Genre cinema is experiencing a new breath of life in early 2026 with the highly anticipated release of Cold Storage. This science-fiction thriller owes its buzz to more than just its star-studded cast. While audiences are flocking to theaters to see Joe Keery — the unforgettable Steve Harrington from Stranger Things — alongside the legendary Liam Neeson and the talented Georgina Campbell (of Black Mirror fame), the film's technical excellence relies on distinctive French expertise.
Behind the polished cinematography and terrifying organic creatures of this production distributed by STUDIOCANAL, lies an impressive list of École Méliès graduates. From the pioneers of the Class of 2005 to the rising stars of the Class of 2024, these alumni are once again proving their worth within the global visual effects (VFX) industry.
A Project Crafted by Masters of the Genre
Cold Storage is more than just a monster movie. It is the result of a collaboration between industry giants: written by David Koepp, the legendary screenwriter of Jurassic Park, and produced by the team behind Zombieland, the film adapts the eponymous bestseller exploring an unprecedented biological threat.
The plot plunges us into a forgotten military facility where a highly infectious fungal organism is about to spread. The pitch is simple yet effective: if it spreads, humanity goes extinct. Bringing this fungal apocalypse to life required visual artisans capable of blending visual credibility with pure horror.
Méliès Expertise: A Record Presence in the Credits
What stands out when reading the credits of Cold Storage is the density of talent trained in Orly. The school confirms its role as a key talent pool for international blockbusters.
The recent Class of 2024 is already making a mark with Virginie Platteborze and Julien Saint-Garabedian as 3D Animators, while Antoine Motola (Class of 2023) contributes his skills as a Lighting and Shader Artist. They are joined by fellow Class of 2023 graduates Elora Meunier (Concept Artist) and Emma Diderot (Houdini Artist), a versatile expert in simulations.
Experience is also front and center with senior profiles such as Ersan Musa (Class of 2016) in the strategic role of Previz Artist, and Anthony Lagabbe (Class of 2012) as an FX Artist. Finally, the film's technical foundation was bolstered by school veterans: Vivien "Looky" Chauvet, Senior Concept Artist (Class of 2008), David Timsit (Class of 2005) in CG Animation, Alexandre Sauthier (Class of 2005) as Rigging Supervisor, Joris Vanbiervliet, Asset Supervisor collaborating with MPC Bangalore, and Bastien Chauvet (Class of 2005), who holds the crucial position of VFX Co-Supervisor.
