Finnish animation studio Anima Vitae – the company behind Niko 2 – has signed a joint venture agreement with Malaysia’s Creative Media Point to start a new studio in Kuala Lumpur.

The new studio will work on a production line developed by Anima, the Helsinki-based animation firm that was founded in 2000.

“A local partner that speaks Chinese, with its own animation school, coupled with Malaysia’s 30% rebate for international producers was a tempting combination,” said Petteri Pasanen, CEO of Anima Vitae.

During the American Film Market earlier this month, Anima signed the Max Howard Consulting Group (MHCG) to help secure finance and distribution partners for the new Helsinki-Kuala Lumpur structure.

“The long-term vision is excellent and offers great potential for both organisations,” said Max Howard, president of MHCG.

Anima’s most recent success is Niko 2: Little Brother, Big Trouble, a CGI-animated feature about a young reindeer that has so far taken nearly 133,000 admissions in Finland.