Epic Storyworlds Founders Launch New Studio, Loomi Animation, In Québec City

Canada’s Québec City is welcoming a new animation studio. Loomi Animation is the latest venture from veteran kids’ entertainment executives Steve Couture (image at top, right) and Ken Faier.

Here are the details:

• Loomi will focus on series, working with third parties as well as the founders’ production companies Epic Storyworlds and Epic Story Media.
• First up on its slate is the 2d comedy-action series Dex and the Humanimals (6 x 11 min; image below), produced with Epic Storyworlds, and created by Raymond Boisvert and Paul Stoica. Aimed at ages 6–11, the show “lets audiences join Dex as he frees the people of his world from the villain Kaz and his cybernetic henchman.” It will launch on Radio-Canada’s VOD platform TOU.TV, and co-financed with assistance from the Shaw Rocket Fund, CMF, and Québec City.
• The studio’s director is Louis Leclerc (image at top, left), a former executive director of digital media company Pixel Québec. Couture serves as president. Guylaine Robidoux and Daniel Belleville, from Montreal-based animation studio Toondraw, are involved as consultants.
• Launched by Couture and Faier last summer, Epic Storyworlds, which is also based in Québec City, produces interactive content for kids. Its sister company Epic Story Media, which was founded in 2017 by Faier, creates and develops kids’ IP; in 2018, it secured investment from Vancouver’s Bron Ventures.
• Faier said in a statement: “I have long loved the people and the companies I have worked with in Québec City and we are looking forward to bringing many diverse and creative projects to Loomi Animation, as well as nurturing local and international talent.”
• Both executives come with decades’ experience in entertainment. Couture co-founded Frima, a studio specialized in games and interactive experiences, and served as its CEO for over a decade. Faier was president at Nerd Corps for nine years; when it was acquired by DHX Media, he moved there, eventually becoming svp and gm, as well as executive producer.