Victor Elizalde, founder of Viva Pictures, is changing animation distribution by offering gross royalties, rewarding licensors beyond minimum guarantees and challenging traditional expense-heavy models.
Viva's Unique Model
Viva Pictures, under Elizalde, produces two to three original animated features yearly and distributes 10 to 15 films across platforms like Disney+, HBO, Hulu, Amazon, and Peacock. This model has established Viva as a reliable partner, providing financial benefits to licensors that the old model couldn't match.
Elizalde, who previously led international business development at Sony Pictures, focuses on mid-budget family animations often based on popular IP. "The Pout-Pout Fish" and "Tom & Jerry: Forbidden Compass" are set for release this year, reflecting his strategy. "The evidence that this is working is the number of screens that we're getting," Elizalde explained, noting their films often reach 1,200 to 2,000 screens, demonstrating successful campaigns and quality titles.
Leveraging Data and AI
Viva's success also ties to data-driven decisions. "We use AI to analyze scripts," Elizalde said, describing a weighted scoring system more advanced than those used at Sony. This system evaluates film elements, identifying trends such as the popularity of aquatic creatures over animals or humans in family animations. Despite the data, Elizalde admits, "We go off of it probably more than we should," acknowledging the balance between analytics and creativity.
Delivering Quality Content
Viva's commitment to delivering a "good user experience" is crucial, as Elizalde emphasized the importance of audience satisfaction, regardless of ticket pricing. The company's ability to secure numerous screens for releases like "Pout-Pout Fish" signifies their success in meeting exhibitor expectations without compromising quality.
As the industry evolves, Viva Pictures' model offers a fresh perspective, proving that innovative approaches can thrive alongside traditional practices by prioritizing partnerships and quality content.
Source: https://variety.com/2026/film/focus/animation-shingle-viva-1236766353/
