Daily 10/19: Creator-owned animation, AI filmmaking investment, and streaming expansion in Nepal

Studio Jadu launched a studio built around creator-owned animated production, while Popcorn AI Studio raised $1 million to expand its filmmaking platform. JioHotstar partnered with Nepal's DGO to bring Indian films and original content to a local streaming service.

• [GamesBeat] Studio Jadu launches a creator-owned animation studio ↗

  Studio Jadu launched a studio supporting small bands and independent artists across production, distribution, marketing, fandom development, and monetization. Its AI Director's Assistant, AIDA, turns a creator's script and vision into animation while keeping creative control with the artist. Studio Jadu is also proposing an equitable revenue-share model so creators participate in the economic value generated by their work.

• [Egyptian Gazette] Popcorn AI Studio raises $1 million to expand its filmmaking platform ↗

  Dubai-based Popcorn AI Studio raised $1 million in pre-seed funding to develop its film and video production platform. Founded by Egyptian entrepreneurs, the company is bringing concept development, character building, scene generation, commercial video, and multilingual production into one workspace. The funding will support further AI development, international expansion, and the platform's creative tools.

• [The Economic Times] JioHotstar partners with Nepal's DGO to launch a local streaming service ↗

  JioHotstar partnered with Nepal's DGO to bring Indian films, original series, television shows, reality franchises, and children's content to the local service. The deal extends JioHotstar's international footprint beyond the UK, Canada, Singapore, and the Middle East and North Africa region. It shows an Indian content business using a local platform partnership to enter a new market with an existing catalogue.