88 Pictures Announces its First North American Office in Toronto

Global animation studio 88 Pictures opens its first office outside of India in Toronto, bringing up to 150 jobs to the Toronto Region in the next two years and supporting the company’s initiative to be in closer proximity to North American clients and film studios.

TORONTO – December 2, 2022 – 88 Pictures, a leading animation and media company headquartered in Mumbai, India, announces its new North American office will be in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 88 Pictures is expanding its broad presence overseas to better access its large client base of notable film studios in the U.S. and beyond.
 
88 Pictures will continue working with the best animators and media talent in the world from its new office in Toronto, adding to its existing offices in Bangalore, Mumbai and Hyderabad. 88 Pictures has already begun hiring for senior positions and looks forward to building a team of up to 150 members over the next two years. The company has worked on noteworthy projects, such as DreamWorks’ Troll Hunters and Tales of Arcadia from acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro. 88 Pictures provides services ranging from concept creation, concept development, pre-visualisation, animatic, 3D animation, visual effects, gaming, AR/VR, and more.



As the result of a thorough selection process, 88 Pictures chose Toronto as the ideal location for its North American office due to the region’s skilled talent, welcoming business immigration policies, unmatched quality of life, and proximity to the studio’s client base. 88 Pictures will be in good company with renowned animation companies, like DNEG, Spin VFX, SOHO VFX, and 9 Story – all part of an established and thriving digital media landscape in the Toronto Region. With a 42 percent growth in the Animation/VFX sector, the Toronto Region is now the third largest entertainment cluster in North America.
 
88 Pictures worked closely with Toronto Global, a team of experienced business advisors assisting global businesses to expand into the Toronto Region. Toronto Global connected the studio to the region’s extensive business network and world-class media sector, leading the 88 Pictures team through the process of expanding overseas. 88 Pictures will manage North American clients from Toronto, Canada’s telecom and economic capital, with a team built from the region’s growing talent pool of specialized tech talent.
 
“With our vision to be among the top 5 boutique studios in the world, Toronto is our first international step. We’re thrilled to be joining such an innovative digital ecosystem. Our business module is built to cater across the entire value chain of CGI production, providing value to international animation partners and trailblazers,” said Milind D. Shinde, 88 Pictures Founder & Chief Executive Officer. “The support from the Toronto Global team has been exemplary, adding value to our decision-making process. We are excited to leverage the deep talent pipeline, favorable business benefits, and attractive media tax credits of the Toronto Region as the core hub for our North American client base.”

The Honourable Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade and the Toronto Global team were excited to be in India with the company for this announcement.

“Congratulations to the team at 88 Pictures on your expansion to Canada, and thank you for choosing Ontario,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Not only will this investment create 150 new jobs in Toronto, it will also further strengthen Ontario’s longstanding relationship with India and our position as a global tech leader. Our government looks forward to welcoming 88 Pictures to Ontario in the months ahead.”
 
“Toronto Global was pleased to support 88 Pictures in establishing its new office in the Toronto Region, bringing innovative talent to our robust animation and media production ecosystem,” said Stephen Lund, CEO, Toronto Global. “The studio’s investment in the Toronto Region is a testament to our strong reputation as a centre for high-quality talent in the global entertainment industry. I’m delighted to welcome 88 Pictures to one of the most highly skilled and diverse communities in the world.”
 
For more information, please visit www.88.pictures.

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About 88 Pictures

88 Pictures is an India-based animation and media entertainment company, producing high-end animation content for some of the best-known brands and film studios across the globe. 88 Pictures values diversity of experience and background on their team and believes that all team members should bring a unique perspective to best create a wide range of content.

About Toronto Global

As an arms-length organization representing the Cities of Mississauga, Brampton and Toronto, and the Regional Municipalities of Durham, York, and Halton, we work with our partners in the Ontario and Canadian governments to provide a comprehensive, customized service that allows for a smooth transition for international companies wishing to do business here. Toronto Global is dedicated to understanding our clients’ business needs and delivering tailored, innovative solutions that will set the stage for their success in the Toronto Region.

Media Contacts
88 Pictures:
Saharsh Shah
VP HR, Outreach & Industry Connect
Saharsh.shah@88.pictures

Toronto Global:
Julia Sakas
Director, Marketing & Communications
jsakas@torontoglobal.ca