Former Gaumont exec joins new kids distributor

French animation house Studio Hari has created a new distribution division and brought in a former Gaumont executive to head up sales.

Adeline Tormo (pictured) will be head of sales at the new unit, Hari International. She was vice president of international sales for eight years at another French toon house, Gaumont.

Josselin Charier and Antoine Rodelet created Studio Hari a decade ago. Speaking about the new distribution arm, Charier said: “Hari International’s objective is to build global and integrated brand, sales and marketing strategies by ensuring the optimum exploitation of all the TV, video and merchandising rights.

“It is a major step in our business development: the creation of Hari International will give us the opportunity to integrate all the activities related to our creations, from the artistic development to the commercial exploitation.”

Studio Hari specialises in CGI and its credits include The Owl, Leon and The Gees.

The first new titles from the sales arm will be Grizzy and the Lemmings, which is being produced for pubcaster France Télévisions, and for Turner internationally.

“Studio Hari has managed to rise to the very top in terms of creativity and production amongst animation companies in Europe and I am particularly flattered to have been able to join their team to develop the distribution subsidiary,” Tormo said.