Industry Insights – The EFM Podcast is presented by the European Film Market of the Berlinale.

Join us for the latest episode of Industry Insights - The EFM Podcast. Today’s conversation,** “How Strategic Alliance is Reinventing European Animation IP”**, hosted by Scott Roxborough, offers a compelling deep dive into the rapidly evolving world of animation, examining how new production models, AI-driven pipelines, and cross‑European partnerships are reshaping the future of children’s entertainment.

With guest Sixte de Vauplane (Co-Founder & CEO, Animaj), the discussion highlights the company’s groundbreaking approach to reinventing iconic IPs such as Maya the Bee, the role of AI in high‑quality animation workflows, and why Europe is uniquely positioned to build globally impactful franchises in a digital‑first era. The conversation also explores Animaj’s strategic alliance with Studio 100, the long‑standing steward of Maya the Bee, and how this partnership blends Studio 100’s extensive brand legacy and production expertise with Animaj’s digital‑first and AI‑powered innovation to propel the beloved IP into its next global chapter.

Sixte de Vauplane is a visionary French entrepreneur and Co-Founder & CEO of Animaj.
Passionate about disruptive business approaches, Sixte co-founded Nestor, a groundbreaking food delivery company, revolutionizing the lunch break experience in France. After successfully scaling Nestor and selling it to Elior Group, and following the birth of his three boys, he shifted his focus towards crafting enriching stories for children in response to the growing demand for higher quality content in an increasingly digital media world. As the CEO of Animaj, Sixte’s vision combines innovation and cutting-edge technologies to shape a more innovative and creative future for children’s entertainment.

Scott Roxborough is European Bureau Chief at leading U.S. entertainment industry magazine The Hollywood Reporter. He has been reporting on the German and European film and television industries for more than two decades. Scott Roxborough also works as a producer and on-air presenter for German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle. He lives in Cologne, Germany with his wife, two children and excitable dog.

Studio 100 International is a leading producer and distributor of high‑quality children’s and family films and series. Based in Munich, the company manages renowned brands such as Maya the Bee, Mia and me, and Heidi, oversees global brand licensing, and produces content through Studio Isar Animation. In 2025, Studio 100 International was named “International Studio of the Year” by Animation Magazine and is part of the Belgian Studio 100 Group.

As the European Film Market kicks off tomorrow, so does the launch of EFM’s Animation Days, supported by Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung and the BFI National Lottery Fund. Running from 12–14 February, this new platform highlights Europe’s excellence in animation and brings together producers, financiers, sales agents, broadcasters, and distributors around international projects with strong market potential.
The three‑day programme features curated pitches from Canada, Central and Eastern Europe, Germany, the UK, and an international selection seeking financing, co‑production partners, world sales, and distributors. It also includes works‑in‑progress showcased through an Annecy Animation selection.

You can find the full programme via the pre-filtered EFM Event Schedule here.

The Berlinale’s European Film Market is the first international film market of the year, where the film industry starts its business. Industry Insights - The EFM Podcast puts a spotlight on highly topical and trendsetting industry issues, thereby creating a compass for the forthcoming film year. The year-round podcast is co-funded by Creative Europe MEDIA.