The VFX and animation company’s Co-founders Darren O’Kelly and Rochelle Palmer delivered ‘The Decade of the Independents,’ a reflection on how independence has become a creative advantage in today’s industry.
Untold Studios recently took the stage at Ciclope Festival 2025, where co-founders Darren O’Kelly and Rochelle Palmer delivered “The Decade of the Independents,” a keynote reflection on how independence has become a creative advantage in today’s industry.The pair shared Untold’s journey from a six-person start-up to a global studio of over 450 creatives spanning London, Los Angeles, Toronto, Mumbai, and soon New York.
“Our industry exists to make people stop and pay attention,” said O’Kelly, co-founder and CEO of Untold Studios.“Independents do that best.We have freedom, the ability to take risks, to move at speed, to be courageous, and as a collective, we constantly push each other to be better.
Freedom isn’t a luxury, it’s our superpower.” Untold had a clear vision: to build a studio that focuses its energy on people and creativity, nurturing a strong culture while delivering world-class work that pushes the boundaries of the industry.The studio’s projects span multiple disciplines and genres, from the photoreal creatures of Virgin Media’s and , to the cinematic storytelling of Porsche’s , the surreal humor of e.l.f.’s talking , and the world-building artistry of .“This is a celebration of everyone who’s ever started something from nothing,” said Palmer.
“Every independent who believed in their instincts, stayed up all night solving impossible problems, and built something they could be proud of.”
To cap off the festival, the Untold team was awarded the Animation Company of the Year award in recognition of outstanding creative achievement and consistent excellence across Live-Action, Animation, VFX, and Music content.“These awards mean something deeper than metal on a shelf,” said Palmer.“They represent hundreds of people across our studios who pour everything into making the unreal feel real - who understand that technology is only ever a tool for emotion.”
Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologist—L'Wren brings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.
Untold Studios Gets its Dream VFX Project with Neil Gaiman’s ‘The Sandman’
FX Drops ‘Alien: Earth’ Trailer #2
Paramount Drops ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ Trailer #2
‘Sonic the Hedgehog 4’ in Development at Paramount
Taika Waititi’s ‘A Disney Holiday Short: The Boy & The Octopus’ Debuts
