WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO
Great Family Movies
We are a production, financing and distribution sales company focused on working with first class filmmakers to create a pipeline of quality animated movies, with engaging stories, that can delight family audiences worldwide.
Current titles on the GFM Animation slate include: Heroes At Large and Silver Sentinel, the first two movies from our partnership with Kartoon Studios; Stitch Head, based on the book series by Guy Bass and featuring the voices of Asa Butterfield and Joel Fry; and Humbugged! from the team behind smash-hit independent animated feature Hoodwinked. We recently produced 10 Lives, directed by Chris Jenkins and featuring the voices of Mo Gilligan, Simone Ashley and Sophie Okonedo, and worked with Warner Bros. Animation to secure worldwide release for the first ever full length Looney Tunes feature, The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie!
Great Family Movies…it’s what we’re all about.
Our Global Partners
Our Mission
At GFM Animation our mission is to collaborate and partner with top-tier filmmakers, production companies, and animation studios, to produce high-quality animated feature films, with a focus on engaging stories that can captivate audiences across the globe. We specialise in the creation of movies for initial cinema release, specifically targeting a kids and family audience.
meet The Team
GUY COLLINS
Chairman
Guy joined the film industry in 1976, raising production funding for ‘The Wild Geese’ starring Richard Harris, Richard Burton and Roger Moore. From here Guy raised finance for numerous high-profile independent films, introducing international banks to structured film financing. In 1988 the opportunity arose to finance a sequel to the highly successful feature film ‘Highlander’. This led to a 20-year involvement in the financing & distribution of four Highlander movie sequels and a TV series which ran for 7 years. The aggregate budgets totalled circa $225m and helped to forge one of the most successful independent film franchises. From here Guy extended his business activity to include distribution marketing & sales on all films where he undertook production financing. Until 2008, Guy was mostly involved in live action films, when he joined Madrid-based Ilion Studios’ first animated feature ‘Planet 51’ as UK co-producer. This became the catalyst for his growing interest in animated family features that led to founding GFM Animation in 2016. His day-to-day responsibilities include overseeing GFMA’s corporate & production financing activities and the overall management of the company.
AMANDA KERRIDGE
Joint COO, Head of Marketing
Amanda heads up all marketing activities across GFM Animation slate. Amanda uses her 25+ years’ experience to work on each film from script stage, through production and all the way through to release. She is our point person for ensuring the GFMA team and producers have everything they need to market, sell & release each title, and is responsible for writing each film’s worldwide marketing, sales & distribution plan. As Joint Chief Operating Officer, she works closely with Guy and Saiqa to shape the company’s business & production strategies. As well as working across both live action & animated feature films, during her working career Amanda has worked as a Production Manager for live sports broadcast (which included a month in Guatemala for the FIFA Futsal World Cup) and been responsible for securing sponsorship within the music industry, working with brands such as Adidas and Sennheiser. Outside of work, Amanda can be found renovating her home in the countryside which she shares with her husband, daughter, and ever growing menagerie of pets!
SAIQA MOBEEN
Joint COO, Head of Finance
With over 15 years of experience, including a decade in the animation industry, Saiqa plays a crucial role in overseeing daily operations, internal financial activities, production budgets, finance strategies, and external reporting. In her role of Joint COO and Head of Finance, Saiqa is driven by a passion for new projects, collaborations, and complex challenges. Outside work, she loves traveling and experimenting different cuisines with her teens—skilfully navigating their mood swings and hoping not to burn down the kitchen. She is thrilled to embark on her newest passion for “hiking” – ready to conquer new trails and soak in the beauty of nature.
SEAN FEENEY
Director, Head of Production
Sean joined GFM Animation to develop and expand the slate of CG animated movies. With a 25-year career in animation and VFX, Sean Feeney brings considerable knowledge and extensive experience. His credits include shows produced with Disney, Splash, M2/LEGO, Anima, Mattel, Hasbro and the BBC. Feeney joined the GFMA team following 8 years at Prime Focus World, where he set up & developed their animation studio. Sean is an active member of Animation UK. He is married with 3 children and lives in West London.
FRED HEDMAN
Director, Head of Sales
Over the last 15+ years, Fred has accumulated a wealth of experience in the film industry, selling films in all territories across a range of genre & budgets. He began his career as a sales associate at IAC/Sequence Films in 2003 and when IAC/Sequence was acquired by HandMade plc in 2006 he continued as VP of International Sales before being promoted to Head of Sales in 2008. Now, at GFM Animation, Fred is a board director and oversees the company’s sales activities. He has also executive produced many live action & animated feature films. Fred prides himself on maintaining great relationships across the international industry with producers, financiers, & distributors and has travelled extensively attending all major film and television markets and festivals. Fred is married and has two young boys that keep him on him toes!
HARRY ALDERSON
Senior Sales Executive
Having finished his studies in Media and Sport, Harry secured himself an internship as a Runner at Cinesite, London before joining the GFM Animation team in 2019. Having found his passion in sales, Harry has enjoyed securing relationships with worldwide distributors, traveling to markets throughout the year, and has recently risen to his newest role within the company, Senior Sales Executive. Outside of work Harry’s main passion is sport whether he is playing or watching, keeping up to date with all major football and cricket events, or looking for the best burger in London.
CLAUDETTE ALDERSON
Sales & Marketing Coordinator
In 1988 Claudette began her career working for Cori Film and BskyB before joining Guy at IAC in 1991. From there she joined him at Goldcrest Films as VP Sales & Marketing and at Sequence Films as Director of Marketing. In 2005 Claudette left to spend more time with her family. Unable to keep away, from 2010 Claudette would work with GFM and Evolution Pictures on a project by project basis. Following the pandemic, Claudette joined an event led company and enjoyed regularly working closely with McLaren, RHS Wisley, Buckingham Palace, and Ascot Racecourse for their high profile events before once again joining the GFM Animation team earlier this year. In her spare time Claudette enjoys nothing more than cooking for family & friends and sharing her tips with her followers on Instagram!
JAD KASSEM
Accounts Assistant
Jad works alongside Saiqa in the finance team on the company’s day-to-day accounting needs, including collections, production accounting, and production reporting. Born and raised in Lebanon, Jad is an MSc graduate in Accounting & Finance from Kingston University London and is currently working towards his ACCA qualifications. Outside of work he is a keen fitness & sports fan, regularly attending the gym and supporting his beloved football team, Manchester United. He also enjoys discovering new & exciting places to eat and, with a love for travel, is eagerly planning his next trip.