Grid VFX

Grid VFX was a Belgian visual effects, 3D animation and digital post-production studio founded in 1995 by Jan Goossen and Mark Mertens. Also known through the Grid Animation trading name, it combined visual effects production with animated feature and television co-production. The company operated from Ghent and Brussels before ceasing operations following bankruptcies in 2020–2021.

The studio began with commercial spots and music videos, later expanding into international film, television and game production. Its contribution to Sylvain Chomet’s The Triplets of Belleville in 2003 marked an important step in that development. Subsequent live-action work included visual effects for Ghost Rider and Pathology, alongside a growing slate of animated productions.

Production capabilities

Grid’s work covered full-pipeline 3D character animation, character rigging, visual effects supervision, compositing and rotoscoping. Its production capabilities also included digital environments, lighting, shading, rendering, simulation, colour grading and stereoscopic finishing. These services supported feature films, television series, advertising and video game cinematics.

The company’s animation activity extended beyond supplying production services to international co-production. Its feature work included Astérix: The Mansions of the Gods, Ooops! Noah Is Gone..., Deep, Harvie and the Magic Museum, Captain Morten and the Spider Queen, Marnie’s World and Latte & the Magic Waterstone. Television projects included International Hareport, What’s the Big Idea? and Ziggy and the Zoo Tram. Grid also produced 3D scenography and cutscenes for Knack, with further cinematics work on Knack II.

Final years

Grid participated in European co-production networks under the Tinker Group holding structure. Financial difficulties led to judicial reorganization and subsequent bankruptcy proceedings: Grid BV was declared bankrupt in April 2020, followed by Grid Animation BV in April 2021. The studio’s production premises subsequently closed, and its former official website is inactive.