Omnilab Media and Oktobor, its visual effects, animation and digital creative convergence studio, have officially opened their new Auckland, New Zealand-based CG-animation studio, Oktobor Animation, first announced in July.

The facility will act as a service shop for Nickelodeon Studio’s rising number of CG productions. The studio was created and launched in conjunction with US-based Backyard Animated Pictures.

The opening festivities included the world premiere of Oktobor Animation’s first completed TV episode of Penguins of Madagascar, based on DreamWorks’ animated feature film.

The CG studio, the first of its kind in New Zealand, currently employs a staff of 80 and anticipates the number will reach 300 over the next four years as it continues to tap into the country’s growing animation talent pool.