Laurent Zeitoun
Laurent Zeitoun is a French film producer, screenwriter and director. He is best known for his work on a number of commercially successful and critically recognised films, ranging from mainstream French comedies to international animated features and critically acclaimed dramas. Zeitoun also co‑founded production companies including L’Atelier Animation Ltd and Good Hero, playing a key role in both European and global film production.
Early life and education
Zeitoun was born and raised in Paris. Before entering the film industry, he worked in finance and spent time in New York. A visit to Paramount Studios in Los Angeles inspired him to pursue screenwriting and cinema, leading him to attend writing workshops in Los Angeles. Upon returning to France, he worked as a script consultant and co‑founded the writing company Script‑Associés in 2000. Best known as a French film director, producer and writer known for his work on the movies Leap! and Fireheart,Career
Zeitoun's early career in cinema included co‑writing and producing French comedies such as Les 11 commandements and Prête‑moi ta main. He went on to co‑write L’Arnacœur and gradually established himself as a prolific producer.As a producer, his credits span several notable films including L’Arnacœur, Intouchables, Samba, and the satire The Death of Stalin (2017). He has worked across French and international productions, contributing to both mainstream and arthouse cinema.
Animation and Good Hero
Alongside partner Yann Zenou, Zeitoun co‑founded the Canadian animation studio L’Atelier Animation Ltd in 2012, which produced the animated films Ballerina and Fireheart. L’Atelier Animation was later acquired by Cinesite in 2022.Zeitoun is also the chairman and Co‑Chief Creative Officer of Good Hero, a creative studio based in New York and Paris focused on producing high‑end feature films and television series. Through Good Hero he continues to develop international projects spanning animation and live‑action formats.