Stories That Last

Stories can bring people together, spark curiosity, and create lasting connections across generations.

Acknowledged by

Mission Statement

We believe families are looking for stories that entertain without cynicism, inspire without preaching,
and remain meaningful long after the credits roll.
Fun Academy Studios was created to build those stories.

Many of our films are inspired

by real moments in history —

times when individuals stepped forward and

helped shape the world around them.

Meaning isn’t delivered — it’s felt

Heart Over Spectacle

Stories endure because of emotion, not scale.

History with Humanity

We approach history through the people who lived it.

Stories Families Trust

Stories families feel safe bringing home.

My first visit to the United States was as a 13-year-old boy from Britain. I was captivated by the country’s history, optimism, and can-do spirit. Many years later, that fascination became a career.

Today, from my home in Normandy, France, I create films and television programs that bring American history to families around the world, including The American Road to Victory and Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero. Watching generations of American families visit Normandy reinforced my belief that history is at its most powerful when it is experienced through human stories.

Fun Academy Studios President

Richard Lanni

The People Behind

the Stories

Richard Lanni

Founder and President

Richard Lanni is the founder of Fun Academy and the writer and director of Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero. His work focuses on character-driven stories inspired by history, courage, discovery, and the moments that reveal the best of human nature. Through Fun Academy, he is building a trusted home for family storytelling rooted in authenticity, emotional sincerity, and respect for audiences of all ages.

Jean-Noël

Art Director

Jean-Noël serves as Art Director for Fun Academy, helping shape the visual identity of its stories from early development through production. His work combines strong cinematic design with a deep appreciation for atmosphere, character, and historical authenticity, helping bring warmth and visual richness to every project.

Patrick Doyle

Composer

Academy Award-nominated composer Patrick Doyle is one of the most celebrated film composers of his generation. His credits include Sense and Sensibility, Hamlet, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and Brave. At Fun Academy, his music helps bring emotional depth, wonder, and cinematic scale to stories designed for family audiences.

Norman LeBlanc

Head of Story

Norman LeBlanc is a veteran story artist, director, and creative leader whose career has spanned animation, feature films, and television. As Head of Story for Fun Academy, he helps guide narrative development across the studio's projects, ensuring each story remains grounded in character, emotion, and strong storytelling fundamentals.

Chance Chancellor

Director of Operations & Technology

Chance Chancellor oversees technology, operations, and infrastructure across Fun Academy. Working closely with both creative and business teams, he helps translate vision into execution while supporting the systems and platforms that will allow the studio to grow and scale over time.

Linda Lamontagne

Casting Director

Award-winning casting director Linda Lamontagne has worked across animation, television, and feature films, helping bring together talented performers and creative teams. Her experience and instinct for casting help ensure that Fun Academy's characters are brought to life with authenticity, warmth, and emotional truth.