Award-winning French animation studio Xilam Animation has appointed Caterina Gonnelli as EVP, Content for the company’s rapidly growing slate of projects. She is scheduled to join the company January 13, based in Xilam’s head office in Paris and reporting to CEO Marc du Pontavice.

Gonnelli will work alongside Xilam’s EVP, Content Jean Brune to oversee all editorial aspects of Xilam’s content and will be responsible for increasing the company’s slate, as well as conducting development to address the market needs. Formerly Director of Acquisitions and Co-Productions for the Disney Channels EMEA, Gonnelli’s expertise of the fast-changing worldwide market of kids’ content will help Xilam strengthen its reach across all distribution channels and platforms in the five continents.

Before Xilam, Caterina Gonnelli joined The Walt Disney Company in 2012 with an initial remit focused on local acquisitions and productions for the French market, which expanded over the years to include multi-territory pre-buys and co-productions across the EMEA region for Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior, from the identification of new third-party content to negotiations. Gonnelli previously held positions including Development Executive and Creative Producer at independent French production companies.

“We are thrilled to add such a remarkable talent to Xilam’s top executives,” said du Pontavice. “Caterina has built a very strong profile over the years from development to production, from acquisition to programming, at one of the world’s most prominent kids’ studios. Such invaluable expertise will boost Xilam’s response to a very fast-growing market towards premium kids’ content.”

Gonnelli added, “Xilam Animation has established an impressive, diverse and engaging slate of projects for kids and their families. I’m thrilled to be joining Marc and the team at this exciting time of growth as the company gears up for major new series launches, including Oggy Oggy for Netflix, and to continue shaping the company’s vision and content offering.”