Cartobaleno

Cartobaleno is an independent Italian animation studio and audiovisual production company based in Tuscany, near Florence. Founded in 2001, it develops original properties and combines television production and co-production with animation services for other producers. Its work spans children’s and youth programming, short films, commercial and web animation, and illustrated publishing.

The studio specializes in digital 2D animation, including paperless and cut-out techniques. Its production capabilities extend from concept art, character and background design, storyboarding and pre-production model packs through animation, compositing and video editing. This combination supports both original productions and contributions to externally developed series.

Original productions and co-productions

Cartobaleno created and co-produced Atchoo!, working across two seasons with Studio Campedelli, Cosmos Maya and Digitoonz. The series reached audiences through Rai Ragazzi, RaiPlay and international broadcasters.

Its subsequent co-productions include Mortina, a comedy-mystery television series adapted from Barbara Cantini’s books, developed with Treehouse Republic alongside Rai Kids and RTÉ Kids. Andrea Castellani directs the series. The studio also co-produced the television special Benvenuti a Coccoloba with Samka Productions and Red Castle Mediaconsulting for Rai Kids and France Télévisions.

Animation services and illustration

Alongside its own properties, Cartobaleno contributes design, pre-production and animation to other studios’ projects. Its work includes pre-production and model packs for Rainbow’s Winx Club, World of Winx and Huntik: Secrets & Seekers, as well as contributions to The DaVincibles and The Qpiz.

Long-running collaborations include Le ricette di Arturo e Kiwi with T-Rex Digimation and animated musical shorts for Antoniano’s I cartoni dello Zecchino d’Oro. The studio’s portfolio also includes independently produced short films.

Beyond screen production, a specialized publishing division illustrates children’s books for publishers including Penguin Random House, Mondadori and Giunti. This editorial work complements the studio’s character design and visual storytelling practice across television, short-form animation and print.