London- Blue Zoo, the UK based multi award-winning animation studio, announces a deal with China UK Animation Company, which is a subsidiary of Zhong Ze Culture Investment Group, that will unlock a total of £72 million of funding to invest across new and existing IP and projects.  

The multimillion pound investment from China will facilitate the launch of Lanzu, a joint venture between Blue Zoo and China UK Animation Company (CU Animation), and accelerate the delivery of current and future Blue Zoo productions. Lanzu will initially provide non-exclusive funding for the development and production of at least six new projects including an animated feature film, over the next five years, with the first project scheduled to go into production later this year. The joint venture will play a key part of Blue-Zoo’s ongoing growth strategy, accelerating the speed at which projects go into production once greenlit, and supporting access to the Asian and international market for commercial, branded and creative animation.

Additionally, CU Animation‘s investment into Lanzu will release extra co-production funding for further series of Blue Zoo’s existing slate of IP. In line with Blue Zoo’s international growth strategy, the investment will accelerate the delivery of current and future Blue Zoo productions and co-productions, and support the development of new and existing IP.

Gina Fegan, Director of Culture, CU Animation and Zhong Ze Culture Investment Holdings Ltd, adds; “Blue-Zoo stands out in terms of creativity, company ethos and commercial acumen, we are delighted to partner with them to enable and accelerate IP development and content production, supporting both Lanzu and Blue Zoo’s international growth.”

Oli Hyatt, co-founder, Blue Zoo, says; “Our partnership with CU Animation Investment Holdings Ltd comes at a time of incredibly exciting growth for Blue Zoo. Lanzu will enable us to jointly hold and develop our IP whilst generating growth in the Eastern and global markets in partnering with Blue-Zoo, CU Animation has invested in the talented staff we nurture, our growing business and our dreams for the future.”