Xilam, a French animation studio, is giving its top deck a fresh animation as the studio lines up its next growth act. The French animation group has appointed Caterina Gonnelli-Linden as co-chief executive officer, while Camille Wiplier and Safaa Benazzouz have stepped up as deputy chief executive officers, effective immediately.
The leadership shuffle puts Gonnelli-Linden alongside chairman and chief executive officer Marc du Pontavice, with the duo sharing executive leadership of the group.
Gonnelli-Linden will take the operational reins for Xilam’s children’s programming across television and digital platforms. Her brief spans content, operations, distribution and human resources, putting her across the business from production floor to global rollout.
Wiplier is adding some tech to her toolkit. Already leading operations since January 2026, she will now also oversee IT and technical services. Benazzouz, meanwhile, takes the distribution and marketing wheel. Her expanded remit covers international sales, marketing, digital and merchandising as Xilam looks to push its content further into global markets. Du Pontavice will continue to steer group strategy and diversification, with feature films and young adult series among his key areas of focus. He will also retain oversight of shareholder relations, finance and legal affairs.
The reshuffle brings development, production and distribution closer together, giving Xilam a more streamlined leadership structure as it enters its next phase of growth. With three leaders stepping into bigger roles, Xilam is changing gears, and the next chapter is already in motion.
