French animation studio Xilam Animation (Oggy and the Cockroaches) is promoting its deputy EVP of distribution, Safaa Benazzouz (pictured), to replace Morgann Favennec as EVP of distribution. The promotion will take effect on September 1.

Benazzouz will head up the worldwide distribution of Xilam’s content portfolio from Paris, including series such as Karate Sheep, Buddybo and Zig & Sharko. Reporting to founder and CEO Marc du Pontavice, she will lead sales primarily in the US, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Southern Europe, MENA and LatAm.

Benazzouz joined Xilam as SVP of media sales distribution in 2019 and was promoted last year to deputy EVP of distribution. During her time at the studio, she has helped develop new IPs including the preschool show Oggy Oggy (156 x seven minutes), which Netflix debuted in 2021. Prior to Xilam, Benazzouz worked in sales for five years at French distributor Superights.

Xilam’s leadership has changed shape a few times this year, with three executive promotions. EVP of content Caterina Gonnelli-Linden became CCO; Guillaume Jallot was named chief technical officer; and head of studio Cécile Hergaux-Essame was tapped to lead Xilam’s Cube Creative animation studio, which the company acquired in 2020.