How Netflix and GOBELINS Are Reviving the Art of Stop-Motion

In a move set to redefine the global animation landscape, Netflix, GOBELINS Paris and visionary filmmaker Guillermo del Toro are joining forces to launch a first-of-its-kind stop-motion studio at the heart of one of the world’s most prestigious animation schools. This ambitious new venture promises not just to train artists—but to revolutionize how the art of stop-motion is imagined, produced and passed on to future generations.

GOBELINS Paris, a powerhouse in animation education and long considered the cradle of world-class talent, has built its reputation on pushing artistic boundaries and shaping the industry’s most influential creators. Nestled within its historic campus, this new studio will function as a creative laboratory, where tradition meets groundbreaking innovation.

The concept originates from Guillermo del Toro—Academy Award® winner, storyteller of the surreal, and lifelong advocate of animation as one of cinema’s purest art forms. Co-funded by del Toro and Netflix, the studio will offer far more than technical training; it will be a living ecosystem of creativity and exploration, designed for students to work alongside master filmmakers, experiment freely and bring daring ideas to life.

Set to begin development in the 2025–2026 academic year, the program arrives at a pivotal moment for animation, as stop-motion experiences a powerful resurgence in global culture. It also serves as a deeply personal tribute to the late Mark Gustafson, whose work on Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio helped reignite worldwide fascination with handcrafted animation.

This partnership is the culmination of years of collaboration between Netflix, GOBELINS and del Toro—spanning talent development, scholarships, masterclasses and international festivals. It elevates their relationship into a cultural milestone, signaling a long-term commitment to creative excellence and global artistic exchange.

For Netflix, this initiative reinforces its role as a champion of animation without borders. The company has become a defining force in both French and international animation, partnering with acclaimed studios such as Fortiche (Arcane), TAT (Astérix & Obélix: The Big Fight) and Blue Spirit (Blue Eye Samurai), while making an indelible mark at festivals like Annecy.

But beyond industry strategy, this new studio represents something bigger: it’s a declaration that the future of animation isn’t just digital—it’s tactile, emotional and deeply human. It’s an invitation to the next generation of artists to imagine bold worlds, revive timeless techniques and redefine what animated storytelling can be.