Benshi was founded in 2016 by Paris-based arthouse cinema Le Studio des Ursulines, which focused on programming children’s films. Initially, Benshi was a printed guide for families who wished to find quality films for their children.
In 2017, they launched the first version of SVOD platform. Since then, the mission has been to provide a diverse catalogue of films for children aged 2-11, providing a precise age recommendation. Both the SVOD platform and the guide coexist today.
Benshi kicked off with a strong following of dedicated parents, but the pandemic crisis allowed the company to reach a broader audience. Emma Tirand, Head of Acquisitions, highlights that ever since the launch, they aimed at trying to nurture this base while expanding to other target audiences and reach families that might not know what to show their children.
Our goal is to promote a vivid, diverse discovery of films for children. Our editorial policy stands for unique films that reflect the work and vision of an author. They constitute the ideal film library for families who want to discover new cinema.
The most popular catalogue titles include universally acclaimed features chosen by the audience, as well as more ‘confidential’ titles varying spanning different animation styles. Shorts and series are also part of the platform’s catalogue (Pompon Ours or Animanimals) and there’s room for TV specials as well.
Benshi also shines a spotlight on films crafted with more ‘traditional’ techniques as they have proved to perform very well. The films are selected by an independent committee made up of specialists in youth-orientated cinema. At the core of the catalogue is the age recommendation, an essential reference which helps parents choosing the right films for their offspring.
Read the interview at Emma Tirand on the first issue of EAJ.
