Splash’s Atlan resurfaces at Gaumont

A day after his departure from Splash Entertainment was announced, Nicholas Atlan has resurfaced as president of animation at Franco-US prodco Gaumont.

Atlan (pictured) is taking on the new post, which is based in LA, as Gaumont plots a significant push into animated series development and feature films. He will report to Gaumont CEO Sidonie Dumas and vice-CEO Christophe Riandee.

Atlan will split his time between Paris and LA, and work closely with Gaumont president of sales Cecile Gaget, president of Gaumont Television US Gene Stein and president of international distribution Erik Pack.

Pierre Belaisch, who is based in Paris, will continue to serve as president od animation, with a focus on European TV series. He will now report into Atlan.

Yesterday, Atlan’s exit from LA-based Splash, which he lead with Mike Young, triggered a restructure that saw Young become chairman and CFO, COO and executive VP Steve Rosen promoted to co-CEO to replace him.

Gaumont has also hired Rainmaker Entertainment’s VP, business development Terry Kalagian as VP, creative in the animation team.

“Having worked in the both Paris and Los Angeles, Nicolas has an excellent track record in the world of animation. While at Splash Entertainment, he produced and sold Kulipari: An Army of Frogsto Netflix and the animated feature film Norm of the Northto Lionsgate,” said Riandee.

“He is the perfect executive to blend our European and new US animation divisions, as well as helping Gaumont expand into the arena of animated feature films and increase its production activity on the television side.”

Gaumont’s animated brands include Calimero and F is For Family.