Netflix Animation Studios donates €240k/year to Blender dev fund

Netflix’s production arm, Netflix Animation Studios, has become the latest Corporate Patron of the Blender Development Fund: the highest tier of corporate sponsorship.

Its contribution of at least €240,000/year roughly equates to the salaries of four full-time developers for the open-source 3D software.

One of the biggest corporate backers of Blender development
Netflix Animation Studios is the second new corporate backer of the Blender Development Fund in a week, and it’s one of the biggest.

Its contribution of €240,000/year puts it right at the top of the fund’s membership tiers, alongside other major backers like Bolt Graphics, Epic Games, Pico and Wacom.

Money comes from a division of Netflix that uses Blender in production
Although the Blender Foundation’s announcement of the deal includes a corporate bio for Netflix itself, the money comes from a specific subsidiary of the streaming giant.

Netflix Animation Studios is its production arm, creating animated features and series, and includes what was formerly Animal Logic, the leading international VFX and animation firm, which Netflix acquired in 2022.

Animal Logic is a long-time user of Blender in production, including in its previs pipeline, and in its art and matte painting departments.

Funding will be used for general Blender development, not a specific feature
Unlike with some other recent Corporate Patrons, Netflix Animation Studios’ isn’t earmarked for developing specific new features in Blender, and will be used for “general … core development”.

Netflix Animation Studios SVP – and former Animal Logic CTO – Darin Grant commented:

“Netflix Animation Studios’ corporate membership with Blender reflects our ongoing support for open-source software in the animation community.

“We are proud to be the first major animation studio to support Blender’s continued development and growing adoption by … future generations of animation professionals.”

Read the official announcement of Netflix Animation Studios’ Corporate Patronage

Visit the Blender Development Fund website

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