CELEB
A New Creative Powerhouse Lands in the Atlantic
STIM, the acclaimed French animation and visual effects studio behind recent hits like "The Wild Robot," "The Garfield Movie," and "Coyote vs. Acme," is making a significant move into Spain. The company announced plans this week to establish a brand-new production facility in the Canary Islands, marking a substantial expansion of its European footprint. The initiative, dubbed STIM Tenerife, is set to launch operations in August and represents one of the more notable international expansions in the VFX sector this year.
Jobs and Growth on the Horizon
The Toulouse-based studio isn't just planting a flag in the archipelago. it's committed to meaningful job creation. Officials expect STIM Tenerife to onboard at least 60 professionals by the end of 2026, with the long-term goal of building a team exceeding 100 specialists. The hiring pipeline is already active, with the company actively recruiting for roles including character modelers, set and prop modelers, look-development artists, and supervisory positions. These are precisely the high-skilled, well-compensated creative roles that regional governments love to attract.
Why the Canary Islands?
The location choice isn't arbitrary. Spain's Canary Islands offer a compelling package for international companies through the ZEC (Zona Especial Canaria) framework, which provides tax incentives and regulatory benefits designed to draw foreign investment to the region. For a VFX studio looking to establish European operations without the overhead of major hubs like London, Paris, or Los Angeles, the islands present an attractive balance of quality-of-life advantages and financial incentives. The move also reflects a broader trend of production companies seeking alternatives to traditional entertainment capitals.
What This Means for the Industry
STIM's bet on the Canary Islands signals growing confidence in secondary European markets as viable production destinations. With streaming platforms demanding more content and AI tools reshaping workflows, studios are rethinking where and how they build teams. The Canary Islands venture positions STIM to tap into both the local talent pool and the broader Spanish-speaking creative community while maintaining competitive operating costs. For animation professionals seeking alternatives to the usual hubs, this could open an interesting door.
Looking Ahead
As STIM Tenerife prepares to flip the switch in August, all eyes will be on whether the studio can hit its ambitious hiring targets and establish itself as a credible production partner for future projects. The success or failure of this expansion could influence how other international studios view the Canary Islands as a legitimate VFX destination. Either way, the region just became a more interesting place for animation talent to watch.
