Partners We Love: #3 Umedia x Bobbypills

Welcome back to our “Partners we love” interview series dedicated to highlighting the partnerships that shape our projects. This series offers us the opportunity to shed light on valuable collaborations, in connection with key events or co-productions.

For our third issue, we wanted to look back on our partnership with Bobbypills on the Cannes-selected animated film “Jim Queen”.

This interview was conducted in French and has been translated to English.

Arthur: We first met after the 2023 edition of the Cartoon Movie. At that time, we were looking for an experienced European co-producer who could help us bring this unique project together.

Cédric: On our side, we had been blown away by the movie presentation during the 2023 Cartoon Movie, and I was curious to discover who could be behind such a funky (and at the same time kind) project. That’s when we discovered Bobbypills, a studio which had already built a strong editorial identity around bold and offbeat young adult content.

Cédric: We were truly impressed by all the thought and care Bobbypills put into the representation of LGBTQIA+ communities, and more specifically the gay community. Jim Queen is definitely a funny movie, but it also carries a message of tolerance and challenges persistent stereotypes. It was really motivating to take part in a project that is both fun and meaningful.

Arthur: For us, it was mutual trust that allowed a healthy collaboration. Furthermore, the quality of Belgian artists met our expectations, which helped us complete the film on time and with an exceptional level of quality given our constraints.

Arthur: Without this partnership, we simply couldn’t have put the film together. Having Umedia by our side enabled us to secure enough funding to complete development at a crucial moment and launch production.

Cédric: We believe we supported the film as much as possible to potential partners in Belgium and abroad. We are also delighted to have convinced Wallimage and the RTBF to come on board (RTBF being the only broadcaster bold enough to take the leap and already thrilled with the result alongside us). We also partnered with the Belgian studio Waooh, which particularly enjoyed working on a more adult target audience, and which sparked many interesting exchanges on LGBTQIA+ and the way they are usually represented.

Cédric: It’s a true recognition for Bobbypills, all the teams, starting with Nicolas and Marco, the directors of the movie, to all the artists who took part technically and creatively in this incredible adventure. Everyone gave their all to bring Jim Queen to life, and we cannot wait to see the Cannes audience react to the film (something tells us we should hear quite a few laughs 😉).

Bobbypills also had to deal with a certain reluctance from broadcasters when faced with a film that was more original than average, and considering the result, it fully deserves this selection. We hope it will naturally open more doors within the market.

Arthur: This selection in the Midnight Screening at Cannes represents a tremendous achievement for the entire team, but also the promise of presenting Jim Queen on the best possible stage, allowing the film to find its audience.

Arthur: Healthy and sincere.

Cédric: A sincere relationship with a young studio and producer, reliable enough to move mountains.

An animated movie directed by Marco Nguyen and Nicolas Athané, produced by Bobbypills, in co-production with Umedia, RTBF, and with the support of Wallimage.

This film has been selected Out of Competition at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival and will be screened in the Midnight Screening on May 17, with a release in cinemas scheduled for June 17, 2026.