Blab Business
Orca Animation Studio Relocates from London to Nantes, Expanding Creative Reach
In 2026, Orca Animation Studio—founded by Ed Bulmer and Nelly Michenaud—announced a permanent move from London to Nantes, France, while keeping its UK operations intact. The studio, celebrated for its 2‑D and mixed‑media work for Netflix, Disney, the BBC, and Sony, will now deepen its presence in the French capital.
The decision blends personal ties and professional strategy. Michenaud, a native of Nantes, said the relocation would let her learn French and soak up the city’s vibrant artistic scene. Bulmer added that France offers richer funding streams for narrative, non‑commercial projects, and the studio is already applying for grants and forging co‑production partnerships with local companies.
Orca’s name comes from a black‑and‑white cat the founders call Orca, not from the marine mammal. Their creative ethos fuses technical mastery with poetic storytelling: Bulmer steers the team’s use of Adobe After Effects and Blender, while Michenaud crafts 2‑D animation and storyboards. Freelancers are brought in as needed, allowing the studio to span styles from commercial commissions to experimental shorts.
The move has not altered Orca’s client roster. The studio continues to deliver commissioned pieces for major broadcasters and brands, and its website’s “Play” section showcases self‑initiated projects that push creative boundaries. Recent shorts include a Halloween series blending 2‑D and 3‑D characters and a comedic take on Bulmer’s first job as a pot washer.
Looking ahead, Orca is developing three original series. “The East Midlands Murder Squad” targets children six to eleven and follows three kids who unleash an ancient curse in their village. “Witch Western” is an action‑oriented Western where cowboys are replaced by witches, drawing comparisons to Avatar: The Last Airbender. The third, “Why Are You Like This?”, is a live‑action puppet sitcom aimed at adults, and one of these projects is being produced in partnership with a Nantes‑based company.
The studio’s relocation reflects a wider trend of creatives seeking environments with supportive funding regimes and collaborative ecosystems. By operating in both London and Nantes, Orca can tap into UK and French markets while continuing to deliver high‑quality animation to a global audience.
The decision blends personal ties and professional strategy. Michenaud, a native of Nantes, said the relocation would let her learn French and soak up the city’s vibrant artistic scene. Bulmer added that France offers richer funding streams for narrative, non‑commercial projects, and the studio is already applying for grants and forging co‑production partnerships with local companies.
Orca’s name comes from a black‑and‑white cat the founders call Orca, not from the marine mammal. Their creative ethos fuses technical mastery with poetic storytelling: Bulmer steers the team’s use of Adobe After Effects and Blender, while Michenaud crafts 2‑D animation and storyboards. Freelancers are brought in as needed, allowing the studio to span styles from commercial commissions to experimental shorts.
The move has not altered Orca’s client roster. The studio continues to deliver commissioned pieces for major broadcasters and brands, and its website’s “Play” section showcases self‑initiated projects that push creative boundaries. Recent shorts include a Halloween series blending 2‑D and 3‑D characters and a comedic take on Bulmer’s first job as a pot washer.
Looking ahead, Orca is developing three original series. “The East Midlands Murder Squad” targets children six to eleven and follows three kids who unleash an ancient curse in their village. “Witch Western” is an action‑oriented Western where cowboys are replaced by witches, drawing comparisons to Avatar: The Last Airbender. The third, “Why Are You Like This?”, is a live‑action puppet sitcom aimed at adults, and one of these projects is being produced in partnership with a Nantes‑based company.
The studio’s relocation reflects a wider trend of creatives seeking environments with supportive funding regimes and collaborative ecosystems. By operating in both London and Nantes, Orca can tap into UK and French markets while continuing to deliver high‑quality animation to a global audience.
