The Illuminated Film Company
- Open roles
- 0
- Founded
- 1993
- Employees
- 1-10
- Offices
- 1
About The Illuminated Film Company
The Illuminated Film Company is an independent British animation studio and production company founded in 1993 by producer Iain Harvey. Based in West London, it creates traditional hand-drawn and digital 2D animation for children and family audiences. Its work spans television series, animated specials, short films and features, with a particular emphasis on script-led storytelling, character development and adaptations of illustrated books.
The company provides production services from development and pre-production through design, directing and production management. Its capabilities include scriptwriting, storyboarding and character design, alongside international co-production management and financing packages. Commercial and commissioned animation also forms part of its offering. Beyond production, it manages content rights and international film and television distribution.
From illustrated books to television
Early productions included The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Stories and Prince Cinders, both released in 1993. Subsequent work ranged from the Art Deco short T.R.A.N.S.I.T. to the feature Christmas Carol: The Movie, directed by Jimmy T. Murakami. The World War I special War Game adapted Michael Foreman’s book, reflecting the studio’s continuing involvement in literary adaptations.
Its preschool series Little Princess, based on Tony Ross’s illustrated books, launched in 2006 and grew to five seasons and more than 130 episodes. The series has reached audiences in more than 140 territories. The company later expanded its television comedy slate with The Rubbish World of Dave Spud, a surreal adventure series produced for ITV/CITV and ITVX.
Production and distribution
More recent work includes the historical animated special A Bear Named Wojtek, co-produced with Polish animation studio Filmograf. Its development slate also includes Rocket Says Look Up, an adaptation of the picture book.
The company’s distribution activities include international rights for Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas and Michael Morpurgo’s On Angel Wings. This combination of original production, book adaptations, international collaboration and rights management connects its filmmaking work with the wider circulation of animated programmes across broadcast and streaming markets.
More about The Illuminated Film Company
Leadership and production model
- Founder Iain Harvey is a director and person with significant control. Nicholas Andrew Harvey joined the board on 10 December 2020; Rosemary Maud Taylor is company secretary.
- The studio maintains a boutique core team and scales production through project-based animators, freelance directors and partner studios. Cloth Cat Animation provided animation services for all series of The Rubbish World of Dave Spud.
- Project-specific corporate vehicles have been established for productions including Little Princess, Christmas Carol: The Movie and War Game. The report distinguishes these from separate commercial animation studios.
Recognition and creative collaborators
- Little Princess received four BAFTA nominations.
- A Bear Named Wojtek was shortlisted for Best Animated Short Film at the 97th Academy Awards and won Best Long Form at the British Animation Awards.
- The Rubbish World of Dave Spud was directed by Edward Foster, starred Johnny Vegas and featured an original score by Basement Jaxx. The series received RTS Programme and British Animation Awards recognition.
Founder’s earlier career
Before establishing the company, Iain Harvey executive produced The Snowman (1982), When the Wind Blows (1986) and Father Christmas (1991). These earlier production roles belong to Harvey’s career rather than the studio’s production history.
Notable credits
11 creditsOffices
Where The Illuminated Film Company is based
- 2 Glenthorne Mews, London, W6 0LJ, United KingdomLondon, England, United Kingdom
London office
HeadquartersPrimary physical production office and overall company headquarters in Hammersmith.
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