The Era of the Independents: Untold Studios Defines the Future of Creative Independents at Ciclope 2025 & Wins Animation Company of the Year

Oct 23

Written By DAB

The Era of the Independents: Untold Studios Defines the Future of Creative Independents at Ciclope 2025 & Wins Animation Company of the Year

Ciclope Festival has long been the global stage for celebrating expert craft in film, advertising and design. At the 2025 ceremony, held in Berlin, Untold Studios took centre stage as co-founders Darren O’Kelly and Rochelle Palmer delivered “The Decade of the Independents,” a powerful keynote reflection on how independence has become a creative advantage in today’s industry.

Their talk drew a capacity crowd, serving as both a celebration and a call to action. The pair shared Untold’s journey from a six-person start-up with a second-hand router 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 Darren 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.”

O’Kelly and Palmer spoke candidly about risk, resilience and the courage to do things differently, recognizing that stepping into the unknown was a bold move. “Nobody thought it was a good idea,” recalled O’Kelly. “The industry was crowded and fiercely competitive.” But the team at Untold Studios had a clear vision: to build a studio that focused its energy on people and creativity, nurturing a strong culture while delivering world-class work that pushes the boundaries of the industry. “I was about to have my second baby the month Untold launched,” Palmer recalled. “Probably not perfect timing, but when is it ever?”

That mix of conviction, grit and optimism became part of Untold’s DNA. From the start, the studio pushed boundaries and made bold plays that were often dismissed, yet have since become industry standard. “It takes two-thirds experience and one-third naivety,” explained O’Kelly. “Experience gives you wisdom, but naivety is magic. It’s what makes you try things, take risks and challenge the status quo.”

Early in its journey, Untold pioneered a fully cloud-based workflow, a decision once seen as risky, now recognised as the model for high-fidelity VFX delivery, connecting their artists and studios around the world. “For us, being independent means having the freedom to do what we believe in,” added O’Kelly.

What began as a bold idea has become an independent powerhouse producing globally recognised work across advertising and entertainment.

Untold’s projects span multiple disciplines and genres, continuing to blur the boundaries between craft and technology. From the acclaimed photoreal creatures of Virgin Media’s Highland Cow and Whizzer the Walrus, to the cinematic storytelling of Porsche’s Autokino, the surreal humour of e.l.f.’s talking Many Trick Pony, and the world-building artistry of Alien: Earth, each embodies precision, imagination, and authentic emotion.

During their conversation, Palmer and O’Kelly took the opportunity to turn the spotlight toward the creative community that inspired them, from legendary pioneers such as BBH, Fallon, MJZ, Biscuit and Wieden+Kennedy, to a new generation of independents evolving alongside them, including Drool, ProdCo, Mischief, Pablo, Lovesong and Ace of Hearts. “I’m not sure what the collective noun for us is,” O’Kelly said. “But maybe it’s a pride of independents - bold, confident and impossible to ignore.”

For Untold, Ciclope 2025 was more than a creative festival - it was a homecoming. A moment that reflected the spirit of the founders, the culture of their teams, and the power of independence itself. Their story struck a powerful chord, reminding the industry that innovation in craft often starts small, with a bold vision, a tight-knit team, and the courage to do things differently. “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.”

The message from Untold is clear. Independence isn’t an obstacle to greatness, it’s the fuel. “It isn’t about being big or small,” summarised O’Kelly. “It’s about the work and the people. That’s why independents matter.”

To wrap up an incredible festival, the Untold Studios 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.”

Hear more from Darren O’Kelly on Creativity & Culture and Untold’s journey in two recent podcasts:

For more on Untold Studios, visit untoldstudios.tv.