Nelvana

Nelvana Limited
Company typeSubsidiary
Industry
  • Animation
  • Franchise licensing
  • Children's entertainment
PredecessorLaff Arts[1]
FoundedJuly 1971 (1971-07)
Founders
Headquarters,
Canada
Key people
  • Mellany Welsh (Head of Nelvana Enterprises)
  • Pam Westman (President of Nelvana Limited)
ProductsConsisting mainly of children's animation; see also list of Nelvana programs
RevenueC$600 million (2001)[2]
Number of employees
200+ (2021)[3]
ParentCorus Entertainment (2000–present)
SubsidiariesRedknot (50%)
Websitewww.nelvana.com

Nelvana Limited (/nɛlˈvɑːnə/; often known as Nelvana Studios or simply Nelvana) is a Canadian animation studio and entertainment company owned by Corus Entertainment. Founded in July 1971 by Michael Hirsh, Patrick Loubert, and Clive A. Smith, it was named after Nelvana of the Northern Lights, the first Canadian national superhero, who was created by Adrian Dingle. The company's production logo is a polar bear looking at Polaris, the North Star.

The company is based in Toronto, Ontario, and it maintains international offices in France, Ireland and Japan, as well as smaller offices in the top three cities in the U.S. Many of its films, shows and specials are based on licensed properties and literature, but original programming is also part of its roster. Although the company specializes in children's media, Nelvana has also co-produced adult animations like the first season of Clone High, John Callahan's Quads!, Bob & Margaret, and Committed.

Nelvana International distributes three Nickelodeon shows: Taina, the first five seasons of The Fairly OddParents,[4] and The Backyardigans (the latter of which was co-produced with Nick Jr.). As of 2001, its library comprised more than 1,650 cumulative half-hours of original programming.[2]

  1. ^ Kocmarek, Ivan (October 7, 2015). "Patrick Loubert and Michael Hirsh • Comic Book Daily". Comic Book Daily. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Fitzgerald, James (May 1, 2001). "Nelvana's 30th Anniversary Profile". KidScreen Magazine. Retrieved July 1, 2006.
  3. ^ Dudok de Wit, Alex (June 11, 2021). "Nelvana At 50: Mapping Out The Studio's Future With President Pam Westman". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  4. ^ "Corus' Nelvana expands strategic relationship with Nickelodeon for international distribution of "Taina's World" and "The Fairly Odd Parents"". The Free Library. Retrieved January 6, 2014.