VFX giant DNEG and the Spanish state-owned venture capital fund SETT have poured millions into Anima Kitchent, transforming the Canary Islands-based studio into a future animation powerhouse. This strategic investment is poised to elevate Anima Kitchent to become one of Europe's premier animation and visual effects studios, promising significant growth and job creation within the region's burgeoning audiovisual sector. The collaboration underscores a broader governmental initiative to diversify the Canary Islands' economy and establish it as a global hub for creative industries.

Animation Expansion: DNEG and SETT's Vision for Anima Kitchent

On June 4, 2026, a groundbreaking investment deal was announced, seeing leading visual effects company DNEG and the Spanish Society for Technological Transformation (SETT) infuse a substantial €24.9 million ($28.8 million) into Anima Kitchent. This capital injection, facilitated through DNEG's specialized animation and creative incubator, ReDefine Originals, is set to propel Anima Kitchent to the forefront of the European animation and VFX landscape. Founded in 2017 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Anima Kitchent, under the leadership of CEO Angel Molinero and operations manager Ariana Villalobos, has already seen remarkable expansion, growing from a small team of twelve to 170 employees. The studio is recognized for its successful preschool productions such as “Cleo & Cuquín,” “Lea & Pop,” and “Cuquín” for Warner Bros. Discovery, alongside its innovative use of YouTube to cultivate intellectual properties, boasting over 67 million subscribers. The Spanish Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Function has highlighted that this investment will generate 275 new employment opportunities, focusing on the creation and production of high-quality original content and fostering long-term intellectual property value. This initiative is a cornerstone of the second phase of Plan Spain Audiovisual Hub, a comprehensive program backed by a €1.7 billion ($2.0 billion) budget, aligning with the European Union's broader Recuperation, Transformation and Resilience Plan. The Canary Islands further bolster their appeal through attractive tax incentives, including a 54%-45% tax credit on film and TV expenditures, capped at €36 million ($41.8 million) for feature films and €18 million ($20.9 million) per TV episode for animation and VFX projects. Additionally, the region offers a Special Economic Zone (ZEC) corporate income tax rate of 4% and a 7% VAT, significantly lower than mainland Spain's 25% and 21%. Angel Víctor Torres Pérez, Spain's Minister for Territorial Policy, emphasized the government's commitment to leveraging the Canary Islands' unique geographical and economic advantages to cultivate a vibrant audiovisual sector. Pablo Hernández, executive president of ZEC, underscored Anima Kitchent's competitive edge, attributing it to the synergy of strong intellectual property, production quality, and real-time audience trend analysis. This enables the rapid and high-quality production essential for global market penetration. The deal also signifies a pivotal moment for the Canary Islands' animation industry, which has witnessed exponential growth from a single production house in 2018 to over 30 studios today. This includes the local offices of Fortiche (known for “Arcane”), Atlantis Animation, Tomavision, 3 Doubles Producciones, and Tinglado Films. Furthermore, Finland's Gigglebug and Surfing Giant are establishing a presence, with the latter, responsible for Disney's “Hey A.J.!,” opening a new studio. Hernández noted that this investment, coupled with previous ventures, solidifies the Canary Islands' position as a dependable and resilient alternative for global animation production, offering a stable regulatory environment and competitive tax incentives that enable companies to adapt swiftly to market changes. The DNEG deal, developed in collaboration with SETT, was finalized directly with Anima Kitchent, following over four years of strategic groundwork with ZEC and partners including Proexca–Gobierno de Canarias and the island Cabildos, ensuring DNEG's deep understanding of the islands' potential.

This significant investment in Anima Kitchent marks a pivotal moment for the global animation and visual effects industry. It not only highlights the growing strategic importance of the Canary Islands as a creative hub but also demonstrates the immense potential when robust financial backing meets artistic vision and technological innovation. The focus on job creation, original content development, and strategic market positioning sets a new standard for fostering regional growth within the entertainment sector. It's inspiring to see how favorable economic policies and dedicated governmental support can cultivate an environment ripe for such ambitious ventures, ultimately enriching the global landscape of animated storytelling.