VFX facilities Cinesite and Image Engine have merged.

The combined firms have a workforce of 525 artists at their studios in London, Vancouver and Montreal.  

Cinesite managing director Anthony Hunt described the two companies as “totally complementary to each other”.

He said: “We will continue operating in our various geographical locations and our focus will continue on our different core visual effects strengths.

“In addition, Cinesite is also leading the charge into feature animation. We’re working on very compelling projects including original IP from our development company, Comic Animations Ltd, and on projects brought to us by the studios. This work can now be shared across all three locations.”

Image Engine chief executive Greg Holmes added: “In addition to widening our reach to achieve even greater heights in high-end visual effects, this alliance will present new career development opportunities for all our artists and crews and will deliver benefits and opportunities to all our stakeholders, be they staff, customers, suppliers, financial partners or shareholders.”

Cinesite, which opened in London in 1994, has provided visual effects to films including X-Men: Days of Future Past, Iron Man 3 and the Harry Potter series. 

In 2012, private equity firm Endless LLP backed a management buyout of Cinesite following Kodak’s decision to offload the business.

Image Engine was founded in Vancouver in 1995. Its credits include District 9, Jurassic World, Game of Thrones and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. 

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