French Animation Studio STIM Expands to Tenerife, Boosting Canary Islands’ VFX Hub
French animation and VFX studio STIM has established a permanent base in Tenerife, signaling the Canary Islands' continued growth as a premier global hub for the digital arts industry.
The Canary Islands have solidified their position as a major European hub for animation and visual effects (VFX) with the arrival of the French studio STIM. The company has officially set up operations in Tenerife under the Canary Islands Special Zone (ZEC) framework, marking a long-term commitment to the region rather than just providing temporary services.
This move is part of a broader regional strategy to attract creative development centers, shifting away from the traditional model of hosting one-off film shoots. Led by Félix Ferrand, Jordan Soler, and Benoit Gielly, STIM has an impressive track record, having contributed to major projects like Garfield, The Wild Robot, and the series Shōgun.
STIM plans to begin operations this summer, aiming to hire 60 employees by the end of the year. The company’s medium-term goal is to grow its workforce to over 100 specialists, and it is already recruiting for roles such as character modelers, environment specialists, and lookdev supervisors. According to the firm’s management, represented by Amélie Houpline, the combination of tax incentives and the ability to co-produce between France, Belgium, and Spain creates an ideal environment for the studio to compete globally.
This investment highlights the rapid growth of the Canary Islands' audiovisual sector. In less than ten years, the local industry has expanded from a small presence to a network of over 30 companies and nearly 2,000 professionals. This growth is further supported by other international players, including Surfing Giant Studios and the partnership between DNEG and the local firm Ánima Kitchent.
Pablo Hernández, president of the ZEC, views STIM’s arrival as a sign that the regional economy is successfully shifting toward high-value industries. Officials are optimistic about the future, projecting that tax incentives and new vocational training programs could help the digital arts sector create between 3,000 and 4,000 qualified jobs in the coming years, helping local talent thrive in a global market.