Feature film studio LAIKA is an industry trailblazer in the Pacific Northwest

LAIKA attracts employees from around the world — and for good reason.

The award-winning feature film studio based just outside of Portland, Oregon uses cutting-edge technology and innovative processes to create stop-motion animation in a way no other studios are. And the company’s culture — focused on DEI and growth opportunities — is driven by team members who share a passion for telling great stories.

“We have a collaborative culture and a great deal of diversity in terms of creative voices and ways of working across the studio,” said David Burke, LAIKA’s chief marketing and operations officer. “We’re proud Portlanders ­­— ­­a community of creators, animators, engineers, scientists and others who walk a different path.”

Founded in 2005, LAIKA has produced five films, each nominated for an Academy Award® for Outstanding Animated Feature. The studio is currently working on its sixth animated film, “Wildwood,” based on the book series by Colin Meloy. The film is set in a fictional version of Portland’s Forest Park.

“We are unique in the way we approach filmmaking,” Burke said. “We’re not following the crowd. And our geographical location is unique because we’re located just outside of Portland in the Pacific Northwest, removed from the entertainment ecosystem you would find in L.A. and New York.”

The company has more than 600 employees who have come from nearly every continent to join LAIKA.

“We take great pride in this,” Burke said. “It fosters a rich tapestry of creative voices throughout the studio. A diverse workforce significantly enhances the quality of our work.”

Everyone is encouraged to participate in the studio’s employee resource groups — an opportunity to connect with others who are allies or have a shared identity. The groups help with building community and a sense of belonging among those who currently work at LAIKA.

In addition to offering an inclusive and creative culture, LAIKA provides top-of-the-line benefits to employees. The company also has on-site medical and fitness centers, yoga, acupuncture, a free barista bar and subsidized meals and snacks.

LAIKA is committed to its employees’ professional development, offering education reimbursement, career coaching, and other resources to support teammates in achieving their career goals.

LAIKA offers roles in myriad disciplines — from making puppet hands to being part of a full-time costume department. There are also opportunities in archives, event planning, videography, technology, and many other fields within production and operations.

The company recruits talent from colleges and universities across the country, as well as globally. It has partnerships with Bowie State University, one of the country’s top Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), as well as Portland-based academic institutions.

Employees also do outreach with local organizations to encourage youth from under-represented communities to consider the potential of a career in the arts, animation and film.

“To work at LAIKA, we don't mandate a college degree,” Burke said. “Instead, we prioritize the quality of your work, the strength of your resume and your genuine passion.”

This year, LAIKA celebrates the 15^th anniversary of “Coraline,” its first film. As the studio continues to grow, it recently launched LAIKA Live Action, an L.A.-based subsidiary that’s developing live-action films and series. As LAIKA ventures into uncharted storytelling territories, it remains committed to creating timeless, original narratives and bringing these tales to the widest possible audience.

“Each expansion in the company’s growth can be attributed to LAIKA’s talented workforce,” Burke said. “We really look after people because we want them to be happy here and to find their place at LAIKA. And given where we are headed, LAIKA is a great place to be right now.”

To learn more about career opportunities, visit laika.com.