‘Lucy Lost’ & ‘Submarine Jim’ Animation Studio Xilam Announce Management Reshuffle

French animation studio Xilam, which is known for shows such as Oggy and the Cockroaches and Submarine Jim as well as recent feature Lucy Lost, has announced a new leadership structure and wave of senior promotions. Caterina Gonnelli-Linden has been appointed as Co-Chief Executive Officer, alongside incumbent CEO and founder Marc du Pontavice. She will be supported by Camille Wiplier and Safaa Benazzouz, who have both been promoted to Deputy Chief Executive Officers. Under the structure du Pontavice will focus on the group’s strategy and diversification, notably through the further development of its feature film production activities. Alongside becoming co-CEO, Gonnelli-Linden also becomes Corporate Officer alongside du Pontavice, to whom she will report. Watch on Deadline She takes operational responsibility for the development and production of children’s programs for television and digital platforms, of which she will also be a producer. Together with du Pontavice, Gonnelli-Linden will also share editorial responsibility for Xilam’s adult-targeted series, which he continues to follow personally. On a functional level, she oversees four departments: content, operations, distribution and HR. Gonnelli-Linden, who has been with Xilam for close to seven years after stints at The Walt Disney Company and Moonscoop among others,has steered a number of its hits including Piggy Builders and Submarine Jim, in close collaboration with du Pontavice. “I am extremely pleased and proud to take on these new responsibilities. Building on our highly talented teams, a corporate culture that fosters excellence, and a rich and diverse development slate that I am truly excited about, I look forward to immediately focusing on our new kids’ productions and turning them into the successful franchises of tomorrow,” she said. Wiplier will lead Xilam’s Operations department, which she has managed since January 2026, alongside the IT and Technical Services department. Benazzouz will lead Xilam’s content distribution and marketing strategy. They will both report to Gonnelli-Linden. “I am delighted to put in place this new governance that reinforces and structures the leadership of Caterina, Camille and Safaa, in whom I have the greatest confidence and to whom Xilam owes many successes in recent years,” said du Pontavice. “By turning the page on the crisis that has hit the animation sector hard, and as we return to the path of strong growth, I hope the group’s management structure will give impetus to new energy, driven by the diversity of our content and talent. This is how we will strengthen the uniqueness of our creations – the only relevant strategy to respond to market changes. In this sense, this new governance is an investment in the future.”