.wikipedia.org

  The Sylvain Chomet feature became a major international reference point for the studio.

• 1998

  Kirikou and the Sorceress

  [1]Les Armateursen.wikipedia.org

  Michel Ocelot's feature introduced the Kirikou property, which became a recurring part of the company's film catalogue.

• 1997

  The Old Lady and the Pigeons

  [1]Les Armateursen.wikipedia.org

  Sylvain Chomet's short film gave Les Armateurs early international visibility.

• 1994

  Company founded

  [1]Les Armateursen.wikipedia.org

  Didier Brunner established Les Armateurs in France as a film production company with a primary focus on animation.

An auteur-oriented French animation producer combining theatrical features, short films, and television series, with a focus on distinctive visual styles, family and young-audience properties, literary or comic adaptations, and internationally oriented co-productions.

• Animated feature films · 1998

  Kirikou film series

  The Kirikou productions form one of Les Armateurs' central feature-film properties. The series began with Kirikou and the Sorceress in 1998 and continued with Kirikou and the Wild Beasts and Kirikou and the Men and Women. The films are associated with Michel Ocelot and combine African-inspired settings, children’s adventure narratives, and a highly recognizable compact protagonist. They helped establish the company’s international profile in theatrical animation.

• Animated feature film · 2003

  The Triplets of Belleville

  Directed by Sylvain Chomet and released in 2003, The Triplets of Belleville is among Les Armateurs' most internationally visible productions. Its largely visual storytelling, stylized character design, and distinctive period atmosphere exemplify the company’s support for director-led animation. The film expanded recognition of Les Armateurs beyond the French market and became a signature title in its catalogue.

• Animated feature films and television series · 2012

  Ernest & Celestine

  Ernest & Celestine is a family-oriented animated property based on the illustrated characters created by Gabrielle Vincent. The feature released in 2012 was followed by further screen content, including Ernest and Celestine the Collection and Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia. The property reflects Les Armateurs’ combination of literary or illustrated source material, gentle family storytelling, and international animation production.

• Animated feature film · 2009

  The Secret of Kells

  The Secret of Kells is an internationally oriented animated feature associated with Les Armateurs' co-production activity. Directed by Tomm Moore, the film draws on medieval manuscript imagery and Irish cultural themes. Its visual ambition and festival-oriented profile fit the company's broader role in producing animation that can reach both family audiences and art-house or awards audiences.

• Animated feature film · 2019

  The Swallows of Kabul

  The Swallows of Kabul is an animated feature directed by Zabou Breitman and Eléa Gobé Mévellec. Based on a serious literary and political subject, it illustrates the company’s willingness to support animation aimed at mature audiences as well as children. Its setting and themes distinguish it from Les Armateurs’ preschool and family television work.

• Animated television series · 2004

  T'choupi television productions

  Les Armateurs produced several screen adaptations and extensions of the T'choupi children’s property, including T'Choupi and T'choupi et ses amis and À table T'choupi !. These programs represent the company’s work in preschool and family television, where recurring characters and short-format episodes support broadcaster and licensing ecosystems.

• Animated television series · 2015

  The Long Long Holiday

  The Long Long Holiday is an animated series created by Delphine Maury and Olivier Vinuesa and listed among Les Armateurs’ television productions. It uses a child-centered narrative to address life during wartime, showing the studio’s interest in historically grounded family storytelling in addition to lighter entertainment formats.

• 2014

  Change in company presidencyStrategy

  Background

  After two decades under founder Didier Brunner's presidency, Les Armateurs entered a new leadership phase while retaining the founder's experience through a consulting role.

  Action taken

  Reginald de Guillebon succeeded Didier Brunner as president.

  Aftermath

  The company continued producing animated features, shorts, and television series after the transition.

  Source

• 2014

  Reginald de Guillebon succeeds Didier Brunner as president[1]Les Armateursen.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change

  Reginald de Guillebon took over the presidency from founder Didier Brunner, who remained involved as a consultant.

• 2003

  The Triplets of Belleville expands the studio's international profile[1]Les Armateursen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  The Sylvain Chomet feature became one of Les Armateurs' best-known international productions and received substantial awards recognition.

• 1998

  Les Armateurs releases Kirikou and the Sorceress[1]Les Armateursen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch · Product generation

  Michel Ocelot's animated feature introduced the company's major Kirikou property and became a key work in its theatrical film portfolio.

• 1997

  The Old Lady and the Pigeons brings international attention[1]Les Armateursen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  Sylvain Chomet's short film became an early international breakthrough for the company and helped define its association with distinctive auteur animation.

• 1994

  Didier Brunner founds Les Armateurs[1]Les Armateursen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Producer Didier Brunner established Les Armateurs in France as a company focused primarily on animated film and television production.

1. 1Les Armateursen.wikipedia.org